Isabela and Fernandina Islands
These enchanted islands constitute a genuine Nature lovers’ paradise. The unusual animal species found in these realms are spectacular, both in numbers and in beauty. The amazingly young volcanic settings are breathtaking as well. In a nutshell, Isabela and Fernandina Islands represent an exquisite combination of wilderness and intrinsic natural splendor that enhance the halo of magic that floats everywhere.
Very early this morning we enjoyed watching a huge pod of common dolphins traveling at fast speed. Some dolphins were seen leaping out of the water with acrobatic movements. These quick leaps and twistings provoked the admiration and laughter of their observers. We estimated the size of the group in not less than five hundred individuals. Later in the morning during a Zodiac cruise along the coastline of Isabela Island in a place known as Punta Vicente Roca, we spotted the bizarre and interesting giant sunfish (Mola mola). The natural history of this huge fish is one of the most fascinating ones in the natural world. In the evening I shared some information I compiled during the past years about this fish species in a lecture. Mola has been the word today! Snorkeling was no less spectacular; swimming with the highly endangered green Pacific turtles was a highlight for many of us, some even had the thrill to swim with molas! During lunch a pod of pilot whales was spotted. Right away a Zodiac was lowered carrying a selected group of three naturalists and the Video Chronicler to record the event. They managed to capture excellent footage and pictures of the whales both on the surface and underwater.
In the afternoon after a great lunch, that included a fabulous “make your own ice cream sundae option” and a lecture about Charles Darwin, we went for a walk on Fernandina Island. Black lava flows, distributed in a random artistic way with hundreds of marine iguanas and rare flightless cormorants are characteristic of Punta Espinoza. This area is a true paradisiacal visitors’ site where you feel you have gone back in time; immersed in an idyllical Garden of Eden. New feelings, memories and the sense of wonder encircled us today. The magic of Isabela and Fernandina Islands - what a day!
These enchanted islands constitute a genuine Nature lovers’ paradise. The unusual animal species found in these realms are spectacular, both in numbers and in beauty. The amazingly young volcanic settings are breathtaking as well. In a nutshell, Isabela and Fernandina Islands represent an exquisite combination of wilderness and intrinsic natural splendor that enhance the halo of magic that floats everywhere.
Very early this morning we enjoyed watching a huge pod of common dolphins traveling at fast speed. Some dolphins were seen leaping out of the water with acrobatic movements. These quick leaps and twistings provoked the admiration and laughter of their observers. We estimated the size of the group in not less than five hundred individuals. Later in the morning during a Zodiac cruise along the coastline of Isabela Island in a place known as Punta Vicente Roca, we spotted the bizarre and interesting giant sunfish (Mola mola). The natural history of this huge fish is one of the most fascinating ones in the natural world. In the evening I shared some information I compiled during the past years about this fish species in a lecture. Mola has been the word today! Snorkeling was no less spectacular; swimming with the highly endangered green Pacific turtles was a highlight for many of us, some even had the thrill to swim with molas! During lunch a pod of pilot whales was spotted. Right away a Zodiac was lowered carrying a selected group of three naturalists and the Video Chronicler to record the event. They managed to capture excellent footage and pictures of the whales both on the surface and underwater.
In the afternoon after a great lunch, that included a fabulous “make your own ice cream sundae option” and a lecture about Charles Darwin, we went for a walk on Fernandina Island. Black lava flows, distributed in a random artistic way with hundreds of marine iguanas and rare flightless cormorants are characteristic of Punta Espinoza. This area is a true paradisiacal visitors’ site where you feel you have gone back in time; immersed in an idyllical Garden of Eden. New feelings, memories and the sense of wonder encircled us today. The magic of Isabela and Fernandina Islands - what a day!
