Day 5 - Tintoreras Islet and Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island

 

  

Map of area

We had a very early pre breakfast trip to Tintoreras Islet, just off the north east coast of Isabela, which is the largest of the Galapagos Islands. We saw sea lions and marine iguanas and had to step over them in some places as they were on the path. In a narrow inlet we saw some White Tipped Reef Sharks who were resting in the shallow water. We also saw the Galapagos Penguin, Galapagos Warblers and small black ground finchs.

 


 
Tintoreras Islet Beach

 
Tintoreras Islet Landscape.  Algae covered lava rock

 
Iguana

 
Spot the iguanas.  How many can you see?

 
Lava Lizard

 
Iguana with finch on its back

 
White Tipped Reef Sharks

 
Whimbrel

 
Galapagos Penguin




Iguanas

Sea Lion

White Tipped Reef Sharks



After breakfast we landed at the town of Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island to go snorkelling. The sea is very cold, due to the Humbolt current bring cold water from the south. Wet suits are recommended so we are hiring them this time. We got into the sea from a landing site and were able to see a few fish and I was lucky enough to have a small sea lion swim under me and managed to photograph it with my underwater camera.

 
Sea Urchin and small black fish

 
Jean in wetsuit

 
Sea Lion that swam under me

 
Paul in Wetsuit

Starfish



In the afternoon we went back to Puerto Villamil to visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. We learned that the various species of these reptiles would soon become extinct without human intervention because they are threatened by introduced species such as goats, cattle, ants, rats and feral dogs and cats. There are no more feral dogs but the other species are more difficult to eradicate. Giant Tortoises are raised in this centre and released into the wild when they are about 5 years old as their shells are then hard enough to withstand predator attacks. We then walked through the mangroves into the town and had a short look around before going back to the boat.

 
Giant Tortoises at Breeding Centre

 
Smooth Billed Ani

 
Young Tortoises that have recently hatched

 
Giant Tortoise - over 100 years old

 
Saddleback Giant Tortoise

 
Wasp nest

 
Galapagos Moorhen

 
Galapagos Flycatcher

 
Yellow Warbler
 

 

 Giant Tortoise
 
Giant Tortoises
 
 
Beach at Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island

 
Inside the modern church at Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island

 
Main street in Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island

 
Modern Church at Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island


Sea Lions playing in the harbour area at Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island



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