Fernandina island

Fernandina is the youngest of the Galapagos Islands, it was formed about 700,000 years ago, while the rest of the islands are more than 4-5 million years old. Volcano on the island erupts regularly, last times in 2005 and in 2009.

The island is quite large, but has only one landing point - the peninsula of Punta Espinoza. Perhaps this is the best place in the Galapagos.

Who lives here:
 - marine iguanas, thousands
 - seals, saw a lot, very friendly
 - sea lions, saw a lot, including one very large
 - galapagos flightless cormorant, saw one
 - galapagos hawks, saw one
 - galapagos penguins, not seen
 - galapagos snake, not seen

Before here was a pier for boats, but after the uprising in 1975 it was almost destroyed. Currently landing on a pier is possible during high tide.


Tourists come here to see the city of marine iguanas. This is the best place to observe them. Occasionally they go to swim in the water, but most of the time basking in the sun. Nearby there is a large fenced sandy field where iguanas lay their eggs.
















But besides iguanas we found one more interesting spot. The island has a small bays, lakes, home to sea lions. You can spend hours watch their games.








Nastya takes videos of sea lions on the GoPro




And lost her hat :)


We also saw a large sea lion. His scale is not visible on the picture, but he is really huge. Unlike other animals you cannot come close to him.


Found the skeleton of a whale


Fernandina is also the only place where we saw lava cactus (Brachycerus nesioticus).


Getting there: It is one of the farthest points on the islands, you can visit it only as part of a cruise.