Fernandina & Isabela Islands

In the morning we visit Fernandina Island, with an active volcano rising to about 5,000 ft, one of the most active in the world (recent eruptions in 2005 and 2009)! It is also the world's largest completely pristine island, that is, containing no introduced species. We hike along the black lava beach at Punta Espinoza. The solid black slabs of dark ropy lava is referred to by the Hawaiian term "Pahoehoe." Lots of land iguanas taking the sun! We are starting to appreciate the results of the isolation of the wildlife and the absence of land-based predators. The animals are completely indifferent to our presence!

After lunch we were shuttled to the western bioregion of the Galapagos Marine Reserve for deep water snorkeling. This is where we got a real surprise! Clearly, some critters WANT to engage with visitors!

In the late afternoon, it was time for a wine tasting on the Observation Deck and to cross the Equator at sunset! As we did, the crew had a surprise for us!