Buccaneer Cove and Puerto Egas, Santiago Island, 3/28/2024, National Geographic Islander II
Aboard the
National Geographic Islander II
Galápagos
For our last full day in the Galapagos Islands, we stopped and visited Santiago Island, an enigmatic island with a great diversity of animals and history. It is the land of giant tortoises and a hidden spot for the first explorers of the ocean, appropriately named Buccaneer Cove. With perfect weather conditions, we investigated the marine life by taking part in some water activities.
In the afternoon we stopped by Puerto Egas. An important spot on the island as it is a symbol for conservation and history. Between marine life, inorganic beaches, and a beautiful contrast of vegetation, we enjoyed a wonderful day punctuated with a colorful rainbow.
Felipe’s connection with the Galapagos Archipelago dates back to his great grandparents, who came to the islands in the 1930s. The Wittmer family moved to the island of Floreana and were one of the first families to settle in the Galapagos. Felipe’s ...
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Today our guests experienced Santiago Island. This is the Island that Darwin explored the most when he visited the Galapagos back in 1835. Darwin, together with some crew of the HMS Beagle, camped on the island of Santiago for a week. While on the island, Darwin studied Galapagos marine and land iguanas, collected finches, mockingbirds, insects, and plants. Most of the species that Darwin collected were unique to the islands. Before breakfast, our guests were kayaking through the pristine waters of Buccaneer Cove. This was a unique experience, as we paddled gently along the rugged coastline flanked by towering cliffs and volcanic formations. Encounters with curious sea lions and graceful sea turtles added an element of delight to our adventure. We also observed blue-footed boobies and swallow tail gulls along the cliffs. In the afternoon, as we hiked the trail at Puerto Egas, we encountered a number of marine iguanas basking on the dark lava rocks. Their adaptation to a marine lifestyle is unparalleled, with specialized flattened snouts and sharp claws enabling them to forage for algae and seaweed among the rocky seabed. As we were leaving the trail, our guests spotted a great blue heron standing on top of a tree. Their behavior is characterized by patience and precision, as they stand motionless for extended periods, awaiting the opportune moment to strike at passing prey with lightning-fast reflexes.
With an invigorating stretching session on the top deck, our day started. We had an amazing ride around the collapsing Ecuador Volcano. In the afternoon we added to an already lovely day with a wonderful walk on Fernandina Island, which happened to be spitting lava, transforming the topography of the island.
During our first full day of exploration in the Galapagos, our morning expedition led us to the captivating North Seymour Island, followed by an afternoon adventure on Rabida Island. After an early breakfast, North Seymour welcomed us with its rugged terrain and vibrant wildlife. As we hiked the island, we encountered a seabird colony of iconic blue-footed boobies, magnificent and great frigatebirds, swallow tail gulls, and more. Giant land iguanas roamed the terrain, feeding on the arid vegetation of the island. Later, our journey continued to Rabida Island, where the landscape shifted to a stunning contrast of red sand beaches and turquoise waters. First thing in the afternoon, everyone went ashore to snorkel over a rocky reef that revealed a vibrant underwater world teeming with life, from colorful reef fish to graceful Galapagos sea lions.
