We started our day early by exploring Santiago Island using the many tools of exploration we have on board National Geographic Islander II. In the morning, we explored Chinese Hat, where we went snorkeling and kayaking. In the afternoon, we visited Sullivan Bay. We walked on a lava flow and imagined what the islands were like when species first arrived after the islands formed. We finished our amazing day by exploring the stars in the sky from the top deck of the ship.
5/6/2025
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National Geographic Islander II
North Seymour and Rabida Islands
At 6:30 in the morning, some guests joined us for an expedition on North Seymour Island, which is slowly losing its green color due to the beginning of the dry season. It is a perfect time of year to see blue-footed booby couples starting to reproduce with the typical courtship displays and a good number of male frigatebirds with their red gular sack inflated. We encountered a good number of healthy land iguanas since they still have a lot of food, thanks to the previous wet season. While navigating to Rabida Island, bottlenose dolphins escorted National Geographic Islander II for at least 45 minutes, and guests had an excellent time watching them. In the afternoon, we snorkeled from the beach with colorful fish and young, playful sea lions who put on a great show. At the end of the day some guests took a walk on the red colored sand and watched American flamingos behind the dune at a saltwater lagoon. Others went kayaking along the coast full of land and sea birds.