Beluga Galapagos Cruise

South Plaza Island has impressive wildlife plus good snorkeling, but also offers something a little different from other Galapagos islands. South Plazas is blessed with spectacular vegetation, bringing the island to life with spectacular colors. A dense carpet of vibrant red and purple Sesuvium combines with unusual prickly pear cacti to wow visitors. Santa Fe Island is one of the oldest in the Galapagos Islands archipelago. It is thought to be at least four million years old. The island is also sometimes known as Barrington Island and it was named after an admiral called Samuel Barrington.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

Witch Hill is located on the north coast of San Cristobal Island. This visit takes approximately three hours, including a panga ride. Its main attraction is the coral sand beach, in addition to the myriad of species of flora and fauna. The inhabitants of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno used to extract salt from the lake located on the hill to conserve cod, beef, and turtle. El Junco Lagoon is one of the very few permanent sources of fresh water in the whole Galápagos. It avoids evaporation thanks to its elevation – some 2,300ft above sea level in the moist highlands of San Cristobal.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling, Kayaking
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

Gardner Islet is formed by vertical cliffs that drop to sandy ledges and large boulders, creating a magical landscape both above and beneath the water surface. Snorkeling around the islet is a rewarding experience, as it’s usual to encounter the smallest and most diverse of the Galapagos fish: garden eels, snake eels, blackspot morays, pufferfish, scorpionfish, and red-lipped batfish. Punta Suarez is one of only two visitor sites on pristine Española Island, and it’s one of the most memorable walks in all of Galapagos.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling, Kayaking
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

Cormorant Point is on the northern tip of Floreana, and you’ll land on a beach that sits between two volcanic cones. The sand on one of the beaches here has a noticeably olive-green color. This is due to a much higher than usual concentration of olivine crystals in the sand. Post Office Bay in the Galapagos Islands is perhaps the most unique postal service on the planet. Here visitors find no employees, no stamps, and not even walls or ceilings. Just an old wooden barrel and an honor system that has been respected for centuries.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

There is more to Dragon Hill than dragons. The trail, one of the longest in Galapagos, wends its way through a desert-like landscape, passing through forests of cacti and fragrant Palo Santo trees. The hill itself is an impressive sight, a rugged spire that dominates the landscape around it. This visitor site is located in the southeastern portion of Santiago Island and represents a great important geologic interest; it features extensive lava flows which are believed to have been formed during the last quarter of the 19th century. The area is covered by Pahoehoe lava flows (Pahoehoe which means in Polynesian language “easy to walk”)

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

Darwin Bay is formed by a crater, is almost a perfect circle. Located on Genovesa Island, north of the Galapagos Archipelago. Darwin Bay, a place of anchorage, was once a crater that collapsed. This site is excellent for the reproduction of some species of Galapagos such as red-footed boobies. El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillips’s Steps, is located on Genovesa Island, it is a haven for a diversity of bird species, including red-footed and Nazca boobies, finches, mockingbirds, and short-eared owls.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling, Kayaking
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

Black Turtle Cove (Caleta Tortuga Negra) is a mangrove estuary. Although strict regulations protect this environment, tourists commonly visit the cove in pangas (dingy) with the engines turned off. Many rays, sea turtles, pelicans, baby sharks, and other wildlife live among the mangroves and their roots. Baltra is one of the gateways to the Galapagos Islands where Seymour Airport is located, also known as Baltra Airport. This small island is also known by the local name of South Seymour.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling
• Meal:Breakfast
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

One of the most recognizable of the Galapagos Islands, the Sombrero Chino’s name means “Chinese Hat.” It’s easy to see why: this islet off of Santiago is shaped like an old-fashioned Chinaman’s hat, a gently sloping cone rising out of the clear Galapagos water. Also known as Jervis Island in English, Rabida is one of the most diverse in terms of volcanic activity as it lies at the very heart of the archipelago’s volcanic origin.
It is an island comprised of lava poured out of scoria cones, which are very rich in iron oxide and magnesium (typical of Galapagos basaltic lava);

