Santa Cruz Island, 3/5/2024, National Geographic Endeavour II
Aboard the
National Geographic Endeavour II
Galápagos
Santa Cruz Island is the second largest inhabited island in the Galapagos Archipelago. Our day was filled with excitement as we visited the Breeding Center for Galapagos Giant Tortoises and observed the local farming practices, gaining insight into the island's culture.
In the afternoon we had the pleasure of searching for wild Galapagos giant tortoises under the beautiful, sunny, and warm weather.
Gilda was born in Ambato, located in the very heart of the Ecuadorian Andes. Since she was a child, she loved animals, often rescuing street cats and dogs. Her parents always made sure there were nature books and plenty of Jacques Cousteau’s videos a...
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We are about to finish our expedition on National Geographic Endeavour II and today took us to the two iconic islands called Bartholomew and Chinese Hat, offering a blend of unique geological formations, diverse wildlife, and a glimpse into the Galapagos' geological history. In the morning, we started with a walk up to the summit of Bartolomé and later in the morning we enjoyed an amazing snorkeling excursion with penguins. Later in the day we moved locations to Chinese Hat, named for its distinct shape resembling a traditional Chinese hat. The unique lava formations captivated us. The small, cone-shaped island showcased a variety of volcanic features, including lava tubes and fissures. Brown pelicans, marine iguanas, and Sally Lightfoot crabs welcomed us as we explored the coastline.
We spent another day exploring Santa Cruz Island, for there is so much to see. This time, we went to the opposite side of the island and the contrast was impressive. The dormant dry forest looks nothing like the coastal forest full of mangroves and other evergreen species. We even found the dragons of the Galapagos, the land iguanas. In the afternoon, we went on the Zodiacs to discover the wonders of the mangrove-covered coast. Dozens of blue-footed boobies and baby hammerhead sharks were a treat for all of us. The day finished with a wine tasting experience and an amazing sunset to complete another wonderful day in the enchanted islands.
Santa Cruz Island is in a strategic location in the Galapagos and offers the best opportunities to observe the famous Galapagos giant tortoises in captivity and in their natural habitat at all stages of life. The island is also the home of the tortoise breeding center, making this visitor site one of the most visited places in the Galapagos. In the morning, we visited the center and had the opportunity to see baby tortoises from five different islands. Soon, they will be released back to their home island. Since the creation of the tortoise breeding center, it has been a success, thanks to the support of our guests.