The Galapagos Islands exploration brought us today to one of the most magnificent places of the archipelago, Española Island. After a delightful breakfast we got ready for the first adventure of the day along the cliffs of a magic underwater world known as Gardner Islet. As soon as we got into the water the marvels of the Galapagos Marine Reserve were revealed. There were baby Galapagos sea lions swimming around us, reef fish of different colors were found all over the rocks, and the highlight was the Pacific green sea turtles that were swimming along the walls of Gardner Islet.
After a magic experience along the cliffs, it was time to go to one of the most symbolic beaches of the Galapagos, Gardner bay. Upon our arrival the welcome committee was arranged by the playful Galapagos sea lions which are found in one of the most spectacular colonies of the Islands. During our visit we witnessed all kinds of behaviors from this iconic mammal. In the very last moment of exploration Hood mockingbirds started a very curious behavior, they approached us in order to check out our belongings found on the sand.
As we came back to the National Geographic Islander it was time for a fantastic meal as we had the Ecuadorian buffet lunch as we pulled anchor in order to move to our next destination, Punta Suarez. In the afternoon the adventure just got better as we began it was to explore a visitor site totally covered by colorful marine iguanas. Farther along the trail the beauty of nature was displayed in the courtship of the waved albatross. Once we reached the farthest edge of the trail we had the opportunity of viewing one of the biggest Nazca booby colonies that is found on the Islands.
On the way back to the disembarkation area we finally enjoyed the presence of one of the most emblematic sea birds of the archipelago, the blue footed booby. The charms of nature were exhibited in the courtship display of these uniquely colored birds. At the end of our journey we enjoyed a beautiful landscape enhanced by the sunset on the horizon. Today we had one of the most superb visits at this living paradise, the Galapagos Islands.
