Isla Isabela (Caleta Tagus + Punta Espinoza)
This morning we went to Caleta Tagus (Tagus Cove). Caleta Tagus is a historic sheltered bay on the west coast of Isla Isabela, west of the Darwin volcano. It is known as a favorite spot and former anchorage for pirates and whalers.
There is also a trail that leads to the salt lake Laguna Darwin with views of volcanoes. We walked the trail. The entire distance of the trail is about 1800 meters. At the beginning of the walk, going up and passing the staircase, is a small cave where you will find inscriptions dating to the 1800s.
The trail, mostly gravel, leads into the inland along Laguna Darwin. During the walk, we saw various land birds and the characteristic vegetation of the arid zone. Finally we arrived at the point where we could see the lava fields of Darwin Volcano.
After lunch the boat navigated for a short time to Punta Espinoza on Isla Fernandina. Isla Fernandina is most famous for its continuing series of volcanic eruptions. Many of the early visitors to the archipelago reported dramatic changes in the landscape, smoking craters and actual eruptions. The most famous of these is the vivid description from Captain Benjamin Morrell, who witnessed a violent eruption in 1825 and recorded it. This eruption probably resulted in the formation of Punta Espinoza.
Punta Espinoza is a narrow ledge of lava and sand that extends from the base of the volcano to the sea. In 1975, there was an uprising, about 90 cm, which is why the pier built for landing can only be used during high tide.
Punta Espinoza is a place famous for its large colonies of Marine Iguanas as well as being home to unique species like the Flightless Cormorant, the Galápagos Penguin, the Galápagos Hawk and the Galápagos Snake, among others. It’s an ideal place to observe the lava cactus (Brachycerus Nesioticus), which grows on young lava and can survive with little water.
If the weather conditions were good, we would go ashore and we could also go snorkeling. ……………………….
After our visit to Isla Fernandina, the boat started its navigation to the central part of the Galápagos. On the way we saw Punta Vicente Roca, a mostly eroded volcano which now is a great site to spot Blue Footed Boobies, Frigate Birds and other marine birds from the boat.