Espanola Island, 5/6/2018, National Geographic Endeavour II
Aboard the
National Geographic Endeavour II
Galápagos
Espanola Island has a high degree of endemism comparing with the rest of the Island, it means up to six species found on this Island are found only in this Island and nowhere else in the rest of more than three hundred Islands found in this Archipelago. That is the reason Galapagos has kept the eyes of the scientist wide open.
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...
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Our expedition took us to the youngest and one of the most remote islands in Galapagos. We began our journey at Punta Espinosa, Fernandina Island stepping onto a striking volcanic landscape shaped by recent volcanic eruptions. Among the first signs of life we encountered was a lava cacti with spiny golden stems standing in contrast against barren lava. It is one of the first plants to colonize the lava flows. As we followed the trail, a Galápagos sea lion greeted us, playfully interacting with the tide pools. Moments later, a group of marine iguanas emerged from the rocky shoreline, diving into the shallow waters in search of the precious algae that sustains them. Later in the afternoon, we embarked on a coastal exploration along Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island where the dramatic cliffs and rugged shoreline offered breathtaking views. As we navigated the waters, green Pacific sea turtles surfaced briefly, with their heads breaking the surface in slow and rhythmic movements. Nearby, a Galápagos penguin stood on the rocks while flightless cormorants spread their wings to dry—a fascinating display of evolution in action. The interplay of volcanic rock formations, rich marine life, and striking geological features made for a truly unforgettable experience.
Today we visited North Seymour. This island is home to unique iguanas and different species of marine birds, including the frigates and blue-footed boobies nesting in the area. Our guests enjoyed visiting the small, 1.7 square km uplifted landmass. We took an amazing hike in one of the visitor’s sites. The Galapagos National Park has put a lot of effort into controlling the number of introduced species here. In the afternoon, we went to Rabida Island, where we had our first snorkeling opportunity of the expedition. We enjoyed the presence of sea turtles, a large variety of colorful fish, and a group of playful Galapagos sea lions. After snorkeling, we went on a walk along the beach, where we encountered a group of American flamingos in a coastal brackish water lagoon. It was an amazing first full day spent exploring the Galapagos!
This morning, National Geographic Endeavour II anchored in Darwin Bay, one of the two calderas on Genovesa Island. We explored two different trails of the island: Darwin Bay and Prince Philip’s Steps. We experienced the rainy season this morning and still had a wonderful time. Genovesa Island is home of the largest colony of red-footed boobies in the archipelago, as well as other seabird species. After walking both trails, we snorkeled and kayaked along the cliffs of this large caldera.
