Itinerary A

Departure from Quito/Guayaquil to Baltra island (2 1/2 hours flight). Our natural guides pick up passengers at the airport and take them to the bus stop to board the M/Y Coral I/M/Y Coral II.

Charles Darwin Station

As part of our efforts for preservation of the fragile Galapagos environment, we visit the Station where the Galapagos giant turtle breeding program is conducted. This Station is also where Lonesome George, the last living specimen of his species, lived for many decades. You can see a variety of Darwin's finches, as well as a prickly pear cactus forest. The Darwin Station provides environmental education for the schools and communities that visit the Galapagos Islands. The town will be open to visitors for free, so you can also shop for souvenirs.

Santa Cruz Island: Dragon Hill

Dry landing. To see flamingos, walk along a brackish lagoon. This trail takes you through typical dry zone vegetation. Continue on the trail until Dragon Hill to see an important nesting site for endemic land Iguanas. It offers beautiful views of nearby islands and anchored boats.

Bartolome Island

Mockingbirds, Galapagos doves, Darwin's finches and yellow warblers can be found in the forest. The landscape is shaped by volcanic parasitic cones (lava bombs, spatter and cinder cones), which resembles the moon. The view from the summit will be spectacular, as you can see the surrounding islands and Pinnacle Rock (eroded tuff cone). You will also see blue-footed bobies, lavalizards and marine iguanas.
You can snorkel at the beach and spot famous Galapagos Penguins, White-tipped Reef Sharks, and many other colorful fish. This may be the best spot to snorkel. The perfect spot for admiring the amazing marine life is in the crystal clear waters.
Its geographical location makes it difficult to see the absence of vegetation. However, there are some pioneer plants such as the Tiquilia nesiotica (or sand mat, spurge in English), and Scalesia shrubs.

Rabida Island: Buccaneers Cove

This island is home to sea lion colonies. Its unique beaches are covered in dark-red sand. Rabida is the epicenter for the Galapagos Islands because of its volcanic geology. From July to September, nesting brown pelicans can be found along with nine species of the famous Darwin’s finches. To observe nesting seabirds, you can take a dinghy along the cliffs. You can snorkel off the coast where you will find marine life at its best

Buccaneers Cove, a stunning location that preserves a eroded shoreline, is home to seabirds as well as fur seals and playful sea lions. The waves and wind have eroded the shoreline, creating the different shapes.

Santiago Island: Playa Espumilla

Espumilla Beach, a white-sandy beach on James Bay, is very popular with visitors. Mangroves and a small Palo santo tree lead to salt-water lagoons, which are home to wading bird species like flamingos. The nesting area for sea turtles is located in the upper dunes. This is a great place to snorkel.
See the rays.

The north shore of Santa Cruz Island is only accessible by sea. Four species of mangroves crowd the waters and create an internal lagoon. Turtles swim in the calm waters while fish, rays, and fish circle below. Below the boat are white-tipped reef sharks, as well as seabirds such as pelicans and herons. The cove was declared a turtle sanctuary.

You will then be transferred to the airport.