Espanola Island: Gardner Bay and Punta Suarez, 6/13/2022, National Geographic Islander
Aboard the
National Geographic Islander
Galápagos
In the morning our guests departed the ship very early to explore the rocky shores of Gardner Bay. After breakfast, some of our travelers left to snorkel in deep waters and some spent time on the beautiful Gardner Beach to swim, snorkel, and relax surrounded by crystal clear waters, pure white sand, and sea lions.
In the afternoon, National Geographic Islander repositioned to Punta Suarez for our hikes in search of wildlife. We offered a long hike to the Galapagos albatross “airport” and a short version of that walk for more stationary wildlife observation at a slower pace.
Socrates was raised on Santa Cruz Island located in the heart of Galapagos Archipelago. He had a childhood filled with swimming, scuba diving, rock climbing and volunteering in conservation projects, so it was natural for him to grow very passionate ...
Our first full day had plenty of wonderful surprises as we disembarked in Puerto Ayora, the main town on Santa Cruz Island. As soon as we arrived, we took a bus all the way to the highlands of Santa Cruz until we reached El Trapiche Farm, a unique site where the guests of National Geographic Islander II learned about the production of organic coffee, cocoa, and sugarcane liquor. Afterwards, we visited the Twin Craters. This amazing site is comprised of two incredible pit craters formed by the collapse of volcanic magma chambers. The area is surrounded by a forest of the unique Scalesia pedunculata, a tree that is endemic to the area. The spectacular visit to El Manzanillo Ranch gave us the opportunity to walk among the incredible Galapagos giant tortoises, often found in the early afternoon having lunch and resting. Being surrounded by these gentle giants was the best way of ending our visit.
Our day began with an early morning landing at Punta Pitt, located on the northeastern tip of San Cristóbal Island. Known for its striking eroded tuff formations, the island rewarded us with a panoramic view of the bay. We were fortunate to see a couple of blue-footed boobies in full courtship mode, including sky-pointing and whistling. Meanwhile, frigatebirds soared overhead. After the hike, we cooled off with a snorkeling session and were treated to playful sea lions. In the afternoon, we visited the iconic Cerro Brujo (Witch’s Hill), a site known for its impressive white coral sand beach and crystal-clear turquoise waters. We encountered wildlife here, including marine iguanas, oystercatchers, and sea lions. We finished the day by circumnavigating the remains of an old volcano and one of the most iconic landscapes in Galapagos, Kicker Rock, which was serenely lit up at sunset.
Today’s expedition took us to one of the crown jewels of the Galápagos Islands, Española, renowned for its incredible biodiversity and striking landscapes. The day offered us a blend of relaxing encounters with marine life and dramatic displays of wildlife along one of the most iconic trails in the archipelago. Our morning began at Gardner Bay, a breathtaking stretch of white sand beach framed by turquoise waters and black lava outcrops. Upon landing, we were greeted by a colony of Galápagos sea lions lounging comfortably along the shoreline. Some curious individuals came close to inspect us as we walked along the beach. In the afternoon, we landed at Punta Suárez, where a starkly different environment awaited. The rocky coastline and dramatic cliffs provided a stunning backdrop for one of the most exciting wildlife hikes in the Galápagos. Our walk took us through nesting grounds of Nazca boobies. The highlight, however, was the waved albatross, endemic to Española and one of the most charismatic species in the archipelago. We were fortunate to observe their fascinating courtship displays—elegant and theatrical, with head bobbing, beak clacking, and sky-pointing rituals.
