Española Island, also known as Hood Island, is one of the oldest and most isolated islands in the Galápagos archipelago. It is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including the endemic waved albatross. The island features striking natural landmarks, such as Punta Suarez and Gardner Bay, which offer visitors opportunities to observe sea lions, marine iguanas, and a variety of bird species.
4/30/2025
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National Geographic Gemini
Santa Cruz Island
Early in the morning we awoke to the view of green palo santo trees marching up the hill from Santa Cruz and Baltra Islands. After breakfast we took buses to go on an exploration of the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora. At the breeding center, we spotted several species of giant tortoises and learned about the projects currently happening to restore the dynasty of these giant endemic reptiles of the Galapagos. Later, we enjoyed lunch at a waterfront restaurant and continued our exploration in the highlands of Santa Cruz to visit the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. We spotted several male tortoises and a few females. We had great opportunities for photography at this location. After the visit to the giant tortoise ranch known as El Manzanillo, we ventured to an area with twin pit craters and then made our way back to National Geographic Gemini for evening recap.
