Visiting the Galápagos Islands was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had. I was able to explored the islands aboard the National Geographic Islander II, and from the start it felt like being in a place completely different from anywhere else in the world. It’s so interesting seeing the animals, as the species and their evolutions are so different from the rest of the world, making the entire ecosystem just feel so unique and amazing.
Even though I wasn’t able to visit Isabela Island, I still saw so much wildlife. One highlight was seeing the Galápagos giant tortoise. They move slowly and calmly, and being so close to them made it feel like I was looking at an actual piece of history.
In the water, the animals were just as impressive. I was luckily able to see the Galápagos penguin. They might have been my favorite animal I saw, and they would shoot through the water like missiles, way faster than I expected. The sea lions were also unforgettable. They were incredibly playful, swimming around us and clearly enjoying the attention. They felt curious rather than cautious, which made the experience even cooler.
On land, we saw both marine iguana and land iguana, which really showed how unique the islands are. The birdlife was everywhere too. I saw frigatebird, along with red-footed booby, Nazca booby, blue-footed booby, and plenty of gulls.
Outside of the cruise, I visited the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island on my own. Walking through the exhibits and learning about evolution and conservation helped me better understand why protecting the Galápagos matters so much. It gave more more information and added important context to everything I had already seen in the wild.
The service on the Islander II was also excellent. The crew and guides were knowledgeable and welcoming, which made the whole trip feel smooth and well organized. If you ever get the chance, I would highly recommend visiting the Galápagos. It’s a place where nature feels truly alive, and seeing these animals in their natural environment is something I’ll never forget.
