Santiago Island, 3/13/2024, National Geographic Endeavour II
Aboard the
National Geographic Endeavour II
Galápagos
We had an amazing day on this beautiful island, from the morning walk in Espumilla with its tranquility, to the water activities at Buccaneer Bay exposing us to the wonders of the underwater world in this paradise.
The afternoon excursions took place at Puerto Egas with its distinctive landscape. There is plenty of wildlife among the different ecosystems that this area offers us to explore. Many memories were made with our fellow travelers!
Paola was born in the major Ecuadorian port city of Guayaquil, raised near the ocean and rivers. Since childhood she felt a deep connection with nature, which led her to settle in the Galapagos Archipelago in 1998, on the central island of Santa Cruz...
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The day began with clear skies. A short walk along the main road on Puerto Ayora led us to the breeding center where we had the opportunity to see the baby tortoises. Next, we boarded buses for an exciting journey into the highlands. Our first stop was an ecological farm, where we learned about coffee production and hydroponic farming. The highlight of the day was the anticipated visit to El Manzanillo Ranch, a property located along the migratory route for the tortoises. After a delicious lunch, we put on our rubber boots and ventured out to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
The day started with the gentle sway of the ship and a crisp ocean breeze, a refreshing reminder that adventure was just ahead. At Playa Espumilla, early risers stepped onto the soft sand after a wet landing, ready to explore. Some grabbed their cameras and followed National Geographic Photo Instructor Omar to capture the golden morning light, while others took a scenic walk with a naturalist, soaking in the island’s beauty. Meanwhile, kayakers paddled along the coast, gliding past curious sea lions and diving seabirds. For those easing into the day, a stretching session on the Observation Deck offered the perfect slow start. After a filling breakfast, National Geographic Endeavour II continued to Buccaneer Cove where the real fun began. Kayakers set off again, while others explored the underwater world through snorkeling or glass-bottom boat tours. The crystal-clear waters were teeming with colorful fish, graceful sea turtles, and the occasional reef shark cruising by. In the afternoon, Puerto Egas welcomed explorers for either a walk through striking lava formations or a relaxing beach break. As the sun dipped toward the horizon, guests returned to the ship, sharing stories of close encounters with wildlife.
Today we have explored different spots on Isabela Island. We started the day visiting Urbina Bay where we did a long hike over an uplifted area which occurred in 1954. It is amazing to see how nature has recovered after this geological event and now offers so many things to see, like land iguanas and giant tortoises that we found along the trail. During the afternoon, we headed to Tagus Cove. We explored by kayak, Zodiac, snorkeling, and hiking. With every single activity we were surrounded by penguins, lots of seabirds, flightless cormorants, and other unique animals from the Galapagos. It was a very special day exploring the islands aboard National Geographic Endeavour II.