Dragon’s Hill & Sombrero Chino Island
This morning we were ready to start our activities as if it were the very first visit in Galápagos, and the main reason is because each island is so different from the previous one and our guests just do not want to miss any of the Galápagos adventures.
Dragon’s Hill is located in the North part of Santa Cruz Island and that is the main reason the vegetation is very dry for most of the year, in contrast with Puerto Ayora which is the home of the Charles Darwin Station with its lush vegetation for most of the time. So, to talk about precipitation in this archipelago depends on many natural factors such as the location of the island, if you are in the Northern or Southern part, and also the altitude. That’s just a bit of the wonders of this place. And this is the key to explain why its fauna is different from day to day.
Our first morning activity was to explore this area searching for the Galápagos land iguanas, and they were at their best because they are breeding during this season, taking advantage of the good conditions they have at this time of the year. Later in the morning we went out for deep water activities near a satellite islet off the coast of Santa Cruz Island. What a place to be in the water! Sharks, turtles, nudibrachs and large school of fish of all kinds were there for our delight.
By the afternoon we were 30 NM away from a place known as Sombrero Chino or “Chinese Hat.” Due to its closeness to Santiago Island, a protected bay is formed in between these two Islands. We started with water activities along the coastline of Santiago Island and it was a lot of fun for everyone. Galápagos penguins came to swim with us. To see marine iguanas foraging at sea is just a bit of the excitement that we encountered in the water. We offered kayaking activities and for beach lovers a white tiny beach was there waiting for them.
This day was very interesting and a lot of fun for everybody and we are so looking forward for more on Bartolomé Island.
