Today we spent the day exploring the western realm of the Galapagos Islands. We visited Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island and Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island. Our day was remarkable because we observed some of the most iconic of the endemic species in the Galapagos, including Galapagos penguins, fur seals, and marine iguanas. This was only the beginning, and tomorrow we will continue exploring the western region of the archipelago.
9/1/2024
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Española Island
Today we visited Española, one of the oldest islands of the archipelago. We started with an early morning walk along a beautiful white sand bay with a colony of sea lions. We even had an opportunity to enjoy a close encounter with a pair of juvenile Galapagos hawks! Later, we enjoyed the warm waters of Garner Bay by snorkeling, exploring the shoreline, and looking for wildlife. In the afternoon, we visited one of the most spectacular cliffsides of the Galapagos on Punta Suarez. Here, we witnessed the courtship ritual of the waved albatross, the largest marine bird in the Galapagos and one with a beautiful love story. Nesting Nazca and blue-footed boobies and large groups of marine iguanas were some of the highlights of this amazing hike. The waves, the light at sunset, the famous Española blowhole, and the amazing landscapes made for a perfect first full day of exploration.