In the morning before breakfast we had an early excursion at Punta Cormorant. We landed on a beach with greenish sand, and we had the advantage of the first light of the day for great pictures. There were many flamingos feeding in the brackish water lagoon, and furthermore we were very fortunate to observe a few couples of blue-footed boobies nesting, as well as sally light foot crabs, and Floreana lava lizards. Afterwards we enjoyed a Zodiac ride around Champion Islet, and luckily we got to see the very elusive Floreana mockingbird, among other birds such as lava herons, swallow-tailed gulls, Nazca boobies and blue-footed boobies. In the afternoon we visited a historical site known as Post Office Bay; this is the oldest post office system in the Americas, and our guests had the opportunity to keep the tradition alive by dropping and collecting postcards to be hand delivered.
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.
