Aqua Mare Galapagos Cruise

AM: Around noon, you reach Baltra Island, where your guide welcomes you in the lobby. They will be waiting to drive you to the cruise. One of the crew members takes care of your baggage and transports it directly to the yacht using a small Zodiac. The captain and crew greet you on board, and they promptly assign your cabins.

PM: In the northern area of Santa Cruz Island, Bahía Borrero is a beautiful white coralline beach used as a nesting site by green sea turtles. This extinct volcano, due to its altitude, shows all the different zones of vegetation; changing from the littoral to the arid, and then with more moisture into the humid zone, to end in the dry pampa zone.

• Activity:Arrival, hiking, swimming
• Meal:Lunch, dinner
• Accommodation:Single or double cabins

AM: Also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, El Barranco’s steep, rocky path leads up to a high cliff face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to palo santo vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, Galapagos swallows, and Galapagos doves.

PM: This white sand coral beach heads a half-mile trail (0.75 km) that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls can be spotted here. Further down the path are tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end is a spectacular view from a cliff.

• Activity:Hiking, snorkeling
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodations

AM: The Sullivan Bay visitor site provides a unique opportunity to walk across a recent lava flow and view its beautiful structural characteristics. The lava flow was formed in the second half of the 19th century. As much of the barren, volcanic landscape of eastern Santiago, the trail at Sullivan Bay crosses relatively flat, black pahoehoe lava, dotted with a series of pyroclastic cones.

PM: This small islet is located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet’s summit. This small islet is a great location to view many geological formations such as lava tubes and lava flows.

• Activity:Hiking, snorkeling
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodations

AM: Home of the famous Pinnacle Rock, Bartholomew consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black, and even green volcanic formations. A trail of stairs leads to the summit of the volcano, boasting one of the best views of the islands. The beach is perfect for snorkeling and possible sightings of the Galapagos penguin.

PM: Dragon Hill is one of the few visitor sites directly related to a conservation program of the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galapagos National Park. The visitor site was opened in 1993 to provide an additional chance for observing land iguanas. The landing site at the rocky shore is a wonderful place for snorkeling.

• Activity:Hike, snorkeling
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodations

AM: The El Chato Reserve is divided into two areas; Caseta and Chato. The trail begins at Santa Rosa, 14 mi (22 km) from Puerto Ayora, with the Caseta route being the more challenging. The reserve allows visitors to observe giant tortoises in the wild during the dry season and is also a good place to spot short-eared owls, Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers, Galapagos rails, and paint-billed crakes.

PM: The Fausto Llerena Tortoise Center, a long-term program run jointly by the Galapagos National Park Directorate and the Charles Darwin Foundation, began in 1965 to save the giant tortoise population on Pinzón. At the Tortoise Center, visitors can observe a variety of tortoises, including hatchlings, juveniles, and full-grown individuals.

• Activity:Hiking, walking
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodations

AM: This area is great for spotting blue-footed boobies, albatrosses and Nazca boobies. A beautiful site on the oceanfront, the large waved albatrosses use the cliff as a launching pad. The famous attraction is the magnificent blowhole, spurting water high into the air. This site presents wonderful photography opportunities.

PM: Gardner Bay, on the eastern side of the island, is the breeding site of nearly all of the world’s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. It has an ample white sandy beach with a myriad of sea lions, perfect for relaxing. Its rocky shores make this site a great place for diving and snorkeling. Osborn Islet is near Española and is a great place to observe sea lions, parrot fish, butterfly fish, coral, and possibly red-lipped batfish.

• Activity:Snorkeling, hiking
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodations

AM: Santa Fe (Barrington) 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.

PM: 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 colorful yellow and red land iguanas. The most characteristic plant is the Sesuvium. During the rainy season, its color is a greenish to yellowish tone, and in the dry season (end of June through January), a bright red.

• Activity:Hiking, snorkeling
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodations

The Twin Craters, are located opposite each other on both sides of the road leading from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is only figurative; not real craters, these formations were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. The view is breathtaking.

Then your Galápagos adventure ends with the arrival of your ship back at Baltra Island. After what many guests describe as an emotional goodbye to your ship and its crew, you’ll board the transfer vehicle that will take you on the short journey to the airport in plenty of time for your flight back to the mainland.

• Activity:Hiking, departure
• Meal:Breakfast

AM: Arrive at Baltra airport no later than 11:00 a.m.

PM: Visit the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Center, a long-term program run jointly by the Galapagos National Park Directorate and the Charles Darwin Foundation, which began in 1965 to save the giant tortoise population on Pinzón. At the Tortoise Center, visitors can observe a variety of tortoises, including hatchlings, juveniles, and full-grown individuals.

