Experience the most bio-diverse country in the world
Experience the most bio-diverse country in the world
Experience the most bio-diverse country in the world
Experience the most bio-diverse country in the world
Experience the most bio-diverse country in the world
Galapagos Aqua Itineraries
Cruise A: 8 Days / Nights
Tuesday - Tuesday - Diving
Day 1: Tuesday - Arrival at Baltra Airport
AM - Baltra Airport Upon arrival at Seymour Ecological Airport, a check-up is carried out rst, to ensure that no foreign plant or animal species are introduced on the islands. Furthermore, your TCC (Transit Control Card) is stamped; this must be kept safe during your trip, as it has to be presented again on your return ight. In addition, entrance to the Galapagos National Park is due for entry (US $ 100), if this has not yet been paid. Your guide will meet you at the airport, assist you with the luggage and accompany you on the short bus ride to the harbour of Puerto Ayora.
PM - Baltra North East This is the perfect spot to start your adventure with moderate currents.This dive site is for adventurous divers looking to see fascinating lava and rock formations, as well as an incredible number of marine species. At the depth of around 20 m (60 ft) we might see white-tip reef sharks, pelagic sh, reef sh, rays, and turtles. Additionally, sea lions will be your companions upon entry and on the safety stops.
Day 2: Wenesday -AM Bartolome - PM Couisin's Rock
AM - Bartolome Located east of Santiago Island, this small island is known for its unique spear-like pinnacle. Beneath the waves we dive over, we will go around a rocky platform and oat around underwater cliffs that start at 15m and disappear into the sea bed, giving us a good chance to see pelagic animals. You can expect to see some of the following marine life: seahorses, white tip reef sharks, reef sh (including large schools of hunting yellow tailed surgeon sh), barracudas, turtles, mobula rays, sting rays, scorpion stone sh, and various invertebrates.
PM - Cousin’s Rock Cousin’s rock is located north-east of Santiago island, near Bartolome. This site has a unique and stunning topography of jagged rocky shelves where animals, both big and small, can be found resting and feeding. It is one of the few places where you can see endemic black coral amongst the riot of colourful clams, algae, ora and fauna that cover the rocks like splashes of paint. During our surface interval, look out for penguins that inhabit the surrounding area. You can expect to see some of the following Marine Life: sea lions, Galapagos sharks, white tip reef sharks, turtles, seahorses, barracudas, stingrays, eagle rays, manta rays and reef sh (including large schools of oating bullseye puffer sh)
Day 3: Thursday - AM / PM Wolf Island
AM / PM - Wolf Island Named after the German geologist Theodor Wolf, this extinct volcano reaches 253m (780ft) above sea level and lies around 160km (100m) northwest of Isabela Island. Land visits are not permitted, however, bird life such as: red-footed boobies and vampire nches may be spotted from the boat. For our dives, we choose from a selection of reefs and walls, most have medium to strong currents, where the use of gloves and reef hooks is advised. Schooling pelagics are the main attraction, but you can also see hammerheads, white tips and Galapagos sharks. (May-November).
Day 4: Friday - AM / PM - Darwing Island
AM / PM - Darwin Island A volcano that reaches 165m (490ft) above sea level was named in honour of naturalist Charles Darwin. It is amongst the smallest island within the Galapagos Archipelago and like Wolf Island, no land visits are permitted. One of the most famed diving sites is “Darwin’s Arch”, which provides an amazing drift dive along the wall at an average depth of just 9m. Medium to strong currents are to be expected, but you bring with them many hammerheads, black tips, silky and Galapagos sharks! Schools of jacks are a common sight, along with turtles, angel sh and moray eels. Occasional sightings of tiger sharks, manta rays and bottlenose dolphins make for a thrilling time. Whale sharks may also be seen between May – November
Day 5: AM / PM - Wolf Island
Named after the German geologist Theodor Wolf, this extinct volcano reaches 253m (780ft) above sea level and lies around 160km (100m) northwest of Isabela Island. Land visits are not permitted, however, bird life such as: red-footed boobies and vampire nches may be spotted from the boat. For our dives, we choose from a selection of reefs and walls, most have medium to strong currents, where the use of gloves and reef hooks is advised. Schooling pelagics are the main attraction, but you can also see hammerheads, white tips and Galapagos sharks. (May-November).
Day 6: AM Vicente Roca Point - PM Cape Douglas Cope
AM - Vicente Roca Point
We will cross the Bolivar Channel for the last time to Vicente Roca Point, just at the mouth of Isabela’s seahorse-shape. While entering a dark cave below a spectacular arch, roaring echoes of the waves will accompany you. Just around the corner, the collapsed amphitheatre of Volcan Ecuador offers another impressive view.
