Floreana Island
With the New Year, the warm weather came to Galápagos as well. This means the water temperature increases enough to evaporate and form thick clouds and pouring rains for short periods of time all over the archipelago. Due to the location of Galápagos and the influence of oceanic currents, this archipelago is very dry despite its tropical location. The weather is not an issue to consider for coming to Galápagos, because it’s very unusual to catch a pouring shower. These heavy showers are sufficient for the vegetation to start blooming all over the archipelago. This is the time of the year when reptiles and land birds start breeding as well.
This morning we disembarked to visit a white sandy beach which is one of the many Pacific green sea turtle nesting grounds in Galápagos. As we walked along the beach there were lots of turtles tracks, left behind from the previous night’s activity.
As we returned to the ship to prepare ourselves to go deep-water snorkeling, glass-bottom boating and Zodiac riding, our schedule was interrupted by a pod of bottlenose dolphins. These amazing creatures came very close and started bow-riding our Zodiacs; they were incredible friendly and some of our guests wearing their snorkel gear jumped in the water to play with them. Everyone was happy, because they never imagined they would have this great opportunity: “Swimming with dolphins in the Galápagos!”
In the afternoon we visited the post office barrel; this system was used by whalers, and today we helped to keep this old tradition alive. Before heading back onboard, we took a Zodiac ride along the coast of the same area to see turtles, blue-footed boobies, pelicans, sea lions, rays, marine iguanas, herons and a beautiful landscape.
Before sunset, we return on board and headed to the outer decks to enjoy the sun disappearing in the vast Pacific Ocean.
