It was a very calm morning as we navigated to Punta Vicente Roca. From the observation deck, we enjoyed the view of many rays splashing. As we arrived, we got out the Zodiacs to explore the coast of this magical place. The geological formations are impressive, and the wildlife on the coast made it even better. Penguins posed on the rocks for our pictures, flightless cormorants dried their wings after a successful fishing, turtles popped their head out of the water to take a breath, and much more. We could not wait to snorkel in this place. In the afternoon, we visited Fernandina Island. The temperature was perfect for a walk on Punta Espinoza. What an impression it made to see so many marine iguanas at once. We had to watch our steps carefully; they were everywhere!
5/14/2024
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National Geographic Islander II
San Cristobal Island
We arrived at the beautiful landing of Punta Pitt very early in the morning. A gang of playful juvenile sea lions were rolling with the waves on the olivine-colored beach, barking loudly to greet us with comical choreography. Once we were ready to start our walk, we were surprised by a red-footed booby who desperately and laboriously cut little branches of saltbush with the apparent purpose of getting nesting material. The effort it made to cut a few little twigs was completely inspiring. Look how he does it! Then, on the summit of an eroded tuff cone, we saw blue-footed boobies nesting. It was too early to start to work so they were sleeping, and in few cases, taking care of their newborn featherless chicks! Later, we returned to the green beach, and we swam with sea lions and colorful tropical fish. In the afternoon we headed to a special bay where one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos exists. We strolled on the white coralline beds and swam in the turquoise water, then finally sailed around an ancient and dying ash cone in the middle of the sea, called Kicker Rock.