Today we started our day on the western side of Santiago Island. After an early wake up call, we landed at Espumilla Beach. A place covered with an interesting mix of volcanic ashes and tiny pieces of olivine where we spotted a sea turtle heading back to the ocean after laying eggs on a sandy dune. There were many tracks made by sea turtles and holes made by ghost crabs. After crossing a button mangrove forest we found a brackish water lagoon where we found whimbrels. Then we continued through an area covered by huge Palo Santos trees, where the soil was wet and gave off a very enjoyable smell. A couple Galapagos hawks and mockingbirds were spotted, and then we went back to beach and back on the National Geographic Endeavour. It was a great experience.
Later on in the morning we visited Buccaneer Cove. Here we had a number of activities such as kayaking, enjoying the impressive landscape of the place, and snorkeling. During the snorkeling we spotted surgeons 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 water temperature around 75F. What a great combination!
In the afternoon we landed on the black volcanic sandy beach. Some of our guests went snorkeling and the rest for a hike along the coast of James, on Santiago Island. Here we had the chance to walk along the coast where we found some interesting lava formations known as grottos, fur seals and sea lions laying on them, different species of shore birds like semi-palmate plover, sanderlings, ruddy turnstones, lots of marine iguanas, American oyster catchers, and much more. After witnessing an incredible sunset we headed back to the National Geographic Endeavour.
Just another day in paradise!
