Baltra Airport

Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island (aprox. 2h30 flight). Arriving in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our naturist guides and taken on a ten minutes bus drive to the pier to board the M/Y Coral I or M/Y Coral II.

Fausto Llerena Breeding Center / Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)

Dry landing. There is a visit to the Galapagos giant tortoises breeding program, where the famous Lonesome George (last surviving specimen of Pinta Island) lived for decades. The center is conducted by the Galapagos National Park (GNP) staff with the collaboration of scientists from the Charles Darwin Station (CDS).

Here, eggs taken from Pinzon, Santiago and Santa Cruz Islands hatch with no danger of harm, from introduced species. After artificial incubation, the “galapaguitos” (newborn tortoises) are reared until the age of 5 and then, they are released in their native habitats; having the enough capacities to survive alone. Since the 70s, more than 2,000 specimens have returned to their own islands thanks to this program. In addition, the Darwin Station works in several scientific projects and botanical research, providing environmental education to local communities, schools and tourists. If there is time, it is possible to visit the nearby town of Puerto Ayora.

Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island)

Dry landing. Walk by a brackish lagoon to see flamingos. The trail leads across a typical dry zone vegetation. Keeping up until Dragon Hill, there will be important nesting ground for endemic land iguanas, offering lovely views of the anchored boats and neighboring islands. The forest is home to mockingbirds, Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers, and Galapagos doves.

Bartolome Island

Dry or wet landing. Discover a fascinating landscape resembling the moon floor, formed by different volcanic parasitic cones, lava bombs, spatter formations and cinder cones. Hike to the top for impressive views of the nearby islands, including the eroded tuff cone of the Pinnacle Rock (perhaps the beast known postcard from the Galapagos).

Here is possible to encounter lava lizards and blue-footed boobies. Beach time in Bartolome! It is a great opportunity to snorkel and have a close look to penguins, sea turtles and white-tipped reef sharks among a great variety of colorful fish. Possibly, the finest snorkeling experience around the world; the water is clear full of light and there are no big waves.

Due to its geographical location, it is immediately noticeable a lack of vegetation, just pioneer plants are observed. They include tiquilia nesiotica (silver look bush, which is endemic to the island) and chamaesyce (known as sand mat or spurge).

Rabida Island

Wet landing. Dark-red sand covers the unique beaches of this island, home of sea lion colonies. Rabida is considered the epicenter of the Galapagos Islands due to the diversity of its volcanic geology. Nesting brown pelicans are found from July through September, plus nine species of the famous Darwin’s finches. Here, a dinghy ride along marine cliffs is done, to observe nesting seabirds. Snorkel off the coast, where marine life is particularly active and colorful.

Buccaneers Cove & Espumilla Beach (Santiago Island)

This is an amazing location, featuring the remains of an eroded shoreline that is home to seabirds, fur seals and the playful sea lions. Its different shapes have been made throughout a process caused by erosion of the waves and the wind. Espumilla Beach is a white-sandy beach in James Bay and is a popular place among visitors. There are mangroves and a small palo santo forest that lead to salty-water lagoons that are home to wading birds like flamingos. In the upper dunes are a nesting site for sea turtles. A good place to snorkel to see rays.

Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz Island) / Airport

On the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, accessible only by sea, four species of mangrove crowd form an internal lagoon, turtles visit the calm waters, peaking their heads above the surface while the fish and rays circle below. White-tipped reef sharks can be seen beneath the boat, plus sea birds including pelicans, herons and egrets. This cove has been declared a “turtle sanctuary”.

After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport to a return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

Baltra Airport

Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island (aprox. 2h30 flight). Arriving in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our naturist guides and taken on a ten minutes bus drive to the pier to board the M/Y Coral I or M/Y Coral II.

