Santiago Island
Today we started our day on the western side of Santiago Island. After an early wake up call, we landed at Espumilla Beach. It was a place covered with an interesting mix of volcanic ashes and tiny pieces of olivine where we spotted several sea turtles matting close to the coast. After crossing a button mangrove’s forest we continued through an area covered by huge Palo Santos trees. The soil was humid, giving the area a very enjoyable smell. A couple of Galapagos hawks and mocking birds were spotted during our way up to the summit of a small hill. From the top we were able to enjoy an interesting view of the coast and a brackish lagoon visited by Bahamas pintail ducks. We could also see the National Geographic Endeavour anchored in the distance. Shortly after, we headed back to the ship for breakfast.
Later in the morning we visited Buccaneer Cove. Here we had a number of activities such as kayaking, snorkeling and just enjoying the impressive landscape of the place. During the snorkeling we spotted Surgeons fish, king angel fish, Moorish idols, parrot fish, snappers, grunts, Galapagos sea lions, white tipped reef sharks, sting rays and many others species of reef fish. The water visibility was around 30 feet and water temperature was 70F – a great combination.
In the afternoon we landed on a black volcanic sandy beach. Some of our guests went snorkeling and the rest for a hike along the coast. Walking along the coast, we found some interesting lava formations known as grottos, with fur seals and sea lions laying on them. We also spotted different species of shore birds, semi palmate plover, sanderlings, ruddy turnstones, least sandpiper, lots of marine iguanas, American oyster catchers, and much more. After witnessing an incredible sunset we headed back to the National Geographic Endeavour.
Just another day in paradise!
