South Plaza and Santa Fe Islands, 11/14/2024, National Geographic Islander II
Aboard the
National Geographic Islander II
Galápagos
Today we explored South Plaza and Santa Fe Islands, both in the central part of the archipelago. Marine iguanas were one of the main characters of the day, although sea lions and Galapagos hawks displayed some great moments for photography. I believe today is going to be one of the most memorable days of this trip, as the wildlife and the weather today were on point.
Javier grew up on Santa Cruz island where his grandparents first arrived in the 1940´s. Veritable pioneers, his grandparents settled in the highlands where they found a place to raise their children.
We began the day by kayaking along Genovesa’s calm caldera, enjoying the wildlife along the cliffs in the early morning sunlight. After landing at Darwin’s Beach, we explored the mangroves and observed swallow-tailed gulls with their chicks and male great frigatebirds dressed up with their fully inflated gular pouches, ready to attract a mate. The morning was topped off by a close encounter with a manta ray while snorkeling. In the afternoon, we hiked up Prince Philip’s Steps, where highlights included a dramatic moment as a frigatebird stole food from a Nazca booby chick mid-feeding. The day ended with breathtaking views over the cliffs and a sense of awe at Genovesa’s thriving wildlife.
We started our day early in the morning at Chinese Hat. As our kayaks glided in the water, we had our first opportunity to watch Galapagos penguins swimming beside us. As we got closer to the shoreline, lava herons and blue-footed boobies stood motionless on the lava, watching our groups pass. In the late morning, we had the opportunity to have a very intimate moment with Galapagos penguins while they were hunting black-striped salemas. Penguins swam back and forth, trying to get as many fish as possible. The lunar landscape of Chinese Hat gave us an opportunity to observe the candelabra cactuses that grow on this recently formed lava field. In the afternoon, our expedition took us to Sullivan Bay. During a hike, we enjoyed one of the most amazing lava landscapes in the Galapagos. The visitor site invited us to think deeply about the genesis of life in the Galapagos Islands and how plants and animals arrived and established themselves here. As we returned to the ship, a beautiful sunset invited us to reflect on the geological and geographic qualities that make the Galapagos truly unique.
Our expedition on board National Geographic Islander II took us to the captivating South Plaza and Santa Fe Islands. We were treated to an extraordinary day of wildlife encounters and breathtaking landscapes, leaving us with a deeper understanding of the island’s unique ecosystems.
