Today we visited Santiago Island. The morning was spent at the historical site, Buccaneer’s Cove. The incredible landscape and its rich and clear waters brought us back to the time when whalers were common in the Archipelago. It was amazing to take the Zodiacs and explore the coast. Simultaneously, eager kayakers were taking advantage of the current along the coast. Snorkeling was fantastic today, with large schools of colorful fish, sharks, Galapagos sea lions, and even a manta ray. In the afternoon, we hiked at Puerto Egas, the last opportunity to encounter the ecologically naïve animals of the Galapagos. What a fantastic week we enjoyed in paradise!
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.
