Operation Day: Tuesday & Friday
Meeting point: Entrance of Puerto Ayora’s Church, in front of the pier
Departure hour: 8:15 a.m. (arrive 10 minutes early)
Arriving site: Itabaca Channel
Coming hour: 4:00 p.m. (estimated return)
The experience starts at eight fifteen in the morning at the entrance of Puerto Ayora Church in front of the pier. Participants are asked to arrive ten minutes before the departure time. The group then rides a bus to Itabaca Channel, the launch point for the Galaxy Skape. After boarding, the journey heads toward North Seymour Island, which lies north of Santa Cruz Island. North Seymour Island is known for its colonies of blue‑footed boobies and frigate birds, which the source calls the "Galapagos pirates." When the North Seymour visit finishes, lunch is served aboard before the day moves on to Bachas Beach on the north side of Santa Cruz Island. Access to Bachas Beach is by landing; the group steps from the panga onto the beach. Guests are advised to land and then wear light walking shoes for the rest of the visit. At Bachas Beach, the group can snorkel or stroll along the shore and swimming and wildlife watching are part of the day. Behind the beach lies a saltwater lagoon where great blue herons and small birds are often seen. Both the larger and smaller beaches offer spots for green sea turtles. In the water, snorkelers may see reef fish, various rays and other marine life. When the Bachas Beach visit ends, the group returns to Itabaca Channel. Then goes back to Puerto Ayora pier. The expected return time is four o’clock in the afternoon.
