The Western realm of the Galapagos is the most remote. After an overnight navigation, we woke up on a calm August morning to the majestic landscape of young shield volcanoes on Fernandina and Isabela. Evidence of recent volcanic activity surrounded us both morning and afternoon. The vast basaltic lava fields are stunning, but they make us feel like we have stepped back in time. Although these shores seem inhospitable, several unique species have successfully established themselves here, making these habitats their home.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 16 Aug 2021
Fernandina and Isabela Islands, 8/16/2021, National Geographic Endeavour II
- Aboard the National Geographic Endeavour II
- Galápagos
Gaby Bohorquez, Naturalist
Gaby was born and raised in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Her first job in the Galapagos was on board a 90-passenger cruise ship as the cruise director’s assistant, and she fell under the spell of the Enchanted Isles. She returned to Guayaquil to study at the ...
Read MoreJonathan Aguas, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Jonathan was born into one of handful families that reaches back five generations in the Galapagos in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island. He grew up swimming among unique freshwater springs owned by his family at the highland...
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Exploring Galápagos: One Week Sailing the Islands
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9/16/2024
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Floreana Island
This is an incredible island with its natural history and a deeply seated human history. Floreana was the choice for many visitors due to its fresh water source and giant tortoises that were used as a food source from the 18th century on. We visited Cormorant Point early in the morning and witnessed Galapagos sea lions playing on the beach and American flamingos in a brackish pond actively feeding. These are two beaches with a drastic contrast of volcanic sand with olivine crystals and an organic white coralline beach. Blue-footed boobies were feeding along the coast and tending to their active nests. Mid-morning allows a snorkel along a satellite island, Champion Islet. Young Galapagos sea lions play with all, and as we finish our dip, a humpback whale with her young calve passes close to our Zodiacs with a breach that leaves us in awe. The afternoon brings us to Post Office Bay and the oldest postal system in the Americas as we all sort through the mail and leave correspondences to be delivered through this honor system. Kayakers explored the coast as the sun peaked through this season’s low-lying clouds.
9/15/2024
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Española Island
We had an amazing first full day of exploration on the islands. During the morning, we explored the fantastic underwater world of the Galapagos, and it was amazing. We spent the afternoon on the lookout for the stunning waved albatross. We observed so much unique wildlife as we hiked this impressive island. Today was just the start of our extraordinary adventure in the Galapagos Islands!