Bartolome and Cerro Dragon , 11/26/2022, National Geographic Islander II
Aboard the
National Geographic Islander II
Galápagos
Our day began with a short Zodiac ride and a pre-breakfast hike on Bartolome Island, followed by a delicious breakfast and water activities. We visited Dragon Hill in the afternoon and spotted land iguanas, flamingos, marine iguanas, shorebirds, and sea lions. We admired the wonderful scenery and the amazing geological formations.
Born and raised in the Galápagos, Roberta Schiess Bahamonde’s grandparents were among the first permanent inhabitants of Santa Cruz Island, arriving from Switzerland in the 1940s. Her mother is also a naturalist guide in the Galápagos, so this is a p...
Our day began with a wildlife-packed morning on South Plazas Island, where we watched with fascination as seabirds used the updraft to soar back and forth along the cliffs. Afterwards, we kayaked along the neighboring island of North Plazas. Sea lions clambered up the boulder-strewn shoreline, and lava herons hunted crabs. We navigated to Santa Fe Island in the afternoon and enjoyed a snorkeling excursion. Curious sea lions played with each other, and multiple Pacific green sea turtles swam by serenely. Much to our amazement, a school of eleven spotted eagle rays glided by in formation! We went ashore in the late afternoon to explore Santa Fe’s unique landscape and giant opuntia cactus forest. What a wonderful end to our day!
Our day began with an early morning landing at Punta Pitt, located on the northeastern tip of San Cristóbal Island. Known for its striking eroded tuff formations, the island rewarded us with a panoramic view of the bay. We were fortunate to see a couple of blue-footed boobies in full courtship mode, including sky-pointing and whistling. Meanwhile, frigatebirds soared overhead. After the hike, we cooled off with a snorkeling session and were treated to playful sea lions. In the afternoon, we visited the iconic Cerro Brujo (Witch’s Hill), a site known for its impressive white coral sand beach and crystal-clear turquoise waters. We encountered wildlife here, including marine iguanas, oystercatchers, and sea lions. We finished the day by circumnavigating the remains of an old volcano and one of the most iconic landscapes in Galapagos, Kicker Rock, which was serenely lit up at sunset.
Today’s expedition took us to one of the crown jewels of the Galápagos Islands, Española, renowned for its incredible biodiversity and striking landscapes. The day offered us a blend of relaxing encounters with marine life and dramatic displays of wildlife along one of the most iconic trails in the archipelago. Our morning began at Gardner Bay, a breathtaking stretch of white sand beach framed by turquoise waters and black lava outcrops. Upon landing, we were greeted by a colony of Galápagos sea lions lounging comfortably along the shoreline. Some curious individuals came close to inspect us as we walked along the beach. In the afternoon, we landed at Punta Suárez, where a starkly different environment awaited. The rocky coastline and dramatic cliffs provided a stunning backdrop for one of the most exciting wildlife hikes in the Galápagos. Our walk took us through nesting grounds of Nazca boobies. The highlight, however, was the waved albatross, endemic to Española and one of the most charismatic species in the archipelago. We were fortunate to observe their fascinating courtship displays—elegant and theatrical, with head bobbing, beak clacking, and sky-pointing rituals.
