Our day began with a hike in Urbina Bay, where we observed giant tortoises and land iguanas. Returning to the ship, we experienced the mysterious mist that gave this archipelago the nickname, the Enchanted, or Bewitched, Islands. After a presentation by National Geographic photographer Massimo Bassano, we enjoyed a fantastic Ecuadorian lunch. In the afternoon, we enjoyed seeing wildlife on kayaks and paddleboards and with our snorkeling gear. We ended the day on an amazing note with a hike to the top rim of Darwin Lake for a dramatic view of volcanic cones, plus a Zodiac ride to see the famous Galapagos penguins and a beautiful sunset.
9/1/2024
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Española Island
Today we visited Española, one of the oldest islands of the archipelago. We started with an early morning walk along a beautiful white sand bay with a colony of sea lions. We even had an opportunity to enjoy a close encounter with a pair of juvenile Galapagos hawks! Later, we enjoyed the warm waters of Garner Bay by snorkeling, exploring the shoreline, and looking for wildlife. In the afternoon, we visited one of the most spectacular cliffsides of the Galapagos on Punta Suarez. Here, we witnessed the courtship ritual of the waved albatross, the largest marine bird in the Galapagos and one with a beautiful love story. Nesting Nazca and blue-footed boobies and large groups of marine iguanas were some of the highlights of this amazing hike. The waves, the light at sunset, the famous Española blowhole, and the amazing landscapes made for a perfect first full day of exploration.
