Today was spent exploring both the port and highlands of Santa Cruz island. The day began with a tour of the Charles Darwin Foundation, where our guests learned about the important research and conservation efforts being conducted in Galapagos. We also had the chance to visit the famous giant tortoise breeding center. Later in the afternoon, guests were thrilled to get up close to the giant tortoises at the Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve in the highlands. Our guests had the opportunity to walk through the hollow lava tunnels found on the reserve.
5/12/2025
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Floreana Island
We started our day early at Punta Cormorant just as the sun came up. Nearby, the rocky outline of Devil’s Crown stood out in the distance. As we landed, sea lions were waiting on the beach, giving us a lively start to the morning. During our walk, we visited a large brackish lagoon that’s known for attracting flamingos. We were lucky to see a few of them, which can be rare depending on the season. The highlight of the day was snorkeling at Champion Islet. The water was calm and clear, and we saw a wide variety of marine life. Sea lions swam nearby, and we spotted plenty of colorful fish. In the afternoon, we went kayaking in a quiet, protected area, sharing the space with sea turtles and rays. We finished the day at Floreana Island’s Post Office Barrel where we joined the tradition of leaving and/or taking a postcard for hand delivery upon our return home. A beautiful sunset ended the day.