We had an overnight crossing to Islas Plazas with the boat leaving at around 3 in the morning. When we woke we were anchored between the two small long islands, with the other exit looking like it was blocked by Santa Cruz. Started the day with breakfast, and then taken to South Plaza Island for a walk round. Highlights were the young sea lions playing in the shallow pool by the landing stage, the Sally Lightfoot crabs (perhaps named after their likeness to some long ago nightclub dancer) and our first glimpse of wild Iguanas. The walk took us along a cliff path for viewing of the endemic sea birds, the Frigate Birds.

Next it was back on to the boat, for lunch and a cruise to Santa Fe island where we had our first swim. On this swim we spotted a turtle which we followed for a while. A fellow swimmer managed to get some close ups photographs. Reminder, next time I come to the Galapagos Islands, buy an underwater camera.

We then landed on Santa Fe islands. A wet landing amongst the Sea Lions, walking along the coast managed to snap several Iguanas, a cactus finch with head in a cactus flower. The strange shape of the cactus plants, tall dark trunks, was an adaptation of cactuses to stop themselves being eaten by Iguanas. Very Darwinian.

Picture of a very nice humming bird hawk moth, also visiting the cactus flowers.