Snorkelling in the Galapagos Islands

Snorkelling in the Galapagos is an unparalleled experience. Schools of colorful angelfish, gentle sea turtles, and playful sea lions abound. The water is full of wildlife, and one cannot help but come face to face with something somewhere!

First, some still images:

This little guy darted away and then turned to watch me from his safe little cave:

Schools of king angelfish:

Snorkeller (John Brabson) and flightless cormorant caught in a surprise face to face encounter!

And a playful sea lion keeping watch on me as he darted past (see videos below)

And now for some video clips!

Here I watched this gentle sea turtle gliding through the waters of Punta Vicente Roca on the northwestern tip of Isabela Island.
http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=8056520658572285544&hl=en

I was observing this lone sea lion under the water, enjoying the calm serenity of being where I was at Punta Vicente Roca on the northwestern tip of Isabela Island. Much to my surprise, I turned the camera to discover there was a playful sea lion pup darting around behind me trying to get my attention! The playful pup created quite a stir amongst the snorkellers – many of whom were watching it tease me and just waiting for me to figure out what the commmotion was about!
http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-1311053527761754862&hl=en

I was both audience and entertainer to this playful Sea Lion pup who darted amongst the snorkellers and performed underwater acrobatics. I turned the camera on myself to prove that you are not watching a clip from the Discovery Channel or National Geographic!
http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=1754099975893995405&hl=en

All at once a whole bunch of sea lions decided to perform playful acrobatics amongst the snorkellers at the northwestern tip of Isabela Island. There was such a flurry that you can see one sea lion hit the sea floor nose on! Ouch! Here again, I turn the camera on myself to prove I’m right there with them filming behind the camera and it’s not another National Gepgraphic special!
http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=9002683258291031486&hl=en

What are those….penguins? Yes! Galapagos Penguins! I came upon them while snorkelling around the northwestern tip of Isabela Island in the Galapagos. These are the northernmost species of penguin, and they live at the equator! Who knew? And here I thought I’d have to travel to Antarctica with National Geographic to find penguins. Now all I have to do is follow them to their secret surf hut on the other side of the island. Surf’s Up!
http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=6673704759543408370&hl=en

Just when I thought I’d seen it all, this Galapagos penguin zipped past me under the water near Isabela Island! And I didn’t even have to freeze in Antarctic waters to swim with him!
http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-900072893744755962&hl=en