We enjoyed a great day on the northern part of Santa Cruz Island. We hiked through a palo santo forest at Cerro Dragon. Our main goal was to find Galapagos land iguanas, and we saw males and females along the dusty trail. In the afternoon, we deployed kayaks, paddleboards, and Zodiacs. Borrero Bay is the perfect spot to have fun. Its calm waters are a great place for wildlife observation, including blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, spotted eagle rays, and Pacific green sea turtles. Nature is generous in the Galapagos!
4/21/2024
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National Geographic Endeavour II
North Seymour and Rabida Islands
As this journey begins, National Geographic Endeavour II awakens at North Seymour Island, almost dead center in the archipelago. This low-lying, uplifted volcanic island does not appear to hold much, however it is brimming with wildlife as we land. Walking among great and magnificent frigatebirds, with males trying to attract mates, we encounter Galapagos land iguanas highly camouflaged against the rocky background with endemic lava lizards fleeting about. The bright cerulean color of the blue-footed boobies stands out as we explore this land before time. The afternoon brings us to Rabida Island and its incredible contrast with its deep red, oxidized volcanic landscape, the only such island in the Galapagos. Exploration along the coast with kayaking or snorkeling, we encounter the ocean busy with wildlife, including Galapagos sea lions, whitetip reef sharks, and colorful reef fish. A sunset walk along the red sand beach allows us to get close to the sea lions as the sun dips below the horizon.