Today we started our activities before breakfast at Espumilla Beach. This was a very good decision because we had the chance to see many blue-footed boobies and brown pelicans during their morning feeding session. The photography group spent a long time trying to get the best photos. In the same area, we had the opportunity to see a green sea turtle returning to the ocean after spending the night on land, probably laying eggs. This was definitely the highlight of our walk.

We had a busy schedule in Buccaneer’s Bay. Some of us went kayaking or snorkeling, and others enjoyed tours in the glass-bottom boat. Many animals appeared during our time in the sea. It was a great experience, all before lunchtime!

Back onboard, naturalist Jonathan offered a very interesting lecture about Galapagos Human History. Our guests learned about the first settlers and the ways that they, like other animals, struggled to adapt and colonize the islands.

The second snorkeling outing took place around Puerto Egas Bay, where sea lions awaited our arrival. Encounters with different fish species were appealing to our guests. We walked through the crotons along the shoreline. We enjoyed observing the native vegetation and the species found by the sea: whimbrels, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos fur seals, marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, ruddy turnstones, sanderlings, etc.

After our busy and rainy day, we enjoyed a delightful BBQ dinner and delicious hamburgers. The night ended with an artistic show presented by naturalists and crewmembers in the lounge.

Photo caption and photographer: Ghost crabs on Espumilla Beach during our pre-breakfast walk. Photo by Christian Saa