Today our guests explored the westernmost realm of the Galapagos. Right after breakfast, the captain and crew navigated National Geographic Islander across the equatorial line. Guests boarded pangas to travel to Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island. Everyone enjoyed impressive views of a collapsed volcano. Rocky cliffs provide shelter for Galapagos fur seals and serve as good perches for seabirds like Nazca boobies, brown noddy terns, flightless cormorants and Galapagos penguins. During the afternoon, we explored Punta Espinosa where countless male Galapagos marine iguanas established rock territories near the shore. Each awaited the arrival of a female in hopes of the chance to reproduce.
1/18/2022
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National Geographic Islander
Bartholomew and Santa Cruz Island
Our visit to Bartholomew Island started early in the morning. The tiny island showed incredible volcanic formations, and guests aboard National Geographic Islander enjoyed the landscape photo opportunities. Starting on the dry landing and all the way to the top (374 feet), we discovered spatter cones and lava bombs. After hiking up 365 stairs, we reached the summit of the volcano. The view of Santiago Island, situated in front of Bartholomew, was breathtaking and perfect for pictures. In the afternoon, we had the opportunity to snorkel near Guy Fawkes Islets. An eroded volcano offered the perfect habitat for different species of fish and marine invertebrates. Following the water activities, we got ready for a hike at Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island. A dry landing on a rocky pier led us to a dry vegetation forest. Plenty of palo santo trees and prickly pear cacti made an ideal trail for land iguanas. Land iguanas, vegetarian reptiles of pale-yellow and brown coloration, are one of three species endemic to the islands. The iguanas are found under bushes or even in the middle of trails.
