Galapagos Water Creatures

The wildlife below the water is as amazing as it is above.  We snorkeled everyday and had some of the best experiences under the water, ever.  We don't have near as many pictures from below the water but you'll get the idea...

Penguins!  This variety is the the northern most penguin....we selected our tour based on the fact that our boat was going to the islands that specifically presented the possibility of seeing them.  We can´t believe that we were acutally able to snorkel with them.  One of these precocious critters tapped Steve´s mask three times and Amy witnessed it.  It was hilarious.  It was as if he was saying who are you and why do you look so awkward.

 Sea Stars....

This is our favorite....the chocolate chip sea star....looks delicious doesn´t it!

Galapagos Sea Lions - not afraid of humans and are sooo playful.  Several times Amy squealed with both delight and nervousness.  They were a bit too close and so adept with their body.

 SHARKS!!  Snorkeling with sharks is not for the easily intimidated.  Although they pretty much ignored us, they are a tad bit scary (to Amy, anyway).  We snorkeled with Galapagos sharks, White Tipped sharks and Black tipped sharks.  Steve had an unbelievable diving experience with 30+ Hammerheads. He dove in an area famous in the Galapagos, called Gordon Rocks, for the potential of seeing scalloped hammerheads and it did not disappoint.  Within the first few minutes of the first dive, three large hammerheads cruised by....check out the video below.

Here is a school of hammerheads - Steve counted over 25 before stopping to just enjoy the moment.

 

Coral and Urchins...

Sea Turtles...check out the below video of a turtle at a cleaning station.

And tons of fish...

Our Sunrises, Our Group, Our Sunsets...