Today we started our day early in the morning at Punta Cormorant in Floreana Island. Here we went ashore for our pre breakfast hike. We learned about the different material from which we can get sand. During our walk we passed by a brackish lagoon where we spotted several shore birds including the colorful Great flamingos. On the windward side of the point we found a number of sea turtles floating on a shallow calm bay and also a few sea turtle tracks on a coralline sand dune.
Later on we visited a small island called Champion for a Zodiac ride and snorkeling. During the Zodiac ride we had the opportunity to see lots of sea birds such as Galapagos shearwaters, Nazca boobies, red billed tropic birds and the rare Floreana mocking bird hopping on the pads of a prickly pear cacti forest. Snorkeling was amazing! In the water we were surrounded by hundreds of colorful tropical fish such as king angel fish, creoles fish, pelican barracudas, sergeant mayors, parrot fish and more! Also we got the chance to swim with the playful sea lions that live in large number in Champion.
In the afternoon we kayaked around the Loberia where we spotted several species of egrets, pelican and even Galapagos penguins. We had a great time. Later on we visited the traditional post office bay. This place is famous for its history. Back in the industrial revolution whalers visited Floreana to replenish fresh water and collect tortoises. They used an honor based system to send letters to their friends and family, leaving their letters in the barrel and taking letters on their routes for other sailors.
At the end of the afternoon we took our kayaks to explore our surroundings and to look for more sea birds. It was another great day in paradise.
