Isabela & Fernandina Islands
Our day started with a circumnavigation of Roca Redonda. Mist enshrouded the island, lending a mysterious aura to this rocky outcropping. During breakfast, we sailed to Isabela where we explored the Volcan Ecuador, a volcanic crater of which one side is completely collapsed exposing the inside to the ocean. The towering walls were home to scores of marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs and birds. The surf has carved several caves into the sides of the crater where we saw nesting boobies, playful sea lions, graceful sea turtles and even a feral cat. On the Zodiac ride along this majestic coastline, we had several sightings of mola mola fish (also known as the sunfish) whose odd appearance and swimming style make it often mistaken for a shark or ray. We then snorkeled at Punta Vicente Roca with sea turtles, sea lions and a 10-foot manta ray, sights that made weathering the 64° water well worthwhile.
We traveled on to Fernandina and landed at Punta Espinosa, an extensive lava flow. The highlights of our Zodiac ride were the numerous sightings of flightless cormorants and Galápagos penguins that seemed unperturbed as we approached within feet of their perches. Once on the lava flow, we explored among scores of snorting iguanas in their nesting grounds, crabs, lounging sea lions, and myriad of aquatic fowl. The few who remained on the ship did not miss out, spotting five pilot whales off the stern of the Polaris. We headed to bed tired and happy after another exciting day in the Galápagos Islands.
Our day started with a circumnavigation of Roca Redonda. Mist enshrouded the island, lending a mysterious aura to this rocky outcropping. During breakfast, we sailed to Isabela where we explored the Volcan Ecuador, a volcanic crater of which one side is completely collapsed exposing the inside to the ocean. The towering walls were home to scores of marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs and birds. The surf has carved several caves into the sides of the crater where we saw nesting boobies, playful sea lions, graceful sea turtles and even a feral cat. On the Zodiac ride along this majestic coastline, we had several sightings of mola mola fish (also known as the sunfish) whose odd appearance and swimming style make it often mistaken for a shark or ray. We then snorkeled at Punta Vicente Roca with sea turtles, sea lions and a 10-foot manta ray, sights that made weathering the 64° water well worthwhile.
We traveled on to Fernandina and landed at Punta Espinosa, an extensive lava flow. The highlights of our Zodiac ride were the numerous sightings of flightless cormorants and Galápagos penguins that seemed unperturbed as we approached within feet of their perches. Once on the lava flow, we explored among scores of snorting iguanas in their nesting grounds, crabs, lounging sea lions, and myriad of aquatic fowl. The few who remained on the ship did not miss out, spotting five pilot whales off the stern of the Polaris. We headed to bed tired and happy after another exciting day in the Galápagos Islands.
