This is the final day of a great week spent exploring the enchanted Galapagos Islands. Early in the morning, we visited Santa Fe, a very small island with a turquoise bay. We had the opportunity to see the land iguanas that inhabit this unique place. We found an endemic Galapagos snake, nursing baby sea lions, and giant prickly pear Opuntia cacti along the trail. In addition, we snorkeled with playful sea lions and multicolored fish. Our morning was exceptional. In the afternoon, we moved to Cerro Brujo, considered one of the most beautiful beaches of the Galapagos. We had a wonderful afternoon swimming and walking on a white sand beach. Later, we circumnavigated Kicker Rock, a legendary tuff cone at the foot of San Cristobal. The sun set quickly, and we celebrated a great week around this incredible archipelago.
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
