For our family, this tour should have been called the Cuatro Ernestos rather than the Cuatro Hermanos. Between our family and the crew, four of our number had Ernesto as a name:
- Our captain, Vladamir Ernesto
- His brother and first mate, Joel Ernesto
- My husband, Ernest
- And our son, Ryan Ernest
Every time something wonderful happened on this glorious day, we credited to La Suerte de los Ernestos. And it was, indeed, a lucky day.
We started this tour mid-morning, the best time, according to our Captain, to catch fish. Our goal was to tour the four islands called the Cuatro Hermanos while trolling for tuna. This tour is an experiment in sustainable tourism recently started in the Galapagos. The National Park is encouraging fisherman to take tourists out by giving permits to allow hand-line and pole fishing in protected areas. The amount of fish that can be caught is negligible, but the experience is not. A successful fishing trip also means eating fresh ceviche on the boat, an opportunity not to be missed.
And then we snorkeled some more. The sea life attracted to small islands like this can be amazing. Many creatures make their homes in the rocky walls and it’s possible to swim very close to observe sea stars and urchins clinging to the rocks. Schools of tropical fish flit back and forth. Larger predator fish can often be seen deeper in the water. These rocky islands are also home to larger animals, like sharks and sea tortoises and sea lions. On any given day, you can swim with all or none, depending on luck. We saw white-tipped sharks and California sea lions swimming nearby.
- Swimming with schools of fish at 4 Hermanos, off Isla Isabela, the Galapagos
- A school of Razor Surgeonfish swimming at 4 Hermanos, near Isla Isabela, the Galapagos
- A Galapagos Sea Lion at 4 Hermanos, near Isla Isabela, the Galapagos.
- A King Angelfish with smaller Sabertooth Blennies found at 4 Hermanos near Isla Isabela, the Galapagos.
Our day ended with fresh ceviche lunch and a choppy ocean passage back to Puerto Villamil on Isla Isabela.
- Our Family Sharing a Bucket of Ceviche
- A Crew Selfie with the Bucket of Ceviche