Today we started our day on the western side of Santiago Island. After an early wake up call, we landed at Espumilla beach. This location is covered with an interesting mix of volcanic ashes and tiny pieces of olivine crystals where we spotted tracks made by sea turtles and holes made by ghost crabs. After crossing a button mangrove’s forest we walked through a dense vegetation tunnel made by branches and bark of mangroves. Then we continued through an area covered by huge Palo Santos trees where the soil was wet, giving a very enjoyable smell. A couple Galapagos hawks and mocking birds were spotted, then we ventured back to the beach and back onboard the National Geographic Islander. It was a great excursion!
Later in the morning we visited Buccaneer Cove. Here we chose between two activities that took place at the same time which were snorkeling and panga rides. During the snorkeling we spotted Surgeon fish, king angel fish, Moorish idols, parrot fish, snappers, grunts, Galapagos sea lions, white tipped reef sharks, eagle rays and many others species of reef fish. The water visibility was over 50 feet and the water temperature around 74F-what a great combination!
On our way to our next destination we had windy conditions. In the afternoon we landed on the black volcanic sandy beach and some of our guests went snorkeling and the rest for a hike along the coast of James, Santiago Island. Here we had the chance to walk along the coast where we found some interesting lava formations known as grottos. We encountered fur seals and sea lions laying on them, lots of marine iguanas, different species of shore birds such as herons, ruddy turnstones, Whimbrels, American oyster catchers, and much more. After witnessing an incredible sunset we headed back to the National Geographic Islander.
It was just another amazing day in paradise!
