Genovesa Island, 12/14/2024, National Geographic Islander II
Aboard the
National Geographic Islander II
Galápagos
Today we explored Genovesa Island. This northern island is washed by the Panama current, which provokes higher temperatures of the water which was apparent when one felt it. We observed red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, frigatebirds, and many other seabirds in large numbers. It was such a privilege to finish our week exploring a wonderful place like Genovesa Island.
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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Our day began with a pre-breakfast kayaking outing at Chinese Hat, where we had the chance to learn about geological features like cinder cones, tuff cones, and lava flows that date back as far as 20,000 years ago. We also enjoyed a snorkeling excursion in the same area, and then we relocated National Geographic Islander II to the other side of Santiago Island at Sullivan Bay. Here, we hiked around frozen lava fields.
It was the first day of our expedition, and no better way to start it than by visiting South Plaza Island. Here, yellow land iguanas have established themselves and feed mainly on prickly pear cacti, as food is scarce. This endemic reptile can live 60-70 years, and it’s an incredible example of adaption to the aridness of the Galapagos. Swallow-tailed gulls and sea lions were also plentiful in number. Later in the afternoon, we repositioned National Geographic Islander II to a new location, Santa Fe Island. This island is the home of another endemic iguana, known for inhabiting only this tiny, little island in the Galapagos. Its pale color is perfect for camouflaging from the apex predator in the Galapagos, the Galapagos hawk. We also had fun watching Santa Fe’s large colony of sea lions accompanied by the last hour of sunlight on the Equator.
