Santa Cruz Island, 5/14/2024, National Geographic Endeavour II
Aboard the
National Geographic Endeavour II
Galápagos
Our day on Santa Cruz Island was an exciting one; from learning about conservation at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, to communing in nature with these amazing reptiles in the wild. We had the opportunity to learn about how the locals live and their contribution to the economy of the islands.
We had a special time when we visited one of the local farms on the island. Here we experienced the bonding between humans and nature, and how they complement each other in such a special place like Galapagos.
Maricarmen Ramirez was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador. Her intense love of nature led her to the Amazon rainforest where she started her naturalist guide career on board the legendary Flotel Orellana , the first of the great Ecuadorian river cruis...
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Exploring Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island offered a chance to witness the unique beauty of the Galápagos, with its green olivine beach and unique wildlife. We visited a nearby lagoon and spotted flamingos and other shore birds.
Española is the oldest island in the Galapagos Archipelago and therefore it has probably the most endemic creatures on an island. This morning our guests had the first opportunity to take a dip in the Pacific Ocean and to practice their snorkeling skills in the turquoise waters at this incredible white sandy beach. After some snorkeling from the beach, many opted for a relaxing stroll where numerous Galapagos sea lions were found simply taking a nap or relaxing along the shoreline. What a great experience! For the afternoon hike, we put on our best walking shoes and embarked our Zodiacs to explore one of the most strenuous but rewarding national park trails, Punta Suarez. We were very lucky to observe what are likely the last waved albatross before they leave for a couple of months after the breeding season. Also, Nazca boobies, sea lions, lava lizards, mockingbirds, and countless marine iguanas were some of the wildlife we encountered. It was such an amazing afternoon at this world-renown living laboratory!
It was the last full day of our expedition, and we spent it at San Cristobal Island. This island was the first one visited by Charles Darwin and it continues to fascinate visitors. In the morning, we went to Punta Pitt, and during our hike we saw blue-footed boobies performing their famous courtship dance and we observed the beautiful red-footed boobies. In the afternoon, we visited Cerro Brujo where the gorgeous white sandy beach was the perfect place to end a fantastic week in paradise!
