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.
5/19/2025
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National Geographic Gemini
San Cristobal Island
Our day on San Cristóbal Island began at Pitt Point, the island’s easternmost landing site. As we climbed the rugged trail through eroded tuff formations, we were greeted by the sight of red-footed boobies nesting in the Galapagos clubleaf while blue-footed boobies performed their signature courtship dance along the path. In the late morning, we made our way to the dreamy white coral beach of Witch Hill, a tranquil stretch of sand framed by turquoise waters and dramatic volcanic formations. Galápagos sea lions slept peacefully under the sun while ghost crabs darted playfully between their tracks. Offshore, the striking silhouette of Kicker Rock stood like a cathedral in the sea, a preview of our afternoon adventure. As the sun dipped lower, we explored Kicker Rock by panga. Towering nearly 500 feet above the sea, these twin tuff cones cleaved by a narrow channel offered dramatic views both above and below the surface. Bottlenose dolphins were traveling along the coastline of San Cristobal while our guests enjoyed their presence from the decks of National Geographic Gemini . From land to sea, from cliffs to coral sand, today captured the breathtaking diversity that makes San Cristóbal so unforgettable.
