Isabela and Fernandina Islands, 11/9/2021, National Geographic Islander
Aboard the
National Geographic Islander
Galápagos
Today we woke to the announcement from our expedition leader, Paula, letting us know that a group of striped dolphins was swimming beside the ship. After a delicious breakfast, we went for a Zodiac ride along Volcano Ecuador, a collapsed volcano in the far north part of Isabela Island. Here we also had a snorkel outing, where we saw plenty of Pacific green sea turtles, Galapagos penguins and marine iguanas feeding on the rocky outcrops.
In the afternoon, we visited one of the most outstanding areas to see marine iguanas: Punta Espinoza in Fernandina Island. Here we also found a few Galapagos hawks, the top predator in these islands. We finished the day with an amazing sunset and a barbeque dinner on the sky deck onboard National Geographic Islander.
Javier grew up on Santa Cruz island where his grandparents first arrived in the 1940´s. Veritable pioneers, his grandparents settled in the highlands where they found a place to raise their children.
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This wonderful island has stunning landscapes and wildlife, beneath the waves as much as on land. Several marine species live here, which we enjoy viewing using our many tools of exploration: kayaks, paddleboards, a glass-bottom boat, and snorkeling gear. The volcanic landscapes present a striking contrast: some areas are young and barren, while others are older and already teeming with plants and animals. This creates a captivating contrast. Long before locals and tourists arrived, the island was visited by pirates, whalers, and naturalists, including the famous Charles Darwin. Darwin spent five weeks in the Galapagos aboard the HMS Beagle . A great place for exploring nature and photography.
Our day began with an exciting Zodiac ride along the stunning coastline of Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island. The morning was filled with incredible wildlife sightings as we cruised along the rocky shores, observing numerous Galápagos flightless cormorants, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and marine iguanas swimming gracefully in the calm clear waters in search of food. The abundance of wildlife in such a concentrated area made the experience truly unforgettable. After the Zodiac ride, we had the chance to snorkel in the same area, where we explored the underwater world of the Galápagos, encountering vibrant marine life and marveling at the diversity that thrives beneath the surface. In the afternoon, we visited Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island, renowned for its pristine landscapes and rich biodiversity. We embarked on a walk along the beach and through a rocky trail, where we spotted numerous sea lions basking in the sun and sea turtles gracefully swimming close to the shore. One sea turtle was even resting on the beach, providing a perfect photo opportunity. Along the way, we encountered more flightless cormorants, and as we reached the end of our walk, we were delighted to find Galápagos penguins perched on the rocks—a wonderful surprise that capped off our exploration. Just before sunset, we returned to the vessel and enjoyed a wine tasting on the sundeck, basking in the golden light of the setting sun and reflecting on the incredible experiences of the day.
Early in the morning, we awoke to the beautiful view of North Seymour Island. We spotted several birds flying from a distance, and the landscape was full of leafless trees, home to wildlife. After breakfast, we had a dry landing on North Seymour Island, where we spotted several species of seabirds, such as magnificent and great frigatebirds, Swallow-tailed gulls, blue-footed boobies, and brown pelicans. After the hike on North Seymour, we navigated towards Rabida Island, where we had the opportunity to go snorkeling and explore the underwater world of the Galapagos. We spotted several species of fish, sea lions, and a couple of whitetip reef sharks. After snorkeling, some of us went kayaking along the coast of Rabida Island and enjoyed its unique geology. Others went on a stroll along the beach to enjoy a small colony of Galapagos sea lions during sunset.