To the northwest of Santa Cruz and far from the inhabited part of the island lies a location with remarkable variety of both flora and fauna. After a wet landing on rocky terrain we come across a white sandy beach surrounded by black basaltic rock; all this combined with the greens and reds of the plants gives this place an outstanding mosaic of color. Of course it is also inhabited by animals like seabirds, marine iguanas, lava lizards, shorebirds and fish in tide pools.
Behind the beach we encounter a brackish water lagoon in which flamingoes find their favorite food; a microscopic shrimp called Artemia Salina which gives them their remarkable pink feathers. Here they share habitat with other birds like ducks, stilts and occasionally other waders as well as shorebirds.
A red trail (due to the presence of iron in the rocks) takes us through a palo santo forest, which at this time of the year is leafless due to lack of rain and looks gray. Finally we reach Dragon Hill, where land iguanas can be seen at any time of the year. Large iguanas, mostly yellow in color, are the highlight of our hike here.
After coming back on board we get ready for the next adventure, this time along the walls of a small island called Guy Fawkes, for snorkeling. Here live different types of fish, sea lions, sharks and sometimes rays and turtles. We also see a solitary penguin.
In the afternoon we move to a different island called Eden to go on a Zodiac ride along the coast looking for animals like birds or marine life in the mangroves growing along the shore. Turtles and baby sharks, rays and sea lions inhabit these areas.
To conclude this lovely day we navigate around the island of Daphne Major where science found the perfect scenario for the studies of finches over some decades.
Sunset behind the island, with birds and other animals all around, we see another fantastic day come to an end.
