Snorkeling allows those of us who either can't afford or are too scared to SCUBA dive to still experience the wonders of the ocean. That said, often the most awe-inspiring aquatic sites are hidden deep below the surface and hidden to those of us who don't have an oxygen tank strapped to our backs. Thankfully, if you find yourself in the Galapagos Islands, the animals of the sea come looking for you. That makes it one of the most satisfying and rewarding places to snorkel.

I visited the islands a few months ago and strapped a ContourGPS HD video camera to my snorkel mask for a week of exploration. Every single time I entered the water, I swam with a creature that I'd only previously encountered at aquariums. Notice that I said "swam with." It's not an exaggeration to say that the sea lions frolicked with us, the penguins teased us and the sharks shared some close encounters with us. Unlike any other place that I have been, snorkeling in the Galapagos is very much an interactive wildlife experience and you don't need to be a professional cameraperson to capture the action.

Of course, it's not all fun and games with animals in the Galapagos. I learned a few things in the water. Did you know that penguins poop while swimming? It's like a public pool over there!

Filed under: South America, Ecuador, Video