This island in the center of Galapagos is also one of the largest. For centuries it has been visited by several entities like pirates, whalers, buccaneers, salt miners, scientists, and others. The presence of fresh water and giant tortoises was just the perfect excuse for many of the mentioned. In 1835 the most prominent naturalist the world has known, Mr. Charles Darwin, spent nine days on the island collecting plants and animals. Darwin slept here.

Early in the morning we land on Espumilla Beach for an excursion to get to known its fantastic scenery, flora, and fauna. On the beach we see many sea turtles tracks from the night before. Inland the amazing Palo Santo forest houses some species of land birds like finches, warblers, mockingbirds, doves, and Galapagos hawks.

In the morning as well a kayak session takes our guests along the very attractive coastline where many birds and animals can be seen while exercising. For others the option of a Zodiac ride offers equal opportunity of enjoying the landscape and the fauna without much effort.

To conclude the morning we find ourselves jumping off the Zodiacs to enjoy the richness of the Galapagos waters and its great diversity of life under it. We see thousands of fish of attractive coloration, as well as sharks and a couple of manta rays, plus the presence of sea lions and sea birds catching food.

After a deserved break from the morning activities we are again ready to go out. This time we land on a black sand beach for the visit to Puerto Egas, a place where people came to exploit salt from mines in the area under the command of Mr. Egas - hence its name of Puerto Egas. 

Walking along the shore line lets us see massive concentrations of animals from different groups. Marine iguanas alone or in big groups are just everywhere here, sea lions resting on the rocks or sand, birds flying around or catching prey, (some do fish, others do insects). This is a great place for birding as many migratory birds land at this site. Among them are whimbrels, sand pipers, turnstones, plovers, and others. We just cannot believe our eyes, there is so much to see.

Another fantastic day in Galapagos.