Today National Geographic Endeavour II is anchored inside of a caldera at Genovesa Island. We started the day with a nice walk on Prince Philip’s Steps and Darwin’s bay. Sea birds like Nazca boobies, frigate birds and red-footed boobies were abound. The conditions inside the caldera today were ideal to explore the underwater world, which included snorkeling with the likes of Galapagos sea lions and fur seals. Paddleboarding and kayaking were on the schedule today, and in the company of sea turtles! This was an exceptional last day of expedition aboard National Geographic Endeavour II.
2/20/2025
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Bartolome and Chinese Hat
The Galapagos never ceases to amaze and today was no exception. We began our morning with a landing at Bartolome Island, where we climbed the iconic boardwalk to the summit. Along the way, we spotted lava lizards basking in the sun and took in the breathtaking views of Pinnacle Rock standing tall against the deep blue water. The highlight of the day came in the afternoon as we explored Chinese Hat, a small cinder cone with striking lava formations. A Zodiac exploration took us along the shoreline where we spotted three Galapagos penguins resting on the lava rocks. These unique seabirds, the only penguins found north of the equator, stood side by side, preening and occasionally glancing towards the water as if contemplating their next dive. Guests also enjoyed snorkeling in the turquoise waters where sea lions twisted playfully and whitetip reef sharks swam through the currents. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we reflected on another extraordinary day in one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet.
