As the sun rose this morning and the air cleared, we realized that massive shield volcanoes surrounded us. The western part of Isabela gives us a clear idea of how these volcanic islands were formed, as there are recent flows visible everywhere. We started our exploration of this new land at Urbina Bay, where the terrain was uplifted in 1954 out of the tidal zone due to violent volcanic action. We find remnants underfoot of the seafloor as we encounter giant tortoises, land iguanas, and a plethora of Darwin finches. The afternoon gave us a history lesson as we walked in Darwin’s footsteps at Tagus Cove, gaining an incredible view of the hundred-mile long island of Isabela. We explored every detail of this area, land and sea, as we snorkeled with Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, and Pacific green sea turtles, and kayaked below the massive tuff cones of the coastal area. We returned to the ship just as the sun burned a warm glow into the land as it dipped into the ether.
10/3/2024
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Bartholomew Island and Sombrero Chino
We split into groups for different excursions this morning. Four groups went up the staircase to the top for the iconic view over the isthmus of Bartholomew Island and Pinnacle Rock. We walked past exposed volcanic formations of all sorts: spatter cones, tuff cones, and lava tubes. Two other groups chose to explore along the coast by Zodiac in hopes of Galapagos penguin sightings. All of us were successful in what we hoped for and even the walkers saw penguins near the dock where we disembarked! Both snorkeling off the beach and deep-water outings along the backside of the island were tremendously productive because we saw it all: penguins and sharks being the top species, and diving blue-footed boobies too! The afternoon had National Geographic Endeavour II anchored not too far south, off the coast of Santiago Island near Sombrero Chino. A dramatically barren, small volcanic cone where another snorkeling outing was offered and late-afternoon Zodiac rides to search yet one more time for penguins. We can never get enough of them!