After crossing the equator, over two thirds of the World ARC Fleet have now arrived in Puerto Baquerizo, San Cristobal in the Galapagos Islands. On arrival crews had to be checked in with various authorities and customs & immigration whilst at anchor before they had permission to take a water taxi ashore to explore the beauty that the Island has to offer.
Yesterday evening saw the start of a nightly rendezvous for crews to gather and share stories of their equatorial crossing where they compared routes and the size of fish caught during the passage over a welcomed cold cocktail.
This morning the first Kicker Rock tours departed for the fleet to enjoy. It was a full day tour starting with a short bus ride to snorkel the shallows of La Loberia beach where a variety of turtles come to rest amongst a diverse range of tropical sea life. Following the beach, two motor boats departed Puerto Baquerizo to head to Kicker Rock which is famous for its spectacular birdlife on high rise cliffs and sea life that lurks below including turtles, fish, rays and a variety of sharks including the hammerhead. A drift snorkel with the current through the impressive gap of Kicker Rock got crews up close and personal to the Galapagos sea life, for many being the first time to swim with sharks!
After the excitement of Kicker Rock, the boats motored back to Puerto Baquerizo via a secluded beach where people had the chance to walk ashore and relax before returning to welcome the new arrivals into the anchorage over a cold drink at the nightly rendezvous.