Isabela is the largest island of the Galapagos made up of five and a half volcanos, most of them still active. In the morning we set out for a hike on Urbina Bay. We landed on a black sand beach where sea turtles nest. We put our shoes on and prepared to walk the loop trail heading inland and along the shore.
Other reptiles of the area are the beautiful yellow land iguanas and the lava lizards. Where they now walk was covered by water. As a result of magma shifting underneath, this territory now lies about 12 feet higher. Testimony of this event are millions of broken shells and large pieces of bleached coral which is now mixed with vegetation growing on and around it.
After a short hike for some groups and a long hike for others, we finish the morning at the beach for a cooling dip in these now temperate waters.
While we waded in the water, marvelous signs of nature appeared as if to entertain us. Swimming penguins, gliding sea turtles, scavenging pelicans and boobies, and more put on a show as we watched gleefully.
The ship moved to our next destination, Tagus Cove. This is where pirates, whalers and other early visitors used to drop anchor, some for giant tortoises, others just for the tranquility of its waters.
Evidence of this is graffiti, some carved and others painted in the volcanic ash.
Tagus Cove is a great place to enjoy water activities like kayaking and snorkeling. The area offers a wide variety of wildlife such as penguins, cormorants, sea lions, iguanas, turtles and more. This can all be seen and enjoyed either from the water or from the Zodiac as several options are offer to our guests to maximize their experience.
To conclude the afternoon, some people headed on land for an invigorating hike. They ventured up and along a crater lake with hypersaline waters and surrounded by interesting local flora where some land birds can be seen.
Surrounded by imposing volcanoes we finish another day of expedition in the Galapagos Islands.
