Vicky Boughton September 6, 2013 Read time - 3 minutes “You will get bored of sea turtles,” the appropriately named Darwin says as he outlines the week’s adventures aboard the Cachalote. Nods ripple around the group signalling agreement – it’s a risk we are prepared to take. Sea Turtle, Galapagos Galapagos Islands Cruise On day one of the Galapagos cruise, our boat docks at Isla Rabida, a russet-sand beach supporting scrubland and thick, prickly cactus. Within minutes of jumping from the inflatable panga, someone shouts “SHARK!” This is a customary call for panic and yet I find myself swimming closer, each nerve tingling as I question my sanity. I reason; "If I stay with the group my chance of survival will increase". Ten metres below, three adult Galapagos sharks are circling, their smooth grey bodies rising higher and higher with each lap like vultures in thermals. The adrenaline in my veins mimics their movements, urging me to swim back to the boat, but I am transfixed. Our seemingly fearless guide is free-diving below us, surrounded by a 3.5 metre mass of curiosity that seems to have developed an unhealthy interest in his clear plastic fins. A stream of oxygen bubbles escape, rapidly making their way to the surface, before Darwin follows suit: “Wow, that was close” he gasps. Bartolome, Galapagos Meeting the Wildlife Further along the rugged bay, with the sharks at a respectful distance, I find myself face to face with a huge shoal of Black-striped Salema. Thousands of tiny fish dart in unison, their humbug-striped bodies glistening as they are illuminated by the rays of sunlight above. As if startled, they disperse and the seabed reveals the rest of this underwater confectionary; brown chocolate chips appear to adorn the bright orange starfish, a coating of sugary sand sticks to the fuzzy sea cucumbers, iridescent fish glitter like shiny lollipops and beneath it all rests a giant, stingray shaped marshmallow. When a sea lion joins me in the water I really feel like the kid in the proverbial candy shop. With its gaze fixed on mine, it puts on a dizzying display of acrobatics, twisting and spinning around me, at complete ease in the water. I try to copy its routine, albeit more clumsily, and we flip and tumble together, each as intrigued by the other. Swimming with sea lions Out of the water, basking sea lions seem to litter every part of the beach, snuffling, grunting, barking and honking to each other. At the landing site of Sombrero Chino, three Galapagos Hawks watch intently as a female sea lion carefully drags its new-born to the water, each laboured movement eliciting a mewing cry from the tiny pup. In the distance, waves crash on the shoreline causing fire-red Sally Lightfoot crabs to scatter across the black volcanic rocks. The wildlife curtain has only been up six hours and I’m already mesmerised by the theatre that plays out before me. 1,000 photos of penguins, sea lions, fur seals, Eagle rays, pelicans, Flightless cormorants, Blue-footed boobies, giant tortoise, marine iguanas, flamingos, dolphins and Frigate birds later, I find myself surrounded by Green and Leatherback turtles, just as Darwin predicted. I count 32 giant shells suspended in the salty water, each leathery face occasionally gliding to the surface to take a gasping breath of air. “Am I bored yet?” I wonder to myself. “Never”, is my instant reply. How could I be whilst floating around the islands that changed the world? The Cachalote Vicky joined The Galapagos Islands on board the Cachalote, a charming schooner. This first-class motor-sailer yacht has eight air-conditioned twin and double cabins. See our tours below and discover the Galapagos Islands and turtles yourself.
Machu Picchu & Galapagos 18 reviews Discover Peru's 'Lost City of the Incas' and Ecuador's 'Enchanted Isles' Culture Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate 14 Days from £5,499 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Galapagos: In Darwin's Footsteps 11 reviews A unique trek amid the volcanic Galapagos archipelago Walking & Trekking Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate 14 Days from £4,249 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Galapagos Islands - Cachalote Explorer (Itinerary B) 1 review Sail around the Galapagos Islands by First Class boat Wildlife Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely 10 Days from £4,599 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Galapagos Islands - Cachalote Explorer (Itinerary A) 24 reviews Sail around the Galapagos Islands by motor yacht Wildlife Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely 10 Days from £4,599 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Galapagos & Amazon 19 reviews Ecuador's contrasting ecosystems, from the Amazon jungle to the Galapagos archipelago Wildlife Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely 15 Days from £6,199 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Galapagos - In the Steps of Pirates & Darwin New Platinum Discover the Galapagos in comfort with world-class service on the MV Evolution Small Ship Cruises Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Galapagos - Footsteps Back in Time New Platinum Spectacular landscapes and distinct endemic wildlife that so intrigued Darwin Small Ship Cruises Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Galapagos Wildlife Cruise 24 reviews The best of the Galapagos islands' scenery and wildlife Wildlife Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely 17 Days from £7,499 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Galapagos Encounter - Archipel I (Itinerary A) New Sail around the Galapagos Islands by catamaran Wildlife Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely 10 Days from £5,099 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details