Today we visited the small islet of South Plaza for an excellent opportunity to spot Galapagos land iguanas, and after lunch, sailed south to Santa Fe Island for some kayaking and hiking. We hesitated to leave the inquisitive sea lion pups we encountered after our wet landing to move further inland. This decision proved fruitful though, as we saw many rare Santa Fe land iguanas basking on rocks along our trail, and even the very elusive “hamster-like” Santa Fe rice rat.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 12 Sep 2019
South Plaza and Santa Fe Island, 9/12/2019, National Geographic Islander
- Aboard the National Geographic Islander
- Galápagos
Benjamin Ayala, Naturalist
Ben is a German-Ecuadorian naturalist guide who grew up on San Cristobal, the eastern-most island of the Galápagos Archipelago, home to the political capital of the province.
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We are ready to set out early to explore the small and picturesque island of South Plaza. Here we find the endemic Galapagos land iguana, their reptilian features and colors stand out against the lava rocks and cactus forest. Swallow-tailed gulls nest right on and alongside the trail. Sea lions play in the water or rest under the bushes. On Santa Fe Island, we continue our excursions, this time with aquatic activities such as kayaking and snorkeling in the shallow turquoise waters of Santa Fe Bay. Sea lions, turtles, large schools of various fish, and rays are found. Later we explored by land to see the island’s land iguanas, finches, doves, and mockingbirds.