Southern islands : land of the Albatross | Yolita II yacht | Itinerary B 5 days

Fly early to the Galapagos Islands. Visit North Seymour Island in the afternoon to see blue-footed boobies.

North Seymour Island

North Seymour Island is home to amazing wildlife experiences. This island is alive with life. You can follow trails to see the entire action, but you may have to yield to passing sea lions or marine iguanas while walking. Blue-footed booby nests are where mating pairs perform the courtship dance. You can see flocks of pelicans enjoying lunch at a dive bomb feeding frenzy on a rocky shore. Then, head inland to find a large nesting area of majestic frigatebirds. These large, dark acrobats are two metres (6.5 feet) in length and sit precariously in low bushes to look after their chicks. The excursion can be completed with a snorkeling trip among sea lions or rays.

Cerro Brujo

Cerro Brujo is a place to visit and explore the coastline. You can also look for wildlife in the water and on the ground at Cerro Brujo. The Galapagos CEO will tell you all about the natural and human history of the area. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the turquoise waters before heading out to a freshwater lagoon, a great spot to see flamingos.

Snorkelling (Kicker Rock)

You can embark on a snorkelling expedition at Kicker Rock. This is one of the most impressive landmarks in Galapagos Islands. It's home to an incredible variety of marine life. The rock rises 150m (492 feet) above the ocean's surface and is divided by a narrow channel that can be navigated by small boats. You will be amazed at the variety of fish and sharks that have been drawn to this rock. It makes for an exciting and unique snorkeling experience.

Lobos Island

You can snorkel right from the beach at Isla Lobos among the sea lions' families and curious pups. You can spot nesting frigatebirds as well as the blue-footed bobies, which are often found on the shore. You should bring your camera so you can capture some great shots at this prime wildlife viewing spot.

This tiny island is ideal for wildlife encounters. You can explore it by foot or boat. You can take a panga ride and see the shorebirds nesting and feeding. You will find two types of sea lions and a small colony blue-footed bobies.

Punta Suarez

Punta Suarez, Espanola's southernmost island, is the best place to go to see a variety of wildlife species. For stunning photo opportunities, hike to the top of the cliff and enjoy the natural beauty of the island's unspoiled wilderness.

Gardner Bay

You can visit Gardner Bay's beautiful white sandy beach. It is home to sea lions as well as sea birds. You must visit the stunning turquoise waters and amazing sea life. You can spot young sea lions as well as large schools of huge tropical fish such as yellow-tailed surgeon fish and king angelfish.

Gardner Bay is a great place to snorkel. You will also see large schools of colourful tropical fish further out towards Tortuga Rock or Gardner Island. You might also see whitetip reef sharks resting on the bottom and occasional manta Rays gliding past. You can also swim with sea lions.

South Plaza Island

South Plaza is one of the smallest Galapagos islands and has the highest number of land iguanas. You can walk along a path through the cactus forest to see a mixture of coastal and dry vegetation on this vibrant island. It is home to an amazing variety of fauna, including incredible birdlife. You will see red-billed tropic birds, indigenous swallow-tailed and gulls on the cliffs. Sea lions can be seen playing in the water.

Santa Fe Island

Santa Fe is a great place to see amazing wildlife. To view Opuntia, a forest of giant pear cactus (Opuntia), and its endemic land Iguanas, hike towards the cliffs on the island's northern coast. This is also a great place to swim with sea lions and see a white tip reef shark.

After breakfast, you can visit the Charles Darwin Research Center. You will then spend some time exploring the town before returning to Quito.

Fausto Llerena's Breeding Center is a great place for watching many tortoises in captivity. The famous Galapagos tortoise has been saved from the brink. A corral houses adults and a nursery takes care of the young. This area is also home to the Charles Darwin Research Station which was established in 1964. It works with scientists, volunteers, and researchers to conserve the ecosystem of the Galapagos. The offices are closed to the public, but the station serves as a study area for scientists from around the world and provides environmental education for the community.