Fausto Llerena Breeding Center / Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)

Dry landing. There is a visit to the Galapagos giant tortoises breeding program, where the famous Lonesome George (last surviving specimen of Pinta Island) lived for decades. The center is conducted by the Galapagos National Park (GNP) staff with the collaboration of scientists from the Charles Darwin Station (CDS). Here, eggs taken from Pinzon, Santiago and Santa Cruz Islands hatch with no danger of harm, from introduced species.

After artificial incubation, the “galapaguitos” (newborn tortoises) are reared until the age of 5 and then, they are released in their native habitats; having the enough capacities to survive alone. Since the 70s, more than 2,000 specimens have returned to their own islands thanks to this program. In addition, the Darwin Station works in several scientific projects and botanical research, providing environmental education to local communities, schools and tourists. If there is time, it is possible to visit the nearby town of Puerto Ayora.

Mosquera Islet

Wet Landing. Mosquera Islet is located between North Seymour and Baltra Islands. This flat, sandy island has a large colony of sea lions. It is also an excellent site to observe shorebirds such as herons and lava gulls. There is no trail on the islet, visitor can enjoy the open area. Most of the islet is covered with sand and barren lava rock. Very little sesuvium portulacastrum plants grow on the sand.

North Seymour Island

Dry landing. Off the Baltra Island and not far from Santa Cruz Island, locates North Seymour. This landmass was formed by a series of underwater volcanic eruptions, which deposited layers of lava on the ocean floor. After arrival and an approximately two hours walk, large nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies, great frigate birds, and swallow-tailed gulls can be seen. Land iguanas and on a lucky day Galapagos snakes can be encounter along the path.

Santa Fe Island

Wet landing. Santa Fe shows white sandy beaches surrounded by sea lion colonies; through the island path an endemic cactus forest is passed. Home of the Santa Fe land iguanas (the largest in the islands). This island is the habitat for a number of species, including: the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snakes, rice rats (one of the few endemic Galapagos rodents), a variety of finches and one of the four mockingbird species of the archipelago.

South Plaza Islet

Dry landing. There are two Plaza Islets (north and south) located east of Santa Cruz Island. On the northern part of the Islet, visitors begin the journey along an impressive cactus forest were colorful yellow and red land iguanas live, the population number is around 300 animals; during dry season they survive on fruits and flowers of the opuntia cacti.

A peculiar thing to see in South Plaza is the hybrid iguana (sea and land). When reaching the highest point, tropicbirds can be seen. During the dry season (June – January) the usually greenish and yellowish vegetation change of color creating a bright red landscape (sesuviumedmonstonei plant).

Kicker Rock Circumnavigation & Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve, Cerro Colorado (San Cristobal Island) / Airport

Kicker Rock can be seen directly from the vessel. In the sea northeast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is this ancient and eroded volcanic tuff lava named Leon Dormido or Kicker Rock it is formed by two rocks approximately 148 m, named for its resemblance of a sleeping lion.

It serves as home to many of the typical Galapagos sea animals, such as birds, sea lions, blue and Nazca boobies and frigate. With rare sightings of swallow turtle gulls, tropic birds, and pelicans.

Cerro Colorado is a dry landing in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Passengers visit the San Cristobal Giant Tortoise Breeding Center to learn about the National Park’s conservation programs. Enjoy a beautiful landscape on the way to the Reserve. Passengers will also have the opportunity to visit the village’s port, have a drink or shop for arts and crafts and other souvenirs.

After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport to a return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

Baltra Airport

Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island (aprox. 2h30 flight). Arriving in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our naturist guides and taken on a ten minutes bus drive to the pier to board the M/Y Coral I or M/Y Coral II.

Highlands Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island)

Dry landing. In the mountains of Galapagos is possible to admire different kinds of birds, such as tree and ground finches, vermillion flycatchers, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets (usually standing on the tortoises’ shell). The journey to the reserve offers great opportunities to see the contrasts that the island offers in reference to the variety of ecosystems.

