Bartolome & Santiago Island
There is nothing better than starting an expedition early in the morning, and enjoying the breeze at the same time that you explore a stunning landscape! Our activities started early, and visiting Bartolome Island happens to be one of the most beautiful volcanic landscapes in the Galápagos.
From the moment you set foot on Bartolome you feel like you have been transported back in time to the very beginning of the Galápagos. Here you can see how colonization started, see the first plants and animals that became the pioneers on this inhospitable island.
After our visit to Bartolome Island we sailed along the western side of Santiago enjoying the beautiful scenic view as we moved to Puerto Egas. In the afternoon we repositioned the ship, this time to the western side of Santiago Island at Puerto Egas, once known as James Bay.
Snorkeling can be one of the highlights of the place, and indeed it was. We saw many types of tropical fish, such as parrot fish, streamer hog fish, a sea turtle, sea lions, etc.
Once the snorkeling ended we started our expedition along the shore of Santiago Island in search of the elusive Galápagos fur seals that once inhabited the islands in large numbers.
Before the arrival of man in the Galápagos these ecosystems were untouched and the fur seals were abundant. Later on, however, thousands of them were hunted for their skins. Today the species is coming back and colonizing the former areas. The shoreline of Santiago is spectacular in terms wildlife such as marine iguanas, sea lions and migrant birds.
We had a spectacular day, just amazing!
There is nothing better than starting an expedition early in the morning, and enjoying the breeze at the same time that you explore a stunning landscape! Our activities started early, and visiting Bartolome Island happens to be one of the most beautiful volcanic landscapes in the Galápagos.
From the moment you set foot on Bartolome you feel like you have been transported back in time to the very beginning of the Galápagos. Here you can see how colonization started, see the first plants and animals that became the pioneers on this inhospitable island.
After our visit to Bartolome Island we sailed along the western side of Santiago enjoying the beautiful scenic view as we moved to Puerto Egas. In the afternoon we repositioned the ship, this time to the western side of Santiago Island at Puerto Egas, once known as James Bay.
Snorkeling can be one of the highlights of the place, and indeed it was. We saw many types of tropical fish, such as parrot fish, streamer hog fish, a sea turtle, sea lions, etc.
Once the snorkeling ended we started our expedition along the shore of Santiago Island in search of the elusive Galápagos fur seals that once inhabited the islands in large numbers.
Before the arrival of man in the Galápagos these ecosystems were untouched and the fur seals were abundant. Later on, however, thousands of them were hunted for their skins. Today the species is coming back and colonizing the former areas. The shoreline of Santiago is spectacular in terms wildlife such as marine iguanas, sea lions and migrant birds.
We had a spectacular day, just amazing!
