Santiago Island, 4/19/2024, National Geographic Endeavour II
Aboard the
National Geographic Endeavour II
Galápagos
During our final full day of exploration, we arrived at Santiago Island. This Island has many visitor sites and so much to offer our guests using many tools of exploration, such as our glass bottom boat, kayaks, Zodiac rides, paddle boards, and snorkeling activities.
Santiago Island has been restored and it is common to see endemic and native animals and plants that only belong to this Island.
This expedition is an experience that will stay in our guests’ memories forever.
Walter was born in a very small town on the mainland of Ecuador. His first trip to the Galápagos was when he was 12 years old, visiting friends and aunt, who had moved to the islands. From the first moment he saw the Islands, he fell in love with the...
This was our first full day of expedition, and we started with a beautiful island in the center of the archipelago. North Seymour is a small, flat island where big colonies of blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds can be found nesting. Mating season has already started. Male frigatebirds displayed inflated red gular pouches, and the blue feet of the boobies were visible in the air. Along the trail, we found the famous Galapagos land iguanas. These reptiles are adapted to eating opuntia cactus, and we spotted one of them taking bites. In the afternoon, we visited a beautiful red sand Island. We practiced our first snorkel and enjoyed observing an abundance of colorful fish and feeding marine iguanas. Later in the afternoon, we took a relaxing stroll along the beautiful beach with the last rays of sun making the red sand shine. Flamingos spotted in a lagoon were the golden finale of this amazing day.
At sunrise we entered Darwin’s Bay, Genovesa, one of the most pristine islands of the Galapagos Archipelago. Genovesa is one massive seabird colony. It has been dubbed “bird island” or even “Hitchcock Island” and is home to the largest population of red-footed boobies. In the morning, we visited Prince Phillip’s Steps, named after the late Duke of Edinburgh, for many years the patron of the Charles Darwin Foundation and a keen ornithologist. Here, we walked through a forest of the peculiar palo santo or incense trees and amongst Nazca boobies, quite abundant here too. Darwin’s Bay beach trail is a real jewel. We followed the sandy trail that is bordered by mangrove trees and salt bushes, from which red-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and Nazca boobies observed us to pass their time. Spending hours in such an isolated place where creatures do not fear the sight of humans is quite touching, and it makes one realize how much we need to continue caring for this wonderful planet of ours.
Our day commenced with a pre-breakfast excursion to Bartolomé Island, renowned for its striking volcanic landscapes and panoramic vistas. Once on top of the island, we were rewarded with breathtaking views of Pinnacle Rock, Santiago Island, and the surrounding azure waters. After breakfast onboard, we returned to the golden beach for snorkeling. The underwater experience was captivating, with encounters featuring sea lions, rays, and reef sharks. After this incredible snorkel we changed location to Chinese hat, a small islet adjacent to Santiago Island, named for its distinctive conical shape resembling a traditional Chinese hat. The island’s landscape, characterized by lava flows, tubes, and uplifted sea floors, offers a vivid testament to the archipelago’s volcanic origins. The snorkeling in the channel between Sombrero Chino and Santiago Island was a highlight. The calm, clear waters teemed with marine life. As the sun set over Galápagos, we gathered on deck to share our experiences. The day’s adventures offered a profound appreciation for the islands’ unique ecosystems and the delicate balance of their natural wonders.
