Cerro Dragon & Sombrero Chino

Last night we left the southern area of Santa Cruz Island and this morning we arrived at Cerro Dragon on the northern realm of the same island. Far from being the green lush island we visited yesterday, this is a dry and arid region where Galápagos land iguanas live and nest.

We had a nice, warm, sunny morning and were very fortunate to find a flamingo, a couple of western sandpipers and least sandpipers feeding actively on the small crustaceans that inhabit a small brackish water lagoon. We walked through a deciduous Palo santo forest where small land birds like finches and mockingbirds are quite abundant. After a nice stroll, we arrived at a small elevation that looks like a land iguana sleeping. This morning we found some iguanas feeding, others still warming up under the sun. We also had a chance to enjoy a magnificent view of the coast and the interior of Santa Cruz Island.

After the walk some went snorkeling in deep waters, others went to a nice small beach where they enjoyed some swimming from the shore in light blue turquoise waters.

We left Santa Cruz Island behind to sail towards Sombrero Chino. With some of the most impressive lava flows and landscapes; Sombrero Chino also is one of the best snorkeling places in the archipelago. Today we found marine iguanas, sharks, lots of fish and a couple of diamond sting rays resting at the bottom. Those who wanted to do something different went to the beach, while others kayaked in a protected channel between Sombrero Chino and Santiago Island.

We ended our afternoon with a scenic Zodiac ride along the coast looking for penguins, sea lions, and seeing the day end with a colorful sunset.