We started our day with a very early morning walk on Gardner Beach. Loads of Sea Lions and a bunch of Hood mockingbirds (Mimus hoodensis) showed up to welcome us to this old island with very rocky ecosystems. After breakfast we snorkeled with a few reef fish species and sea lion pups. In the afternoon we attended a talk by certified photo instructor Ramiro Suarez on “The Truth about Galapagos Photography.” Later we kayaked and drove Zodiacs around Punta Suarez which gave us the chance to hang out with the last sea lions of the day, and even a humpback whale and its calf.
2/20/2025
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Bartolome and Chinese Hat
The Galapagos never ceases to amaze and today was no exception. We began our morning with a landing at Bartolome Island, where we climbed the iconic boardwalk to the summit. Along the way, we spotted lava lizards basking in the sun and took in the breathtaking views of Pinnacle Rock standing tall against the deep blue water. The highlight of the day came in the afternoon as we explored Chinese Hat, a small cinder cone with striking lava formations. A Zodiac exploration took us along the shoreline where we spotted three Galapagos penguins resting on the lava rocks. These unique seabirds, the only penguins found north of the equator, stood side by side, preening and occasionally glancing towards the water as if contemplating their next dive. Guests also enjoyed snorkeling in the turquoise waters where sea lions twisted playfully and whitetip reef sharks swam through the currents. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we reflected on another extraordinary day in one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet.
