Floreana Island, 3/12/2018, National Geographic Endeavour II
Aboard the
National Geographic Endeavour II
Galápagos
Floreana is one of the most visited islands in the Archipelago, not only for its wildlife which is quite abundant, but also for the very interesting human history. This was the first island in the Galapagos to become inhabited, and a common stop for pirates, buccaneers, privateers and whalers from the 1600s to the 1800s.This is a unique opportunity for our guests to travel back in time and learn about the mysteries of Floreana, and its very eccentric visitors and inhabitants of the past.
Socrates was raised on Santa Cruz Island located in the heart of Galapagos Archipelago. He had a childhood filled with swimming, scuba diving, rock climbing and volunteering in conservation projects, so it was natural for him to grow very passionate ...
Ashley was raised in Central Oregon where she spent her childhood ski racing, riding horses, playing classical piano, and working summer jobs on a dude ranch. She then attended the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California in ...
Enter travel details to receive reports from a single expedition
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Send Daily Expedition Reports to friends and family
*By clicking the submit button, I authorize Lindblad Expeditions to email me; however, I am able to unsubscribe at any time. For more details, see our Privacy Policy.
Please note: All Daily Expedition Reports (DERs) are posted Monday-Friday,
during normal business hours. DERs are written onboard the ship only and do
not apply to land-based portions of expeditions.
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!
