In this episode of Meet the Fleet, Captain Oliver Kruess shares why sailing South Georgia aboard National Geographic Endurance is one of the best and safest ways to explore this unbelievable subantarctic island.
Today we went to Floreana Island, starting with a visit to the very famous Post Office Bay. Here we had the chance to deliver postcards through one of the oldest mailing systems in the Americas. Later on, we rode our Zodiacs to explore the small islet of Champion, where marine birds and sea lions display on the shore. We also snorkeled in this same area, and had close encounters with the playful sea lions. In the afternoon we hiked at Cormorant Point, an old tuff cone with a greenish sandy beach at its base surrounded by black mangroves. We explored the area looking for wildlife and enjoyed the presence and color of the greater American flamingos. On the other side of this visitor site there is a beautiful white sand beach, which is also a sea turtle nesting site. We enjoyed the last rays of today’s sun at this magical location.
Today National Geographic Gemini took us to Rabida Island. We disembarked very early to enjoy a peaceful stroll along a red sand beach and a brackish water lagoon with a few flamingos in it. With lovely lighting during magic hour, we enjoyed photographing the stunning landscape and wildlife. In the afternoon the ship repositioned to Puerto Egas at Santiago Island. Amid a combination of rain and sunshine, our guests enjoyed hiking along the coast of Puerto Egas to encounter sea lions, land and marine iguanas, different lava formations, and rainbows that made for a magical experience. It was a successful first full day exploring the Galapagos Islands.
Today we visited Española Island in the southeastern realm of the Galapagos. We started early in the morning with snorkeling from a beach with stunningly soft, white sand and turquoise waters. We practiced getting comfortable and confident with the gear. Some of our guests went for a deep-water snorkel, enjoying the blue water with its amazing marine wildlife at Garner Islet. Later in the afternoon, we headed to Punta Suarez. We went for a hike to enjoy the beauty of the oldest island of the archipelago. We saw large groups of marine iguanas gathering on lava boulders for warmth. In addition, we spotted blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and many other birds, including the Galapagos hawk and the albatross. It was an amazing first full day in the Galapagos!
This morning, National Geographic Endurance arrived off Faial Island, a volcanic gem in the Azores. Known for its dramatic geology, rich yachting culture, and whaling history, Faial offered a glimpse into the island’s layered past. After breakfast, guests went ashore to explore the town of Horta. Some hiked misty mountain trails, others wandered the colorful streets, and many visited the Whaling Museum to learn about Faial’s maritime heritage. A visit to Peter’s Café Sport, the iconic sailor’s bar, was a must. Upstairs, the scrimshaw museum displayed intricate carvings etched into sperm whale teeth and bones. In the afternoon, guests returned ashore to continue their adventures, hiking more trails, revisiting the museum, or enjoying the vibrant atmosphere at Peter’s. At sunset, we returned to the ship, ready to share stories at evening recap and enjoy a lively dinner.
We woke up early today to climb to the summit of Bartolome Island. Once you get to the top the view is breathtaking; the scenery is so dramatic and full of volcanic formations, it looks like the moon or Mars. Along the shoreline we found many Galapagos penguins fishing in the water and basking on the black rocky lava. Later on the beach, we had a lot of fun swimming, snorkeling, and strolling along the shore. In the afternoon we moved to the northern part of Santa Cruz Island to visit Cerro Brujo. This place usually belongs to the arid zone of the island, but this year it’s raining all over the archipelago, producing an important quantity of food for terrestrial animals. The area was so lush; birds such as finches and mockingbirds were very happy about the food supply, and the magical land iguanas were also well fed. Our intrepid guests enjoyed the magic of Galapagos, throughout their first full day exploring this amazing archipelago.
