From the National Geographic Endeavour in the Galapagos

North Seymour & Rábida Islands

The Galápagos archipelago has more than a hundred islands set right at the Equatorial line, six major, thirteen minor ones and more than a hundred islets and rocks. Today we visited two small inlets, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

North Seymour is a very important nesting ground for frigates and blue-footed boobies all year round, due to the good conditions on this twenty five square kilometer island. This morning we had the opportunity to explore it with our guests. We saw parent boobies and frigates feeding and taking care of their chicks. While some male boobies and frigates were busy building their nests for the new generation to come.

This small island is also the home for marine and land iguanas. In this particular island we also spotted the two species of sea lions we have here in the Galápagos Archipelago. It was an extraordinary morning activity, and as soon as we returned to our home the National Geographic Endeavour we sailed a few hours to reach Rabida Island for our afternoon activities.

This island was closed to visitors for over a year due to an eradication program that the Galápagos National park was carrying out. This afternoon we witnessed their success in action. Along a beautiful red sandy beach we observed hundreds of sea lions resting and nursing their pups. We also had a visit from a juvenile Galápagos hawk, Galápagos mockingbirds, and Galápagos flycatchers. Boobies and pelicans were plunge diving and frigates were committing piracy from other seabirds. The sunset was just spectacular to celebrate our day in paradise, together with the friendly animals in Galápagos.