Galapagos Cruise day #4 - Fernandina Island and lots of beautiful snorkelling

Ready for another action packed cruise day. The routines of being on a cruise quickly settles in. Early breakfast and then ready for some Zodiac-action. Also this morning. The weather seems to be improving and last nights sailing was actually quite good. No high waves to keep us awake. So we were ready for the first activity this morning - Puenta Espinosa landing, walking a bit around then snorkelling from the Zodiac.

The snorkelling was also amazing this morning, the water being a bit more clear than the other times so we saw so many fish and marine animals. Still the turtles are so fascinating to look at. Big yet utterly elegant when then swim around. And a bit cute too.

After lunch we headed further North to the Volcano Ecuador. We dropped anchor next it and did another snorkelling trip from the Zodiac, this time being dropped off inside a big cave and then swimming close to the rocks. This time there was also a few penguins to entertain us. We spent more than a hour in the water before heading back to the boat. As a small bonus we did the same trip in the Zodiac later in the afternoon which also enabled us to look at the animals on the beach and marine iguanas clinging to the rocks.

We had dinner, pulled the anchor and set off for the equator crossing, all counting down to meeting the invisible line. And suddenly we were technically on the northern hemisphere. It was a beautiful evening with few waves and an opportunity to sit on the deck and enjoy the perfect sunset. The sun dropping fast into the ocean. Another amazing cruise day and more snorkelling to look forward to tomorrow.

Early departure with the Zodiac

Marine iguanas in various states of decay

Marine iguana convention

Sea lion playground

A few impressions from the snorkelling today

Crossing the Equator line (yes, it is invisible)

Sunset hangout on the deck

Munch

Perfect sunset, right

Galapagos Cruise day #3 - Isabela Island, snorkelling and marine safari

The night was rough again. High seas and a lot of wind like the day before. After dinner Mikkel tried to sit outside on the deck but it was too difficult to hang on so instead he jammed himself against the ceiling in the upper bunk bed. 

This morning, however was much more pleasant. No more rain, and we were anchored in a bay just off the coast which protected us from the waves so sitting outside on the deck was pleasant. We had early breakfast and headed for shore for more lava. This morning the other type - the Pahoehoe lava. Much more smooth to look at and walk on. When done with the walk we headed back to the ship and got ready for what we were really looking forward to - snorkelling.

We jumped in the water from the Zodiac and spent around one hour in the water of the coast of the island looking at fish, turtles and even a couple of sea horses. It was wonderful finally being at a good snorkelling site and experience the rich marine life. The past two "cruise days" feeling a bit like warm up to this.

Back on the boat we had lunch before heading north towards Elizabeth bay. No snorkelling there unfortunately - everything is regulated in the Galapagos, but we had an hour in the Zodiac doing "Marina Safari" going to the mangrove and getting a chance to get close to some of the animals and just enjoy the view and the silence of the place, enjoy watching the pelican as it dived for food, the turtles as they swam around the Zodiac and so on.

We headed for the boat, briefing and dinner and of course some relaxing on the deck. Very important. Then the boat headed North, hopefully less wind and waves tonight.

Ready for the Zodiac - again

Good morning turtle

Pahoehoe lava flow

Lava???

Green plants even grow in a place like this - amazing

Oh, yes, we are on a cruise :-)

This way

Sea horse