We had a blast at Isabela Island today. In the morning, we visited Urbina Bay. We enjoyed a great walk and observed Alcedo giant tortoises and Galapagos land iguanas. This site’s green vegetation is a contrast to the dry vegetation found on the rest of the lowlands. In the afternoon, we went to Tagus Cove. Conditions were perfect for kayaking and deep-water snorkeling. Our day ended with an invigorating hike to the summit of the tuff cone to take in the landscape. We also enjoyed Zodiac tours to explore the coastal area.
9/2/2024
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Floreana Island
Floreana was the first island colonized by people in the Galapagos. Ecuador took possession of the Galapagos Islands in 1832 and established a penal colony on Floreana. When Darwin visited the Galapagos in 1835, the second island he landed on was Floreana. During his stay, he met with some of the convicts and explored the highlands. Floreana Island has been shaped by volcanic activity and ecological evolution. When we arrived at Point Cormorant, we were greeted by the striking, green-tinted sand on the beach. The sand is colored by olivine crystals, a remnant of the island’s volcanic origins. A short trail led us to a contrasting white sand beach on the opposite side of the point. Along the way, we passed by a brackish lagoon that is home to a small but significant population of flamingos. As we hiked in the forest, we found Darwin’s finches, Galapagos flycatchers, and a dark-billed cuckoo. We explored a nearby rocky islet to find the Floreana mockingbird, which we added to our Galapagos bird list.