Santa Cruz Island, 4/13/2023, National Geographic Endeavour II
Aboard the
National Geographic Endeavour II
Galápagos
Our expedition around the Galapagos Islands aboard National Geographic Endeavour II is about to finish, and today we visited Santa Cruz Island, the most populated island. In the morning, we visited the main offices of the Charles Darwin Research Station and the tortoise breeding center of the Galapagos National Park. Later, buses took us to the highlands, where we visited local farms and learned about their products.
In the afternoon, we explored the western side of Santa Cruz and spent time with the giant tortoises in the wild.
Charles was raised in the Galápagos Islands. He is the grandson of Rolf Wittmer, the first person documented to have been born on the island of Floreana after his parents, Margret and Heinz Wittmer, emigrated from Germany in 1932.
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We started our morning by visiting Gardner Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos. We observed many sea lions at the beach. In the afternoon, we took one of the most fantastic walks in the Galapagos at Punta Suarez. On the rocky trail, we spotted albatrosses, blue-footed boobies, gulls, mockingbirds, and finches. It all made for an unforgettable day.
The last full day of our expedition brought us to San Cristobal Island, one of the oldest in the archipelago. Located in the center of the Galapagos archipelago, Santa Fe holds unique wildlife. We started the day with an invigorating hike and exploration of the coast. Red-footed boobies were a highlight for all. Upon returning to the beach area, young and playful Galapagos sea lions frolicked with everyone who entered the water. The afternoon revealed a rugged coastline and one of the most incredible, fine coralline sand beaches in the Galapagos. Shorebirds looked for sustenance in the shallows as sea lions finished their day lazing on the beach. Our final day finished as we passed by Kicker Rock and a setting sun.
We took a good look at a few giant tortoises in Urbina Bay, Isabela Island, but we all wanted a bit more giant tortoise information. These gentle giants are one of the most charismatic of the Galapagos characters. Where to start? At the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center managed by the Galapagos National Park Directorate in Puerto Ayora. Here, we saw them in all shapes and sizes, from babies a few months old to venerable reptiles older than all of us! Lindblad Expeditions supports local initiatives aimed at potentially diminishing the introduction of new invasive species. Granja Integral Ochoa is a place that provides this beneficial support. The hydroponic system is highly efficient and generates fresh vegetables without having to import them from mainland Ecuador. And the quality is so high we serve them to our guests and crew on an almost daily basis. Plus, the Ochoa family makes you feel at home with their warmth, freshly brewed coffee, and scrumptious empanadas. The day wasn’t over yet. Next, we went to Manzanillo Ranch for a meal and more interactions with Santa Cruz giant tortoises. Lunch was fabulous and the tortoises plentiful. It was another wonderful day in paradise!