North Seymour & Rabida Islands, 8/1/2021, National Geographic Endeavour II
Aboard the
National Geographic Endeavour II
Galápagos
During the morning of our first full day, National Geographic Endeavour II guests explored North Seymour Island. Once on the island, we went on a hike to observe and photograph marine birds like blue footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds. In the afternoon, our guests had the chance to snorkel and hike on Rabida Island.
Salvador Cazar studied biology at the Universidad Nacional Del Sur, Bahía Blanca, in Argentina and at the Catholic University of Ecuador. Between 1988 and 1994, Salvador worked as a naturalist and tour leader for several national and international to...
Today, the adventure began on the golden shores of Gardner Bay, Española Island. Here, our guests enjoyed their first snorkeling session in the crystal-clear waters, swimming alongside curious and playful Galápagos sea lions – a truly magical introduction to the archipelago’s marine life. In the afternoon, we headed to Punta Suárez, one of the most iconic visitor sites in the Galápagos. Along the trail, we encountered sunbathing marine iguanas with their distinctive red and green hues, and the elusive Galápagos dove walking calmly across the rocky path. The highlight of the visit was witnessing the majestic waved albatross – a species found only on Española between April and December. Guests marveled as these graceful seabirds displayed their elaborate courtship rituals, gliding effortlessly over the cliffs. A perfect blend of marine and land wildlife made this day an unforgettable start to our Galápagos journey.
Today’s expedition led us to Punta Pitt on San Cristóbal Island, the easternmost landing in the Galápagos. We hiked a rugged trail carved by erosion through ancient tuff cones, reaching the summit in search of the elusive red-footed booby— the third booby species found in the archipelago. Along the way, we were treated to sightings of a few blue-footed boobies as well. In the afternoon, we explored Cerro Brujo, a stunning white-sand beach where sea lions lounged peacefully in the sun. To end the day, we circumnavigated the iconic Kicker Rock aboard National Geographic Endeavour II , enjoying a breathtaking sunset that lit up the surrounding islands.
Our amazing morning started with perfect weather, not too sunny or too cloudy. Visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station, we learned about the challenges involved in the ongoing conservation efforts for the giant tortoises. We continued our journey into the highlands of Santa Cruz, where we experienced firsthand the developments of the Galapagos pioneers, including different ways of processing coffee, cacao, and sugar cane. Later at El Manzanillo Ranch, we shared the natural environment of the iconic giant tortoises, and learned about their behaviors and survival over the past few centuries.
