Today our guest explored the westernmost realm of the Galapagos. During the morning, we snorkeled at Punta Espinosa on Fernandina Island. Countless Galapagos marine iguanas basking along the shoreline was the highlight as our guests explored the island. While snorkeling, guests observed green sea turtles and marine iguanas feeding on the seaweed covering the rocks. In the afternoon, we went on panga rides to experience Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island. This site offers an impressive view of a collapsed volcano. The rocky cliffs provide shelter for Galapagos fur seals, and they are a good perch for seabirds like Nazca boobies, brown noddy terns, flightless cormorants, and Galapagos penguins.
10/4/2024
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Genovesa Island
With coffee in hand, I stepped out onto the front balcony of the lounge to see what was going on. We had just entered Darwin’s Bay, dropped anchor, and the juvenile red-footed boobies had found the ship and were flying around us on an inspection tour. The rest of the day continued with discoveries of all kinds. An early morning inversion layer (locally known as “garúa”) had fallen and dampened the environment with much desired drops of fresh water, although the chicks of various species didn’t appear terribly pleased in having wet feathers. On our return, the same bedraggled individuals looked smooth, sleek and dry once the sun had come out. The Galapagos National Park has only two sites for visitors, both spectacular, both well worth a slow walk among the palo santo trees to see the great frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, Galapagos doves, Darwin’s finches, short-eared owls, and storm petrels. Snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding along the base of the cliffs of Darwin’s Bay followed. There’s nothing quite like this island anywhere in the world.