The Galápagos Islands sit on the Nazca tectonic plate whose eastern boundary is slowly subducting underneath the South American plate. Therefore, the oldest islands are located in the east and south of the archipelago; the western islands—closer to the hotspot—remain volcanically active and are the youngest. Española is now the remains of what was once a shield volcano, harboring an amazing array of native species. Like its neighboring islands, San Cristobal and Floreana, Española presents a high rate of endemism compared to the rest of the Galápagos.
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.
