Travelling to the western realm of Las Encantadas is like travelling back in time. Fernandina and Isabela islands are the largest and youngest of the Galapagos Archipelago, and their elegant, majestic shield volcanoes rise tall over the Bolivar Channel, which divides both islands. This remote area is quite pristine and relatively untouched, with rather simple food chains and unique species found nowhere else in the world. Galapagos remains as one of the last oceanic archipelagos that still keeps around 90% of its original biota, and its preservation is a high priority for both Ecuadorians and the international community.
5/29/2025
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National Geographic Gemini
Genovesa Island
Genovesa is considered one of the Galapagos crown jewels, and today it was showing off all of its splendor. Immediately after breakfast we put on our sturdy shoes and set out to explore Prince Philip’s Steps. This area is known for opportunities to observe not only large colonies of nesting Nazca and red-footed boobies, but maybe, just maybe, the short-eared owl which exhibits diurnal behavior on this island. After this walk we got ready for a dip in the Pacific Ocean and snorkeling along the inner coast of this caldera. The afternoon was equally amazing as we disembarked to explore Darwin Bay, along a short and easy trail that was packed with wildlife. Here we observed not only nesting frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, and Nazca boobies, but also a few yellow-crowned night herons. It was another incredible afternoon in the Galapagos Islands.