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

It is located 13 miles from Puerto Villamil and boasts the world’s second-largest volcanic crater, measuring 6 miles in diameter and 300 meters deep. The site offers impressive views and the opportunity to observe up to 7 species of finch and a rich display of vegetation. Activities for those visiting Puerto Villamil center around exploring nature and admiring the diverse wildlife and marine life of the island. Snorkeling and kayaking with tour company Kayaking Isabela is a great place to start when it comes to exploring.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

Elizabeth Bay Galapagos is a site that is found on the east coast of the island. It is comprised of the bay itself, as well as various islets. The site is interesting to look at, as its shore mangrove vegetation gives way to lava fields behind it. All of this provides a home for a wide variety of wildlife. The pahoehoe lava at Punta Moreno, a seldom-visited site, is a classic example of how gas-rich basaltic rock cools to look like loosely coiled rope. Although at first glance it seems a lifeless landscape, a little exploration reveals natural pools that have been colonized by ducks, waders, stilts, blue-winged teal, flamingos, and moorhens (common gallinules).

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling, Kayaking
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

Urbina Bay is located at the foot of volcanoes Alcedo and Darwin, west of Isabela Island. It consists of a survey of the ocean in 1954. This area is also home to large and very colorful Galápagos land iguanas, giant tortoises and the famous population of Alcedo Volcano. Tagus Cove is a sheltered deep-water bay on the western coast of Isabela Island, overlooking Fernandina Island. This natural anchorage has been a popular destination for ships since the 1800s, and when you come ashore you can see ancient graffiti left by whalers and buccaneers.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling, Kayaking
• Meal:Breakfast
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

Punta Espinosa is one of the best visitor sites in the islands, featuring marine iguanas, lava lizards, Galapagos Penguins, flightless cormorants, sea lions, and interesting marine life. It is also a great chance to get an up-close look at mangrove plants and different lava formations. The shallower areas are thick with aquatic life, this is a fantastic place to encounter penguins that pop down, gracefully darting around divers. Sea lions are also very playful here, they are often seen in the water swimming with snorkelers and divers.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling, Kayaking
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

Espumilla is a typical Ecuadorian dessert made of fruit and eggs whose consistency is very similar to a foamy dessert which can also describe the foamy waves of this site. There are mangroves and a small palo santo forest that lead to salty lagoons that are home to wading birds such as flamingoes. Bartolome is an island, located off the east coast of Santiago. It is named after Sir Bartholomew James Sullivan, a lifelong naturalist friend of Charles Darwin. Due to its gorgeous panoramic views, Bartolome is one of the most popular visitor sites in the Galapagos archipelago. This island offers one of the most amazing landscapes in Galapagos featuring an extinct volcano and a variety of orange, green, red, and black volcanic formations.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

North Seymour is a highly recommended and popular Galapagos visitor site. This small island is often a favorite among travelers, thanks to its wonderful diversity of land and marine life, and fun activities. A short visit to North Seymour island can easily tick off a good handful of iconic Galapagos islands animals from your list. Baltra is one of the gateways to the Galapagos Islands where Seymour Airport is located, also known as Baltra Airport. This small island is also known by the local name of South Seymour. During World War II, it was a US Airforce base positioned to patrol the Eastern Pacific and protect the Panama Channel.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching
• Meal:Breakfast
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

Elizabeth Bay Galapagos is a site that is found on the east coast of the island. It is comprised of the bay itself, as well as various islets. The site is interesting to look at, as its shore mangrove vegetation gives way to lava fields behind it. All of this provides a home for a wide variety of wildlife. The pahoehoe lava at Punta Moreno is a seldom-visited site. Although at first glance it seems a lifeless landscape, a little exploration reveals natural pools that have been colonized by ducks, waders, stilts, blue-winged teal, flamingos, and moorhens (common gallinules).

