Today our guests explored Santa Cruz Island. Santa Cruz Island is one of the most biologically diverse islands in the archipelago. It is home to the Galapagos National Park Service and the Charles Darwin Research Station. Together, these two institutions represent a hub for scientific study and conservation efforts that focus the attention on the restoration of the islands.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 24 Feb 2025
Santa Cruz Island, 2/24/2025, National Geographic Islander II
- Aboard the National Geographic Islander II
- Galápagos
Salvador Cazar, Naturalist
Salvador Cazar studied biology at the Universidad Nacional Del Sur, Bahía Blanca, in Argentina and at the Catholic University of Ecuador. Between 1988 and 1994, Salvador worked as a naturalist and tour leader for several national and international to...
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Galápagos Escape: An 8-Day Voyage
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Española Island
Española Island is an older, eroded volcano with outstanding, unique wildlife. Although better known for the nesting bird colonies, Gardner Bay Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on earth, not only because of its fine, white sand surrounded by colorful turquoise waters, but also for the sea lion colony that rests here. Punta Suarez looks as if nothing could live there, but as we walked along the loop trail, it unveiled highly concentrated nesting bird colonies. Included in its inhabitants is one of the most important, the waved albatross, which only nests on this island from April to December. We also observed Nazca boobies, colorful marine iguanas, lava lizards, and more. What a privilege it was for all of us to visit this special place.
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National Geographic Islander II
Floreana Island
Floreana was the first of the Galapagos Islands to be colonized by people. Ecuador took possession of the islands in 1832 and established a penal colony on Floreana Island. When Darwin visited the Galapagos in 1835, Floreana was the second island he visited. During his stay, Darwin explored the highlands.