Today we devoted our whole day to Floreana Island. We started with an early disembarkation to Punta Cormorant. This site gave us the opportunity to enjoy an easy walk along a wonderful forest of Palo Santo trees and to visit two pristine beaches. After this early morning walk, we sailed towards Champion Islet. Here we jumped into our Zodiacs and rode around the whole islet looking for marine birds and amazing geological formations covered with cacti. Later on, it was time to experience the underwater world surrounding Champion Islet. The amazing abundance of fish and marine life of this area is just breathtaking, literally! In the afternoon, we moved on to Post Office Bay. Following an old tradition, here we brought some post cards and collected some others from different travelers that will be hand delivered to our guests back home. We also had the opportunity to explore the Post Office Bay with our kayaks and paddle boards. It was a day of unforgettable experiences and unique wildlife encounters.
6/13/2025
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Genovesa Island
We started the day with excitement as we landed on the beautiful, pristine coast of Isla Genovesa - a true birder’s dream. Along the sandy beaches and steep cliffs of Darwin Bay, we were surrounded by an incredible array of birdlife. Frigatebirds soared closely overhead with their red pouches on full display, while Nazca and blue-footed boobies nested along the rocky ledges. Swallow-tailed gulls called out as we walked past. In the distance, we saw the stoic and elusive short-eared owl. The island was alive with color, sound, and constant movement. Between our excursions to Isla Genovesa, we snorkeled near Prince Philip’s Steps and discovered a vibrant world beneath the waves. Schools of fish swirled around us, a fur seal turned in the water as if dancing on cue, and sea lions relaxed nearby. As our last snorkeling adventure came to a close, we spotted a sea turtle resting calmly in a crevice. As the sun retreated into the sky on our last return to National Geographic Endeavor II, we reflected on the sheer magnitude of what we witnessed on our last full day. Isla Genovesa, like the other islands, gave us a connection to a sacred world. The harmony between land, sea, and sky reminded us how deeply interconnected, vital, and fragile these ecosystems are. Watching birds tend to their nests and marine life swim effortlessly, we were struck by how little space there is between wonder and reverence. We recognized that our journey wasn’t just about observing unique wildlife, it was about feeling part of something grander and beautifully ancient.
