Santa Cruz Island
This morning as the sun was rising on the horizon of the Pacific Ocean, the National Geographic Islander was anchored at Academy Bay on Santa Cruz Island. This location holds one of the best opportunities to see the most famous animals in this paradise, the giant tortoises.
As we were disembarking our guests were very surprised to see a fair amount of development in the town of Puerto Ayora. This place is the economic capital of the archipelago. Galápagos souvenir shops located along the main street are a part of this economy; our guests had the opportunity to shop, taking home memories from this unique place.
Once inside the Charles Darwin Station, we had the chance to observe the breeding program of these antediluvian looking animals. Visitors to the enchanted islands learned that this is where these unique animals could disappear forever without our help. While we were walking through the different corrals, we saw animals ranging in size from baby tortoises to full grown – it was simply impressive.
We also visited the most famous reptile on earth, Lonesome George from Pinta Island. Everyone was happy to learn about the second most famous tortoise, Super Diego, who returned to Galápagos in 1977 after having lived in the San Diego Zoo. Upon his return to his homeland, he joined the breeding program with the tortoises from Española Island.
In the afternoon we went to the highlands to spot the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. As we succeeded in finding a few of them, we also had the chance to explore a lava tunnel. Before we started heading back to Puerto Ayora, some of our guests went to see pit craters that are 2000 feet in depth.
As we returned to the National Geographic Islander, the sun was setting as a good bye to all our dear guests.
Once on board everyone talked about their experiences on Santa Cruz Island… while they eagerly planned for the next day.
This morning as the sun was rising on the horizon of the Pacific Ocean, the National Geographic Islander was anchored at Academy Bay on Santa Cruz Island. This location holds one of the best opportunities to see the most famous animals in this paradise, the giant tortoises.
As we were disembarking our guests were very surprised to see a fair amount of development in the town of Puerto Ayora. This place is the economic capital of the archipelago. Galápagos souvenir shops located along the main street are a part of this economy; our guests had the opportunity to shop, taking home memories from this unique place.
Once inside the Charles Darwin Station, we had the chance to observe the breeding program of these antediluvian looking animals. Visitors to the enchanted islands learned that this is where these unique animals could disappear forever without our help. While we were walking through the different corrals, we saw animals ranging in size from baby tortoises to full grown – it was simply impressive.
We also visited the most famous reptile on earth, Lonesome George from Pinta Island. Everyone was happy to learn about the second most famous tortoise, Super Diego, who returned to Galápagos in 1977 after having lived in the San Diego Zoo. Upon his return to his homeland, he joined the breeding program with the tortoises from Española Island.
In the afternoon we went to the highlands to spot the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. As we succeeded in finding a few of them, we also had the chance to explore a lava tunnel. Before we started heading back to Puerto Ayora, some of our guests went to see pit craters that are 2000 feet in depth.
As we returned to the National Geographic Islander, the sun was setting as a good bye to all our dear guests.
Once on board everyone talked about their experiences on Santa Cruz Island… while they eagerly planned for the next day.
