Brown pelican with its bill open while floating near the rocky shoreline at Egas Port, Santiago Island.

Espinoza Point and Albemarle Point: Snorkelling with Marine Iguanas, Sea Turtles, and a Penguin

The plan for today was fairly simple: a morning hike at Espinoza Point followed by snorkeling at Espinoza Point, followed by more snorkeling at Albemarle Point. We were both surprised at the amount of snorkeling offered on this itinerary. I think some of the other passengers were as well, especially the two who didn’t know how to swim.

Hiking at Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island

Espinoza Point is very flat and very volcanic, with a landscape dominated by dark lava.

Walking across the volcanic lava landscape at Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island, Galápagos.

We found a little inlet and watched a very awkward pelican for a little while.

Brown pelican landing on the water with wings spread near mangroves in the Galápagos.

Brown pelican diving headfirst into the water while feeding in the Galápagos.

There were also lots and lots of marine iguanas and little lava lizards.

Marine iguanas resting together on a sandy beach at Espinoza Point, Fernandina Island, Galápagos.

Marine iguana with its mouth open on the volcanic rocks at Espinoza Point, Fernandina Island, Galápagos.

Lava lizard perched between the spines of a marine iguana at Espinoza Point, Fernandina Island, Galápagos.

We had another Galápagos hawk sighting, and this one was feasting on a marine iguana.

Galápagos hawk perched on a branch overlooking the ocean at Espinoza Point, Fernandina Island, Galápagos.

Galápagos hawk calling while feeding on prey at Espinoza Point, Fernandina Island, Galápagos.

There were blue-footed boobies around too, including one seemingly random bird standing among all the volcanic rock. By this point was had about 3000 photos of blue-footed boobies, but this one was posing so nicely.

Blue-footed booby perched on volcanic rocks at Espinoza Point, Fernandina Island, Galápagos.

And, because apparently no Galápagos landing is complete without one, there were more sea lions.

Galápagos sea lion resting on black volcanic lava at Espinoza Point, Fernandina Island.

Galápagos sea lion lying on its back among black lava rocks at Espinoza Point, Fernandina Island.

Galápagos sea lion looking toward the camera while swimming in shallow water at Espinoza Point, Fernandina Island.

Snorkelling with Marine Iguanas and Sea Turtles at Espinoza Point

After the walk, we returned to the Ecogalaxy to put on our wetsuits before taking the pangas to the other side of the bay.

There was a bit of current when we first got in, just enough to keep things interesting, but once we settled into it the water was full of life. Sea turtles were everywhere. At one point I managed to capture seven of them in a single video clip, all slowly moving through the water in different directions. I also caught a quick glimpse of a Galápagos penguin underwater, along with several marine iguanas feeding beneath the surface.

 


 

Snorkelling at Albemarle Point on Isabela Island

During lunch, the Ecogalaxy repositioned from Fernandina Island to Albemarle Point on the northern end of Isabela Island.

We may have been spoiled by the morning at Espinoza Point, because there wasn’t nearly as much to see here.

There was a small cave along the shoreline that we were able to explore.

Sea cave along the volcanic coastline at Albemarle Point on Isabela Island, Galápagos.

Just beyond the cave, we came across the largest school of puffer fish I’ve ever seen. They moved together in a loose formation, filling the water in front of us.



After the main part of the snorkel, I spotted a Galápagos penguin standing on the rocks and decided to wait nearby to see if it would enter the water.

Galápagos penguin standing on a rocky outcrop at Albemarle Point on Isabela Island.

I waited for a long time.

It did not.

At the same time, someone in the group reported seeing a mola mola, or ocean sunfish, which immediately shifted everyone’s focus. We spread out and searched the area, swimming back and forth hoping for another sighting. We didn’t find it.

Crossing the Equator in the Galápagos

Later that afternoon, we gathered on the bridge as the Ecogalaxy crossed the equator.

Passengers gathered on the bridge of the Ecogalaxy as the ship crosses the equator in the Galápagos.

GPS display showing the Ecogalaxy crossing the equator at 0° latitude near Fernandina Island in the Galápagos.

To be completely honest, it was a little anti-climactic compared to crossing the antarctic circle.

We ended the day on the upper deck watching the sun set.

Sunset over the Pacific Ocean after crossing the equator in the Galápagos Islands.

Andy and Jennifer Martin

We’re Andy and Jennifer—two former corporate executives who chose long ago to prioritise experiences over stuff while pursuing our passions for travel and photography. From the Arctic to Antarctica, and most places in between, we’ve captured the world through our lenses and love sharing those stories. Our careers gave us the means, but our purpose is inspiring others to explore and helping people create images they’re proud of.

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