Genovesa Island, 12/27/2024, National Geographic Endeavour II
Aboard the
National Geographic Endeavour II
Galápagos
The day on Genovesa Island started with a Zodiac ride through the turquoise waters, offering us a close look at the island’s rich wildlife. The sky was clear, and the sound of the waves mixed with the calls of seabirds, like red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and frigatebirds, soaring overhead. On the nearby rocks, Galapagos fur seals soaked up the sun, while some dove into the water, enjoying the waves.
The highlight of the day was crossing the equator during sunset, a symbolic moment that made us feel the vastness of nature and the geography as we sailed deeper into this remote, natural paradise.
Domenica was born in the port city of Guayaquil and grew up on a small island called San Cristobal in the Galapagos Islands, surrounded by sea lions and the beach.
Her love and curiosity for marine life led her to become certified as a Scuba Diver a...
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We arrived at the north of Santa Cruz Island, and we witnessed that there had been heavy rains in recent days, leaving this part of the island covered in green. It was like an artist’s palette, with all the shades of green captured in this amazing landscape.
After breakfast, we set out for Urbina Bay, located on the western side of Isabela Island. Just a few meters from the shore, we encountered several giant tortoises resting in rainwater pools left by the downpour from the night before. The rainy season is truly a blessing for all terrestrial animals, and the tortoises are no exception, taking advantage of the fresh water and lush vegetation. In the afternoon, we navigated north toward Punta Vicente Roca. At 2:15 PM, we embarked on an unforgettable snorkeling experience along the island’s coastal cliffs. We had the incredible opportunity to swim alongside playful sea lions, Galápagos penguins, flightless cormorants, and sea turtles. Our final excursion of the day was a panga ride around Ecuador Volcano. This outing turned into a unique adventure as an unexpected rain shower added a special touch to the experience. Our guests donned ponchos and embraced the moment, making the ride even more memorable as we explored this remote and stunning landscape. Just before 6:00 PM, we marked a significant milestone, crossing the Equator! We celebrated this special moment with a traditional flag-crossing ceremony, accompanied by lively music and a fun round of limbo.
Today we visited Santa Cruz Island, the home of 25,000 inhabitants that represent the largest human population of the Galapagos Islands. During the morning, our guests explored Puerto Ayora and learned everything about the work of the Charles Darwin Research Station. Later in the afternoon, we explored the highlands of the island where our guests enjoyed observing the Santa Cruz giant tortoise, Geochelone porteri, in their natural habitat.