Galapagos, Santa Fe Island

Day 7 Saturday October 9

Another night of sailing and rough seas, but I managed to sleep fairly well. After breakfast this morning we landed on a beach on Santa Fe Island where another group of sealions was hanging out. We hiked along the rocky coast, where we saw a pair of Galapagos hawks. We were there to see land iguanas. We saw a few, plus a couple of small snakes. We hiked up a rocky hillside where we had a nice view of the beach and our boat. Then back to a second beach. As we were loading on the zodiacs we saw several white tipped sharks in the shallows. Back on the boat we suited up for one last snorkel. Again the water was choppy and a bit murky, but there were lots and lots of fish, some very big. Saw two sharks, about three to four feet long, laying on the bottom, about five feet below us. This time swam around the lagoon and back to the boat.

The afternoon activity was a walk around another part of Santa Fe Island. We saw numerous land iguanas, including several males in breeding colours, lots of prickly pear cactus trees, sealions and birds. We walked around a gentle coastline and then up to the edge of a cliff that was about fifty feet above the sea. There were sealions and marine iguanas up on the top! Not sure if they climbed, or came from the more gently sloped other side. Either way, it was quite an effort. Also saw, “tropic” birds that looked very similar to the Bermuda longtails. Saw a frigate grab one and hassass it into dropping its fish catch. The birds were nesting on the ledges of the cliffs. Amazing to stand there and watch the birds land and leave the cliffs using their spectacular flying abilities.

After getting back on the boat, we had dinner and then some free time. I spent my time in my room packing up and reading an Anne Rule true crime book. Then to the bar for a last couple of beer and a social. Another good group of people.

About the photos: the captain is sitting while Valerie from Australia stears, that's my bunkie Steve from England, the whole group is the first group, and the ones sitting at the back of the boat are the second group. All good people.