Santiago Island, 12/19/2024, National Geographic Islander II
Aboard the
National Geographic Islander II
Galápagos
Today was the last full day of our expedition and we explored Santiago Island.
We started with a pre breakfast kayaking along Buccaneer Cove, where later in the morning we explored by snorkeling and by glass bottom boat. This place was full of wildlife and dramatic volcanic scenery.
During the afternoon we went to Puerto Egas, where some guests decided to go for a hike and others decided to enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the beach. Sea lions were rolling around the shore and blue-footed boobies were plunging along the coast. What a great way to finish the day.
Our guests will likely remember this adventure forever.
Ixora was born in the Galapagos Islands, back when the streets were made of sand and gravel. Void of TV and tablets, her childhood friends and pristine natural surroundings made for an inspiring upbringing. She was always drawn to the ocean and her l...
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Today we visited the island of Santiago. In the morning, we explored Buccaneer Cove by kayak, snorkeling, and even by glass bottom boat. In the afternoon we visited Puerto Egas. The landscape was full of wildlife and amazing geological formations that offered great opportunities for photography, conversations, and creating wonderful memories with our dear guests.
Today, we visited one of the most dramatic landscapes in the Galapagos Islands. Roca Redonda Island is a paradise for seabirds. As the sun rose above the horizon, our guests were on deck watching the island come to life, with birds swarming around this tiny rock which is actually the tip of an active volcano that plunges over ten thousand feet to the seafloor. We continued navigating south, crossing the equator and celebrating with our guests onboard. Our journey then took us to Punta Vicente Roca on the southwest flank of Ecuador Volcano, just a few miles south of the equator. We explored by Zodiac and snorkeled with turtles, flightless cormorants, and Galapagos penguins—an unforgettable morning! In the afternoon, we repositioned National Geographic Islander II to Fernandina Island. Our visitor site, Punta Espinoza, is on the northeast side. We hiked across uneven, dark lava flows, seeing hundreds of marine iguanas basking on the shore while curious sea lion pups greeted us. Fernandina is the most recent island in the archipelago, and though it may look like a barren rock from a distance, its surrounding nutrient-rich ocean supports a thriving ecosystem.
Early this morning we disembarked on North Seymour Island, greeted by overcast skies and a pleasant temperature. As we ventured inland, we encountered numerous frigatebirds, some nesting atop trees and shrubs, while male frigatebirds displayed their vibrant red gular pouches in an impressive courtship ritual. The recent rainfall had transformed the landscape, rendering the paths slightly muddy and prompting the palo santo trees to sprout fresh green leaves after a prolonged dry spell. Continuing our exploration, we observed several land iguanas and lava lizards scurrying across our path, showcasing the island’s diverse reptilian life. In the afternoon, National Geographic Islander II navigated northwest to Rábida Island, easily identified by its distinctive reddish hue due to oxidation of iron-rich lava. Our guests had the opportunity to snorkel from the island’s red sand beach where the clear waters revealed a vibrant marine ecosystem. After snorkeling, we returned to shore to explore the area surrounding a saltwater lagoon located just behind the landing beach. To our delight, we spotted numerous flamingos, some were feeding, while others tended to their nests or cared for their chicks. As the sun set, we returned aboard, reflecting on a day filled with remarkable wildlife encounters and the stunning natural beauty of the Galápagos Islands.
