Today we woke up at Academy Bay, located on the southeast of Santa Cruz Island. Here, we visited the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we learned about the breeding program of endangered giant tortoises. We also got the chance to experience some local flavor with a stop at “El Trapiche,” a sugarcane press operated by one family since the 1960s. In the afternoon, we went to an excursion to the Santa Cruz highlands, where we could observe giant tortoises on their migration route. It was an amazing to see these huge animals up close and in their natural habitat. Before returning to the ship, some guests explored the main town, Puerto Ayora, and came back with souvenirs. Other guests enjoyed an exhibition organized by local artisans in the ship’s Global Gallery.
2/20/2025
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Bartolome and Chinese Hat
The Galapagos never ceases to amaze and today was no exception. We began our morning with a landing at Bartolome Island, where we climbed the iconic boardwalk to the summit. Along the way, we spotted lava lizards basking in the sun and took in the breathtaking views of Pinnacle Rock standing tall against the deep blue water. The highlight of the day came in the afternoon as we explored Chinese Hat, a small cinder cone with striking lava formations. A Zodiac exploration took us along the shoreline where we spotted three Galapagos penguins resting on the lava rocks. These unique seabirds, the only penguins found north of the equator, stood side by side, preening and occasionally glancing towards the water as if contemplating their next dive. Guests also enjoyed snorkeling in the turquoise waters where sea lions twisted playfully and whitetip reef sharks swam through the currents. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we reflected on another extraordinary day in one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet.
