Genovesa Island, 1/25/2025, National Geographic Islander II
Aboard the
National Geographic Islander II
Galápagos
We spent the day on beautiful Genovesa Island. This place is outstanding, especially for those who love seabirds. Red-footed boobies and Nazca boobies were abundant along the trails. We observed plenty of juvenile frigatebirds, and even a few males displaying fully inflated red pouches. This place is special and definitely a great place for our last full day on the Galapagos Islands.
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 visit to Genovesa, or Tower Island, started with a pre-breakfast kayaking excursion inside Darwin’s Bay. The water was calm as a mirror and the view was amazing. Our second activity after breakfast was visiting Darwin’s Bay beach; this site is exhilarating because of the enormous amount of birdlife surrounding you. In the afternoon after snorkeling, we visited Prince Philip’s Steps, where the largest concentration of red-footed boobies in the world showed itself in all its majesty. Great frigatebirds, Nazca boobies, Galapagos doves, wedge-rumped petrels, and short-eared owls were everywhere. We closed the day with a lovely wine tasting on the 500-level at sunset. A memorable day indeed.
Sombrero Chino and Sullivan Bay offer unique insights into the archipelago's volcanic origins. Sombrero Chino, a small islet near Santiago Island that is named for its hat-like shape, features young lava formations, sparse vegetation, and a thriving marine ecosystem. Sullivan Bay, on the eastern coast of Santiago Island, is renowned for its striking pahoehoe lava flows from an 1897 eruption, showcasing the barren landscape of recent volcanic activity.
At dawn, we ventured into the majestic South Plaza Island, where nature revealed itself in its most pristine form. Surrounded by vibrant vegetation, we marveled at the graceful yellow land iguanas moving across the ground, while swallow-tailed gulls peacefully nested around us, creating a harmonious scene. As we descended to the coast, we encountered curious sea lions, whose playful behavior and calm presence made us feel deeply connected to their world. In the afternoon, our journey led us to Santa Fe Island, where we snorkeled in crystal-clear waters, surrounded by colorful fish dancing beneath the surface. Later, a glass-bottom boat ride offered a rare view of majestic sea turtles gliding gracefully through the water. To end the day, we walked along Santa Fe’s coast in search of its iconic yellow iguanas, their silent presence reminding us of the uniqueness of this paradise. Each step brought us closer to the heart of Galapagos, a place where nature flourishes freely and magnificently.