Santa Cruz and Daphne Major

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  • Daily Expedition Reports
  • 30 Jun 2021

Santa Cruz and Daphne Major, 6/30/2021, National Geographic Endeavour II

  • Aboard the National Geographic Endeavour II
  • Galápagos

After a delicious breakfast with a traditional option of a plantain-based dish called "tigrillo,” we were fortified for today’s exploration of Santa Cruz’s western side. At Dragon Hill, we found an arid landscape much different from the humid highlands of Santa Cruz. Instead of a forest of asteraceas and giant tortoises, we came across many land iguanas. These terrestrial reptiles are related to marine iguanas, but they eat prickly pear and nest in burrows. Afterward, it was time to hit the water on Zodiacs, kayaks, and paddleboards. Off the coast of Santa Cruz, we encountered more wildlife, even a giant manta ray.

Article by

Anahí Concari, Naturalist

Anahí grew up in a small house by the beach in the Galápagos Islands. Along with her best friend, she used to wander during the days around mangrove trees, becoming a different animal every day. She used to camp on solitary beaches, snorkel with shar...

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