Today we continued our expedition by exploring northern Santa Cruz Island. Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the archipelago and the north has one of the largest mangrove forests, which means it’s home to many species. We started our day with a wonderful hike at Dragon Hill where we spotted the magnificent land iguana. In the afternoon we had many excursions from which to choose, including kayaking, paddle boarding, or Zodiac riding. Our guests were thrilled to see baby sharks (black tips and a hammerhead) and lots of sea turtles and sea birds. We had a stunning day filled with beautiful colors and lots of wildlife.
2/20/2025
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Bartolome and Chinese Hat
The Galapagos never ceases to amaze and today was no exception. We began our morning with a landing at Bartolome Island, where we climbed the iconic boardwalk to the summit. Along the way, we spotted lava lizards basking in the sun and took in the breathtaking views of Pinnacle Rock standing tall against the deep blue water. The highlight of the day came in the afternoon as we explored Chinese Hat, a small cinder cone with striking lava formations. A Zodiac exploration took us along the shoreline where we spotted three Galapagos penguins resting on the lava rocks. These unique seabirds, the only penguins found north of the equator, stood side by side, preening and occasionally glancing towards the water as if contemplating their next dive. Guests also enjoyed snorkeling in the turquoise waters where sea lions twisted playfully and whitetip reef sharks swam through the currents. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we reflected on another extraordinary day in one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet.
