This week’s expedition is coming to a close, and we have to maximize our time left in the Enchanted Islands. Today we visited San Cristóbal Island; at its northeastern tip, we find Punta Pitt, which is a cluster of very old tuff cones, now heavily eroded by rain, wind and wave action. The walls of the former cones still rise tall and majestic above sea level, and they are the home to various seabirds that find here suitable nesting spots and productive surrounding waters. The star species of the morning is the red-footed booby. There are five distinctive colonies located in the periphery of the archipelago, including Punta Pitt. They are pelagic feeders, foraging in a radius of sometimes over 100 miles from their colonies. In the afternoon, we visited Cerro Brujo with its stunning white-coralline beach. It was a last visit to the natural areas of this remote archipelago, an everlasting memory of this unique corner in our wonderful planet.
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.
