Floreana Island, 5/12/2024, National Geographic Islander II
Aboard the
National Geographic Islander II
Galápagos
We spent the day on Floreana Island, one of the central islands in the Galapagos. In the morning, we visited Post Office Bay. This was followed by an impressive snorkeling at Champion Islet. In the afternoon, we visited Cormorant Point, where we observed sea turtles and various species of seabirds, including blue-footed boobies.
Photographers: Anahi Concari and Javier Carrión, Naturalists
Javier grew up on Santa Cruz island where his grandparents first arrived in the 1940´s. Veritable pioneers, his grandparents settled in the highlands where they found a place to raise their children.
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San Cristobal Island is among the oldest islands in the Galapagos and is a paradise filled with abundant wildlife! Punta Pitt is a clear example of an old region with many eroded volcanic ash formations. It is home to different types of birds, such as swallow-tailed gulls, Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and thousands of storm petrels! San Cristobal Island is mostly made of basaltic rock with vast palo santo forests. Some of these leafless trees are home to seabirds and used for nesting purposes as well. Red-footed boobies and frigatebirds often use these trees for nesting. Swallow-tailed gulls, Nazca boobies, and storm petrels typically nest on the ground among the lava rocks.
Today we explored Espanola Island. We spent the morning kayaking and snorkeling at Gardner Bay, while in the afternoon we went for a walk and Zodiac ride at Punta Suarez. We observed many of the iconic animals of the Galapagos, some of them endemic to Española Island. This island is definitely one of the jewels of the Galapagos.
Our visit to Floreana Island was truly unforgettable. Early in the morning, we set out with guests for an exciting kayaking adventure in Post Office Bay. The calm waters and beautiful scenery made for a perfect start to the day. After kayaking, we headed to Champion Islet for a snorkeling session. The underwater world was vibrant and full of life; we spotted whitetip reef sharks, graceful sea turtles, and a myriad of colorful fish swimming around us. Each encounter was a thrilling reminder of the rich biodiversity of the Galápagos. In the afternoon, we explored Punta Cormorant. The beach landing was spectacular with blue-footed boobies nesting near the shore. Observing these fascinating birds up close was a highlight for everyone. As we walked along the beach, we noticed sea turtles swimming in the shallow waters. To our amazement, we also saw a few Galapagos sharks gliding gracefully near the coast. The proximity of these incredible creatures made Punta Cormorant a magical spot, blending both marine and avian wonders. This day on Floreana Island displayed the incredible natural beauty and wildlife diversity that the Galápagos Islands are renowned for.
