Cruise to the North and West corners of the Galapagos Islands


This expedition cruise will take you to the extreme north and west corners, stopping at the sanctuary islands of Genovesa (Fernandina), Santiago, Floreana, and many other places. The route is rich with wildife, and visitors can spot three types of boobies: masked, red, and blue footed, as well as giant tortoises and olws. You can swim with marine turtles and sea lions. The Tip Top IV boat is first-class and offers all the comforts you need to have a relaxing time.
Tag 1: Baltra Island & North Seymour Island
Fly from Ecuador (Quito, Guayaquil or Quito) to Baltra with AVIANCA Airlines. Expected arrival time at 09H20 a.m. After a 5-kilometer ride to the pier, your guide will take you to the bus. We board the Yacht immediately.

North Seymour Island

We offer a light snack and greet you as the crew weighs anchor. We make a dry landing and take a stroll along the coast and interior of North Seymour Island. This low, flat island was created by underground seismic activity. Blue footed boobies (they nest in May-November), marine iguanas and pelicans, as well as shorebirds, sea lions, shorebirds, sea lions, and the endemic Palo Santo. Optional: Time for those who wish to swim, snorkel, and/or kayak. The crew will return to the Yacht for a welcome drink and dinner.
Tag 2: Genovesa Islamd: Darwin Bay & El Barranco

Darwin Bay

After breakfast, we land on Darwin Bay for a walk to observe the marine iguanas and frigatebirds. Optional: Time for those who wish to swim, snorkel, or kayak. We come aboard for a delicious lunch.

El Barranco

Later on, we land safely on Prince Phillips's Steps. We then walk around the area and learn about the fascinating lives of the birds. We will then have dinner on the Yacht and receive orientation about conservation efforts to preserve the Islands.
Tag 3: Santiago Island: Egas Port & Buccaneer Cove

Egas Port

After breakfast, we land on James Bay (Puerto Egas) to observe the sea lions, sponges, and hermit crabs. Optional: Time for snorkelers and swimmers. For a delicious lunch, we return to the boat.

Buccaneer Cove

Afternoon we will be exploring Buccaneer Cove (Caleta Bucanero), a region of dark beaches and steep cliffs. Numerous seabird species use the pinnacle and cliffs as nesting sites. This is where 17th and 18th century buccaneers used to take care of their boats. Optional: Time for those who wish to swim, snorkel, or kayak. Our nightly orientation and dinner.
Tag 4: Isabela Island: Vicente Roca Point & Espinoza Point

Vicente Roca Point

After breakfast, we take a panga tour on Punta Vicente Rocca to see many sea lions and marine iguanas. We also get to see blue-footed and mask boobies and flightless cormorants. Optional: Time for those who wish to swim or snorkel. We come aboard for a delicious lunch.

Espinoza Point

We make a dry landing at Punta Espinoza in the afternoon to view a large colony sea lions, marine Iguanas, flightless cormorants, and clumps lava cactus. We return to the Yacht for dinner, and our nightly orientation.
Tag 5: Isabela Island: Tagus Cove & Elizabeth Bay

Tagus Cove

After breakfast, we take a panga tour on Tagus Cove. This protected cove is located between two volcanic craters that protect it from the open ocean. We see penguins, sea lions, sea lions, and many other birds, including blue-footed boobies and flightless cormorants. Optional: Time for those who wish to swim, snorkel or kayak. For lunch, return to the Yacht.

Elizabeth Bay

We take a panga tour around Elizabeth Bay's islets in the afternoon to see blue-footed bobies, penguins and marine turtles. We return to the Yacht for dinner, and our nightly orientation.
Tag 6: Isabela Island: Urbina Bay & Moreno Point

Urbina Bay

After breakfast, we land on Urbina Bay for a short walk to observe the coral reefs, giant tortoises, flightless cormorants, and other wildlife. Optional: Time for those who wish to swim, snorkel, and/or kayak.

Moreno Point

We make another wet landing as we sail from Punta Moreno. We walk along the shore lagoons, which are located between petrified lava flow where many bird species can be seen. We can see the famous volcanoes Sierra Negra, Cerro Azul and Fernandina Island from the top. For dinner and night orientation, return to the yacht.
Tag 7: Floreana Island: Cormorant Point, Champion islet & Post Office Bay

Cormorant Point

After breakfast, we land on Point Cormorant and walk a short distance to Flamingos lagoon. Continue walking until you reach "La Picona", where you can see the spawning grounds of marine turtles. Optional: Time for snorkelers and swimmers.

Champion Islet

We take a panga ride to Champion Islet, an island just off the Coast of Floreana Island. Champion Islet's main attraction is the endangered Charles (Floreana?) Mockingbird. You can also see bird species like Swallow-tailed Gulls and Nazca Boobies. This is a great spot for snorkelling. We will see white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos Penguins, sea turtles and reef fishes. Optional: Time for snorkeling and swimming. For lunch, return to the Yacht.

Post Office Bay

We make a wet landing at Post Office Bay in the afternoon. This historic location is reminiscent of the days when whalers used a wooden barrel as a postal office. Optional: Time for snorkelers and swimmers. For dinner and our nightly orientation, return to the Yacht.
Tag 8: Santa Cruz Island: Highlands & Charles Darwin Station

Highlands

After breakfast, we board a bus that takes us to Santa Cruz Island's highlands. We will visit the twin craters and native forests. Lunch is served at the Yacht.

