Santiago Island
We started our day on the western side of Santiago Island. We disembarked early at Espumilla Beach, a place covered with an interesting mix of volcanic ashes and tiny pieces of olivine. We observed tracks made by sea turtles and ghost crabs, and spotted a Galápagos hawk. After crossing a button mangrove forest we walked by a brackish water lagoon where we found Bahamas pintail ducks and a couple of least sand pipers. Then we continued through an area covered by huge Palo Santos trees; the soil was wet, giving a very enjoyable smell. We spotted a couple of Galápagos hawks and mockingbirds, then went back to the beach and to the National Geographic Endeavour. It was a great experience.
Back onboard, breakfast was waiting for us as we repositioned to Buccaneer’s Cove for our next activities. Options included kayaking, snorkeling and even a relaxing massage on the floating spa. Snorkeling was outrageous!! Conditions were not easy, but the underwater activity was outstanding; there were sharks, sea lions, surgeon fish, grunts, sierras, golden rays, spotted eagle rays and guess what??? A giant manta ray!!! What a day!
After this incredible morning we came back on board and had a succulent lunch with a great finale, which was a zodiac-size sundae. After such as delicious experience, Antonio delighted us with a superb talk about Charles Darwin and then the National Geographic Endeavour repositioned again, this time to James Bay.
In the afternoon some of us went to a black volcanic sand beach for snorkeling and the rest went for a hike along the coast of James Bay. Here we found some interesting lava formations known as grottos, with fur seals and sea lions laying on them, different species of shore birds, lots of marine iguanas, American oystercatchers and much more, all set against a beautiful background of a full moon and an inspiring rainbow.