• Activity:Arrival, walking
• Meal:Lunch, dinner
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins

AM: Visit Punta Cormorant, the only landing site on Floreana Island, and discover two amazingly different beaches: one with green sand, colored by olivine crystals, and another with white sand particles known as ‘Flour Beach’. Snorkel at Champion Islet! Jump on in and get up close and personal with the playful sea lion colony that resides in the waters off this tiny island. Keep an eye out for sea turtles, rays, and colorful reef fish swimming by.

PM: Visit Post Office Bay and learn about its unique history. In the late 18th century, English whaling vessels placed a barrel here to be used as a post office. Today, the box is used mainly by tourists, who may drop off and pick up unstamped letters to be carried to far destinations. Continue the tradition! Leave a letter and take one to deliver.

• Activity:Snorkeling, hiking
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins

AM: Moreno Point. A dry landing here is possible onto what was once flowing lava. The lava has left craters in its wake, which formed crystal tide pools. By looking into these pools, you can peer into another world as the marine life drifts by your window. In the brackish pools of this area, if you’re lucky, you may see pink flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, and common gallinules.

PM: Urbina Bay is located at the base of Alcedo Volcano on the west coast, between Tagus Cove and Elizabeth Bay. This area experienced a major uplift in 1954, causing the land to rise over 16 feet. The coast expanded half a mile out, leaving marine life stranded on the new shore. This area is also a great place for snorkeling.

• Activity:Snorkeling, walking
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins

AM: Tour a number of different trails at this not-to-be-missed landing site that’s home to some of the largest colonies of marine iguanas and sea birds. Follow the path along the beach and across lava flows for a unique opportunity to explore one of the least-visited areas of the Galápagos. One of the best snorkeling sites in the islands, here is a glimpse of marine iguanas grazing underwater, sea lions, sea turtles, rays, puffer fish, and dolphins.

PM: Tagus Cove is located across from Fernandina Island, near the Bolivar Channel dividing the two islands. This spot has been frequented by ships since the 1800s, using the area as an anchorage site. Trails winding by Lake Darwin up to a ridge display wonderful views. Punta Tortuga, just north of Tagus Cove, is another lovely beach surrounded by mangroves.

• Activity:Hiking, snorkeling
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins

AM: Egas Port is home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to a coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos fur seals bathe in the sun. This is also a great snorkeling site. Espumilla Beach is a popular place for marine iguanas and sally lightfoot crabs. The crabs attract the hunting herons, performing the dance of predator and prey. With an abundance of marine life including octopi, moray eels, and sharks, snorkeling is highly recommended.

PM: Buccaneer Cove is a testament to the fact that Santiago Island was once a refuge for British buccaneers. These pirates would anchor in the protected bay to make repairs and stock up on tortoise meat among other things. The steep cliffs, where hundreds of seabirds perch in front of the dark red sand beach, are a magnificent site.

• Activity:Walking, snorkeling
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins

AM: Rabida Island (Jervis) is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago and a great snorkeling site. Its famous red sandy beach and stunning lookouts provide wonderful landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as nine varieties of finches, large-billed flycatchers, Galapagos hawks, and brown pelicans.

PM: Black Turtle Cove is situated in the northern part of Santa Cruz. This inlet is surrounded by mangroves and is only accessible by dinghy. The shallow cove is a safe haven for young marine life. Black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of rays are often spotted here.

• Activity:Walking, snorkeling
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins

AM: Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies, land iguanas, and magnificent frigatebirds are abundant on North Seymour Island. The island was formed by a series of submarine lavas containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone.

PM: Located between the islands of Baltra and North Seymour, this reef of rocks and coral (the result of an uprising) is only 525 mi (160 m) across at its narrowest width. This island has one of the largest populations of sea lions and is home to many shorebirds. There have been occasional reports at this site of orcas feeding on sea lions.

• Activity:Hiking, snorkeling
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodation

AM/PM: After a week of unforgettable experiences, it is time to bid farewell to this enchanting land. Daphne Minor is located just 5 mi (8 km) off the north coast of Santa Cruz Island. Most tourists are restricted from visiting these islands but is an excellent snorkeling and dive site. However, the islands continue to be a popular stop for scientists researching the unique qualities of the Darwin finches. As you’re transferred to Baltra Airport, take the memories of a lifetime and the magic of the Galapagos Islands with you.

• Activity:Walking, departure
• Meal:Breakfast