Isabela and Fernandina Islands, 5/10/2022, National Geographic Islander
Aboard the
National Geographic Islander
Galápagos
As National Geographic Islander navigated around the north end of Isabela Island early in the morning, we observed several common dolphins from the top deck. Then, one of our guests spotted a pod of pilot whales logging at the surface. We were able to watch them and hear them for they were very close to the ship. All this happened before breakfast! Later, we headed to the bow of the ship to celebrate with our guests as we crossed the equator. As soon as we arrived to the anchorage site, we prepared to depart for a coastal exploration. Later, we looked for sea turtles as we snorkeled in a secluded cove.
In the afternoon, we hiked on Punta Espinoza, a site to the northwest of Fernandina. We enjoyed exploring this pristine volcanic landscape as we walked amongst sea lions and watched sea turtles by the shore.
Socrates was raised on Santa Cruz Island located in the heart of Galapagos Archipelago. After a childhood filled with swimming, scuba diving, rock climbing and volunteering in conservation projects, he grew very passionate about the outdoors and the...
Early in the morning, National Geographic Islander anchored near the coast of North Seymour Island, where a dry landing waited for us. Even though the trail was rocky, it was wonderful to observe the palo santo forest that covers this small uplifted island. Nothing compares to the diverse wildlife found here. Galapagos sea lions slept on the white sand beach, and we realized that frigatebirds were everywhere. Males of both species, great frigatebirds and magnificent frigatebirds, displayed their beautiful red pouches. They are always trying to attract the attention of the females. Blue-footed boobies, also nesting on the ground, danced around while land iguanas basked on the rocks, enjoying the warm temperature. In the afternoon, the red sand beach of Rabida was the perfect site to practice snorkeling. We looked for different species of fish. The highlight is always the company of Galapagos sea lions. These animals love to play with the guests. After a refreshing snorkeling, we walked along the red sand beach. The red sand is due to a high concentration of iron. Our walk led us to a brackish water lagoon with close to ten Galapagos flamingos. It was the perfect way to end a great day.
We arrived to one of the most remote islands of the archipelago and quickly felt the difference of a more isolated area. Many birds flew in the sky, and some even rested on the deck of National Geographic Islander . It seemed they did not fear people. Our first morning outing was an exploration of Darwin’s Bay Beach. This is an extraordinary place to enjoy wildlife at close range. The beach is a sanctuary for nesting seabirds. Red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, great frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, and yellow-crowned night herons share the space to raise their offspring. We had the opportunity to take close-up pictures of these species, as they do not feel threatened by us. We went on our last snorkeling session where we were captivated by different species of fish, such as Moorish idols and scissortail Chromis. Sea lions appeared to enchant us again with their beautiful swimming performances. We stayed busy trying to keep up with their skills in the water. The snorkeling area was the place to be for kayakers and paddleboarders; they had a good view of Galapagos fur seals. We enjoyed an Ecuadorian lunch onboard, including ceviche, coconut fish, suckling pig, and different local desserts. Everything was delicious, and the menu held the interest of our guests. During the afternoon hike, we had the chance to find the short-eared owl on different areas of the lava. We even witnessed one of them feeding from afar. We sat on a platform to contemplate the different species of birds flying above us. This was certainly a special moment, and we felt thankful for the amazing days we experienced in this small paradise.
Today we anchored next to Santiago Island to visit Chinese Hat. This small islet has an intact volcanic structure with a tall crater and steep rims. The site is home to a small colony of Galapagos penguins. We spotted a group of ten penguins on an early fishing outing. Kayakers and Zodiac riders had a chance to enjoy the show as penguins jumped in and out of the water, chasing the small fish. In the afternoon, we visited a very special site, Sullivan Bay, a young lava flow just over 125 years old. This huge field of pahoehoe lava spread for miles, covering a considerable part of Santiago Island. Groups of guests walked through the field and looked for the very few forms of life that can survive the harsh conditions. We enjoyed the extreme landscape until sunset.
