Today, we awoke with giant cliffs in front of our vessel. The incredible geology of San Cristobal Island’s Pitt Point delighted us with its colors and contrasts. It also provides the perfect habitat for red-footed boobies and many other sea birds searching for safe breeding grounds on the edge of the cliffs.
We had a wet landing at a green beach where sea lions had formed several harems and marine iguanas basked near the salt marshes. Heading for the interior of the island, we climbed over an old river bed. In the wet season, rain water flows downhill along the compacted ash. Along the way, we noticed the endemic scalesia bushes coloring the brown tuff cones.
The contours of an extinct volcano became clearer as we continued walking along its rim. San Cristobal Island was created by two major volcanoes. The older one formed the northeast side of the island and the younger one created the southwest side. A recent study found that the marine iguanas found in the older side of the island are genetically different from the ones in the south. In fact, the two species are as different as the pink iguana of the Galápagos and the marine iguana. Knowing the scientific importance of this area made us appreciate the species we encountered in a new light.
After the hike, some of us swam in the waters off the beach, where we encountered several playful sea lions. Showing interest in the swimming humans, they entertained us with some flips and close encounters. When we first landed, we had been welcomed by “garua” (drizzle), but now the sun was coming out.
After lunch we headed for a masterpiece of geology found in the middle of the ocean. This old tuff cone is known as Kicker Rock (or Sleeping Lion in Spanish). We went deepwater snorkeling along the titanic walls of this place, the deepest we have snorkeled so far this week. Once in the water, we snorkeled through the fissure of this eroded tuff cone and were welcomed by about 50 Galápagos sharks, most of them juveniles, swimming all around us and performing quite a delightful show. Some Pacific green sea turtles were also seen. This was an incredible snorkeling adventure and the best way to close our expedition to the enchanted archipelago.
Once onboard the ship, we circumnavigated around Kicker Rock and enjoyed a wonderful sunset from the sky deck of the National Geographic Islander.
