Today we awoke anchored on the eastern side of Santa Cruz Island, right near two uplifted islands shaped like parentheses known as the Plazas. On South Plazas, we lucked upon a healthy population of land iguanas in their natural habitat. We also had a great panoramic view from the 30-meter cliff of the island, an ideal vantage for observing marine birds in flight. In the afternoon, we navigated for about an hour to Santa Fé Island (named after a city in Spain). Here we had our first snorkeling and kayaking activities. We enjoyed the diversity of marine life, especially the groups of sea turtles at their cleaning stations. To finish a great day, we took a short walk at sunset surrounded by giant prickly pear cacti.
11/17/2024
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National Geographic Endeavour II
North Seymour and Rábida Islands
In the morning, we visited North Seymour Island where we enjoyed an unforgettable wildlife encounter. During our walk, we observed numerous great and magnificent frigatebirds nesting in the trees and shrubs, while blue-footed boobies nested on the ground. Along the trail, land iguanas roamed freely while feeding on cacti, completely unbothered by our presence and allowing our guests to observe them up close—a truly memorable experience. In the afternoon, we arrived at Rábida Island. From a distance, the island’s striking red color was visible, a result of the iron in the lava oxidized by the salty water. At Rábida, we offered snorkeling from the beach. Playful sea lions swam close to us, almost inviting us to join their games, and in deeper waters, colorful fish captivated our guests. After snorkeling, we returned on board and later headed back to the beach at 5 PM. Just a few steps from the landing site, we encountered many flamingos walking gracefully near us in a lagoon that has been their habitat for years. It was fascinating to watch them feed on small crustaceans while listening to their distinctive calls. Just before sunset, we returned to National Geographic Endeavour II feeling a little tired but thrilled after experiencing such a magnificent day in the Galápagos Islands.
