With approximately 3000 square miles, Isabela is the largest Island in the Galápagos Archipelago, made by six volcanoes connected together.
Urbina Bay and Tagus Cove were our assigned visiting sites by the National Park Service. In the morning we offered a long and a short walk in a place which happens to be very new, because about six decades ago it was uplifted. Prior to that geological event, it was totally submerged and full of marine life. Our guests were amazed to be walking on the old sea floor, where now a complete land ecosystem thrives. Giant tortoises and land iguanas were the two endemic reptiles found along the trail. It was the first time in our expedition that we came across the emblematic animal of the Galapagos, the giant tortoise.
In the afternoon, after a short navigation towards the bases of Darwin volcano, we dropped the anchor at Tagus Cove. At this site we offered deep water snorkeling, kayaking, Zodiac riding and a brisk walk to the top of a spatter cone. Clear skies and a nice breeze made our expedition very pleasant, along with the abundance of wild life found along the shore line. Among other species we foun penguins, flightless cormorants, blue footed boobies, nazca boobies, puffer fish, spotted eagle rays and green sea turtles.
A nice sunset along the northern flank of Fernandina Island’s volcano made us think for a moment the island was starting to erupt! Of course, it was a false alarm – just the gorgeous warm colors of this spectacular day's end.
