Our day began with perfect weather for an early morning walk on North Seymour Island, a fascinating landmass that emerged millions of years ago from the seafloor due to geological uplift. As we explored, we encountered numerous magnificent and great frigatebirds perched atop the palo santo trees. Along the trail, we also spotted several blue-footed boobies returning to the island preparing to nest. The landscape of North Seymour is beginning to change with the arrival of the rainy season, and lush green foliage is replacing the dry scenery.

After our visit to North Seymour, we set sail westward toward Rabida Island. From a distance, we could see the island’s striking reddish hue, a result of iron oxidation and volcanic erosion. The afternoon provided the perfect conditions for snorkeling along the beach, where our guests had a thrilling experience swimming with playful sea lions, colorful fish and, of course, the blue-footed boobies that captivated everyone. At around 5:00 PM, we returned for a walk along the beach to visit a lagoon where flamingos nest, and we encountered several Galapagos sea lions resting along the shoreline.

Just before sunset, we returned to National Geographic Islander II, cherishing the unforgettable memories of this incredible day in the Galapagos.