Our day on San Cristóbal Island began at Pitt Point, the island’s easternmost landing site. As we climbed the rugged trail through eroded tuff formations, we were greeted by the sight of red-footed boobies nesting in the Galapagos clubleaf while blue-footed boobies performed their signature courtship dance along the path.
In the late morning, we made our way to the dreamy white coral beach of Witch Hill, a tranquil stretch of sand framed by turquoise waters and dramatic volcanic formations. Galápagos sea lions slept peacefully under the sun while ghost crabs darted playfully between their tracks. Offshore, the striking silhouette of Kicker Rock stood like a cathedral in the sea, a preview of our afternoon adventure.
As the sun dipped lower, we explored Kicker Rock by panga. Towering nearly 500 feet above the sea, these twin tuff cones cleaved by a narrow channel offered dramatic views both above and below the surface. Bottlenose dolphins were traveling along the coastline of San Cristobal while our guests enjoyed their presence from the decks of National Geographic Gemini.
From land to sea, from cliffs to coral sand, today captured the breathtaking diversity that makes San Cristóbal so unforgettable.