We had an amazing day on Santa Cruz Island. We started the morning with a stretching class led by our wellness specialist, Diana. After breakfast, we went to the giant tortoise breeding center, and we learned about conservation efforts to preserve the islands. We visited the fish market before we went to El Trapiche Ecologico, an old-fashioned farm that is reminiscent of the first farms on the islands. We learned about the processes for making coffee, chocolate, and sugar. We continued our adventure at Manzanillo Ranch, where we walked amongst the giants of the Galapagos. We observed dozens of tortoises. We had plenty of fun today, and we cannot wait for another magical experience in the archipelago.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 24 Nov 2022
Santa Cruz Island, 11/24/2022, National Geographic Endeavour II
- Aboard the National Geographic Endeavour II
- Galápagos
Cristian Villaroel, Naturalist
Cristian was born and raised on Santa Cruz Island, at the heart of the Galapagos Archipelago. He had the privilege of enjoying the beauty of the natural world of Galapagos every weekend, sailing in his family's small fishing boat. His parents passed ...
Read MoreShare Report
Exploring Galápagos
VIEW ITINERARYRelated Reports
5/5/2025
Read
National Geographic Gemini
Punta Pitt and Cerro Brujo, San Cristobal Island
Located east of the Galapagos Archipelago, San Cristobal is a stunning island thanks to its geology. As it is one of the oldest, winds and waves have taken their toll, carving into sedimentary rocks, leaving beautiful formations and walls. We visited Punta Pitt in the morning, home to one of five colonies of red-footed boobies. They perch on trees and bushes, and their bright-red feet bring extra color to the vegetation. We had a chance to swim and snorkel off the olivine beach. There is nothing better than being accompanied on a swim by a couple of playful Galapagos sea lions. Captain Nathaly Alban repositioned our beautiful ship to Cerro Brujo by midday, and for a little while, we were followed by curious juvenile boobies. In the afternoon, weather conditions were perfect for us to explore the walls of the tuff cone that dominates this site. The beach here is one of the most beautiful in the islands, with its white, coralline sand and turquoise waters. Back on board, we admired a magnificent Galapagos sunset with some wine tasting as we navigated by the iconic Kicker Rock, celebrating the end of another day in this remote paradise.
5/4/2025
Read
National Geographic Gemini
South Plaza and Santa Fe Islands
Today, we explored two islands. In the morning, we hiked along the trail of South Plaza. In the afternoon, we visited Santa Fe Island. At South Plaza, we observed several Galapagos land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls with their young, and Galapagos sea lions. We admired the beauty around us. We returned aboard and swam from the ship. Later, we navigated toward Santa Fe Island. We had our first opportunity to snorkel from the Zodiacs in a protected bay. We encountered different species of fish and spotted some green sea turtles in the bay. Late in the afternoon, we returned to Santa Fe for a hike along the volcanic terrain to look for Santa Fe land iguanas or to relax with a short walk on a sandy beach that is home to a large colony of Galapagos sea lions.