On our last full day in the Galapagos, we enjoyed spending time at Santa Fe and San Cristobal Islands. The islands are two of the oldest in the Galapagos, as they sit in the eastern part of the archipelago. All the islands resulted from the activity of a stationary, volcano-producing area in the northwest part of the islands. As extinct volcanos, Santa Fe and San Cristobal Islands are now exposed to the elements. Little by little, they will deteriorate until they return to the ocean.
2/20/2025
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Bartolome and Chinese Hat
The Galapagos never ceases to amaze and today was no exception. We began our morning with a landing at Bartolome Island, where we climbed the iconic boardwalk to the summit. Along the way, we spotted lava lizards basking in the sun and took in the breathtaking views of Pinnacle Rock standing tall against the deep blue water. The highlight of the day came in the afternoon as we explored Chinese Hat, a small cinder cone with striking lava formations. A Zodiac exploration took us along the shoreline where we spotted three Galapagos penguins resting on the lava rocks. These unique seabirds, the only penguins found north of the equator, stood side by side, preening and occasionally glancing towards the water as if contemplating their next dive. Guests also enjoyed snorkeling in the turquoise waters where sea lions twisted playfully and whitetip reef sharks swam through the currents. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we reflected on another extraordinary day in one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet.
