Petrel Galapagos Cruise

AM: You clear the checkpoint at the Galapagos National Park upon arrival. After checking in, customs agents inspect passports and check the transit control card. A naturalist guide will be waiting at the airport exit. Please remember to take your luggage off the belt. You will then take a coach ride to the dock where you board the dinghies (or, as the locals refer to them, pangas). Next, you head to the M/C Petrel, where crew members will greet you with cold drinks. Your cruise concierge will give you a briefing about the ship’s facilities and conduct a safety drill. Finally, you will be assigned your cabin. After lunch, you go on the first visit.

PM: North Seymour Island is named after Lord Hugh Seymour, an English nobleman. The island was formed by uplifted submarine lava. It is home to about 2,500 sea lions. There are also large numbers of common noddies, frigatebirds, and blue-footed boobies. You can see both marine and land iguanas along the coast, as well as the largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds.

• Activity:Walking, sightseeing
• Meal:Lunch, dinner
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins

AM: Vicente Roca Point’s geological formations are truly remarkable. It is a great spot to see many bird species, including Nazca boobies and blue-footed boobies. You can either snorkel or paddle a dinghy or kayak on the water. The Cromwell Current is a source of cold water and nutrients in the western portion of the island. It is possible to witness a variety of animals, including whales, dolphins, and sea lions, in their feeding frenzy. Sometimes, fur seals may be seen.

PM: Fernandina Island is home to no foreign species. It is therefore one of the most beautiful island ecosystems in the world. It is the archipelago’s westernmost island and one of its most active. With lava fields reaching to the ocean, the volcano La Cumbre dominates the landscape. Cromwell Current flows to the west, providing the ideal conditions for the Galapagos penguins and flightless cormorants who nest here.

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

AM: Tagus Cove, located in the upper west corner of the island, was named after an English warship that passed the islands in 1800. Many sailors and pirates made this a popular spot. Volcanic rock even has their names and those of their ships inscribed. The island has many characteristics that are a result of volcanic activity, including large volcanic rocks and small balls of petrified rainfall. The trail leads to Darwin Lake via a tuff cone.

PM: Urbina Bay is located a little further south than Tagus Cove. Urbina Bay is a fascinating site because of the volcanic and tectonic activity that caused the island’s uplift. The corals and reefs below the surface rose with it. They can still be seen, but they are starting to decline due to the air exposure. You may see giant tortoises and land iguanas near the coast.

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

AM: Elizabeth Bay is a visitor spot on the route to the southern part of Isabela Island. It is surrounded by mangroves and islets. Mangroves are a wonderful place to watch many birds, and you can see sea turtles feeding and resting at the lagoon.

PM: Moreno Point is located at the southwestern tip of Isabela Island. It is home to rare species that are only found in the area’s barren lava flows. Many activities are available, including a hike, a trip on a panga to see different seabirds and geological features, or snorkeling to see the vibrant underwater world.

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

AM: Isabela Island’s two oldest volcanoes are located in Sierra Negra. You will see different types of vegetation and geological zones, and you can even go inside the caldera where petrified lava is present. It is easy to reach Volcano Chico, and you can walk on the lava flows that have been there since the 70’s.

PM: Isabela Breeding Center was named after Arnaldo Tupiza. This is a breeding area for Galapagos giant tortoises released into the wild.

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

AM: Charles Darwin Research Station is involved in many research projects. It also provides assistance to researchers, governmental agencies, and institutions, including the Galapagos National Park. Many of the research results are published in popular scientific journals, magazines, and online. The research station plays an important role in education in Galapagos. The Giant Tortoise Restoration Program, which has been in operation for many years, includes all stages of the giant tortoise’s life cycle: eggs, hatchlings, and adults.

PM: Los Gemelos, or the Twin Craters from its meaning in Spanish, is a pair of caves formed in the magma chambers of a former volcano. The once-full chambers have been destroyed by erosion over the years, leaving two similar craters. These craters can be viewed from a short hike through Scalesia forests.

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

AM: South Plaza is the smallest island with a visitor center, but it is home to an amazing amount of diverse flora. It also has a large number of Sesuvium plants such as the prickly pear tree that is an important food source for the land iguana. A few years back, mice were eradicated from the island. This helped the land iguana population grow again.

PM: Santa Fe Island is home to the endemic Santa Fe land iguana, which is unique in the world. It is also the only place where Opuntia Cactus can be found. The island was once home to giant tortoises, but they were driven extinct by pirates and other buccaneers who took the tortoises with them as food. Barrington Island is its original name. It was named after British Admiral Samuel Barrington. On the landing beach, you can often see large numbers of sea lions and Galapagos Hawks.

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

AM/PM: Lobos Island can be found about an hour from San Cristóbal. Seasonally, blue-footed boobies nest here. Recent years have seen frigatebirds nesting here. There are many sea lions and marine iguanas. The site is peaceful and serene with stunning views of Kicker Rock in the distance.

Your tour is officially over. Hope you enjoyed your Galapagos Cruise! You will be taken to the airport in San Cristóbal to get you to your departure flight to mainland Ecuador. Safe travels!

• Activity:Exploring, walking, departure
• Meal:Breakfast

AM: Depart to the Galapagos Islands and arrive at San Cristóbal airport, where a Park-certified naturalist guide will be waiting for you.