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling, Kayaking
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

Urbina Bay is located at the foot of volcanoes Alcedo and Darwin, west of Isabela Island. It consists of a survey of the ocean in 1954. Here you can find corals, shells, and many other calcareous organisms exposed above water. This area is also home to large and very colorful Galápagos land iguanas, giant tortoises, and the famous population of Alcedo Volcano. This natural anchorage has been a popular destination for ships since the 1800s, and when you come ashore you can see ancient graffiti left by whalers and buccaneers.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling, Kayaking
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

Punta Espinosa is one of the best visitor sites in the islands, featuring marine iguanas, lava lizards, Galapagos Penguins, flightless cormorants, sea lions, and interesting marine life. It is also a great chance to get an up-close look at mangrove plants and different lava formations. Punta Vicente Roca is a long sloping underwater wall that reaches 28 meters/90 ft. Sea lions are also very playful here, they are often seen in the water swimming with snorkelers and divers.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling, Kayaking
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

Espumilla is a typical Ecuadorian dessert made of fruit and eggs whose consistency is very similar to a foamy dessert which can also describe the foamy waves of this site. There are mangroves and a small palo santo forest that lead to salty lagoons that are home to wading birds such as flamingoes. Bartolome is an island, located off the east coast of Santiago. Due to its gorgeous panoramic views, Bartolome is one of the most popular visitor sites in the Galapagos archipelago. This island offers one of the most amazing landscapes in Galapagos featuring an extinct volcano and a variety of orange, green, red, and black volcanic formations.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

North Seymour is a highly recommended and popular Galapagos visitor site. This small island is often a favorite among travelers, thanks to its wonderful diversity of land and marine life, and fun activities. A short visit to North Seymour island can easily tick off a good handful of iconic Galapagos islands animals from your list. Baltra is one of the gateways to the Galapagos Islands where Seymour Airport is located, also known as Baltra Airport. This small island is also known by the local name of South Seymour.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching
• Meal:Breakfast
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

Located northeast of Gardner Bay in Spanish, Gardner is an excellent place to observe sea lions, batfish, and caves.
The current is generally negligible, and the increase can be moderate in the low ones. Punta Suarez is located on the west coast of the Spanish island, the oldest island of the archipelago, about five million years old. One of the most attractive and most popular in the Galapagos. In Punta Suarez can be seen subspecies of iguanas with red and green colors of the Spanish endemic.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling, Kayaking
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

Although the name appears to be straightforward, there are actually no cormorants on this visitor site. The visit begins at the beach that hides a large brackish lagoon, where is usual to find a large number of flamingos and white-cheeked pintails. Visitors that remain quiet are often rewarded with nearer encounters with the fauna. For Galapagos visitors, Post Office Bay is a wonderful glimpse into the human history of the Galapagos islands, and a chance to join in the fun for yourselves.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

There is more to Dragon Hill than dragons. The trail, one of the longest in Galapagos, wends its way through a desert-like landscape, passing through forests of cacti and fragrant Palo Santo trees. This visitor site is located in the southeastern portion of Santiago Island and represents a great important geologic interest; it features extensive lava flows which are believed to have been formed during the last quarter of the 19th century.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

Sandy coral beach with a great viewpoint of the bay. From within the flooded caldera of Tower Island, we set foot onto a sandy beach to be greeted by swallow-tailed gulls often said to be the most beautiful gull in the world. At the tidal lagoon, we may also see the rarest gulls in the world, our very own, endemic lava gulls. A paradise for bird lovers, about 200,00 Red-footed boobies in their nesting site. The 81-foot stairway leads to a narrow stretch of land that opens out onto the plateau surrounding Darwin Bay, which extends forming the north side of the island.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling, Kayaking
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins

The only way into Black Turtle cove is by panga (motorized dinghy). This “secret” corner of the Galápagos feels like your own personal hideout, and once the panga motor is shut off you’re surrounded only by the gentle sounds of nature as you drift through the mangroves. Seymour Airport is located on this small island and receives commercial flights from the continent daily. It has also been recognized worldwide for its design and sustainable operation that favors the environment.

• Activity:Walking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling
• Meal:Breakfast
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins