Isabela Island with Las Tintoreras Islet (day trip)

The sun had not yet fully risen when our journey began toward one of the most magical corners of Galápagos: Isabela Island. We boarded a speedboat and, over two intense hours at sea, the ocean's deep blue wrapped around us.

As we drew closer, the island's silhouette emerged with its distinctive seahorse shape. On the rocks guarding the bay of Puerto Villamil, little Galápagos penguins welcomed us.

After a short rest on the beach by the dock, where sea lions dozed and marine iguanas camouflaged themselves among the rocks, we boarded a small boat bound for Las Tintoreras Islet. There, marine iguanas by the dozen, sharks resting in the narrow channels, blue-footed boobies and more penguins show off Galápagos biodiversity.

We slipped into the water to snorkel and came face to face with sea turtles, playful sea lions, rays gliding by like elegant shadows and, if luck smiles on us, a swimming penguin.

Back at the dock, lunch is served at a restaurant facing the ocean. But the day wasn't over: on foot, we walked natural trails in search of flamingos. The next stop was the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center. And one last trail crossed wetlands and mangroves before the return by sea to Puerto Ayora.