The western islands of this archipelago are the youngest, and therefore the most volcanic. Isabela, being the largest island of all, is where we spent the full day for our several activities. Our first stop was Urbina Bay, where our guests chose between a short hike and a long hike, both of which offer good opportunities for wildlife sightings, such as large land iguanas, and occasionally also giant tortoises.
Land birds are also everywhere here, from Darwin’s finches, Galapagos hawks, warblers and Galapagos mockingbirds, to some waders and sea birds like the unique flightless cormorants and pelicans.
Another interesting feature of the area is the 1954s uplift, which caused the elevation of the marine bottom by 12 feet over an area of about 5 miles. During the uplift, a great number of marine creatures like sea turtles, sea urchins, lobster, sharks and many more were left high and dry, and they can be seen as you walk through the inland trail recently colonized by vegetation of different sorts. A great area of large coral heads lies a good distance from the water, and now vegetation grows on it.
After a delicious Ecuadorian lunch and a mandatory siesta, we prepare for the afternoon activities at another location on Isabela called Tagus Cove, formerly visited by naturalist Charles Darwin. Some started early with a kayaking excursion along the shore of tuff formation, which is home to many resting or nesting sea birds, like penguins and cormorants.
This was followed by a snorkeling activity from the Zodiacs along the coastline. Here, green sea turtles are abundant and incredibly friendly, and penguins also come very close as they follow small fishes. Cormorants do the same, and sometimes are attracted to snorkels and other items that people have on, and usually they will play or try to take things to include as part of their nest. This session in the water was just amazing.
The adventure continued for some with a power hike to a small elevation, from where you can see a salt water lake in an old crater, mostly made of ash and surrounded by local vegetation. This water is twice as salty as the ocean water. Some decided to take it easy, and instead went on a Zodiac ride to look for the amazing animals that usually hang on the rocks and swim close the shore, where it is possible to see and take pictures of them easily.
Another incredible day in the Galapagos.
