Today we visited two very different small islands in the center of the archipelago. We disembarked after breakfast at South Plaza and followed a rocky looping trail around the perimeter of the island. From the cliffs we enjoyed watching frigates, gulls, boobies and shearwaters soaring. Inland we observed and photographed many colorful land iguanas, and, along the shore, there was a large population of boisterous sea lions. We swam from the ship and cooled off after the beautiful walk!
In the first part of the afternoon, guests had a choice of taking a long hike, kayaking, or paddle-boarding. Two groups climbed the rocky cliff trail and enjoyed both the view and the sighting of several of the island-endemic land iguanas. By happenstance, naturalist Jose came upon a short-eared owl perched on the rocks! Meanwhile, the kayakers and paddle-boarders spotted sea turtles, sea lions and rays in the clear water of the turquoise bay.
Those on the short-trail option disembarked on the small beach with a hundred sea lions that were fighting and resting, nursing and playing. We found several Santa Fe land iguanas on the short trail, too! We have had a marvelous day in Las Islas Encantadas!
