Galapagos Adventure Day 2: Punta Vincente Roca and Espinoza

 

Skiff Tours, Sea Caves, Beach Landings, and more wildlife than I can shake a stick at? Yes Please! That was the story on our first full day aboard La Pinta here in the Galapagos Islands. We started off our day with a zodiac tour around the Northwest tip of Isabela Island at a place called Punta Vicente Roca.

A marine iguana lazily lounges ontop of another in an attempt to warm up in the afternoon sun.

The landscape of Isabela Island here is stunning. The volcano geology is exposed thanks to thousands of years of erosion due to wind, waves, and rain. As we approached the cliffs closer we realized that sea birds and marine iguanas dotted the cliffs. Just like the animals on Seymour North Island yesterday, they allowed us to approach very closely. All of these photos were taken with my iPhone. It was the closest I had ever gotten to a brown noddy, a beautiful little sea bird that nest in rocky cliffs. Check out the photo below!

Farther along the cliffs we came across a massive sea cave. I love exploring sea caves by zodiac or kayak and this morning didn't disappoint. Check out the view from inside the cave looking back out at our other zodiac.

After a delicious lunch back onboard La Pinta, we transited south to the island of Fernandina. Our afternoon plans were to do a shore landing and hike at Punta Espinoza. This turned out to be a great place for marine iguanas. In some places they covered the ground like a carpet. Check out some of the iguana photos below.

Reflections of the group in an inland tide pool. The lava rock is so porous that sea water flows in and out of this pool under the ground.

I'm always looking for different perspectives that offer good photo opportunities.

A colorful sally light-foot crab races along the beach.

One of my favorite shots from the day. These marine iguanas formed a carpet on the side of the black lava rocks. Sally light-foot crabs added a splash of color to the camouflaged reptiles.

Soaking in the sunset with happy hour back onboard.

This beach landing was nice and calm in this beautiful cove.

Photogenic cove. The next groups were waiting for the landing zone to clear. Each guide takes a small group so everyone gets personalized attention.

More marine iguanas.

It was a great day exploring two very different places here in the Galapagos. And it was capped off with a beautiful sunset back onboard.