It is fantastic to spend a whole day on my home Island: Santa Cruz. We started with a visit to a local farm “El Trapiche” where our guests learned about the production of organic coffee, sugar cane, cocoa, bananas and tried their products, a delicious moment! Afterwards we went to “Los Gemelos,” a visitor site located at the highest point of the street with the last and largest scalesia forest on the Island. Then we continued to Rancho El Manzanillo to visit the giant tortoises. There were many tortoises today, it was spectacular. We finished our day visiting the giant tortoise breeding center and the Exhibition Hall of the Charles Darwin Research Station. On Santa Cruz Island, conservation and tourism work hand by hand!
6/9/2025
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National Geographic Islander II
Española Island
Today we had an incredible opportunity to explore Española Island, one of the most iconic and ecologically rich islands in the Galápagos archipelago. Our morning began with a peaceful kayaking session along the coast, where we enjoyed calm waters and beautiful scenery. We then jumped in for an unforgettable snorkeling experience, swimming alongside green sea turtles, playful Galápagos sea lions, and an impressive variety of colorful reef fish. After our aquatic adventure, we set foot on the pristine white sands of Gardner Bay, renowned as one of the top 20 most beautiful beaches in the world. The contrast of turquoise waters and bright sand was simply breathtaking. In the afternoon, we visited Punta Suárez, a truly magical and iconic site. Here we observed the unique courtship displays of the majestic waved albatross, one of the island’s most emblematic species. The trail also offered us fantastic views of blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, Galápagos hawks, and dramatic coastal blowholes. Española Island is the oldest of the Galápagos Islands above sea level. Today, its rich biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes reminded us why it holds such a special place in the heart of naturalists and visitors alike.
