Today National Geographic Endeavour II explored Santiago Island; this place is heaven for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. We started the day with a pre-breakfast hike along Espumilla beach. One group of guests went kayaking along the coast looking for sea lions, sea turtles, and blue-footed boobies. Later in the morning we offered our first round of glass-bottom boating, with more kayaking and Zodiac rides to explore the coast of Buccaneer Cove. Then we headed back to the ship to get ready for snorkeling and exploring the underwater world of Buccaneer Cove. To finish the day’s activities we had the option to return to the beach for some afternoon fun, including a sunset hike among the wildlife and amazing landscapes.
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.