Española Island
Española is situated on the eastern side of the archipelago; it is one of the oldest islands and one of the richest in endemic species. As soon as we disembarked, we found the Española mockingbird coming to welcome us. One step further there was an Española lava lizard doing its push ups. After walking some more steps we were surrounded by the Española marine iguanas, the most colorful marine iguanas on the archipelago, in amazing red and turquoise colors! It was just the beginning of our most arduous trail of the week, and as we kept on walking we all agreed it was worth the effort as we continued to come across amazing, unique species!
We found the impressive Galápagos hawk and a lot of Nazca boobies nesting around us. We saw some chicks just days old, while others were already in their white fluffy feathers, and others were changing to their juvenile plumage.
To recover our energy, once back on board we enjoyed a delicious Ecuadorian lunch and we were ready again in the afternoon for our water activities.
The National Geographic Polaris moved to the northeastern side of the island, where we snorkeled, kayaked and swam at Gardner Bay, a white sand beach covered with sea lions. Time on the beach was outstanding; the water temperature was well in the 80’s, and hours later we still hadn’t tired of observing the sea lions swimming and playing next to us, but it was time to go back home and have a nice rest for tomorrow activities.
There is still so much to see.
Española is situated on the eastern side of the archipelago; it is one of the oldest islands and one of the richest in endemic species. As soon as we disembarked, we found the Española mockingbird coming to welcome us. One step further there was an Española lava lizard doing its push ups. After walking some more steps we were surrounded by the Española marine iguanas, the most colorful marine iguanas on the archipelago, in amazing red and turquoise colors! It was just the beginning of our most arduous trail of the week, and as we kept on walking we all agreed it was worth the effort as we continued to come across amazing, unique species!
We found the impressive Galápagos hawk and a lot of Nazca boobies nesting around us. We saw some chicks just days old, while others were already in their white fluffy feathers, and others were changing to their juvenile plumage.
To recover our energy, once back on board we enjoyed a delicious Ecuadorian lunch and we were ready again in the afternoon for our water activities.
The National Geographic Polaris moved to the northeastern side of the island, where we snorkeled, kayaked and swam at Gardner Bay, a white sand beach covered with sea lions. Time on the beach was outstanding; the water temperature was well in the 80’s, and hours later we still hadn’t tired of observing the sea lions swimming and playing next to us, but it was time to go back home and have a nice rest for tomorrow activities.
There is still so much to see.
