We had an amazing day on Santa Cruz Island. We started the morning with a stretching class led by our wellness specialist, Diana. After breakfast, we went to the giant tortoise breeding center, and we learned about conservation efforts to preserve the islands. We visited the fish market before we went to El Trapiche Ecologico, an old-fashioned farm that is reminiscent of the first farms on the islands. We learned about the processes for making coffee, chocolate, and sugar. We continued our adventure at Manzanillo Ranch, where we walked amongst the giants of the Galapagos. We observed dozens of tortoises. We had plenty of fun today, and we cannot wait for another magical experience in the archipelago.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 24 Nov 2022
Santa Cruz Island, 11/24/2022, National Geographic Endeavour II
- Aboard the National Geographic Endeavour II
- Galápagos
Cristian Villaroel, Naturalist
Cristian was born and raised on Santa Cruz Island, at the heart of the Galapagos Archipelago. He had the privilege of enjoying the beauty of the natural world of Galapagos every weekend, sailing in his family's small fishing boat. His parents passed ...
Read MoreShare Report
Exploring Galápagos: One Week Sailing the Islands
VIEW ITINERARYRelated Reports
9/16/2024
Read
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
Read
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!