This morning National Geographic Endeavour II anchors on the northern side of Santa Cruz Island. It’s a very sunny morning with cool breeze and calmed seas. The visitor site of this morning is called “Cerro Dragon”, which is a dry landing on a very rocky platform followed by a sandy path to a brackish water lagoon from there we take a trail into the dry woods in order to arrive at Dragon Hill.
The reason for the name “Dragon Hill” has to do with the reptiles that inhabit this area. The land iguanas (conolopus subcristatus) here are the largest reptile life forms you will find on the northern side of Santa Cruz, although they were almost depleted by alien species in the 1970s. Thanks to the work of the Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Research Station, we have been able to control the invasive species and reintroduce these land reptiles to their natural habitat.
A great hike takes us to the inner part of the island, very volcanic soil almost as if it had been dyed red and the burrows all along the trail signal us that we have entered to the dragons den. As we walk farther inland one of our global explorers spots the first land iguana which is devouring a succulent piece of cactus pad, it was bright yellow male iguana that unaware of our presence continued to eat as we got closer.
Several more iguanas were spotted and after a great hike we prepare to return to the ship to get changed into snorkel outfit in order to explore Guy Fawkes islet.
Guys Fawkes islet is an eroded tuff cone, today separated in two portions, our snorkel expedition takes us to the channel between the two pinnacles. This is a great site to spot a wide variety of tropical fish, sea lions, and sharks. Our guests had a great time snorkeling here since the visibility was quite good and seas were calmed.
As our guests enjoy a very special and hefty Ecuadorian Lunch the National Geographic Endeavour II repositions to Eden islet on the northwestern side of Santa Cruz.
In this location, right after lunch we offer several activities such as kayaking, coastal explorations via zodiac and a very special zodiac driving lessons for the global explorers.
We were able to spot form the kayaks blue footed boobies, green sea turtles, sea lions and even sharks as we explored the mangroves, the weather conditions were spectacular, clear and blue skies, turquoise waters and a nice breeze. What a fantastic day on the northern side of Santa Cruz, a day full of adventures, emotions and colors.
