This morning we explored the easternmost point of San Cristobal Island, one of the driest areas in Galapagos. This contrasts starkly with the westernmost point of this same island — which is the wettest location of the whole archipelago. This is a natural phenomenon that occurs in some of the big islands, creating different conditions for different animals and plants. In some areas of the Galapagos we have thirty inches of rain a year; a different part of the same island may receive less than five inches. The archipelago has up to six different vegetation zones with different animals and plants; this may be the reason why the islands have a high degree of endemism.
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.
