Today we explored Floreana Island. The island has much to offer in terms of wildlife and today was no exception. We walked among sea turtles, visited a brackish lagoon with flamingos and wanderer birds, and snorkeled with sea lions and a variety of colorful fish. And that was just the morning! During the afternoon the highlight was encountering a group of flamingos chilling on the sand bank while we kayaked. It’s incredible how different species live in complete harmony in this volcanic archipelago where resilience and resistance are the key to survival.
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.
