Most of the Galápagos Islands are just the tips of larger, submerged volcanos; some, however, are the product of mechanical events where former submarine platform was uplifted a long time ago. North Seymour is an example of this being flat and dry, but it is located amidst highly productive waters. Various seabird colonies have made it their home, amongst them great and magnificent frigatebirds, native species of the Galápagos Archipelago. Each island we visit during our expedition is very different to the previous one, and Rábida has high elevations and a green vegetation cover. The most striking feature of this island is that its rocks and sands have high concentrations of iron oxide, giving it a reddish appearance.
5/29/2025
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National Geographic Gemini
Genovesa Island
Genovesa is considered one of the Galapagos crown jewels, and today it was showing off all of its splendor. Immediately after breakfast we put on our sturdy shoes and set out to explore Prince Philip’s Steps. This area is known for opportunities to observe not only large colonies of nesting Nazca and red-footed boobies, but maybe, just maybe, the short-eared owl which exhibits diurnal behavior on this island. After this walk we got ready for a dip in the Pacific Ocean and snorkeling along the inner coast of this caldera. The afternoon was equally amazing as we disembarked to explore Darwin Bay, along a short and easy trail that was packed with wildlife. Here we observed not only nesting frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, and Nazca boobies, but also a few yellow-crowned night herons. It was another incredible afternoon in the Galapagos Islands.
