Santiago Island, 5/9/2024, National Geographic Islander II
Aboard the
National Geographic Islander II
Galápagos
Today we explored the island of Santiago. In the morning, we visited Buccaneer Cove by kayak, Zodiac, and even glass bottom boat.
In the afternoon, we visited Puerto Egas where we had our last afternoon excursion of this expedition in the Galapagos Islands. The landscape today was full of wildlife and amazing geological formations that offered great opportunities for photography, conversations, and good memories with our dear guests.
Javier grew up on Santa Cruz island where his grandparents first arrived in the 1940´s. Veritable pioneers, his grandparents settled in the highlands where they found a place to raise their children.
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We arrived at the western side of the archipelago and today we couldn’t have asked for a better morning. We circumnavigated Roca Redonda where dolphins and whales came to say hello to us. We crossed the equator and as soon as we arrived at Punta Vicente Roca we went for a Zodiac ride, exploring the shores looking for marine iguanas, boobies, and penguins. We couldn’t leave this site without going into the water to snorkel. Turtles swam with us and cormorants, sharks, and few penguins joined in the fun. Later in the day we moved locations to the youngest island, home of the largest population of marine iguanas. We explored the island and finished this incredible day by enjoying a wine tasting accompanied by an incredible sunset.
There is only one island in Galapagos where the frigates nest year-round, it’s North Seymour, a flat, small, uplifted site full of wildlife. We visited before breakfast because of the early activity of these creatures. We spotted lots of wildlife and the walk was exciting for our guests. In the afternoon we moved to Rabida Island and once there, we snorkeled among sea lions and multicolor fish. On our way back to National Geographic Islander II we got a surprise visit from a humpback whale swimming by the bay. Walking along the red beach of the island was memorable as we were accompanied by a beautiful sunset that colored the sky in shades of orange.
This morning, we were anchored at Academy Bay at the south end of Santa Cruz Island. We visited Los Gemelos, a pair of large sinkholes formed by collapsed lava chambers. The endemic Scalesia trees found here form a cloud forest with a dense canopy that generates a cool, humid microclimate. This habitat is critical for many bird species, including the famous Darwin’s finches. Over time, invasive species such as blackberry and guava have posed a threat to this delicate ecosystem, making conservation efforts vital for preserving its unique biodiversity. Santa Cruz has its own species of giant tortoise. The gentle giants, the most iconic inhabitants of the Archipelago, are primarily herbivorous and feed on the abundant vegetation, including grasses, fruits, and cacti. Their presence plays an important ecological role, aiding seed dispersal and maintaining the balance of plant species.
