What an exciting day! We started early in the morning with a nice stroll along a pristine beach known an Espumilla, one of the most astonishing beaches in all the Galapagos Archipelago. After this, we moved to Buccaneers Cove to enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling. Large schools of fish, marine caves, and a playful group of sea lions made this outing outstanding. For lunch, we enjoyed a delicious Ecuadorian buffet. In the afternoon, we had the opportunity to keep exploring the Island of Santiago, this time to discover Puerto Egas. Here, we spotted several shore birds, marine, and land iguanas – and the two species of the endemic Galapagos sea lion! As this day is over, everyone has an incredible collection of memories and wonderful moments of deep encounters with the unique nature of the Galapagos.
4/15/2025
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National Geographic Gemini
Isabela Island
Tuesday on Isabela Island began with a wet landing at Urbina Bay where guests ventured on a nature walk along gentle terrain shaped by dramatic geological uplift. The trail revealed fascinating coastal formations and offered close encounters with endemic wildlife, including our first encounter with Galapagos giant tortoises, land iguanas, penguins, and flightless cormorants. After the walk, guests had the option to swim or snorkel from the beach where the calm and clear waters provided a refreshing break before everyone returned to National Geographic Gemini. In the afternoon, we continued north toward Punta Vicente Roca. Guests gathered at the bow with the expedition leader to take in the striking volcanic landscape and learn more about the island’s natural history. The day’s exploration continued with a Zodiac ride along the coast of Ecuador Volcano, offering a closer look at the rugged shoreline and opportunities to spot wildlife, such as sea turtles, penguins, and Galapagos fur seals. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the ship crossed the equator, marking the moment with a pod of dolphins during sunset — a memorable finale to a day filled with discovery, connection with nature, and the wild beauty of the Galápagos.
