San Cristobal Island
This morning began when our Captain dropped anchor at the beautiful island of Punta Pitt. After breakfast, we disembarked on the beach at Punta Pitt, on the northwest end of this easternmost island of San Cristobal. We climbed an eroded cliff and then explored the flat summit from which the views of the steep eroded cones and the ocean were incredible. During our hike we spotted several red-footed boobies, which were a new species to add to our weekly checklist. Back at the beach we joined those who had taken the Zodiac ride option and many of us went for a swim and got a chance to play with the many Galápagos sea lions that were frolicking on the coastline.
Those who enjoyed a Zodiac cruise around the offshore islets saw all three species of boobies – Blue-footed, Nazca and Red-footed. We watched sea lions everywhere on the rocks and sand, and many frigates and swallow-tailed gulls soaring in the air.
In the afternoon we visited a dramatic eroded tuff cone called Leon Dormido, “sleeping lion” in Spanish and “kicker rock” in English. All our intrepid Naturalists led their group of guests on a final deep-water snorkeling outing. Sea turtles and sea lions were the stars of the show this afternoon. It was a great experience to snorkel along an incredible drop-off covered with many species of colorful marine invertebrates.
Our Captain John Zurita slowly circumnavigated Leon Dormido with National Geographic Islander. Our cheerful bartender Jimmy Gaona served drinks and appetizers to us as we snapped countless photos of the spectacular rock in the late golden afternoon light. As the sunset, we set course towards Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the main town on southern San Cristobal. Tomorrow we will reluctantly disembark, leaving behind this comfortable ship and friendly crew, and the magical Galápagos Islands. But we have photos and memories to remind us of what has been a fabulous week!
