Early in the morning we reached Santa Cruz Island, which is not only the second biggest island in the Galapagos but also the most populated, with something like 20,000 inhabitants. Some own farms, and today we visited Manzanillo Ranch, where giant tortoises move freely in the highland territory. Surrounded by green vegetation, this area is the perfect spot for these gigantic reptiles. They enjoy roaming, resting, and taking muddy baths unbothered by the presence of humans.
10/3/2024
Read
National Geographic Endeavour II
Bartholomew Island and Sombrero Chino
We split into groups for different excursions this morning. Four groups went up the staircase to the top for the iconic view over the isthmus of Bartholomew Island and Pinnacle Rock. We walked past exposed volcanic formations of all sorts: spatter cones, tuff cones, and lava tubes. Two other groups chose to explore along the coast by Zodiac in hopes of Galapagos penguin sightings. All of us were successful in what we hoped for and even the walkers saw penguins near the dock where we disembarked! Both snorkeling off the beach and deep-water outings along the backside of the island were tremendously productive because we saw it all: penguins and sharks being the top species, and diving blue-footed boobies too! The afternoon had National Geographic Endeavour II anchored not too far south, off the coast of Santiago Island near Sombrero Chino. A dramatically barren, small volcanic cone where another snorkeling outing was offered and late-afternoon Zodiac rides to search yet one more time for penguins. We can never get enough of them!