Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, March 17, 2022
Our guests enjoyed great opportunities to practice their photography skills on the tortoises, one of the most iconic reptiles found on these islands. We spent a beautiful morning hiking among the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. They were everywhere in large numbers, most of them cooling off in the area’s lagoons since it was a very warm day. We had the opportunity to witness the health of the population of giant tortoises in the central area of the archipelago. —Omar Adrian, Naturalist
Santiago Island, Galápagos
Wild Galápagos Escape, March 17, 2022
The grottos formed on the shorelines of Puerto Egas are the perfect zone for fur sea lions to hang around and fish in the upwelling areas of nutritious waters. Besides that, many shorebirds are observable in this place. —Bernardo Jacome, Naturalist
Floreana Island, Galápagos
Wild Galápagos Escape, March 20, 2022
This beach has a high concentration of olivine crystals. The origins of the green sandy beach are volcanic. In the Galápagos Islands, we have up to six differently colored beaches. —Walter Perez, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
San Cristobal Island, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, March 18, 2022
Spending time on Cerro Brujo Beach was a wonderful way to end our day. This very long, white sand beach hosts a colony of sea lions. We have seen many sea lions over the course of our trip, but we just cannot get enough of these beautiful creatures. We enjoy watching them snuggle with each other and scratch their noses with their flippers. It is always a show! —Anahi Concari, Naturalist
Boca de Soledad, Baja California
Wild Baja Escape: The Whales of Magdalena Bay, March 21, 2022
With high winds and large swells, morning whale-watching trips were challenging. We ventured forth and finally spotted a whale. It spyhopped near one of our pangas and then slowly approached so we could get an up-close-and-personal view. It was magical. The whale led us on a merry game of hide-and-seek, popping up here and there for the next hour. Of course, the whale was destined to win this game! —Jim Coyer, Naturalist/Expedition Diver
Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, March 22, 2022
As we drove past cattle ranches and farms, guests observed one of the most iconic species of the Galápagos Islands in the wild: Geochelone porteri, Santa Cruz’s endemic species of giant tortoise. Soon after, we reached a private property owned by the local galapagueños family: El Manzanillo Reserve. In this place, guests can watch the giants resting peacefully and without fear. We disembarked from the buses to explore. We learned about one of the most successful and iconic populations of these magnificent reptiles, right in their natural habitat. —Omar Adrian, Naturalist
Bahia Almejas, Baja California
Wild Baja Escape: The Whales of Magdalena Bay, March 23, 2022
Brown pelicans gliding over the water. —Alberto Montaudon Ferrer, Naturalist
Hawksbill Cay, Bahamas
Exploring the Bahamas’ Out Islands: Natural Wonders & Hidden History, March 23, 2022
Endemic whip-tails were abundant on the beaches of Hawksbill Cay. We found a diverse group of reptiles on our outing, including endemic anoles, brave curly-tailed lizards, cooperative brown racers, and darting whip-tails, to name a few. —Jim Backus, Naturalist
Cerro Dragón, Galápagos
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, March 23, 2022
Galápagos land iguana with some leftovers around its lower lip. The rainy season has arrived in the Galápagos Islands, and the vegetation is quick to flourish. As food becomes abundant around their habitat, starving iguanas start grazing over leaves and flowers. —Felipe Wittmer Naranjo, Naturalist
