This morning at daybreak the National Geographic Islander was already gently riding anchor just off Espumilla Beach on the west coast of Santiago Island.
We previously saw this land a few days ago while exploring Bartholomew Island located just off Sullivan Bay, on the opposite side of the island. Our plan today is to finally make landfall on Santiago and to explore the shoreline from up close in kayaks or our Zodiacs and then later, explore the underwater world that extends off the rocky shore. Two walks, one during the early morning and another one in the late afternoon will allow us to explore the inland and coastal environment.
Early this morning we went kayaking near the ship to explore the coastline north of Espumilla Beach. We set off in the direction of Buccaneer’s Cove in the hopes of coming across some wildlife activity. As we followed the coastline with a gentle southern breeze on our backs, Galapagos fur seal pups greeted their mothers as they returned from foraging and Blue footed boobies plunge-dived between our kayaks in search of breakfast. As we reached Buccaneer’s Cove we were ready for a well-deserved breakfast of our own.
Once back on the ship we were glad to hear that the hikers that had left to walk around Espumilla Beach had returned after encountering lots of activity on the shore and the inland trail.
After having switched anchorage, we set off to explore Buccaneer’s Cove from both above the waves aboard our Zodiacs and beneath the waves while snorkeling. The visibility was in excess of 30 feet horizontally which left many with the impression of, “This must be what it feels like to swim in an aquarium”. There were huge schools of fish, including Creole fish, Razor surgeon fish, colorful Parrot fish and the occasional White tipped reef shark.
We finished off our afternoon with a memorable shore walk at Egas Port, a few nautical miles to the south of our previous anchorage. The incoming tide was just right and allowed us to experience Galapagos fur seals and a few different species of shore birds, plus several “messes” of Galapagos marine iguanas along the mixed black lava and “Tuff” lava shore.
As I write this report we have just finished an “al fresco” dinning service on the Sky Deck and my colleague Juan Carlos has just started a Star Talk talking advantage of the clear sky tonight.
It’s been a very full and rewarding day!
