Today we arrived at Santa Cruz Island, the vibrant heart of the Galápagos archipelago. With its lush highlands, bustling town of Puerto Ayora, and blend of natural beauty and conservation efforts, Santa Cruz offers a unique window into both the human and wild sides of island life. As we walked among the rolling pastures and forest groves, we encountered many ancient, slow-moving giant tortoises. Some were grazing quietly in the grass, others resting in muddy pools. Their presence was humbling — living relics from another time, some over a century old.
4/14/2025
Read
National Geographic Delfina
Española Island
Today, our adventure took us to the breathtaking Española Island, one of the oldest and most ecologically rich islands in the Galápagos Archipelago. Under a bright equatorial sun and a light ocean breeze, we stepped onto the powdery white sands of Gardner Beach. We were greeted immediately by a welcoming committee of Galápagos sea lions. Some lounged lazily along the shoreline, while others played in the gentle surf, offering us an intimate view into their curious and social nature. In the afternoon we landed in Punta Suarez. Here, we were fortunate to observe marine iguanas in peak nesting season. These reptiles dug shallow nests in the sand, defending their territory with slow-motion head-bobs and short bursts of territorial aggression. The true highlight of the day was our encounter with the island’s most iconic resident, the waved albatross. As we followed the trail inland, we came upon many of these majestic seabirds sitting quietly, waiting for their partners to return from their long journey in the open ocean. Overhead, several individuals took flight, gliding effortlessly on the sea breeze with wingspans that defied gravity. Watching them soar against the backdrop of crashing waves and endless sky was a moment of pure awe.
