High-class Western Islands Motor-Vessel Trip

Arrival on Thursday / Baltra

Flight from Quito, Guayaquil or Quito to Baltra (2 1/2 hours). Our natural guides will pick up passengers at the Galapagos airport and take them to a 10-minute drive on a bus to reach the dock where the Santa Cruz II is waiting.

PM Dragon Hill

Cerro Dragon is located on the north side of Santa Cruz. A brackish lagoon is the first stop on this walk. It's home to Flamingos, shorebirds, and Pintail Ducks. The trail continues inland and offers stunning views of the bay, western islands, and land iguanas.

AM: Vicente Roca Point

Naturalist guides will explain to guests the geology and dramatic landscape of the region. The site also serves as a breeding ground for many endemic species of birds, including Galapagos Penguins, flightless Cormorants and boobies. If the weather permits, you can snorkel along the steep cliffs in this rich marine area, which is often visited by oceanic sunfish (Mola Mola) and green sea turtles.

PM: Espinoza Point

This afternoon, we will explore Fernandina - the youngest of the islands in the archipelago. Fernandina is a unique island with an abundance of marine iguanas and a complete lack of imported animals. Sea lions are also found in this area, as well as Sally light foot crabs, Galapagos Hawks, and flightless cormorants.

Charles Darwin Station

The Charles Darwin Research Station is located in Puerto Ayora. This Station is made up of the giant tortoise breeding center and a forest with giant prickly pear cactus that's home to many birds. It is also the headquarters of scientific research, conservation and National Park Administration. After this tour, guests board a private vehicle to enjoy lunch on the cooler mountains of Santa Cruz Island. This is a completely different ecosystem.

PM: Santa Cruz Highlands

The afternoon will be filled with a variety of options that can be pre-arranged by your expedition leader. After the activities of the day, the guests will be taken back to Puerto Ayora by the Santa Cruz II.

AM - Baroneses Lookout and Post Office Bay

Enjoy a dinghy tour along Floreana’s north shore in the morning. After that, the guests can enjoy Baroness Cove and its stunning views. Land at Post Office Bay and visit the historical barrel, which has been used as a Post Office in the Archipelago since over 200 years. Guests will be asked to leave a postcard. Right off the beach, snorkeling is available. After lunch, the guests return to board for a relaxing afternoon.
 

PM: Champion Islet & Cormorant Point

Afternoon: Hop aboard the glass bottom boat or dinghies for snorkeling to discover the underwater world around Champion Islet, an extinct shield volcanic that is regarded as the most beautiful snorkeling spot in the entire archipelago. Then, head to Cormorant Point. You'll start with a wet-landing on an olivine crystal beach, followed by a stroll through a lagoon of brackish water where birds like American flamingos and pintail ducks gather. After that, the guests continue on their journey to a beach with white sand, where turtles come out of the water at night and nest. (From December to May).