Charles Darwin Station

Afternoon: We will land at the Pier for a visit of the Charles Darwin Station (and its Interpretive Center). For a stroll through the small town, you can appreciate many handicrafts. After a delicious dinner, we return to the Yacht for our evening orientation.

Tag 9: Española Island: Suarez Point & Gardner Bay

Suarez Point

After breakfast, we land on Punta Suarez early to explore the lava rocks. Here we'll be able to see unique colonies of marine birds including Albatross (May-December). For lunch, we return to the Yacht.

Gardner Bay

We make a landing at Gardner Bay in the afternoon. Here we can take a walk along the beach, and we also observe sea lion colonies. This beach is an important area for nesting sea turtles. Then we take a panga ride to the Osborn Islet, and other Gardner islands. Optional: Time for those who wish to swim or snorkel. For dinner and our nightly orientation, return to the Yacht.
Tag 10: San Cristobal Island: Pitt Point & Kicker Rock

Pitt Point

After breakfast, we land on Punta Pitt on San Cristobal Island. The trail leads to an olivine beach measuring approximately 90m and then climbs up to the summit of a volcanic hill. Punta Pitt is made of volcanic tuff substrate. Natural erosion has been caused by the high winds that can be seen there. The only place in Galapagos Islands where you can see the 3 species of boobies nesting together with 2 species frigates is this site. We come aboard for a delicious lunch.

Kicker Rock

Later on, the experienced Captain sails effortlessly around Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido), which is a huge tuff-rock about 500 feet from the ocean. Many seabirds nest at Kicker Rock. Optional: Time for people who wish to swim or snorkel. We then make a dry landing at Cerro Brujo where we can walk on a white sand shore and view sea lions, brown ibis, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies. Optional: Time for those who wish to swim, snorkel, and/or kayak. After dinner, we return to the Yacht for our nightly orientation.

Tag 11: Mosquera Islet & Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtle Cove

Mosquera islet

After breakfast, we land early on Mosquera Island. It is a coral reef, rock and coral formation, with a white sandy beach and tide pools. We see colonies of blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans and sea lions. The contrast between the bright red crabs at the top and the dark lava below is breathtaking. We come aboard for a delicious lunch.

Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtle Cove

We take a panga tour on Black Turtle Cove. This is a series of coves and islands that are surrounded by mangroves. Here we can see white-tipped sharks and marine turtles. We board the Yacht to have dinner and our first nightly orientation.
Tag 12: Chinese Hat Islet & Rabida Island

Chinese Hat

After breakfast, we land on Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino), which is a small island just off the coast from Santiago Island. Here we can see the marine iguanas, eagle-rays, and Galapagos penguins. This is a great snorkeling spot. Optional: Time for those who wish to swim, snorkel or kayak. For lunch, return to the Yacht.

Rabida Island

We make a dry landing on Rabida in the afternoon to observe sea lions, marine iguanas, sea lions, and pelicans. We continue walking until we reach a small saltwater lagoon, where pink flamingos can be seen. Optional: Time for snorkelers and swimmers. After dinner, we return to the Yacht for our nightly orientation.
Tag 13: Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay, Kicker Rock & Bartolome Island

Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay

After breakfast, we land on Sullivan Bay. This is a great place to feel the volcanic origins of the islands. Optional: Time for snorkelers and swimmers. For a delicious lunch, we return to the boat.

Bartolome Island

We make a dry landing at Bartolome Island in the afternoon to begin our hike to the summit. During the hike, we see colonies of marine iguanas as well as lava lizards. The summit offers a spectacular view of the surrounding islands and Pinnacle Rock's eroded tuff cone. After a delicious dinner, we return to the yacht and continue our nightly orientation.
Tag 14: Santa Fe Island & South Plaza Island

Santa Fe Island

After breakfast, we land on Santa Fe Island for a visit to the cactus forest as well as a colony Santa Fe's native land iguanas. Optional: Time for those who wish to swim, snorkel, and/or kayak.

South Plaza Island

After lunch, we return to the Yacht and sail to South Plaza. There we will dry land on the island's pier, where we can watch the antics of sea lions. We can observe many species of tropical birds and land iguanas as we walk through the cactus forests. After lunch, we return to our Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation.
Tag 15: Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach & Airport

After breakfast, we embark on an early departure to Las Bachas Beach where we can admire a Flamingo lagoon. Your guide will explain details about the lives and habits of all the animals and birds during the walks. At 09:00, we return to the Yacht and disembark on the Pier. You will be accompanied by your guide on the bus ride to the airport.

Inbegriffen

  • Air ticket
  • International and Ecuadorian food
  • Personalized service
  • Water
  • Coffee & Herbal tea
  • Kayaks
  • Swim fins

Nicht enthalten

  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Personal Expenses
  • Transit Control Card USD20 per person
  • Galapagos Park Fee USD100 per person
  • Tips
  • Travel insurance mandatory
  • Wetsuits for rent

Höhepunkte

  • Cover all corners of the Galapagos archipelago on an 8 day route visiting sites that are only accesible via liveaboard cruising
  • See the 3 types of booby birds in one spot at Punta Pitt - Nazca, red and blue footed boobies nest alongside each other
  • Swim with sea lions, marine turtles and possibly hammer head sharks at Champion rocks
  • Use the post office barrel to send a card back home
  • Enjoy the playful mocking birds and noisy sea lions at the beautiful white sand beach at Gardner Bay