Today we have had an amazing expedition exploring the western area of the Galapagos Islands. We started surrounded by hundreds of marine iguanas during a hike on the youngest volcano in the Galapagos called La Cumbre, or Fernandina Island. We continued this adventure swimming with sea turtles, sea lions, and flightless cormorants. After a delicious Mexican buffet lunch, we jumped into the Zodiacs to Explore Punta Vicente Roca and we got the surprise visit of a pod of dolphins. It was a perfect day here in paradise.
6/12/2025
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Bartolomé and Sombrero Chino Islands
Warm ocean air and a colorful sunrise met us as we approached Bartolomé. Guests traveled by foot or Zodiac to experience the compacted ash landscape. On our first snorkeling excursion, we swam with diving penguins and sea creatures like whitetip and blacktip sharks, rays, and parrotfish. On the next snorkeling opportunity, we enjoyed seeing even more fish and sea stars! After lunch, we were back on the Zodiac for a third snorkeling opportunity. We dove in by Sombrero Chino. We spotted whitetip sharks, a school of fish, sea lions, pufferfish, and more. We ended the day by circumnavigating Sombrero Chino on Zodiac. We spotted more penguins. The community spirit that has developed over the week was evident as a Zodiac of guests serenaded Sarah on her birthday! Traveling to the Galapagos has made the world feel small. We have found common ground with guests and staff and made connections between our actions back home and the conservation of this beautiful archipelago. Written by Sarah Magnano and Robin Lockwood, Grosvenor Teacher Fellows
