Santa Cruz Island, 11/30/2017, National Geographic Endeavour II
Aboard the
National Geographic Endeavour II
Galápagos
Today the National Geographic Endeavour II anchored at Academy Bay in front of Santa Cruz Island. This is the most populated island in the Galapagos and the home of a large population of giant tortoises.
Socrates was raised on Santa Cruz Island located in the heart of Galapagos Archipelago. He had a childhood filled with swimming, scuba diving, rock climbing and volunteering in conservation projects, so it was natural for him to grow very passionate ...
Jim was born in rural New England where he quickly developed an appreciation for the outdoors and a love of exploration. Four years with the U.S. Navy further enhanced his appetite for travel. Always interested in the visual arts, he studied Televis...
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Today’s expedition took us to two of the most visually stunning sites in the Galápagos, Bartolome Island and Chinese Hat, with each island offering a fascinating view into the archipelago’s volcanic past and unique wildlife. We began the morning exploring Bartolome Island, a landscape dominated by rugged lava fields, spatter cones, and the iconic Pinnacle Rock. The hike to the island’s summit rewarded us with panoramic views of the surrounding islands, showcasing the beauty of this young volcanic terrain. Along the trail, spatter cones, formed by past eruptions, stood as a testament to the island’s fiery origins with their reddish coloration contrasting against the black lava flows. Below, Pinnacle Rock rose dramatically from the sea, a striking geological feature shaped by time, wind, and waves. In the afternoon, we navigated to Chinese Hat where we were fortunate to witness an intimate moment in Galápagos wildlife, the courtship ritual of Galápagos penguins. These charismatic birds engaged in elegant mating behavior. Nearby, a sea lion mother was comfortably resting upon the rugged lava flow. From volcanic landscapes to rare wildlife encounters, today’s journey through Bartolome and Chinese Hat was a reminder of the incredible diversity and geological wonders of the Galápagos Archipelago.
Dawn in Santa Cruz greeted us with the gentle sound of the ocean and the promise of a day filled with natural wonders. We explored the vital conservation efforts at the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center where these majestic creatures remind us of the importance of preserving biodiversity. In the afternoon, our expedition took us to the heart of the island, El Manzanillo Ranch, located in the farming zone of Santa Cruz, where giant tortoises roam freely in their natural habitat. With each step the crunch of leaves beneath our boots immersed us in a primitive and fascinating world. We then explored the impressive volcanic sinkholes of Los Gemelos, located in the highlands, surrounded by the mystical Scalesia cloud forest.
We arrived at the north of Santa Cruz Island, and we witnessed that there had been heavy rains in recent days, leaving this part of the island covered in green. It was like an artist’s palette, with all the shades of green captured in this amazing landscape.
