We spent the last day of our expedition at Santiago Island. We deployed kayaks and Zodiacs to explore the coast, including the amazing landscape at Buccaneer Cove. Our guests enjoyed snorkeling with colorful fish and whitetip reef sharks, and we even spotted a manta ray. The glass-bottom boat was in operation, and there is nothing better than dry snorkeling! In the afternoon, we walked along the shoreline of Puerto Egas, where we took pictures of marine iguanas, herons, coastal birds, and Galapagos sea lions with their pups. Our wonderful expedition came to an end, and wonderful memories will stay in the hearts of our guests for a long time!
6/12/2025
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Bartolomé and Sombrero Chino Islands
Warm ocean air and a colorful sunrise met us as we approached Bartolomé. Guests traveled by foot or Zodiac to experience the compacted ash landscape. On our first snorkeling excursion, we swam with diving penguins and sea creatures like whitetip and blacktip sharks, rays, and parrotfish. On the next snorkeling opportunity, we enjoyed seeing even more fish and sea stars! After lunch, we were back on the Zodiac for a third snorkeling opportunity. We dove in by Sombrero Chino. We spotted whitetip sharks, a school of fish, sea lions, pufferfish, and more. We ended the day by circumnavigating Sombrero Chino on Zodiac. We spotted more penguins. The community spirit that has developed over the week was evident as a Zodiac of guests serenaded Sarah on her birthday! Traveling to the Galapagos has made the world feel small. We have found common ground with guests and staff and made connections between our actions back home and the conservation of this beautiful archipelago. Written by Sarah Magnano and Robin Lockwood, Grosvenor Teacher Fellows