Our last day in the Galapagos brought us face to face with some of the islands’ incredible marine life! One of the most thrilling encounters of the day was spotting orcas, a rare and majestic sight that left everyone in awe. The pod followed our Zodiacs for over 30 minutes, acting curious and playful. Our guests were glowing with excitement, describing the day as unforgettable and deeply moving. It was a beautiful reminder of the wild magic of the Galapagos Islands and why we love sharing this extraordinary place!
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 18 Apr 2025
Rabida and Chinese Hat Islands, 4/18/2025, National Geographic Delfina
- Aboard the National Geographic Delfina
- Galápagos
Roberta Schiess, Naturalist
Born and raised in the Galápagos, Roberta Schiess Bahamonde’s grandparents were among the first permanent inhabitants of Santa Cruz Island, arriving from Switzerland in the 1940s. Her mother is also a naturalist guide in the Galápagos, so this is a p...
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Galápagos by Catamaran: An Intimate Voyage
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National Geographic Delfina
Santiago Island
Today we explored the historic and mysterious island of Santiago, which served as home for some and a shelter and refuge for pirates with failed attempts at prosperity. Anchored at James Bay, we disembarked and walked through the arid vegetation and intertidal zone of Santiago, filled with birds, crabs, and fur seals. We finished the morning with a relaxing time at the beach. In the afternoon, we stopped by Buccaneer Cove. We snorkeled and went for Zodiac rides along the giant tuff cliffs. We set course back to National Geographic Delfina and enjoyed a beautiful sunset accompanied by a delicious Ecuadorian meal.
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National Geographic Delfina
Isabela and Fernandina Islands
This morning, we anchored at Punta Vicente Roca, the mouth of the seahorse-shaped island, Isabela. The coastline holds a vast diversity of wildlife unique to the area, like the flightless cormorant. Later we moved to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island where we enjoyed the surprisingly warm water with sea lions, fish, and penguins. To finish the day, we explored Fernandina and were amazed by the number of marine iguanas in the area. We ended the day with an extra bonus, a beautiful sunset.