We woke up at Academy Bay, Santa Cruz Island. This is the most inhabited island in the Galapagos Archipelago; more than twenty thousand people call Santa Cruz Island their home nowadays. In the morning we visited the famous giant tortoise breeding center. This is the most successful program run by the Galapagos National Park Service, and one of the most visited sites in the Galapagos. Today we were very lucky, the tortoises were very active. We even saw tortoises from different islands. After this awesome visit, there was time to wander around the cozy town of Puerto Ayora. Afterwards, we took buses and headed towards the highlands. We had a lot of fun visiting Don Adriano’s farm; here we learned about sugar cane and coffee. Then we had an exquisite lunch at Aquelarre Restaurant and the highlight of the day was the unique experience of walking among the emblematic animals of the Galapagos, the giant tortoises in their natural habitat! It was a great day, full of new experiences that will last in our memories forever.
4/15/2025
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National Geographic Gemini
Isabela Island
Tuesday on Isabela Island began with a wet landing at Urbina Bay where guests ventured on a nature walk along gentle terrain shaped by dramatic geological uplift. The trail revealed fascinating coastal formations and offered close encounters with endemic wildlife, including our first encounter with Galapagos giant tortoises, land iguanas, penguins, and flightless cormorants. After the walk, guests had the option to swim or snorkel from the beach where the calm and clear waters provided a refreshing break before everyone returned to National Geographic Gemini. In the afternoon, we continued north toward Punta Vicente Roca. Guests gathered at the bow with the expedition leader to take in the striking volcanic landscape and learn more about the island’s natural history. The day’s exploration continued with a Zodiac ride along the coast of Ecuador Volcano, offering a closer look at the rugged shoreline and opportunities to spot wildlife, such as sea turtles, penguins, and Galapagos fur seals. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the ship crossed the equator, marking the moment with a pod of dolphins during sunset — a memorable finale to a day filled with discovery, connection with nature, and the wild beauty of the Galápagos.
