Daily Expedition Reports
29 May 2023

Española Island, 5/29/2023, National Geographic Islander II

Aboard the National Geographic Islander II
Galápagos

To the southeast corner of the Galapagos lies Espanola, an island dating from 3.5 to 5 million years ago. It contains a high degree of endemism with a number of species of animals that only live here. The north has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world with turquoise water and white sand where sea lion colonies hang out. The eastern part of the island has large colonies of nesting Nazca boobies, colorful marine iguanas, and majestic waved albatrosses, which only nest here. By far, one of the most fantastic opportunities to see wildlife in its purest state.

Article by

Jose Maldonado

Nuku Hiva, Marquesas

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Please note: All Daily Expedition Reports (DERs) are posted Monday-Friday, during normal business hours. DERs are written onboard the ship only and do not apply to land-based portions of expeditions.

Daily Expedition Reports

11/14/2023

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National Geographic Islander II

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Our expedition is almost ending, and we spent our last day visiting the unique island of Santa Fe, located in the southeastern portion of the archipelago. Our morning started with multiple activities. While kayaking in Santa Fe Bay, guests were followed by playful Galapagos sea lions. Meanwhile, part of our group took a hike on a rocky trail to search for Santa Fe land iguanas. With its pale coloration, the species is exclusive to Santa Fe Island. Early in the morning, we found the iguanas emerging from nests as they got ready for the warmth of the sun. Finally, we were ready for breakfast! The morning had just started, though, and after breakfast we prepared for snorkeling. We were surrounded by sea lions in this calm bay. In the afternoon, we landed at the most beautiful white sand beach, Cerro Brujo. This was the first site that Charles Darwin landed the H.M.S Beagle on San Cristobal. Galapagos sea lions were sound asleep along the beach, and we enjoyed our last swim in the calm waters.

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Santa Fe Island and Cerro Brujo

Today, our expedition took us to the enchanting Santa Fe Island. Santa Fe is known for its unique biodiversity, striking landscapes, and pristine waters. We started our day with an early morning kayak before breakfast. Filled with remarkable encounters, it was nothing short of spectacular. Playful sea lions frolicked in the water around us, and blue-footed boobies showed off their impressive diving skills. We even spotted marine iguanas perched on the volcanic rocks, absorbing the warmth of the morning sun. A highlight of our kayaking expedition was witnessing Galapagos hawks in their natural habitat as they showcased their grace and magnificence. Some guests preferred an early hike along the coast of the island. They disembarked on the landing beach, where some sleepy Galapagos sea lions rested under bushes. The hike took us through the island's rugged terrain, and we observed unique vegetation. Iconic Santa Fe prickly pear cacti, some that reached impressive heights, were a dominant feature of the landscape. Along the way, we observed unique flora and fauna and the geological forces that have shaped this remarkable place. At the end of the trail, we spotted several Santa Fe land iguanas (Conolophs palidus), a unique species found only on this island. Their color is paler than that of the land iguanas observed at Cerro Dragon. These fascinating creatures blend seamlessly with the environment, and their presence added to the excitement of our hike. The trail took us to panoramic viewpoints, offering breathtaking vistas of Santa Fe's breathtaking beauty. After breakfast, we wasted no time in donning our snorkeling gear and wetsuits. Our snorkeling adventure took us into the crystal-clear waters around Santa Fe Island. Snorkeling was a captivating experience, and we marveled at the vibrant underwater world. We swam alongside graceful sea turtles, observed schools of colorful fish, and even had an exhilarating encounter with some whitetip reef sharks. The underwater topography was just as diverse as the island itself, with underwater cliffs and caves housing various marine species. Before lunch, National Geographic Islander II started navigating east to visit Cerro Brujo Beach at San Cristobal Island. Cerro Brujo is a stunning natural wonder known for pristine beaches and abundant wildlife. As we stepped onto powdery white sand, we immediately noticed graceful sea lions basking in the sun and playing along the water's edge. These marine mammals are incredibly friendly and curious. They approached guests with a mix of wonder and enthusiasm. Guests observed as the young pups engaged in playful antics, somersaulting through waves and hopping across rocks. Their agile and acrobatic movements create a heartwarming and entertaining spectacle for anyone lucky enough to witness it. The pristine shoreline of Cerro Brujo was the perfect backdrop for this delightful interaction and the harmonious relationship between wildlife and humans in the Galapagos Islands. It's a place where the beauty of nature and the charm of these friendly sea lions come together, leaving an indelible mark on the memories of every visitor.

Daily Expedition Reports

10/30/2023

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National Geographic Islander II

Española Island

Galapagos is an archipelago full of surprises because the animals can be observed so closely that we can be part of their world. They surprise us with new behaviors to thrive in this inhospitable ecosystem, where only the most adaptable creatures survive. In the morning we visited Gardner Bay, with its magical turquoise waters and white sandy beach covered by colonies of Galapagos sea lions. Some of our guests chose kayaking for exercise and to enjoy the beautiful solitude that this place offers. I led a photography walk along the beach to practice all the photo tips and techniques for better pictures of landscapes and wildlife. The beach was amazing: the light, the scenario, the blue sky, and the animals. Also, our wellness specialist Juliana conducted a yoga session and stretching class. Then we came back to National Geographic Islander II to have breakfast and prepare for the second part of the morning. Afterwards we went to explore the marine world around Gardner Islet. The experience was spectacular; we snorkeled with green pacific sea turtles, parrotfish, sea lions, and a beautiful seabed covered by sea urchins, sea cucumbers, conchs, sea stars, and coral reefs. We finished our morning having fun on the beach, where many curious sea lions and mockingbirds surrounded us to see what kind of creatures we are. In the afternoon we took our Zodiacs for a ride along the coast of Punta Suarez. We spotted many seabirds such as blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, green and red marine iguanas, and pelicans. We also observed the majestic Galapagos waved albatross — this incredible bird is the best glider in the world, and is only found here. Española is home for about 25,000 albatrosses that arrive here each year to reproduce and feed their chicks; at the end of December, they migrate south of the Chilean coast along the Humboldt current. Back on board our ship we navigated along the coast of Española to observe the incredible landscape, including a big blowhole near the coast that makes this place even more unique. At the end of the afternoon the sun came down, the sky turned orange and we celebrated our astonishing experiences in this enchanted archipelago.

Española Island, 5/29/2023, National Geographic Islander II