8 days – Western Islands


This 8-day itinerary includes some of the best islands in the western Galapagos. Santa Cruz Island is included in the itinerary, as well as Fernandina Island and Santiago Island, providing the opportunity for exciting activities such as hiking, snorkeling, wildlife viewing and a visit to the Charles Darwin Station. The itinerary is perfect for anyone wishing to experience the unique fauna and flora of the Galapagos Islands.

Tag 1: Baltra Airport & Santa Cruz Island: Highlands & Charles Darwin Station

Arrival at Baltra Airport

Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz, the largest island in the Central Islands, is the home of many popular tourist attractions and Puerto Ayora, the biggest human settlement.

The Highlands of Santa Cruz

In the Santa Cruz highlands, you can see Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat.

Charles Darwin Station

Charles Darwin Station is a research station and National Park Information Center. Charles Darwin Station is home to a land iguana and giant tortoise breeding program.

Tag 2: Floreana Island: Cormorant Point, Devils Crown & Asilo de la Paz

Floreana Island

Floreana's colorful past is a result of the buccaneers and whalers who inhabited it, as well as convicts and early colonists.

Cormorant Point

Cormorant Point is home to two beaches that are very different and an inland lagoon with pink flamingos.

Devils Crown

The snorkeling spot is located near Punta Cormorant. This site consists of a submerged volcanic cone that is now eroded into a jagged appearance.

Asilo de la Paz

We will discover a spring of freshwater in the Floreana Island highlands, which was historically a hiding place for pirates and whalers.

Tag 3: Floreana Island: Post Office Bay

Post Office Bay

It is one of only a few places that are visited to learn about human history. You can see the Norwegian fishing village and the wooden barrels where mail is dropped and collected.

Day Time Navigation

It is a great time to watch for dolphins and whales. Isabela Island is also a beautiful place to explore.

Tag 4: Isabela Island: Punta Moreno & Urbina Bay

Isabela Island

Five active volcanoes have fused to form the largest island of Galapagos. Wolf Volcano, at 1707m high, is the highest point on the Galapagos.

Punta Moreno

Punta Moreno lies on the southwest coast of Isabela Island. This site offers spectacular views of the volcanoes Alcedo Sierra Negra Cerro Azul. Highlights include pristine and desolate landscape, lava flow, and unusual and varied arid zone plants.

Urbina Bay

Urbina Bay lies on the west coast of Isabela Island, at the base of the Alcedo volcano and Darwin Volcano. The colorful Galapagos Giant Tortoises, the land iguanas and corals from 1954 are some of the highlights.

Tag 5: Isabela Island: Tagus Cove & Fernandina Island: Espinoza Point

Isabela Island

Tagus Cove

Tagus Cove, a natural harbor in which whalers or pirates painted their names on rocks centuries ago. The view from Darwin's Crater, a salt-water lagoon on the hillside will be spectacular.

Fernandina Island

Fernandina, the youngest volcano island in existence, is still very active.

Espinoza Point

Espinoza Point, a popular tourist destination, is known for the large number of marine iguanas that live there, as well as other unique species such the Galapagos penguins, Galapagos Hawks, and Galapagos Snakes.

Tag 6: Santiago Island: Egas Port, Espumilla Beach & Buccaneers Cove

Santiago Island

The island is situated between Isabela Island and Santa Cruz Island. The island is home to a variety of marine iguanas, fur seals and seabirds.

Egas Port

You can take a walk on the rocks along the coast to see some of Galapagos best tide pools. A few highlights are the Sugar Loaf volcano, Fur Seals, Oystercatchers, Marine Iguana Colony and an Old Salt Mine.

Espumilla Beach

Espumilla Beach is a stunning contrast of golden sand and green mangroves. Also, you can see nests of green sea turtles, flamingos as well as pintail ducks. This is a great place to cool down with a swim or snorkel.

Buccaneers Cove

Charles Darwin lived here for nine days. This site was also a stopover for whalers, pirates and other seafarers. Buccaneers Cove has a rich and interesting history. Take a panga or snorkel to see Galapagos Fur Seals and Brown Noodies. Pelicans and Swallow-tailed Gulls are also common.

Tag 7: Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay & North Seymour Island

Santiago Island

Sullivan Bay

The site has great geological value. Highlights include a 100-year-old field of lava flows, pahoehoe structures, and lava bubbles

North Seymour Island

The flat land was created thousands of years after a resounding event. The park is small but it's packed full of animals.

On the island, you can find endemic Palo Santo, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and frigatebirds.

Tag 8: Mosquera Islet & Departure

Mosquera Island

The small island lies in the channel that separates North Seymour Island from Baltra Island. A healthy colony of sealions lives on this white-sanded beach.

Baltra return flight from Quito or Guayaquil

Inbegriffen

  • Accommodation (sharing double cabins)
  • Meals
  • Excursions led by professional Naturalist guide
  • Use of snorkel equipment
  • Short wetsuit
  • Use of kayaks
  • All transport between visitor sites and yacht
  • Tea, coffee, water and natural juices

Nicht enthalten

  • Air tickets to and from the Galapagos. Tickets have to be bought with Enchanted Expeditions - US$50 dollars net surcharge per pax if not
  • National Park fees (US$100)
  • Long wetsuits. Available for rent on board (US$60 per pax per week)
  • Transit Control Card (US$20)
  • Alcoholic and bottled beverages on board

Höhepunkte

  • See the Giant Tortoises on semi-wild state on the very first day of your journey.
  • Take pleasure of your yacht’s luxurious social areas and sundeck while sailing.
  • Send your loved ones a nice post card or letter from Post Office Bay.
  • Learn interesting facts about Floreana, the first island inhabited by humans.
  • Explore the rich wildlife of Urbina Bay & Punta Moreno.
  • A wonderful mix of wildlife and adventure at Tagus Cove and Espinoza Point.
  • Looking for Marine Iguanas, Penguins and Flightless Cormorants? Fernandina is the place.
  • Two wonderful live-filled islands in just one day: Santiago and North Seymour.