Punta Pitt and Cerro Brujo, San Cristobal Island, 12/10/2024, National Geographic Islander II
Aboard the
National Geographic Islander II
Galápagos
Today we had a spectacular day exploring the island of San Cristobal. In the morning, we visited Punta Pitt where we found the outstanding red-footed boobies.
In the afternoon, we visited Cerro Brujo, one of my favorite beaches in Galapagos. We finished our day navigating around Kicker Rock during an outstanding sunset.
Javier grew up on Santa Cruz island where his grandparents first arrived in the 1940´s. Veritable pioneers, his grandparents settled in the highlands where they found a place to raise their children.
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This island is considered the oldest island in the Galapagos Archipelago, therefore many unique species can be observed here, species that can only be found on Española. The island is full of boulders, and at first glance it looks very dry and uninhabited, but as you walk along its trails you begin to discover the abundance of wildlife. Nazca boobies, Galapagos sea lions, Española mockingbirds, Española lava lizards, and several species of finches are just few of the attractions of Punta Suarez. This island provides a great opportunity for photographing ecologically naïve animals that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Get your cameras ready!
Floreana Island has outstanding natural history as well as human history. In a humble ceremony here, Ecuador took possession of the islands in 1832, and Naturalist Charles Darwin visited it three years later in 1835. This special island provides magic through its wildlife and landscapes. From visiting the famous Post Office Barrel, kayaking the calm waters of its bay, snorkeling along its satellite Champion Island, to walking on diverse sands, it all brings us closer to understanding the delicate balance of the island. This hopefully highlights the importance of connecting with nature, allowing a better appreciation and therefore a desire to protect the islands.
The first full day of our expedition we landed on the unique Bartolome Island. It’s a tiny island with impressive volcanic formations that create a breathtaking landscape. Hiking early in the morning gave us the chance to enjoy the beautiful view and the opportunity to take great pictures. This visit would not be complete without snorkeling surrounded by colorful fish, whitetip reef sharks, and the marvelous Galapagos penguin. It is the second smallest species of penguin in the world and the only one that lives in the tropics. In the afternoon, after a dry landing, Cerro Dragon on Santa Cruz Island was waiting for us. Our goal was finding the Galapagos land iguana, and the surprise was that we counted 14 of them heating up their bodies with the last rays of the sun. Not only that, but a few Galapagos flamingoes were feeding in a brackish water lagoon. Finding this beautiful bird was the perfect way to end an unforgettable day in the archipelago.
