It is as if we have returned to the beginning of time. Here at Bartolome Island and Sombrero Chino, we have before us a new landscape, one that is not more than over a hundred years in age. We climb among the volcanic cones and witness the power of this volcanic formation as we peer into the distance and find over twenty volcanic islands. It is humbling to be surrounded by a land that is before time.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 28 Jul 2022
Bartolome and Sombrero Chino Islands, 7/28/2022, National Geographic Endeavour II
- Aboard the National Geographic Endeavour II
- Galápagos
Jason Heilmann, Undersea Specialist
Growing up in northern California, Jason was surrounded by the incomparable nature of the Pacific Northwest. While attending university there, Jason met and eventually married an Ecuadorian woman who happened to be from a small group of islands off t...
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.