National Geographic Islander II navigated along the northwestern realm of Isabela Island as we looked for marine mammals and sunfish. The majestic outlines of Fernandina and Isabela’s shield volcanoes stood tall around Canal Bolivar, which divides both islands.
We crossed the equator after a delicious breakfast, and we celebrated this event with our guests. We dropped anchor at Punta Vicente Roca, a collapsed caldera of Volcano Ecuador. We explored the coast by Zodiac since the site does not allow disembarkation due to its geology. We observed fur sea lions, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, Galapagos penguins, and the impressive flightless cormorant.
Later in the morning, we snorkeled with iguanas, Galapagos penguins, sea lions, flightless cormorants, several species of fish, and green sea turtles feeding on seaweed. We enjoyed great conditions.
In the afternoon, we arrived at Fernandina, the archipelago’s youngest island. Fernandina is in the far west realm of the Galapagos. We went ashore for a walk, and we were transported back to a time when the land was newly formed. The highlights of the hike were the countless Galapagos marine iguanas basking on the shoreline.
After a walk on lava flows, we ended the day with a wine tasting at sunset. Every day in the Galapagos is an opportunity to rediscover the beauty of nature through unbelievable encounters, and today was no exception. The western islands are formidable!
