Galapagos Day 7- Cabo Rosa Lava Tunnels

This morning we woke up to heavy clouds (but no mist!), and took a 45 minute boat ride to Cabo Rosa Tunnels. En route, we saw another enormous manta ray leaping out of the water and then the boat driver circled around it and we could see it's massive dark shape under the surface. A little later in the ride, the guide started point to the side of the boat and it looked like 2 sharks were swimming parallel with each other, we could see 2 identical "fins" gliding through the water......but upon further inspection, it was the "corners" or edges of a single manta ray! They were 15ft apart! AMAZING!

As we approached the lava tunnels (by boat) the sun broke through the clouds and turned the water an incredible shade of blue. The tunnels have been formed by all of the volcanic eruptions in the highlands, as the hot lava hits the ocean its cools and forms rock formations. As the ocean slowly erodes the rock formations, these beautiful tunnels are formed. Actually, they are more like arches or bridges than tunnels.

Our boat driver literally weaved around these black lava rock formations and took us from wild ocean waves to still, crystal clear waters all around these formations. These rock outcroppings and shallow calm waters are home to blue footed boobies, sea lions, sea turtles, rays, fish, sharks, and all other kinds of creatures! We "parked" the boat at a large cluster of lava rocks and walked around. We got REALLY close to several blue footed boobies...we just cannot get over their crazy blue feet! It is just starting to be their mating season so they were making all kinds of strange whistles and noises and fluffing themselves up and strutting their blue feet for each other.

All around these black rocks, grows these wild cactus plants that look a little like saguaro cactus that we've seen in AZ. And surprisingly mangroves (which typically grow in more humid/lush areas of the world). We walked around the rocks for awhile then got back in the boat and eventually snorkeled through these passageways and arches. We saw a bunch of fish, 4 sea turtles, an eel, a big marble ray (this 3ft wide ray was nearly stepped on....it was only in 1ft of water!), and really cool rock formations!  Then we got back in the boat and ate some lunch (and warmed up...did I mention the water was SO COLD?!).

As we were sitting there eating, Jeremy noticed a huge flock of blue footed boobies 400 yards away all diving into the ocean in perfect synchronization. We had seen video about this same behavior before we came and gingerly asked the guide if he wouldn't mind having the boat driver get us closer. He was eager to check it out himself and we got within 50ft of hundreds of these blue footed boobies flying together then suddenly turning in mid-air, pressing their wings against themselves and torpedoing into the crashing waves.....all at the same time. Then the bobbed back to the surface, some having caught fish, some not, but all immediately getting back into formation to start the whole fly/dive process all over again!

Then we came back to the dock and were again surrounded by sea lions lounging all over the dock, pier, and occasionally sidewalks. We started on a walk, but a heavy mist settled in so we napped instead. When woke the rain was gone and we went for one last walk and saw 3 flamingos flying by.....just a typical night in the Galapagos.

We leave Isabela tomorrow at 5:30am, boat ride for 45 minutes to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz and then a 45 minute ride to Baltra to fly to mainland Ecuador. We will spend the night tomorrow in Guayaquil, then fly into JFK midnight on Sunday/Monday

Hope you are well and enjoying your weekend!

Signing out from Galapagos,
J and L