Today we woke up to a new view, a new landscape outside our window. Each island is different in the Galapagos archipelago, each island is magical and beautiful. Today we returned to the center of the archipelago to visit Lindblad Expeditions’ adopted island, Santiago Island, also known as James or San Salvador. As the sun was rising, we set foot on Espumilla beach, a beautiful red sand beach where Pacific green sea turtles nest and Galapagos top land predators hunt, particularly the Galapagos hawk. Galapagos hawks were the stars of the show this morning, as we spotted four of them perching together on branches of the white and red mangrove trees, looking at us curiously. The morning continued at Buccaneers’ Cove for a wonderful snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle-boarding session, and a ride on our glass bottom boat. In the afternoon, we explored Puerto Egas, another site at Santiago Island, inspecting tidal pools and spotting birds, marine iguanas and Galapagos fur seals. As we headed back to the boat during a beautiful and peaceful sunset, we reflected on the close encounters we had with the fearless Galapagos wildlife, and we understood the importance of conservation of pristine places like the Galapagos Islands!
6/13/2025
Read
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.
