Bartolome & Santiago Island

Our expedition took us to the center of the archipelago. Bartolome is a little island at the eastern side of Santiago Island. We called it an open book of geology. We disembarked before breakfast to go up to the summit of the volcano. We climbed 372 steps to enjoy the most beautiful landscape of the islands.

Today we started with our water activities. We snorkeled and swam at the golden beach next to the Pinnacle Rock. Water temperature couldn’t be better, visibility was very good, and I counted at least 15 different species of fish, and some outstanding sightings of an octopus, white tip reef sharks, and a filefish. Everyone came back on board very excited about the morning.

We recovered our energies with a traditional Ecuadorian lunch and a habitual Ecuadorian siesta. In the afternoon we arrived to the western side of Santiago and we disembarked at James Bay. Some of our guest went kayaking along the shore; some went to enjoy a beautiful black beach. At 4:00 PM we all started our hike. It was hard not to step on marine iguanas. They were all over! Shore birds such as American oyster catchers, striated herons, plovers and whimbrels were feeding in the intertidal pools. At the end of the trail we were very lucky to find one fur seal sleeping inside a fissure. Coming back, we enjoyed the mockingbird’s calls.

On the way back a guest asked me if I ever get bored of working every week in the Galápagos Islands. Every island is different, every week is different, and every guest I meet is different. You can never be bored of enjoying nature in such a place with curious nature lovers!