Our first full day in the islands started with a bang. We added outstanding sightings and behavioral observations to our wildlife list. North Seymour has incredible birdlife, reptiles, and marine mammals that are visible from the trail as well as from Zodiacs along the shore. We visited Rabida in the afternoon. Many guests are now prepared for snorkeling. We observed lagoon birds courting and nesting in low light on the red sand. It is hard to describe in words, and even photographs don’t always capture the impact of these islands. You must come visit to believe.
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.
