We had an amazing day at Isabela Island. We went on a hike to explore the inland of Urbina Bay, an uplifted area of the island that in less than 100 years has grown into a lush forest. Nowadays, it is home to a healthy population of Galapagos land iguanas, and many land birds. In the afternoon, guests had a choice of activities at Tagus Cove: snorkeling, kayaking, Zodiac rides, or a hike to see the spatter cones in the area. Something for everyone!
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.
