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Introduction
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For more information about upcoming workshops, visit the Workshops homepage or send an email to grijalva@ohiou.edu |
Snorkeling in the Galapagos
By Steve Ploetz
Another great thing about snorkeling is the scenery. Just like taking a hike on land and observing the landscape the same applies to swimming underwater. We saw countless fish and schools of fish at every single diving site. Sea stars, sea cucumbers, algae, coral, shells many other things all had highly colorful and exciting décor. Surgeonfish, angelfish, Moorish idols and hundreds of others crowd the ocean. Some other favorites were parrotfishes and wrasses. Every day seemed to get better snorkeling including a wide range of fish off the coast of Genovesa with a big rock wall. Fernandina Island had lots green sea turtles, flightless cormorants and marbled rays. The sea turtles were excellent to swim with since they were very large and not too fast of swimmers so you could keep up with them, not to mention the sheer abundance of them. Sea lions were everywhere, in and out of the water. Galapagos Penguins also swam around near Bartolome Island. For any snorkeling fan or anyone interested in snorkeling no one in the world can be disappointed in the Galapagos. The sheer number of aquatic flora and fauna is amazing. Also the color and the uniqueness make snorkeling truly brilliant. Also, we had some first time snorkelers on the trip. Both rookies told me they greatly enjoyed it and that it was very easy and very fun. The crew was very friendly and assisting. Everyone on the trip snorkeled and only had rave reviews. |
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Snorkeling throughout our excursion around the islands
proved to be a very exciting activity each and every day. For me, among
many awesome snorkel sites, my favorite was off the beach of Santiago
Island. As with many beaches, sea lions owned the shore. We were at
Santiago in the morning and many sea lions came and swam with us. One
particular sea lion swam and played particularly with me. If I would swim
in a circle he would swim around me. If I started swimming he would chase
me. The young sea lion also would swim right at you and then dart out of
the way at the last second. The sea lions in general are not aggressive and
the young ones are very playful. It is definitely an experience I will
never forget.