Genovesa Island, 11/30/2024, National Geographic Islander II
Aboard the
National Geographic Islander II
Galápagos
We have had an outstanding expedition in the Galapagos Islands. Today, our last full day, we visited Genovesa Island. This experience cannot truly be described with words. Genovesa was really a treat, with its picturesque rocky landscapes and the vast number of birds we saw wherever we went.
Thankfully, it was not our last experience in the Galapagos, since we are going tomorrow to see the giant Galapagos tortoises. We can’t wait!
Cristian was born and raised on Santa Cruz Island, at the heart of the Galapagos Archipelago. He had the privilege of enjoying the beauty of the natural world of Galapagos every weekend, sailing in his family's small fishing boat. His parents passed ...
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A day of hiking on Genovesa Island under the warm tropical sun is a pristine paradise. During the morning we explored Darwin Bay, surrounded by red-footed boobies and frigatebirds, while the fresh ocean air and salty breeze accompanied us. Despite the sparse vegetation, the contrast between the volcanic rocks and the green mangroves creates a unique landscape full of life, with seabirds flying over our heads. In the afternoon, at Prince Philip’s Steps we saw Galapagos sea lions and fur seals resting on the rocks, and at the end of the trail a short-eared owl hidden among them. The gentle breaking of the waves and the songs of the birds immersed us in the serenity of this isolated corner of the world, where nature feels vibrant and pure.
Chinese Hat is a tiny little islet off the coast of Santiago Island. The narrow channel between them and its crystal-clear waters offer a great opportunity for snorkeling and kayaking. This site is very special because it is one of the few places in Galapagos where the northernmost penguin in the world can be observed. Along the coastline you can also find sea lions, herons, pelicans and more. In the afternoon we opted for a hike or a Zodiac ride to explore Sullivan Bay, famous for its young pahoehoe lava field and its other volcanic features. In the area you can also find Galapagos penguins and blue-footed boobies.
Early in the morning, National Geographic Islander II anchored near the tiny but marvelous North Seymour Islet. We landed and started walking along its rocky terrain, surrounded by a group of Galapagos land iguanas basking in the sun. Males are a bright yellow color which is amazing for pictures. Not only that, Galapagos sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropic birds, and other species were flying around this exceptional island. The last part of the morning we dedicated to kayaking and having a delightful swim from National Geographic Islander II. After lunch, we snorkeled inside a bay at Santa Fe Island, and we had the chance to play and enjoy the company of Galapagos sea lions. We spent the rest of the afternoon hiking and searching for the unique Santa Fe land iguana. This wonderful reptile only lives on this island and has a very pale yellow coloration. We were lucky enough to spot some and photograph them.
