Punta Pitt and Cerro Brujo, San Cristobal Island, 8/20/2024, National Geographic Islander II
Aboard the
National Geographic Islander II
Galápagos
Before breakfast, we visited Punta Pitt, where we went for a hike in one of the most beautiful places on San Cristobal Island. The unique red-footed boobies were everywhere, one of the three species of boobies that we haven’t seen yet. We also saw some blue-footed boobies nesting grounds. The morning ended with a phenomenal experience snorkeling after breakfast.
In the afternoon, we disembarked on a long coralline sandy beach to walk and swim along the coast. We enjoyed the end of our expedition with dozens of sea lions from a breeding colony, the largest population of them in the Galapagos.
Omar arrived at the Galapagos with his family when he just a year old. His father was a Naturalist in the islands and would take him exploring both on land and in the water, aboard the ships he was working on. At an early age, he learned all about th...
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Today, our journey took us to the stunning Española Island, where we spent an unforgettable day exploring its unique landscapes and vibrant wildlife. Our day began with a visit to Gardner Bay, where we embarked on a deep-water snorkeling adventure with our guests. The crystal-clear waters offered us the opportunity to observe a variety of colorful fish, graceful sea turtles, and playful sea lions that delighted everyone. The interaction with these curious marine creatures was truly a highlight of the morning. After snorkeling, we made a wet landing on the coral beach of Gardner Bay. As we walked along the shoreline, we encountered numerous sea lions resting peacefully on the sand. The beauty of this pristine beach, combined with the presence of these majestic animals, made for an idyllic and serene experience. In the afternoon, we headed to Punta Suárez, where we discovered an explosion of life at every turn. During our hike, we were captivated by Española's endemic species, including the Española lava lizards and the striking Nazca boobies. The pinnacle of our walk was reaching the albatross colony, where our guests were thrilled to photograph and admire these magnificent birds, which can only be found on this island in the entire world. As the day ended, we returned to the ship just before sunset. Tired but filled with joy, we reflected on yet another extraordinary day in this remarkable place known as the Galápagos Islands.
Today, our guests of National Geographic Islander II started their activities early in the morning. Kayaking at sunrise was spectacular, with Galapagos sea lions playing near our kayaks. At this time of the year, the weather conditions offered us a cloudy landscape, a beautiful mysterious Floreana, a perfect site for pictures. We returned to National Geographic Islander II for breakfast. In the middle of breakfast, we were interrupted by a humpback whale and her calf swimming close by, so we all went outside to observe these magnificent creatures. The adventure continued to Post Office Bay, a historical site consisting of a wooden barrel, placed in 1793, where navigators could leave messages and mail for homebound voyagers. The tradition continues, a great way to send letters to loved ones. We had such a fun time reading the addresses of the letters left behind and choosing which ones our guests should take back home and hand deliver. Almost at noon, we started our snorkeling adventure around Champions Islet, where we swam with big schools of colorful fish and curious playful sea lions. We spent the afternoon at Punta Cormoran where an incredible surprise was waiting for us. Three Galapagos flamingo chicks where filtering microorganisms near the shore. We stayed there mesmerized by these gorgeous birds. After a very easy hike, we ended at a white-sand beach, a delightful spot to observe the nesting spot of green marine turtles and a colorful sunset.
