What a way to finish our Galápagos adventure!
Picked up our snorkeling gear at 7.50am and made our way to the pier to get on our boat. We are with another group of 7 Americans but they have their own guide. 6 of us have the opportunity to sit up with the captain and we jump at the chance. It’s a bit overcast but our day will start with a 90 minute hike around Isla Lobos looking for the Great Frigate Birds, the Magnificent Frigate birds and the nesting blue footed boobies.
We take the Tender to the shore but we have to wait to disembark because there are sea lions all over the steps. Once these guys get the idea that we want to come ashore they slowly move away.
We have hiking sticks as the ground we will be walking on is very rocky and unstable.
Straight away we see the male frigate bird sitting on a nest with his big red balloon puffed out trying to attract a female. On their neck they have a red sac which they inflate as a sign that they are looking for a mate. It’s quite an incredible sight. If a female bird is interested, the male will flap his wings and make a trumpeting sound that vibrates from his red balloon. She will then inspect the nest he has built and decide if he will be a good provider.
The frigates are scavengers and will steal from other nests. They are the pirates of the air and there are many of them.
The blue footed boobies also have a funny mating ritual. We dont get to witness the boobies dance but Maritza describes it for us. We do however see many nesting birds and many chicks. The male and females take turns in sitting on the eggs and once hatched they take turns in minding the chicks and going fishing. The chicks are very cute. White and fluffy. We see ones that range from just a few days old to ones that are 5 or 6 weeks old. If the birds hatch more than one egg it is usual that only one chick will reach adulthood. The amount of energy it takes to raise a chick and the amount of food they need means only the stronger will survive. A harsh reality.
Sea lions are also plentiful in this area. We see them resting under the canopy of trees, or lolling on the rocks closer to the water. The amazing thing here on the islands is that we can get so close to the wildlife and they don’t react. They will certainly let you know if you go too close but it’s up to us to take a wide berth.
Once we complete our very interesting walk it’s back on the boat to prepare for snorkeling. The ocean is much clearer here so visibility will be great.
The water is cool and refreshing but not cold. The fish are plentiful. Lots of different varieties and colors and sizes. We spend at least an hour in the water and it’s awesome. The highlight is the huge marbled stingrays. First there is one large one that swims directly under me and then we are alerted to a group of them. Around 7 in total and there seems to be perhaps some mating going on. So amazing.
Back on n board the boat now we cruise to a little cove where we can swim off the boat it swim to the shore and have some beach time. It’s so beautiful, such a lovely relaxing way to spend our last day in the Galápagos.
After lunch on board the boat we cruise slowly back to the harbor of San Cristobal.
After a shower and a change of clothes we find a coffee shop and enjoy a real coffee. At 3pm we meet Maritza to walk to the Interpretive centre or the museum . We have a very in-depth chat about how the islands have formed, why they are so unique and what the future might hold. She is so passionate about this subject and it’s very interesting. The museum has a chronological history of the Galápagos which is very interesting and surprising. They are not the pristine, uninhabited, paradise we might imagine. They have had a very dramatic past and it’s really only in recent times their uniqueness has become appreciated and valued.
The nicest way to finish the day is having a drink on the waterfront while watching the sea lions come ashore or frolicking in the waves and watching the sunset. Just perfect!