Today is our last full day aboard National Geographic Endeavour II. We are visiting the island of Genovesa, locally known as “Bird Island.” Genovesa is the northeastern most island of the archipelago. It’s a volcano that is sinking as it moves to the east. The ship anchored in what was once the volcano’s crater. We explored many different nesting sites for seabirds, including red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, etc. We also explored the marine life by snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and taking Zodiac tours along the beautiful basaltic cliffs. We enjoyed unique encounters with the amazing wildlife of the Galapagos Islands.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 10 Feb 2023
Genovesa, 2/10/2023, National Geographic Endeavour II
- Aboard the National Geographic Endeavour II
- Galápagos
Charles Wittmer, Naturalist
Charles was raised in the Galápagos Islands. He is the grandson of Rolf Wittmer, the first person documented to have been born on the island of Floreana after his parents, Margret and Heinz Wittmer, emigrated from Germany in 1932.
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This was our first full day of expedition, and we started with a beautiful island in the center of the archipelago. North Seymour is a small, flat island where big colonies of blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds can be found nesting. Mating season has already started. Male frigatebirds displayed inflated red gular pouches, and the blue feet of the boobies were visible in the air. Along the trail, we found the famous Galapagos land iguanas. These reptiles are adapted to eating opuntia cactus, and we spotted one of them taking bites. In the afternoon, we visited a beautiful red sand Island. We practiced our first snorkel and enjoyed observing an abundance of colorful fish and feeding marine iguanas. Later in the afternoon, we took a relaxing stroll along the beautiful beach with the last rays of sun making the red sand shine. Flamingos spotted in a lagoon were the golden finale of this amazing day.
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Genovesa Island
Today we had the pleasure of visiting Genovesa Island, a bird paradise in northern Galápagos. In the morning, we landed at Prince Philip’s Steps, where the trail led us through a dry forest filled with Nazca boobies and red-footed boobies nesting in the branches. One of the highlights of the morning was spotting several short-eared owls camouflaged among the lava rocks—an exciting and rare sight that amazed us all. Galapagos storm petrels, swallow-tailed gulls and Galápagos doves also accompanied us along the path, making this a fantastic birdwatching experience. In the afternoon, we visited Darwin Bay, where the calm waters and white coral sand created the perfect setting for a relaxing and scenic walk. The contrast between the turquoise sea and the vibrant wildlife was breathtaking. We enjoyed watching frigatebirds flying overhead, their red throat pouches fully inflated, while playful sea lions rested near the shore. Some guests took a refreshing swim and had the chance to observe marine life close to the beach. Genovesa offered us an unforgettable day, filled with unique wildlife encounters and stunning landscapes. This remote island continues to be one of the most magical destinations in the archipelago.