We navigated just a short distance during the early morning hours from our calm anchorage at Fernandina to Urbina Bay at the base of Volcan Alcedo, Isabela Island. Following a hearty breakfast we disembarked on a small, steep black sand beach and had a choice of taking a nature/photo walk or a longer/2 mile exercise excursion. Everyone put on their walking shoes and we headed inland following a sandy trail.
Urbina is especially interesting because this area was uplifted several meters in 1953-1954. Along the trails we see marine tube worms and even coral heads that were once below the sea and now are over grown by vegetation. We were delighted to find a half dozen giant tortoises and just as many large land iguanas on our walks this morning. Because it has begun to rain here on Isabela, these reptiles have come down from the highlands to feed on the new growth vegetation. We all snapped dozens of pictures and enjoyed watching the tortoises as they lumbered along and sucked water from shallow rain pools.
Once back at the beach some of the group went for a swim. Snorkeling was not possible as the waves were breaking and had churned up the sand so visibility was poor. The Zodiacs came to pick us up and we jumped in quickly when the waves were calmest. There were some impressive breakers but we timed our departure from the beach successfully and no one got drenched! The kids had fun learning to drive a Zodiac with Paul and panguero Edwin, and we were all back onboard by noon when the Captain set off towards the north and Tagus Cove.
The afternoon in Tagus Cove offered many options including kayaking or snorkeling. Conditions were great for both of these water activities and the kayakers, led by Enrique, enjoyed paddling inside the calm cove. Three Zodiacs of snorkelers went out with Paul, Fernando and me, and we were thrilled to find penguins feeding, flightless cormorants diving and poking under rocks looking for octopus and fish, and sea turtles grazing on marine algae. There were dozens of species of fish and huge schools of “penguin bait,” the two to three inch fish they chase with amazing speed and agility.
We headed back to the ship for a quick change of clothes and the second round of activities. We offered a choice between kayaking, hiking or a Zodiac ride. Enrique took the second group of kayakers out and they enjoyed calm conditions and lovely afternoon light. On view were penguins, sea lions, sea turtles, pelicans and cormorants along the coast for both the kayakers and those who went on the Zodiacs with Paul and me.
Fernando and a group of fast walkers climbed to the ridge that circles a crater lake and they had a magnificent view of the National Geographic Islander at anchor in Tagus Cove. They hiked under the palo santo trees with leaves bursting out, thanks to the recent rains. At the end of the trail they climbed a cinder cone and had a view to the north of the lava flows on Volcan Darwin. As the afternoon light faded and spectacular clouds were lit by the setting sun, we all returned to the ship. It was a full day with lots of wildlife, dramatic landscapes and comradery among our guests. Another fantastic day in the magical Islas Encantadas!
