Urbina Bay and Tagus Cove, 8/27/2024, National Geographic Endeavour II
Aboard the
National Geographic Endeavour II
Galápagos
We have reached the equator aboard National Geographic Endeavour II in the Galápagos Islands. This is our last day in the western hemisphere. We started the day with a walk on the shores of Urbina Bay, where we found tortoises, land iguanas, and finches. After the walk, we enjoyed a swim off a beautiful black sand beach.
In the afternoon, we relocated to Tagus Cove where we engaged in more aquatic activities, like kayaking and snorkeling. To finish the day, we hiked to the summit of a spatter cone and enjoyed a panga ride along the shores of Isabela Island, enjoying a beautiful sunset.
Charles was raised in the Galápagos Islands. He is the grandson of Rolf Wittmer, the first person documented to have been born on the island of Floreana after his parents, Margret and Heinz Wittmer, emigrated from Germany in 1932.
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Today was our first full day in the archipelago, and we enjoyed every minute of it. The hike in the morning was extraordinary. We spotted Galapagos land iguanas and frigatebirds everywhere. Our afternoon was full of adventures as well. Guests enjoyed their first time in the waters of the Galapagos. To finish the day, we went for a stroll along a red sand beach. It was such an amazing experience! We walked amongst sea lions and saw colorful flamingos. We definitely had a great start to a marvelous expedition that has just begun.
Genovesa welcomed us early as we navigated into the massive collapsed caldera of the volcano that makes up this isolated island. We immediately noted the thousands of birds that were in flight around and above us. Located on the outer perimeter of an archipelago and close to highly productive deep waters, this remote island is home to hundreds of thousands of birds. Whether landing at the small coralline beach or hiking Prince Philip’s Steps, we were surrounded by avian wildlife with a constant soundscape of activity. Throughout our visit, we encountered great frigatebirds, Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, red-footed boobies, and Galapagos doves. Short-eared owls were an absolute highlight. In the late afternoon, these owls hunt along the outer cliff areas of Genovesa. As the sun dipped in the distance and we returned to our floating home with a calm sea before us, we were content with this little world unto itself, the Galapagos.
Today’s expedition took us to two of the most visually stunning sites in the Galápagos, Bartolome Island and Chinese Hat, with each island offering a fascinating view into the archipelago’s volcanic past and unique wildlife. We began the morning exploring Bartolome Island, a landscape dominated by rugged lava fields, spatter cones, and the iconic Pinnacle Rock. The hike to the island’s summit rewarded us with panoramic views of the surrounding islands, showcasing the beauty of this young volcanic terrain. Along the trail, spatter cones, formed by past eruptions, stood as a testament to the island’s fiery origins with their reddish coloration contrasting against the black lava flows. Below, Pinnacle Rock rose dramatically from the sea, a striking geological feature shaped by time, wind, and waves. In the afternoon, we navigated to Chinese Hat where we were fortunate to witness an intimate moment in Galápagos wildlife, the courtship ritual of Galápagos penguins. These charismatic birds engaged in elegant mating behavior. Nearby, a sea lion mother was comfortably resting upon the rugged lava flow. From volcanic landscapes to rare wildlife encounters, today’s journey through Bartolome and Chinese Hat was a reminder of the incredible diversity and geological wonders of the Galápagos Archipelago.
