What a wonderful way to start the year in the westernmost region of the Galapagos. This area is right on top of the hotspot, and Fernandina is the youngest island in the archipelago. The geology and the wildlife are unique. We navigated here to see the popular Galapagos penguin, flightless cormorants, and the huge marine iguana colonies. We took a hike at Punta Espinoza in the morning, followed by snorkeling. In the afternoon, we took a Zodiac tour at a visitors’ spot known as Punta Vicente Roca. We closed the day with a wine tasting on the sky deck during a stunning sunset.
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.
