Itinerary |
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Join Silversea Cruises to experience the best of the Galápagos Islands |
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image : getty |
FERNANDINA ISLAND
As the continental plate moves slowly east , it ’ s dragged over a volcanic hotspot underneath the ocean . While the plate moves , this valve doesn ’ t , meaning islands are born with lava , then carried slowly away . Scientists believe the hotspot is somewhere close to Fernandina , making it the youngest of all the Galápagos Islands .
Accessed exclusively while cruising , it ’ s one of the most remote stops ships make while circumnavigating the archipelago . Access to its volcanic center is highly restricted . Recently , crews from the British Broadcasting Corporation were allowed to enter , capturing footage that looked like it was filmed on Mars . It was also on Fernandina that the BBC ’ s 2016 series Planet Earth II shot thrilling footage of baby marine iguanas being chased by dart snakes . For tourists , visits aren ’ t likely to be quite so dramatic , but there are still flawless beaches , magnificent landscapes to enjoy and some of the best snorkeling anywhere on the islands .
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FLOREANA ISLAND
There ’ s uniqueness all around the Galápagos , but even by the islands ’ lofty standards , Floreana is a curiosity . There ’ s a human population here , but these days it ’ s just 100 souls , who largely mind their own business . At the height of the pandemic , they opted not to deal with any of their neighboring islands at all . If that sounds like slightly eccentric behavior , it ’ s nothing compared to what ’ s gone before . On Floreana , there are tales of German aristocrats trying to create utopian societies and buccaneers using a secret post box to send messages home .
The so-called ‘ pirate post box ’ still stands today , and visitors are encouraged to search its contents for letters they can hand-deliver to strangers back home — after leaving their own , of course . Cards can sometimes take years to reach their recipients .
Meanwhile , out in the water , the straits around Floreana are patrolled by huge pods of dolphins , as well as occasional whales , whale sharks , and hammerhead sharks .
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DAY 1 San Cristóbal Kicker Rock
DAY 2 Bartolomé Island Buccaneer Cove , Santiago
DAY 3 Punta Vicente Roca ( Isabela ) Punta Espinoza , Fernandina
DAY 4 Isabela Island
DAY 5 Floreana Island
DAY 6 Santa Cruz
DAY 7 Santa Cruz Isla Guy Fawkes
DAY 8 San Cristóbal
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winter 2022 // 47 |