Española and Eastern Islands Deluxe 7-Days Boat Expedition

Friday: Baltra

After landing at Baltra island by air in the early morning, guests will transfer to the dock and board Santa Cruz II. After an introduction onboard, the guests are assigned their cabins, and invited to lunch.

PM: Mosquera Island

The Santa Cruz II departs after lunch and moves to a new location just 4 nautical miles from Baltra island, next to Mosquera, a tiny volcanic outcrop that lies between North Seymour and Baltra. Mosquera is a narrow and long sandbank surrounded by volcanic reefs. From the western side of the island, the excursion group can approach it. This is a shallow long reef that acts as a perfect hiding place for sea lions. Naturalist guides lead the guests to the colonies of sea lions after a wet land. They will learn about Galapagos' fragile terrestrial and marine ecosystems. This walk only requires walking a few hundred metres of flat, sandy dunes. The site allows visitors to try snorkeling!

AM: Cerro Colorado

After breakfast guests disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (dry landing), the capital of the archipelago, then drive for 40 minutes to the southern coast. The Breeding Center at Cerro Colorado is home to highly endangered giant turtles that wander around in a deciduous rainforest. The forest is also home to many bird species, including the San Cristobal Mockingbird and San Cristobal Lava Lizard. Both are endemic to this island.

PM: Pitt Point

In the late afternoon guests disembark at Punta Pit, which is an eroded cone of tuff and has a scenic trail with spectacular views along the coast. The Galapagos is the only place where all three species of boobies are found in one location. The guests are invited to take a walk along the coastline or ride a dinghy. You can enjoy snorkeling, kayaking and swimming.

AM: Santa Fe

After breakfast guests can ride the dinghy to this white-sanded beach, which is home to many sea lions. On the morning stroll, you may see the endemic island land iguana. It is usually found in the giant prickly-pear cactus. This is a truly rewarding experience. Snorkeling, swimming and cruising in the dinghy are all part of it. The Santa Cruz II has a glass bottom. Guests can choose to take this option. Here, kayaking is available.

PM: South Plaza

After lunch, the guests disembark along the channel, where the turquoise water contrasts brilliantly against the black lava and white sand of the shoreline. A carpet of red Sesuvium serves as the ground cover for an grove of luminous-green prickly pear cactus. Under these, yellow-grey land-iguanas wait patiently until their prickly pears fall. Along the coast, visitors will be able to see sea lions, while swallow-tailed and frigate birds glide about, playing with currents.

Charles Darwin Station

The Charles Darwin Research Station is located in Puerto Ayora. This Station is made up of the giant tortoise breeding center and a forest with giant prickly pear cactus that's home to many birds. It is also the headquarters of scientific research, conservation, and National Park Administration. After this tour, guests board a private vehicle to enjoy lunch on the cooler mountains of Santa Cruz Island. This is a completely different ecosystem.

PM: Santa Cruz Highlands

The afternoon will be filled with a variety of options that can be pre-arranged by your expedition leader. After the activities of the day, the guests will be taken back to Puerto Ayora by the Santa Cruz II.

AM: Suarez Point

This site offers a unique opportunity to see a variety of seabird colonies. Here, you can see the Galapagos Albatross (April to December), Nazca Boobies, Blue-footed Boobies and Swallow-tailed Gulls. The famous Galapagos "blowholes" will be available for guests to see. Also present are red-green-black marine Iguanas. After the tour, all guests are invited back to board for a lunch.

PM: Gardner Bay

The coral beaches of Gardner Bay, as well as the Osborn Islet, are a great place to observe sea lions and mockingbirds. Guests can also take the time to relax, or go snorkeling. There are also kayaking activities available.

AM : Eden Islet

After breakfast, guests are taken by boat to Islote Eden. This small island is located just off Santa Cruz' coast. Here, the water will be able to witness blue-footed boobies diving and reef sharks swimming. You can snorkel, and if the weather permits, you can take a trip on a glass-bottom boat or kayak.

PM: North Seymour
North Seymour was formed by oceanic uplift caused by a long-ago volcanic eruption. The island's low and flat profile is due to its origins as an ocean floor. Just above the landing area (dry landing), a small forest of Palo Santo silver-gray trees can be found. The trees remain leafless and dormant half of the year. They wait for rain to signal their bloom. It is an excellent place to observe the blue-footed boobies, frigates of two different species, and swallowtailed gulls flying by. The guests will have the chance to see sea lions, marine iguanas, and other birds.

Baltra

The last day of the trip, the guests will disembark from the island and then transfer to the airport for their return flight to the continent.