I really wanted to do a snorkeling tour to Isla Tortuga and the Islas Cuatro Hermanos. All providers told us that they don't do tours there because it's not worth it. I didn't want to give up and found a small and new diving school. Roy, the owner of Whale Shark Diving Galapagos, said it wasn't a problem at all. So said and done.

We are picked up at 7:30 to get our equipment. Then we board the boat. There are nine of us on board. The weather is perfect. 45 minutes of sailing lie ahead of us. People chat happily and the mood is good. Omar, the guide, tells us something about the spots. There are said to be hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, turtles, manta rays and sea lions. The mood becomes more tense and excited.

At the first spot there are actually some hammerhead sharks and adult white tip reef sharks waiting for us. We almost only snorkel in the deep blue. Below us you can vaguely see the foothills of the volcanic crater. A strong and beautiful start to the tour. Then the crossing to the Cuatro Hermanos Islands begins. Shortly before arriving, Paula sees some fins in the distance. Then the captain calls out something that makes us all jump: Orcas!

Suddenly they were next to and under our boat. Everyone shouts and screams with joy when the animals jump out of the water just 2 meters away from us. Without warning, Omar shouts: Get ready and jump! Shocked and frightened looks swirl around. Everyone wants to jump, but the fear is still too big. Eventually the adrenaline wins and we jump. There are 5 orcas below us. There is a juvenile. After a few seconds they are gone. Trembling, we get back on the boat.

After a short while, the captain's voice drowns out our cheers. He spotted them again and we set off. There is a joyful and at the same time anxious tension in the air. Same procedure as before. Get dressed and everyone jumps out of the boat completely wild. This time they stay. They play with us for minutes. Swimming around us. At some point they say goodbye and disappear into the depths. With moist eyes we climb back onto the boat. Everyone is aware that what we just experienced was unique.