Our day started with a magical view of this satellite islet of Santiago Island. We went out in the early morning on kayaks and enjoyed perfect light as we encountered a couple of penguins also getting ready to start their day. Later in the morning, it was time to take a dip in these turquoise waters to experience the magnificent wildlife found underwater. The afternoon offered a hike on a moon-like landscape featuring a very young lava field with interesting formations, or a Zodiac ride. The highlight of the day was seeing up to 30 Galapagos penguins throughout the day.
5/14/2024
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National Geographic Islander II
San Cristobal Island
We arrived at the beautiful landing of Punta Pitt very early in the morning. A gang of playful juvenile sea lions were rolling with the waves on the olivine-colored beach, barking loudly to greet us with comical choreography. Once we were ready to start our walk, we were surprised by a red-footed booby who desperately and laboriously cut little branches of saltbush with the apparent purpose of getting nesting material. The effort it made to cut a few little twigs was completely inspiring. Look how he does it! Then, on the summit of an eroded tuff cone, we saw blue-footed boobies nesting. It was too early to start to work so they were sleeping, and in few cases, taking care of their newborn featherless chicks! Later, we returned to the green beach, and we swam with sea lions and colorful tropical fish. In the afternoon we headed to a special bay where one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos exists. We strolled on the white coralline beds and swam in the turquoise water, then finally sailed around an ancient and dying ash cone in the middle of the sea, called Kicker Rock.