Today we had one of the most exciting days of our expedition. We travelled to the western part of the Galapagos islands. The western islands are younger and geologically active. This part of the archipelago is also very rich due to the influence of the equatorial undercurrent that brings cold nutrient rich waters.
Early in the morning before breakfast we spotted a whale, probably a Bryde’s or a blue whale. Later that morning we crossed the Equator and had a special ceremony to celebrate it. Later, we took a Zodiac ride around Ecuador Volcano, one of the six volcanos that emerged independently to form the largest island of the Galapagos - Isabela. Later, we snorkeled around Punta Vicente Roca. The conditions were ideal, and visibility was perfect to spot dozens of green sea turtles, flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, sea lions, fur seals and many species of fish.
In the afternoon, we sailed to Fernandina Island, the youngest and most pristine island of the Galapagos archipelago. There, we saw dozens of flightless cormorants nesting, and marine iguanas basking and feeding on marine algae.
We continued onward and sailed for nearly three hours to witness a unique event on Sierra Negra. This active volcano on Isabela Island has been erupting for almost two months! This was a perfect way to finish this wonderful day of discovery.
