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Galapagos Waters

If you’re a water-lover, Galapagos would be your paradise. You could snorkel in a different spot every day for a year. The water colors were magnificent: turquoise, yellowish-green, jade, deep blue.

Bahia Rosa Blanca, San Cristobal Island
View of Bartolome Island from Rabida Island
Lagoon at San Cristobal Island
San Cristobal Island

I don’t snorkle, though I often wish I could. I’ve tried many times, including on this trip. The minute my head goes in the water, I panic. Even just putting the mask on, which means I can’t breathe normally through my nose, triggers a gag reflex. I must admit I was a bit jealous when on tours and cruises, my fellow travelers returned from their snorkeling excursions with GoPro videos of swimming with sharks, manta rays, and other sealife. This is as far as I go in the water!

Puerto Chino, Cristobal Island

The sharks were harmless (or so we were told…); I think they were called white-tipped, but I’m not sure.

A snorkeler diving in with a shark circling our ship, San Cristobal Island
Snorkelers looking for hammerhead sharks at Kicker Rock, San Cristobal Island

The Galapagos are tiny islands in the midst of a vast Pacific ocean. So it was interesting to see that their terrestrial landscape was often arid and desert-like. Towering cactuses flourish on many of the islands, sometimes growing right next to mangrove trees typically found in coastal environments.

Cacti on San Cristobal Island
San Cristobal Island
Cacti on Isabela Island
Cactus tree on Rabida Island
Rabida Island
Playa del Amor, Isabel Island

Can you spot the Blue-footed Booby above? Hint: He blends in nicely with the rocks.

8 responses to “Galapagos Waters”
  1. Jane Anne Davis Avatar
    Jane Anne Davis

    Oh Basia…what beautiful islands! ♥️

  2. *Thank you 🙂

  3. I know your panic! I learned to swim later in life and I’m not a confident swimmer. Snorkeling terrifies me. hank you again for your great pictures.

    1. So glad you are enjoying them, Margret.

  4. shannon clubb Avatar
    shannon clubb

    I share your snorkling feeling.. although I have gotten through the first few minutes and kept on. It is an amazing thing to be able to see all of the fish under the water. But it takes me a bit to get the hang of it. The Islands look beautiful. Are there hotels and such there?

    1. Yes, there are lots of small hotels as well as AirBnBs on the three largest islands. The other islands are not inhabited and are for day trips only.

  5. Ron Walker Avatar
    Ron Walker

    Wow.

    1. That’s what I say every time I look at this gorgeousness. 🙂