Today we woke up anchored at Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island. In addition to an array of wildlife, this island has some of the most interesting tales of human history. Floreana is also known as the mystery island, and it was the second island in the Galapagos to be officially inhabited, specifically by a German couple who migrated here in the 1920s. Even though humans arrived here around 100 years ago, the population of the island remains small with only 130 people.
The highlight of our expedition was the wildlife, so we visited Punta Cormorant before breakfast. We made a wet landing on a green beach covered by peridots, semiprecious stones. A photo walk and a natural history walk were offered to guests. We were lucky enough to spot at least thirty Galapagos flamingos, a subspecies of the American flamingo. There are only about 700 individuals in the entire archipelago. Flamingos are unmistakable due to their color and size. They obtain their characteristic pink coloration from eating tiny shrimp that are colloquially known as “sea monkeys.” These birds are a favorite of many guests. We learned all about the birds’ ecology, how they have adapted to live in the islands, and their behaviors compared to other flamingo species.
After our visit, we returned to the ship and enjoyed a great breakfast. Later, we got ready for water activities. Snorkeling at Champion Islet was wonderful; this place offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the Galapagos. In the water, we observed different species of colorful fish, dozens of sharks, plenty of sea lions, and sea turtles.
The afternoon was a thrill as well. We enjoyed a delicious Mexican lunch. This was followed by different activities for the Global Explorers, photography talks, and a movie about the human history of the islands. Later, we headed out again to explore. We visited the post office barrel and kayaked along the coast.
We ended our day with the daily recap and a great dinner. What a wonderful day Floreana gave us!
