Galapagos Exploration by Sea

Day 6: Santiago & Rabida Islands

This morning visit Egas Port, also known as James Bay, on Santiago Island which is home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to the coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos fur seals bathe in the sun. This is also a great snorkelling site. In the afternoon, you will visit Rabida Island (or Jervis) which is one of the most colourful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago as well as a great snorkelling site. You will start on Rabida’s famous maroon/red sand beach, and after an easy hike, you will arrive to a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some species are abundant such as a few varieties of finches, Galapagos vermilion flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans.

Day 7: Santa Cruz Island

This morning you will visit “Fausto Llerena” Tortoise Breeding Centre in Puerto Ayora, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity. This is home to tortoises ranging from new hatchlings to 4-feet long adults. Subspecies of the giant tortoises interact with one another, and many of the older tortoises are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four yearsold and strong enough to survive on their own. Afterwards, you will take a bus from Puerto Ayora to the highlands of Santa Cruz. The highlands are a deep green which contrast beautifully with the dry, lower part of the islands. The predominant vegetation in the highlands is Scalesia trees which create a lush green forest. The lava tunnels, over half a mile long, are underground and walking through them is a unique, surreal experience.

Day 8: Espanola Island

Española Island is the southernmost island of the Galapagos and is the breeding site of nearly all of the world's 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. The morning trip will start with Suarez Point and a challenging trail where you will have the chance to see blue-footed boobies, albatrosses, and Nazca boobies. You will also visit a beautiful site on the ocean front where there is a cliff that the large albatrosses use as a launching pad. You will have the chance to see the famous blowhole that spurts sea water into the air and the landscape is great for photography. In the afternoon, you will visit the spectacular Gardner Bay. After landing, you can walk across a lovely white-sand beach amongst a busy sea lion colony or dive into the water to swim with sea lion pups. You may also see curious mockingbirds on the beach.

Day 9: Santa Fe & South Plaza Islands

Santa Fe Island is home to the small picturesque bay and anchorage on the island's northeast coast. The bay has two visitor trails: one leading to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff, and the other spanning from a small beach to a tall prickly pear cactus forest. In the afternoon, you head to South Plaza Island. This small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colourful yellow and red land iguanas.

Day 10: Santa Cruz & Depart Galapagos

This morning you will visit Black Turtle Cove in the northern part of Santa Cruz. This inlet is surrounded by mangroves and is only accessible by dinghy. The shallow cove is a haven for young marine life. Black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of rays are often spotted here. After this final excursion, you will be transferred to Baltra Airport in time for your flight back to Quito.