In the morning, we visited Bartolome Island. Located to the east of Santiago Island, Bartolome is located in the central part of the archipelago. Due to its size and geographical conditions, Bartolome is considered a satellite island to its bigger neighbor.
We had an early start, and our guests had the chance to decide how they wanted to discover this unique island. We offered an invigorating hike and a coastal exploration in Zodiacs. Hiking is a great way to admire the dramatic landscape, which is covered by volcanoes and tuff cones. We got a close look at the origin of the island. The trail is a wooden path with a total of 372 steps. It is quite steep, but at the end of it, we were rewarded with one of the most iconic landscapes in the Galapagos Islands. Zodiac explorations were a great option for those desiring a calmer start to the day. We explored the coast, keeping an eye out for the charismatic Galapagos penguin, typically found in small groups.
Before motoring to the next location, it was time to enjoy the refreshing waters of Bartolome. Our guests had the opportunity to discover this island’s golden sand beach. The sand obtains its particular color due to the erosion of geological structures.
In the afternoon, National Geographic Endeavor II changed its position to Chinese Hat. The islet gets its name from its very curious shape, which resembles a Chinese hat. The island has been carved by strong wind currents, and time and erosion keep modifying it.
The main attractions on this side of the archipelago are found in the water. We observed sea stars, sea lions, fish, sharks, and sometimes even penguins. The variety of marine life makes Chinese Hat a wonderful spot for water activities. We enjoyed snorkeling and kayaking, and our guests had a magnificent time.
Today was another day in this natural paradise.
