It is fantastic to spend a whole day on my home Island: Santa Cruz. We started with a visit to a local farm “El Trapiche” where our guests learned about the production of organic coffee, sugar cane, cocoa, bananas and tried their products, a delicious moment! Afterwards we went to “Los Gemelos,” a visitor site located at the highest point of the street with the last and largest scalesia forest on the Island. Then we continued to Rancho El Manzanillo to visit the giant tortoises. There were many tortoises today, it was spectacular. We finished our day visiting the giant tortoise breeding center and the Exhibition Hall of the Charles Darwin Research Station. On Santa Cruz Island, conservation and tourism work hand by hand!
2/25/2025
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National Geographic Islander II
North Seymour & Rábida Islands
We started our day early, setting out for Seymour Norte before breakfast. The island’s lush greenery was striking—a clear sign that the rainy season has arrived in Galápagos and with it, the seabird mating season. As soon as we landed, we were surrounded by numerous great and magnificent frigatebirds, some perched in the treetops while others soared overhead searching for food. Further inland, we encountered several land iguanas feasting on the fresh vegetation. Right beside them, blue-footed boobies captivated our guests with their presence. After breakfast, National Geographic Islander II navigated northwest toward Rábida Island. Following lunch, we enjoyed snorkeling off the island’s striking red beach. We spotted sea lions, colorful fish, octopuses, and even a few whitetip reef sharks. As we explored beyond the beach for our final outing, the sun broke through the rain creating a stunning rainbow. In the nearby lagoon, flamingos waded gracefully, feeding in synchronized movements—truly dancing in the rain. Just before sunset, we returned on board, tired but elated. This was an unforgettable day in this paradise called Galápagos.
