South Plaza and Santa Fe Islands, 11/14/2024, National Geographic Islander II
Aboard the
National Geographic Islander II
Galápagos
Today we explored South Plaza and Santa Fe Islands, both in the central part of the archipelago. Marine iguanas were one of the main characters of the day, although sea lions and Galapagos hawks displayed some great moments for photography. I believe today is going to be one of the most memorable days of this trip, as the wildlife and the weather today were on point.
Javier grew up on Santa Cruz island where his grandparents first arrived in the 1940´s. Veritable pioneers, his grandparents settled in the highlands where they found a place to raise their children.
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Today we disembarked at the spectacular Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island and walked among red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, frigatebirds, finches, and sea lions. The island was alive with sounds, movement, and hundreds of fluffy chicks, which served as a vivid reminder of how rich and vibrant this ecosystem truly is. We also encountered marine iguanas resting on the lava rocks, perfectly adapted to this remote volcanic environment. The weather was ideal, with a gentle breeze, mild sunlight, and excellent conditions for observing wildlife. Later, we kayaked along cliffs teeming with seabirds and swam in crystal-clear waters alongside playful sea lions and Galápagos fur seals. Genovesa, one of the true gems of the northern archipelago, offered us one of the most memorable days of our expedition. It was a celebration of life, color, and sound in one of the most magical and remote places in the Galápagos, a day we will not soon forget.
Today on board National Geographic Islander II , we started the day very early by visiting Sombrero Chino. Under the light of dawn, our guests had a great stretching session conducted by our wellness specialist. It was a perfect way to connect with nature in the company of Galapagos sea lions and Galapagos penguins who playfully interrupted our stretching session to give us an unforgettable show. Without a doubt, it was the best way to start the day. The day kept getting better and better, with sunshine, turquoise waters, and a clear sky. From kayaking to glass bottom boat touring and snorkeling, our guests had several wildlife encounters, including the tiny Galapagos penguins with whom they swam and enjoyed an incredible morning full of water activities. To end this incredible day, we visited Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island. We crossed a spectacular lava flow where our guests felt like they were walking on the moon or Mars. It was a perfect way to end a day full of fabulous wildlife and fascinating geology in the Galapagos.
With a very relaxing pre-breakfast hike, our day began. We had a nice time seeing iguanas and lots of cacti. In the afternoon, we visited Santa Fe Island where we snorkeled with a bunch of reef fish species and even saw a hawksbill turtle, a rare discovery of the day. We finished the day surrounded by sea lions and the pale land iguanas from Santa Fe. At night we enjoyed a nice barbecue dinner.
