Rabida and Santiago Island, 3/30/2025, National Geographic Gemini
Aboard the
National Geographic Gemini
Galápagos
Today we explored two of the most beautiful central islands of the Galapagos. We visited Rabida Island before breakfast and found sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and were so lucky to find flamingoes feeding in a beautiful brackish pond. We also had our first snorkeling excursion of the week.
In the afternoon, we disembarked to explore the coast of Puerto Egas on Santiago Island. Here we observed marine iguanas resting along the rocky shores and many seabird species.
Javier grew up on Santa Cruz island where his grandparents first arrived in the 1940´s. Veritable pioneers, his grandparents settled in the highlands where they found a place to raise their children.
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The first full day of expedition on the oldest island of the archipelago was an amazing surprise box. After a safety briefing, we received our snorkel gear and some of us headed to Tortuga Islet in Gardner Bay for our first “deep-water snorkel.” Others practiced in shallower waters at the beyond-description beach with white sand and a turquoise bay. After this first encounter with the marine world, we returned to National Geographic Endeavour II for a quick change and then a Zodiac ride to the beach to stroll, swim, and observe the graceful sea lions in their natural habitat. We took this opportunity for photos, while they were peacefully laying on the beach. By midday we moved from the eastern side of Española Island to the western side for a visit to Punta Suarez. This is the only site at the Equator where waved albatrosses breed, and we witnessed the first ones arriving. We observed female marine iguanas fighting for a burrow, the blowhole, as well as the Española mockingbird and lava lizard. What a unique visit we had, and we’re looking forward to more!
Espanola Island has one of the most beautiful bays of the archipelago, Gardner Bay. This morning, we enjoyed the perfect weather and water conditions here, from kayaking along the coastline to snorkeling in crystal-clear waters. Some preferred to just swim or relax at the white coralline beach of Gardner Bay and were happy to share it with a colony of sleepy Galapagos sea lions. This amazing island is home to several endemic species and a real favorite for marine birds. The southern, cliff-lined coast of Espanola is home to large numbers of Nazca boobies. It is quite an experience walking through this colony, especially as we encountered many chicks today. This is the egg laying season for the colorful Espanola marine iguanas, with many dusty looking females still busy burrowing in the late afternoon. We were not expecting it but were fortunate to encounter the first Espanola albatrosses returning to their home island after a few months in the open seas. Seeing these magnificent seabirds soaring around us made this an unforgettable end to our expedition in the Enchanted Isles.
