Today we woke up at Darwin´s Bay in Genovesa Island. This island is a collapsed volcano and is the northernmost island of the archipelago that we visited during this expedition. Photographers had an early visit to Darwin´s beach where they took advantage of the morning light to practice their photography skills and learn more tips with the experts onboard. After breakfast, guests disembarked for a natural history adventure. This visit offered a unique opportunity to see many species of sea birds, including the exotic red-footed boobies, two species of frigate birds, Nazca boobies, short-eared owls and swallow-tailed gulls and a few species of Darwin’s finches. After lunch, some guests had their last snorkeling and paddle boarding sessions of the trip, while the young explorers enjoyed learning Zodiac lessons around the calm waters of the bay. The day finished with a natural history walk at Prince Phillip`s steps in search of the short-eared owl that inhabit this area of the island, hunting for storm petrels. During this visit, we could also observe the fur seal, the second species of sea lion that we found in this trip. After this walk, we went back for a farewell cocktail on board to celebrate our exciting week in Galapagos.
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.
