We started our day with a nice and calm pre-breakfast walk along Espumilla Beach. After breakfast, we had the option of snorkeling, kayaking, or cruising in a glass-bottom boat. In each of those activities, wildlife surrounded us. For lunch, the galley staff of the National Geographic Endeavour II surprised us with a traditional Ecuadorian feast. The crew wore traditional Panama hats and hand-painted t-shirts, and we all enjoyed the colorful and tasty event, which was followed by an amazing natural history walk along Puerto Egas in the afternoon. It was a full day of activities, but the surprises were not over. Our busy galley team organized a BBQ dinner on the sky deck. What a treat to dine under a sky full of stars!
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