Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island) and Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island), 5/4/2024, National Geographic Islander II
Aboard the
National Geographic Islander II
Galápagos
Today was our last day exploring the Galápagos Islands and we started before the sun did. As we approached Punta Mangle, southeast of Fernandina, we witnessed one of the most fascinating natural events on earth. We were astonished by the abrupt explosion of the fast evaporation of sea water as hot lava slid into the ocean. This activity started when a fissure opened March 2nd, and it’s been 35 days of degasification. On April 7th it reached the cliffs from Fernandina.
After the breathtaking event, we continued our program with a walk on Fernandina, surrounded by marine iguanas.
At the end of the day, we concluded our adventures with a Zodiac exploration around Punta Vicente Roca on the northeast of Isabela Island. Underwater, the Cromwell upwells bring many nutrients to the surface. This is reflected in the abundance and richness of species we’re able to appreciate, like the massive whales we spotted.
Felipe’s connection with the Galapagos Archipelago dates back to his great grandparents, who came to the islands in the 1930s. The Wittmer family moved to the island of Floreana and were one of the first families to settle in the Galapagos. Felipe’s ...
Our expedition on board National Geographic Islander II took us to the captivating South Plaza and Santa Fe Islands. We were treated to an extraordinary day of wildlife encounters and breathtaking landscapes, leaving us with a deeper understanding of the island’s unique ecosystems.
Today we had an extraordinary opportunity to visit one of the most breathtaking islands in the Galápagos. Genovesa Island is a true sanctuary with more than 1.5 million seabirds. It is home to some of the world’s largest colonies of red-footed boobies and great frigatebirds. We began our morning by kayaking around this spectacular volcanic caldera. We were surrounded by flocks of seabirds flying above us in every direction. The geology, the towering cliffs, and the wild calls of the birds created an unforgettable atmosphere. Later, we disembarked at Darwin Bay, where we observed male frigatebirds in full courtship display. They inflated their bright red gular pouches and beat their wings dramatically to attract females during this peak breeding season. We encountered Nazca boobies, the largest of the booby species found in the Galápagos, as well as striking swallow-tailed gulls, considered the only nocturnal gull in the world. Galápagos sea lions rested on the beach, and we enjoyed a peaceful walk along the shore, taking countless photos and engaging in enriching conversations about the uniqueness of this ecosystem. Our morning concluded with an exciting snorkeling session, where we swam alongside colorful reef fish, rays, and even some reef sharks. In the afternoon, we landed at the iconic Prince Philip’s Steps, where we hiked just over a mile along the cliffside trail. The path led us through large seabird colonies, including red-billed tropicbirds and clouds of storm petrels fluttering around the rocky ledges. One of the highlights was spotting the elusive short-eared owl, the only owl species in the Galápagos. Unlike most owls, it is diurnal, meaning it hunts during the day. We ended the day by enjoying the breathtaking landscape and a stunning sunset from the cliffs.
South Plazas is a small island of the Galapagos archipelago, with vibrant vegetation, a big colony of Galapagos land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, and Galapagos sea lions along the coast. It’s awesome to walk through this rocky terrain on this sunny morning, while at the same time being surrounded by this spectacular wildlife. Afterward we returned to National Geographic Islander II , enjoyed a delicious breakfast, and then set out for kayaking with sea lions playing beside us. In the afternoon we reached our second destination of the day, Santa Fe Island, which is another stunning site with unique wildlife. Our first activity was snorkeling, where we were surrounded by different kinds of fish and some young, playful Galapagos sea lions. Later we went for a hike and looked for the Santa Fe land iguana, a species exclusive to this site. We found a few of them getting ready for the night, walking to their burrows where they sleep. We were mesmerized by the size and the yellow coloration of this precious reptile.
