Today was our last day in the western realm, and we started our expedition at one of my favorite visitors’ sites, Urbina Bay. Alcedo giant tortoises nest here, and we got to see many females and juveniles during our hike. It was a precious moment that many of our guests will cherish forever. After the hike, we had the privilege of hearing Dr. Sylvia Earl speak about, “What Darwin Didn’t See in the Galapagos.” In the afternoon, we continued our adventure in the ocean while swimming with penguins and sea turtles. It was an honor to share this ocean with Dr. Sylvia. Our day ended at the top of Darwin Lake with a breathtaking view of Fernandina Island and a heartwarming sunset!
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.