We are about to finish our expedition on National Geographic Endeavour II and today took us to the iconic Bartholome and Chinese Hat Islets, offering a blend of unique geological formations, diverse wildlife, and a glimpse into the Galapagos' geological history. Chinese Hat, named for its distinct shape resembling a traditional Chinese hat, has unique lava formations which captivated us. The small, cone-shaped island showcased a variety of volcanic features, including lava tubes and fissures. Brown pelicans, marine iguanas, and Sally Lightfoot crabs welcomed us as we explored the coastline.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 25 Jan 2024
Bartolome and Chinese Hat, 1/25/2024, National Geographic Endeavour II
- Aboard the National Geographic Endeavour II
- Galápagos
Charles Wittmer, Naturalist
Charles was raised in the Galápagos Islands. He is the grandson of Rolf Wittmer, the first person documented to have been born on the island of Floreana after his parents, Margret and Heinz Wittmer, emigrated from Germany in 1932.
Read MoreShare Report
Exploring Galápagos
VIEW ITINERARYRelated Reports
5/21/2025
Read
National Geographic Gemini
Elizabeth Bay and Punta Moreno, Isabel Island
Overnight, after ten hours of navigation, we woke up surrounded by active volcanoes on the western side of the Galapagos Archipelago. We jumped into Zodiacs and explored a pristine and unique mangrove ecosystem. In addition to photographing unique landscapes and endemic animals, we also learned the importance of this area. By the afternoon, we headed south and reached Punta Moreno, located at the bellybutton of the sea horse. We walked on lava and explored the coastlines, then finished our day of exploration with a mesmerizing sunset.
5/20/2025
Read
National Geographic Gemini
Floreana
Today we stopped by Floreana Island, the historical capital of the Galapagos province. In the early morning hours, we started exploring the Post Office Bay coastline by kayaks and Zodiacs. Along the basaltic coastline we found emblematic animals, such as marine iguanas and flamingos. To finish the morning, we continued with the whaling mail tradition of taking and leaving postcards for hand delivery upon our return home. After a delicious lunch, we continued our day with two more activities, starting with snorkeling around Champion Islet with an abundance and great diversity of marine life surrounding us. Finally, we had a beautiful sunset walk along Cormorant Point, an ideal site to observe the coastal vegetation as well as the iconic flamingo population.