PM: Because of the rich wildlife, hills, and ferns as well as volcanoes and lava tube formations, the Highlands of Santa Cruz are a fascinating place. It is an unforgettable amazing experience to explore the lava tubes. You can view all of the agricultural zones in Galápagos from one spot. This is a birdwatcher’s paradise due to the variety of birds. After your visit to the Highlands, you will be transferred onto the yacht. Once you get your cabin assignment, you can relax and settle in before attending the briefing.

• Activity:Walking, sightseeing
• Meal:Lunch, dinner
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins

AM: Sullivan Bay is located on Santiago Island. It is the ideal spot to see the Galapagos fur seal. Although there isn’t much wildlife here, the old lava formations with tuff cones and pyroclastic coni are worth a visit.

PM: Bartolomé Island is home to the famous Pinnacle Rock. It was named after James Sullivan, a friend and colleague of Charles Darwin. This island is the most photographed of all and was featured in the 2003 film Master and Commander. Pinnacle Rock was formed by magma expelled from an underwater volcano. The hot lava got cooled by the sea and the pieces exploded as they came into contact, thus creating this massive rock, with many layers of basalt. A small number of green sea turtles nest on the beach under this huge rock. Here, Galapagos penguins congregate and you can swim to see colorful schools of fish as well as curious sea lions.

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

AM: Darwin Bay is the result of a shield volcano in which one side of the caldera fell after years of erosion. This is the Galapagos’ only place where red-footed boobies are guaranteed to be found. Genovesa’s trees and bushes are home to over 200,000 red-footed boobies.

PM: El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, is a steep and rugged path that leads to a spectacular view of a cliff. The Palo Santo forest is another place where nesting red-footed boobies and other birds can be found.

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

AM: Egas Port is also known by the name James Bay. This is where you can find lava lizards, Galapagos fur seals, and great snorkeling.

PM: Buccaneer Cove is best known for its excellent snorkeling opportunities. It was once a refuge for pirates and British buccaneers. It is home to many species of fish and amazing underwater formations. You will also be visiting Espumilla Beach, where you can see marine iguanas relaxing and sally-lightfoot crabs performing the dance of predators and prey right in front of your eyes. It is a great idea to snorkel, as you might come face-to-face with an octopus or moray eel shark, or any other tropical fish species.

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

AM/PM: Carrión Point is not a place where you can land so you will either be able to go on a panga ride or go snorkeling. It is located on the northern coast of Santa Cruz, at the Itabaca Channel’s entrance. It is a protected lagoon of beautiful turquoise water.

Your tour is officially over. Hope you enjoyed your Galapagos Cruise! You will be transferred to the Baltra Airport for your departure flight to mainland Ecuador. Safe travels!

• Activity:Walking, panga ride, departure
• Meal:Breakfast

AM: Depart to the Galapagos Islands and arrive at San Cristóbal airport, where a Park-certified naturalist guide will be waiting for you.

PM: The creation of Galapagueras is one example of the huge efforts made to protect this species. Galapagos giant tortoises are being cared for in nurseries that are specifically designed for them. You will visit the Galapaguera de San Cristóbal to view these majestic giants in all their stages. You can see everything, from tiny eggs that are smaller than chicken’s, to adorable hatchlings that need lots of care, to the magnificent adult Galapagos giant tortoise, which can weigh in at over 400 pounds.

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

AM: Start your adventure at Gardner Bay’s stunning beach with white sands and clear waters. Watch marine iguanas and sea lions in their natural habitat, a postcard-perfect scene. Dive into the Pacific for snorkeling. Take a dinghy to Osborn Islet, a rocky paradise for marine birds like blue-footed boobies and lava gulls. Discover the underwater world while snorkeling.

PM: At Santa Fe, surrounded by cacti and lava rocks, you’ll find a pristine Galapagos bay. Sea lions sunbathe on the white sand, while endemic Santa Fe land iguanas roam. Look up, and you might spot Galapagos hawks. Explore the trail to encounter Darwin finches, doves, mockingbirds, and lava lizards.

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

AM: Begin your day at Punta Cormorant’s unique green beach, a result of olivine crystals. A brief stroll leads to a saltwater lagoon, where striking pink flamingos are often spotted. Marvel at the lagoon’s beauty, then venture to Devil’s Crown, renowned for its incredible snorkeling. Here, encounter an array of marine life, from colorful fish to graceful seahorses and majestic rays, all thriving among vibrant coral colonies.

PM: Conclude your adventure at Post Office Bay, where an ingenious 18th-century postal system once operated. Sailors left letters in a wooden barrel, relying on the goodwill of fellow seafarers to deliver their messages back home. This system, built on trust and camaraderie among strangers, required no stamps or fees and created a unique sense of community among sailors.

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

AM/PM: The Charles Darwin Foundation‘s breeding and care for the Galapagos giant tortoises is one of its most famous conservation programs. You see them at all stages of development, from tiny eggs and hatchlings that fit into your palm to the gentle giants weighing in at 400 pounds that gave their name to the islands.

Then, transfer to the airport to take your flight back to mainland Ecuador.

• Activity:Walking, exploring, departure
• Meal:Breakfast