Urbina Bay & Tagus Cove
This morning, for the second consecutive day, we continued exploring the western realms of the Galapagos archipelago. We woke up with the impressive view of the rough but beautiful volcanic coastline of Urbina Bay seen at the distance. Just after breakfast we disembarked on a black lava beach, put on our best walking shoes and went for a hike.
Urbina Bay is one of the most interesting, at the geological level, visitors’ sites in Galapagos. Just as recently as in 1954, approximately one and one half square kilometers of the marine reef off the coast of Urbina Bay was uplifted almost instantaneously, by as much as 15 feet (four meters)! This event is so recent that is still possible to see some evidence of this occurrence, which took place over 50 years ago. Farther inside the trail, we admired big brain coral heads that are relics of the recent uplifting process. It felt so unreal walking in a place that used to be underwater not long ago.
Two options were offered accommodating the needs of our guests. A long hike of about two miles (three kilometers) in distance and a shorter, half mile (0.8 kilometer hike); along both trails we had the joy to find huge colorful Galapagos land iguanas and several Giant tortoises.
After the hike we had the option to get a refreshing dip in the waters of the Pacific Ocean.
After this successful morning, and during our extraordinary Ecuadorian buffet lunch, we sailed towards Tagus Cove. This magnificent place located on the western coast of Isabela Island, is one the most-well known trademarks of the Galapagos. Tagus Cove is one of the most historical places in the entire archipelago. It was once a favorite anchorage place for whalers and refuge to pirates and buccaneers.
We had a couple of activities, a big group of snorkel enthusiasts jumped in the water at Tagus Cove to be part of a spectacular snorkeling outing along the cliffs of an old tuff cone and among many colorful schools of fish, dozens of sea turtles and occasional curious Galapagos penguins that were seen swiftly fishing underwater.
Once the snorkelers and kayakers came back on board, we had a couple of choices to enjoy the beautiful sunny afternoon we had. An invigorating and fast paced hike all the way up Darwin Lake and beyond to an observation point where we could admire the magnificence of the slopes of Darwin Volcano. The characteristic dry vegetation, and the many land birds flying everywhere set the tone for a great hike. We had the option to go for a Zodiac ride instead of the hike as well. Many seabirds were seen together with Galapagos sea lions on the volcanic rocky outcrops of the coastline and surrounding areas.
At the moment I am writing these paragraphs this day in our expedition around the magical western realms of the archipelago has ended, but hopefully all the passion and love that it evokes in our visitors today will be part of their lives forever.
