Galapagos Aqua Cruise

AM: This area on the northeast side of Isabela island offers a few great dive spots. One of them is Ciudad de las Mantas, named for how common it is to see giant mantas. The plankton-rich waters of this area are an attraction for many species of rays, sharks, sea lions, turtles, etc.

PM: The main attraction of Cape Marshall is a spot where it is so frequent to see giant mantas that it was named “The City of the Mantas”. They come to feed on the plankton-rich waters, which is why visibility can be low.

• Activity:Hiking, Snorkeling, Diving.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins.

The monumental portal is not even the real highlight, of which treasure is hidden beneath the breakers that splash against the shallow reef platform. The Darwin’s Arch is an outstanding hotspot for schools of scalloped hammerhead and, particularly, whale sharks. This largest fish in the world has almost the size of a bus and lets divers get up close and personal.

Sharks, turtles, and jacks visit cleaning stations all around Darwin’s Arch, to be freed from parasites. They maintain an incredible symbiotic relationship with the resident barber fishes and king angelfishes. The busiest area is usually the sandy slope right in front of the portal, known as “El Arenal”.

• Activity:Hike, Snorkeling, Diving.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins.

Shark Bay, located on the exposed east coast of Wolf, is shallower than most sites around, yet for many the most memorable. Besides being another spot where sharks galore, local cleaning stations reveal fascinating symbiotic relationships. Critically endangered hawksbill and Pacific green turtles visit busy king angelfishes.

• Activity:Hiking, Diving.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins.

AM: This area has some of the best caves in the Galapagos and an exciting experience at The Pinnacle, it’s located on the northern tip of the main island. It has four good underwater caves that penetrate into the wall of the islet and are easily accessible, although the current can get a bit strong from time to time, from south to north.

PM: The Anchorage of Wolf is the only dive site located on its sheltered west coast. Right beneath the anchored yacht, walks and hops the weird red-lipped batfish with its leg-fins on the 20 m/70 ft deep sandy bottom. Though active at night and attracted by your light’s beam, this chilly activity probably won’t be the only opportunity to marvel at this endemic Galapagos species.

• Activity:Hiking, Snorkeling, Diving.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins.

AM: The calmer waters of the coves are well-protected against the ocean swell and are a great place for snorkeling amongst various species of shark, penguins, puffer fish, and even seahorses
PM: Cape Douglas is sure to provide you with amazing opportunities to observe a large amount of wildlife, above and under the water! Keep an eye out for Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, red-lipped batfish, baleen whales, and more.

• Activity:Hiking, Diving, Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins.

AM: Beautiful shelved reef terraces offer colorful algae, mollusks, sponges, sea fans, and endemic black coral surrounded by a variety of colorful fish as well as a cleaning station of white-spotted eagle rays.

PM: The road to the highlands leaves from Bellavista, a small village located a 15-minute drive from Puerto Ayora, and passes through the agricultural zone, near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone, and then goes to the Fern and Sedge zone.

• Activity:Hiking, Diving, Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Singles and Double cabins.

Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to Baltra, where we will take the airport shuttle. Your guide will accompany you to the check-in counters in the departure hall.

• Activity:Departure.
• Meal:Breakfast.

AM: Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the Galapagos are found here. There are several hybrid iguanas- a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana.

PM: Santa Fe is home to a number of endemic species like the Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, and one of the two species of lands Iguanas of the islands.

• Activity:Hiking, Kayaking, Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins.

AM: You may have the only opportunity in the East to spot Galapagos penguins from the dinghy, or a flamingo lagoon against the pockmarked backdrop of extinct tuff cones and scented palo santo bushes.

PM: Baroness Viewpoint is a fantastic place to absorb the environment of the Galapagos. Once inhabited by an indulgent baroness and her three lovers, the history of this island is intriguing.

• Activity:Hiking, Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins.

AM: El Chato Reserve is a protected area and official part of the Galapagos National Park. It extends from Cerro El Chato as far down as the southwestern coast of Santa Cruz Island, where females lay their eggs.

PM: On a tour at Fausto Llerena Breeding Center you can see the tortoises of Española Island, ending in the tortoise exhibit corral. Tortoises of this corral are accustomed to humans; it is an excellent spot to be photographed with them.

• Activity:Hiking, Exploring.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins.

AM: Thanks to the successful breeding program, Dragon Hill is still populated by the largest wild population of Galapagos land iguanas in Santa Cruz.

PM: The arrival in Sullivan Bay is like a moon landing. The desolate, sprawling fields seem to be mostly lifeless, but this island, which is particularly popular among photographers, still offers a lot to see.

• Activity:Hiking, Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins.

AM: You will have a “wet-landing” and take an easy walk along trails and on the beautiful shoreline of the black sand beach, where you can see birds, sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, marine iguanas, and Galapagos fur seals.

PM: Chinese Hat is a volcanic cone, forming another islet off the rocky coast of Santiago, where a small colony of Galapagos penguins has settled. This is an excellent place to learn more about volcanoes, lava bombs, and lava tunnels.

• Activity:Hiking, Kayaking, Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabin.

AM: Oxidised iron particles give the rocks and sand their rusty color. The beach wall holds a shallow green-fringed lagoon; this oasis is the most fertile place on the otherwise arid islet. The salty pool attracts all kinds of aquatic birds, like pintails and sometimes American flamingos.

PM: Climb the steps of the Bartholomew Peak Trail and you will be rewarded with panoramic views over volcanic peaks, lunar craters, and lava fields. Afterward, you can refresh yourself at the foot of the famous “Pinnacle Rock” and explore the underwater world in the shallow water while snorkeling.

• Activity:Hiking, Kayaking, Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins.

AM: Galapagos sea lions are true beach lovers and Mosquera offers beautiful white coral sand beaches that contrast with the blue water and attract numerous sea lions. During a beach walk, you can observe numerous species of waders and sanderlings.
Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to Baltra, where we will take the airport shuttle. Your guide will accompany you to the check-in counters in the departure hall.

• Activity:Hiking, Snorkeling, Departure.
• Meal:Breakfast.