The road goes from the coast through the agricultural zone and straight up to the dense humid forests. Often, Galapagos Giant Tortoises are also seen on the way, wandering through pastures in the paddocks. This spot is a birdwatchers’ haven since almost every land bird present on the island lives or migrates here.

Vicente Roca Point (Isabela Island)

Vicente Roca point is a promontory created form the remains of a tuff cone, with two protected turquoise coves on either side. One of them, the Bolivar Channel is one of the richest marine ecosystems on Earth. This place is only accessible by water, with great opportunities for deep-water snorkeling.

In this part of the Galapagos, the upwelling of cold water currents from the west, offer an abundant plankton supply for marine species like: red-lipped batfish, seahorses, frogfish, nudibranchs, octopus, and the mola-mola or sunfish.

It is common to observe dolphin pods, sea lions rafts, and tuna banks feeding. The sheer cliffs provides the perfect setting for dinghy rides along the coast, observing a great diversity of sea birds, like: noddies, brown pelicans, Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, Nazca and Blue-footed boobies are often seen feeding all at once in these waters during cold season (May – December). Whale watching is also common while navigating.

Espinosa Point (Fernandina Island)

Espinosa Point is the only spot that we visit on Fernandina, and from it, we can see the island of Isabela across the Bolívar Channel, an area that boasts some of the highest diversity of endemic sea fauna in the Galapagos.

Technically, it is rich in “marine upwelling”, which directly or indirectly affects the entire food chain, bringing a wealth of wildlife to this particular western zone of the archipelago. The upwelling occurs when the cold waters of the Cromwell Current, laden with nutrients, meets the island. This brings large amounts of plankton to the surface providing a wealth of food where a variety of species can take advantage of.

Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)

Wet landing (high difficult level due to the tide). A volcanic black beach, depending on the season, it is possible to find giant tortoises, land iguanas, and the unusualflightless cormorant. After a short walk inland it´s snorkeling time! A chance to swim with sea turtles, sea lions, and countless tropical fish.

Urbina Bay features a wide variety of plants with different range of colors in flowers, attracting different insects, birds, and reptiles. One of the highlights in the island is the uplifted coral reef that resulted from the 1954 seismic activity; here the views of Alcedo Volcano are remarkable. When navigating from Urbina to Tagus Cove whale watching is usual in May – December.

Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)

Tagus Cove is located on the Northwestern coast of Isabela. It is a historical site visited by Charles Darwin in 1835, where graffiti has been carved into the rock walls by visitors over the past centuries; this happened just before the Galapagos National Park was established in 1959-1960. This cove was a hideout for whalers and pirates, as it is protected by the surf and is also a perfect place to anchor.

The name of the site dates back to 1814 when it was visited by a British ship, The Tagus, which had anchored there in search of giant tortoises to be used as food supply on the boat. We will return by the same path for an hour dinghy ride along a shoreline full of marine wildlife. Here, we will admire a variety of seabirds, such as blue-footed booby, brown noddy, terns, flightless cormorant and Galapagos penguins depending on the season.

The Galapagos penguins are only 1.4 ft. tall (35 cm) and are the only penguin species in the world living in the northern hemisphere, that is, along the Equator. They are monogamous and lay their eggs in small cracks of lava, on the lower parts of the island near the shoreline not reached by the ocean’s water. The population of penguins on the islands is about 700 pairs, most of which live on the western portion of Isabela; others are cattered further south of the island.

Along theTagus, we can observe sea turtles, eagle, rays, sea lions and, if we’re lucky, dolphins swimming in the vicinity. Here, snorkeling is allowed. Once we leave Tagus Cove, we navigate into the Bolivar Channel for excellent opportunities for whale and dolphin watching.

Egas Port (Santiago Island)

Wet landing. Egas Port is a black volcanic sand beach, visited by Darwin in 1835. The first section of the trail is formed of volcanic ash (eroded tuff) and the other half is an uneven terrain of volcanic basaltic rock. The unique, truly striking layered terrain of Santiago shore is home to a variety of animals including the bizarre yellow-crowned night heron and marine wildlife including lobster, starfish and marine iguanas grazing on algae beds alongside Sally light-foot crabs. It is easy to see colonies of endemic fur seals swimming in cool water volcanic rock pools.

Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)

This visitor site is located at the southeastern portion of Santiago Island and represents a great important geologic interest; it features extensive lava flows which are believed to have been formed during the last quarter of the 19th century. The area is covered by Pahoehoe lava flows (Pahoehoe wich means in Polynesian language “easy to walk”); this type of lava is rare to the rest of the world but is common to the volcanoes of the Galapagos Islands and Hawaii, as they share the same volcanic origin.

You can see the path of lava flow as well as the various igneous rock structures formed from varying rates of flow, temperature of formation and pressure. Visitors can also find pioneer plants and “hornitos”, little ovens formed when bubbles escape from hot lava to form mini-volcanoes.

At 492 ft (150 m) from the beginning of the path, molds of some trees can be found. Details of the crust indicate that they were trees growing in small crevices where soil and moisture accumulate in sufficient quantity so they can grow.

After exploring the lava flow, you can swim and snorkel with playful sea lions off two small coralline beaches.

Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz) / Baltra Airport

Wet landing. On the north side of Santa Cruz; behind the beach lies two small flamingo ponds were iguanas sunbathe, see coastal birds, Darwin finches, mockingbirds, and gulls, as well as interesting native vegetation like red and black mangrove, salt bushes. This beach is one of the main sea turtles nesting sites in the Galapagos.

A turtle can lay eggs 3 or 4 times per season with an average of 70 eggs each time. At this paradisiacal site, we will also find the remains of barges that sank a long time ago, when the United States Navy operated a base during World War II on Baltra Island. Local people modified the word barges to “Bachas”.

After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport for the return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

San Cristobal Airport

Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to San Cristobal (2.30 hours flight). Arriving in Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our naturalist guides and taken to the pier to board the M/Y Coral I or M/Y Coral II.

Interpretation Center & Tijeretas Hill (San Cristobal Island)

Dry landing. San Cristobal is home of the capital town of the Galapagos Province, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Passengers visit the interpretation center, which is an excellent place to learn about the nature and history of the islands, displaying information of Galapagos volcanic origins, their remoteness from the continent, ocean currents, climate, arrival of the original species, among other points of interest. The human interaction is also showcased, chronologically narrating the most significant events about the colonization of the islands.

Tijeretas Hill is a high-intensity hike that can be done to visit a beautiful landscapes ending with a magnificent view of a nearby large frigate bird colony and, if lucky, the San Cristobal mockingbird.

Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island)

Wet landing. Cerro Brujo is an eroding tuff cone that is composed of AA lava formations; it is close to a beautiful white sandy beach which is great for snorkeling and sunbathing. Nearby a lagoon ideal for migratory bird species can be seen, including: black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, sandpiper and white- cheeked Pintails. Cerro Brujo offers beautiful views of Kicker Rock, an islet in the adjacent southern coast of San Cristobal.

Pitt Point (San Cristobal Island)

Wet landing. The trail goes through several magnificent viewpoints, including: an olivine beach and a path climbing to the top of a volcanic tuff. This is probably the only site where the three booby species of the Galapagos can be seen together: Nazca, blue-footed, and red-footed; as well as the two species of frigate birds plus a sea lion colony; this is an excellent place for dinghy rides and snorkeling, where a good range of sea birds can be observed.

Suarez Point (Española Island)

Dry landing. An island of geological interest, being one of the oldest in Galapagos, it has a high percentage of endemism due to its isolation from the rest of the islands. Due to the great variety of wildlife this is one of the most attractive spots in the Galapagos. Here is possible to explore volcanic formations and see large colonies of sea lion and seabirds including the Española mockingbird, Nazca boobies, and the spectacular red-billed tropicbirds.

