Last night while we slept, the National Geographic Endeavour II rounded the northern end of Isabela Island. At first light we sailed through rolling banks of fog as we crossed Banks Bay, nearing the anchorage of Punta Espinoza at Fernandina Island. After a walk on lava flows that are hundreds of years old, we snorkeled across the bay with diving marine iguanas and foraging green sea turtles. During lunch, we repositioned to Punta Vicente Roca, and after a coastal exploration aboard our Zodiacs, we crossed the Equatorial Line during a sunset tasting of South American wines.
6/12/2025
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Bartolomé and Sombrero Chino Islands
Warm ocean air and a colorful sunrise met us as we approached Bartolomé. Guests traveled by foot or Zodiac to experience the compacted ash landscape. On our first snorkeling excursion, we swam with diving penguins and sea creatures like whitetip and blacktip sharks, rays, and parrotfish. On the next snorkeling opportunity, we enjoyed seeing even more fish and sea stars! After lunch, we were back on the Zodiac for a third snorkeling opportunity. We dove in by Sombrero Chino. We spotted whitetip sharks, a school of fish, sea lions, pufferfish, and more. We ended the day by circumnavigating Sombrero Chino on Zodiac. We spotted more penguins. The community spirit that has developed over the week was evident as a Zodiac of guests serenaded Sarah on her birthday! Traveling to the Galapagos has made the world feel small. We have found common ground with guests and staff and made connections between our actions back home and the conservation of this beautiful archipelago. Written by Sarah Magnano and Robin Lockwood, Grosvenor Teacher Fellows