Today we started our day early at 6:30am climbing to the top of Bartolome Island. The views from this point are astonishing especially at this time of the day when the sunrise light creates a colorful canvas. After breakfast, we visited the gorgeous beach of Bartolome. Later on, we had several options including our glass bottom boat and deep water snorkeling along Bartolome coastline. In the afternoon, naturalist Socrates Tomalá gave an interesting lecture on Charles Darwin and the impact of his ideas at global and local levels. Later on we had a second opportunity to snorkel, but this time, on the clear waters of Sombrero Chino. At the end of the day, a zodiac ride along the channel between Sombrero Chino and Santiago Island was the perfect place to spot various marines species including manta rays, golden rays, big schools of mullets as well as Galapagos penguins and sea lions. At night, we shared with our guests two movie trailers produced by our National Geographic Global Explorers. Everyone had a lot of fun with these creative videos produced by our younger explorers.
6/13/2025
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Genovesa Island
We started the day with excitement as we landed on the beautiful, pristine coast of Isla Genovesa - a true birder’s dream. Along the sandy beaches and steep cliffs of Darwin Bay, we were surrounded by an incredible array of birdlife. Frigatebirds soared closely overhead with their red pouches on full display, while Nazca and blue-footed boobies nested along the rocky ledges. Swallow-tailed gulls called out as we walked past. In the distance, we saw the stoic and elusive short-eared owl. The island was alive with color, sound, and constant movement. Between our excursions to Isla Genovesa, we snorkeled near Prince Philip’s Steps and discovered a vibrant world beneath the waves. Schools of fish swirled around us, a fur seal turned in the water as if dancing on cue, and sea lions relaxed nearby. As our last snorkeling adventure came to a close, we spotted a sea turtle resting calmly in a crevice. As the sun retreated into the sky on our last return to National Geographic Endeavor II, we reflected on the sheer magnitude of what we witnessed on our last full day. Isla Genovesa, like the other islands, gave us a connection to a sacred world. The harmony between land, sea, and sky reminded us how deeply interconnected, vital, and fragile these ecosystems are. Watching birds tend to their nests and marine life swim effortlessly, we were struck by how little space there is between wonder and reverence. We recognized that our journey wasn’t just about observing unique wildlife, it was about feeling part of something grander and beautifully ancient.