Here, the singular marine iguanas have a turquoise color with reddish parts during breeding season, lava lizards, and the colorful Sally light foot crabs. A somewhat lengthy hike brings visitors to nesting grounds that sometimes overlap the trail. Other birdwatchers favorites include the Galapagos dove, the Galapagos hawk, swallow-tailed gulls and the world’s largest colony of waved albatross, an unequivocal highlight during mating season (April-December). Admire the island’s dramatic backdrop, featuring the famous “Soplador,” a seaward blowhole that shoots water up to 23 m. (75 ft.) in to the air.

Gardner Bay (Española Island)

Gardner Bay consists of an extensive beach of whitish coralline sand with several colonies of Galapagos sea lions. Here, we can also observe the endemic mockingbird of Española, usually in small groups defending their territories. Snorkeling is recommended, especially around the small semi submerged tuff cone located in front of the beach. Where we could see reef white-tipped sharks, rays, sea lions and a variety of colorful reef fish. It’s basically a day of sun and beach, along snorkeling and kayaking activities. At certain rocky points of the shoreline, we can also see marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies plunging in the water, Sally light-foot crabs, and small coastal birds and wandering tattlers (vagabundos) and turnstones (vuelvepiedras).

Champion / Cormorant Point (Floreana Island)

Champion is a small islet located just offshore Floreana Island, dinghy rides and snorkeling here is done along a nice marine wall, filled with a variety of wildlife, like schools of the endemic black striped salemas, blue Lobster, long nose hawkfish, sea horses, coral hawkfish, sea lions, and the famous red-lipped batfish.

Wet landing. Cormorant Point first impression is of an olivine green sand beach. From here, a hike next to black mangroves takes to a brackish lagoon, which usually holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. This island features some endemic plants such as the Scalesiavillosa, white mangrove, and palo santo trees. The trail continues to a beautiful white-sand beach, one of the most important nesting sites of green Pacific sea turtles.

It is important to avoid walking in the water due to the stingrays that may be hiding in the sand. From the beach is easy to spot sea turtles, blue-footed boobies plunging into the water, and small reef sharks searching for food along the shoreline. From here it is necessary to go back to the initial olive green sand beach to swim or snorkel amongst sea turtles, reef fish, sea lions and, on a good day, white-tipped reef sharks. A small colony of Galapagos penguins resides on Floreana and can sometimes be observed as well.

Post Office Bay (Floreana Island)

In the north side of Floreana, there is the Post Office Bay. Its name gets in 1793, by the Captain James Colnett, who installed a wooden barrel that will serve sailors’ as a post office. Seamen will drop-off letters there, in other for another sailor, who would be headed back home, to take the letter with him and deliver it to the recipient.

Nowadays, the tradition is still alive and tourist will leave behind letters and postcards, with the hope that other tourists will take them, for free, back to their country. The delivery time can take days, weeks or even up to years! However, there has been cases where the letter arrives back home before the sender does!

Here, it is possible to see Darwin finches, yellow warblers and lava lizards. There are great snorkeling opportunities to see green pacific sea turtles and playful sea lions on main beaches. Moreover, this island is best known for its endemic vegetation: Scalesiavillosa, Leococarpuspinnati dus and the Galapagos millwork.

Highlands (Santa Cruz) / Baltra Airport

Dry landing. On the highlands of Santa Cruz Island it is possible to visit private farms- tortoise reserves “El Chato” / “Primicias,” where giant tortoises wander freely in the National Park. In the mountains of Galapagos is possible to admire different types of birds, such as: tree and ground finches, vermillion flycatchers, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets (usually on the shells of the tortoises).

The journey to the reserve offers great opportunities to see the contrasts that the island offers in its ecosystems. The road goes from the coast through the agricultural zone and straight up to the dense humid forests. Often, tortoises are also seen on the way, wandering through pastures in the paddocks. This spot is relevant for birdwatchers, since almost every land bird present on the island lives or migrates here.

After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport for the return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.