Fernandina, Punta Vicente Roca, 2/14/2022, National Geographic Endeavour II
Aboard the
National Geographic Endeavour II
Galápagos
It is our third day of the expedition. We headed to the most western
part of the archipelago to visit Fernandina and Isabela (Punta Vicente Roca).
These two islands are the youngest in the archipelago. Bolivar Canal is located
between the two, a place where we find the main activity of marine mammals. The
day started with an early wake up call to see the area’s common dolphins.
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 we had a day full of wildlife encounters on Isabela Island. We started early in the morning exploring the coastline of Urbina Bay at the bottom of the slopes of Alcedo Volcano. During this spectacular hike, our guests had their first encounter with giant tortoises in the wild. Unlike on the island of Santa Cruz where we see tortoises while visiting private farms, the giant tortoises of this visitor site had made a long journey all the way down from the volcano, far from any human settlement, to lay their eggs and feed on the lush vegetation. In the afternoon, some of our guests went for a Zodiac ride along the coast of Tagus Cove, a tuff volcanic formation that is home to several species of seabirds. Blue-footed boobies and Galapagos penguins were the main attractions of this exploration. After a successful Zodiac ride before sunset, our Zodiac driver, José, spotted a feeding frenzy. Many blue-footed boobies and brown noddies put on a show for us to close a wonderful day exploring Isabela Island.
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!
