We are in the last full day of expedition aboard National Geographic Islander II. We have moved out of the western region to the central part of these enchanted islands. Today we visited two different places on Santiago Island. The day started with a stunning pre-breakfast kayak. After breakfast, guests enjoyed snorkeling and glass-bottom Zodiac trips in Buccaneer Cove. Later in the day, the ship moved location to Puerto Egas, where we took a long walk along the shore. We found grottos used as a resting place by fur sea lions. Guests enjoyed the beach and took a stretching class. We finished our great day with an amazing sunset.
6/19/2025
Read
National Geographic Islander II
Santiago Island
We started our expedition at Buccaneer Cove early in the morning. We had an amazing opportunity to see a unique geological formation known as the Monk, which resembles a praying monk, alongside another formation known as the Elephant. This provided an excellent opportunity to fully appreciate the dramatic geological landscape of Santiago Island. Our first activity was kayaking early in the morning. We enjoyed the calm ocean while observing seabirds such as pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and brown noddies. We watched the noddies steal some small sardines from a pelican’s beak as it plunged into the water. Later in the morning, we snorkeled along the cliffs of Buccaneer Cove, where we watched several species of Galapagos fish, including Moorish idols, sea cucumbers, and creole-fish, among other charismatic marine creatures living in the Marine Reserve of the Galapagos. In the afternoon, we visited Puerto Egas, known for fur seals, marine iguanas, and land iguanas. Galapagos sea lions swam gracefully along the beach while guests enjoyed snorkeling. Another group went for a hike where they were they saw fur seals swimming by the grotto formations. As the tide was going out, shorebirds actively searched for food in the tidepools. This day was truly special, as it revealed the secret life of creatures found nowhere else on planet Earth.
