It is our first full day in the Galapagos Islands aboard National Geographic Islander. We had an early wake up call to hike up to the summit of Bartolome to enjoy an incredible view of the island. Later in the morning, we all went to a beautiful golden sand beach, and we had the chance to swim with penguins. Later in the day, National Geographic Islander moved to our next destination, Dragon Hill, which is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. We went to explore this place and found land iguanas everywhere. We ended the day with an incredible sunset.
6/9/2025
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National Geographic Islander II
Española Island
Today we had an incredible opportunity to explore Española Island, one of the most iconic and ecologically rich islands in the Galápagos archipelago. Our morning began with a peaceful kayaking session along the coast, where we enjoyed calm waters and beautiful scenery. We then jumped in for an unforgettable snorkeling experience, swimming alongside green sea turtles, playful Galápagos sea lions, and an impressive variety of colorful reef fish. After our aquatic adventure, we set foot on the pristine white sands of Gardner Bay, renowned as one of the top 20 most beautiful beaches in the world. The contrast of turquoise waters and bright sand was simply breathtaking. In the afternoon, we visited Punta Suárez, a truly magical and iconic site. Here we observed the unique courtship displays of the majestic waved albatross, one of the island’s most emblematic species. The trail also offered us fantastic views of blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, Galápagos hawks, and dramatic coastal blowholes. Española Island is the oldest of the Galápagos Islands above sea level. Today, its rich biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes reminded us why it holds such a special place in the heart of naturalists and visitors alike.
