Galapagos Travel Blog

After lunch we continued sailing toward our destination of Puerto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz. On the way, we stopped briefly to do some snorkeling off the island of Pinzon, in area known to be popular for Galapagos white-tipped sharks. Our guide told us that it had been more than a year since he had snorkeled at that location, but last time there were sharks. We snorkeled in a shallow, protected cove. Before we even started, we saw a small sea turtle and a ray swimming. I tried to chase the turtle, but they are pretty fast swimmers. We then moved into shallower water, where the sharks usually stay. They like the shallow water at this time of the year because the water is warmer. Since there were over 10 of us in the water, and since it was so shallow (2-3 feet), sand was getting kicked up, and visibility in the shark den was reduced. Plus, due to the angle of the sun, and the reflection of the sun on the sand particles, we could only see a few feet in front of us. In other words, if their were sharks there, we wouldn't be able to see them until they were in our faces. Scary stuff, it was great. Suddenly Michelle stands up proclaiming she saw sharks, behind her. I stick my mask under, but I see nothing there, then I turn around and scan behind me, still nothing. Where, I say. Behind me, she replies. Still nothing. Finally I see them swimming a few feet away and then disappearing from view. Cool.