We woke up early this morning, went up to the sundeck and saw the entrance of this beautiful and impressive Caldera of Genovesa Island. We are in the midst of the breeding season of the great frigatebirds. It is very impressive how beautiful their display is. Males get the attention of the females by completely inflating their red gular pouches and making a special chicken-like sound; the courtship takes place only during the rainy season. This was a spectacular show during the morning by Prince Philips Steps and during the afternoon’s visit at Darwin’s Bay. We were also impressed to see numerous red-footed boobies perched on the branches with their tiny red webbed feet and building their nests on the incense trees. They are certainly the most colorful of the three boobies’ species.
6/13/2025
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Genovesa Island
We started the day with excitement as we landed on the beautiful, pristine coast of Isla Genovesa - a true birder’s dream. Along the sandy beaches and steep cliffs of Darwin Bay, we were surrounded by an incredible array of birdlife. Frigatebirds soared closely overhead with their red pouches on full display, while Nazca and blue-footed boobies nested along the rocky ledges. Swallow-tailed gulls called out as we walked past. In the distance, we saw the stoic and elusive short-eared owl. The island was alive with color, sound, and constant movement. Between our excursions to Isla Genovesa, we snorkeled near Prince Philip’s Steps and discovered a vibrant world beneath the waves. Schools of fish swirled around us, a fur seal turned in the water as if dancing on cue, and sea lions relaxed nearby. As our last snorkeling adventure came to a close, we spotted a sea turtle resting calmly in a crevice. As the sun retreated into the sky on our last return to National Geographic Endeavor II, we reflected on the sheer magnitude of what we witnessed on our last full day. Isla Genovesa, like the other islands, gave us a connection to a sacred world. The harmony between land, sea, and sky reminded us how deeply interconnected, vital, and fragile these ecosystems are. Watching birds tend to their nests and marine life swim effortlessly, we were struck by how little space there is between wonder and reverence. We recognized that our journey wasn’t just about observing unique wildlife, it was about feeling part of something grander and beautifully ancient.