PM - Cape Douglas Cape Douglas is sure to provide you amazing opportunities to observe a large amount of marine life, above and under the water! As you prepare for your dive, you can see Galapagos Penguins, Galapagos Flightless Cormorants, and Galapagos Marine Iguanas- animals only found exclusively on the Islands. A sure sight is incredible marine iguanas swimming and feeding on the rocks under the surface. Some marine life you may see are: Red-lipped Bat sh, Horn Sharks, Mola Mola, and possibly Baleen Whales!
Day 7: AM Roca Blanca - PM Pinzon
AM - Roca Blanca For divers, Roca Blanca is a mecca for sea life. Located on the South East coast of Isabela Island, it’s one of the best diving sites the central islands offer. Due to the cooler and waters in the central islands, this increases the diversity of marine life. You will get to see amazing life here, such as: shark, manta & eagle rays, sea lions, moray eels, lobsters, and a vast population of tropical.
Pinzon It is a small island located off the western coast of Santa Cruz, about 1 hour from Puerto Ayora. It is a great spot for beginners and experienced divers, offering many playful sea lions, turtles, and red lipped bat sh. The deep drop off wall is for more experienced divers, and is a great spot to see sea horses, rays, different species of sharks, and lobster. In the warmer months, Pinzon is a favourite site for the Manta Rays and pods of dolphins.
Day 8: AM Bellavista - Baltra Airport
AM - Highlands The road to the highlands leaves from Bellavista, a small village located a 15-minute drive from Puerto Ayora, and passes through the agriAcultural zone, near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone, and then goes to the Fern and Sedge zone. With clear weather, this area boasts beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round. Here you will visit the Twin Craters, which are two pit craters, as well as a local ranch where we can observe the giant tortoise of Santa Cruz Island in its natural habitat. Baltra Airport It’s time to say goodbye to Galapagos! It’s been a pleasure accompanying you on this unique trip and hope to see you again very soon! Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to the Seymour Ecological Airport, where we will take the shuttle back to the airport. In case you have booked your trip for a longer stay with us, we would be welcoming any potential new fellow passengers to the yacht, and continue our trip to
Cruise B: 8 Days / 7 nights
Tuesday / Tuesday
Day 1: AM Baltra Airport - PM North Seymour
AM - Baltra Airport Upon arrival at Seymour Ecological Airport, a check-up is carried out rst, to ensure that no foreign plant or animal species are introduced into the islands. Furthermore, your TCC (Transit Control Card) is stamped; this must be kept safe during your trip, as it has to be presented again on your return ight. In addition, entrance to the Galapagos National Park is due for entry (US $100), if this has not yet been paid. Your guide will meet you at the airport, assist you with the luggage, and accompany you on the short bus ride to the harbour of Puerto Ayora.
PM - North Seymour This islet is one of most visited sites, and it is teeming with birdlife. An easy circular path takes you through the archipelago’s most extensive colonies of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. At the beginning of the breeding season, adult frigate bird-males blow up their vivid red pouches to impressive football-sized balloons.
Day 2: AM South Plaza - PM Santa Fe
AM – South Plazas South Plaza is located at the east of Santa Cruz Island, and forms part of two islands known as Islas Plazas. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the Galapagos are found here. The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than their relatives found on other islands. There are several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana; they are unique, recognisable at rst glance by their black/grey color, with a land iguana's crest, but face and tail of the marine iguana. The large population of iguanas is due to the presence of tuna, their favourite food.
PM – Santa Fe Located in the south-eastern part of the Galapagos, this island was formed from an uplift rather than being of volcanic origin, which is why it is mostly at. There are some theories which claim that this could be the oldest island in the Archipelago. Santa Fe is home to a number of endemic species like the Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats and one of the two species of lands iguanas of the islands.
Day 3: AM -CC Fausto Llerena - Cormorant Point
AM – CC Fausto Llerena After discovering and learning about the difference of Espanola Island tortoises with those from other islands, you will have the opportunity to take amazing photographs of the tortoises at the breeding center! The tour starts at the information booth of the GNP. The trail continues to the Van Straelen interpretation Center, the breeding center and from there will be a path- this is where you can see the tortoises of Española Island, ending in the tortoise exhibit corral.
PM – Cormorant Point The peninsula of Cormorant Point forms the extreme north cape of Floreana, which formed from smaller volcanic cones, covered by tropical dry forest (palo santo). At the landing beach, you will be welcomed by a small Galapagos sea lion colony. The green sand on this beach contains a high percentage of glassy olivine crystals which have been blown out by the surrounding tuff cones. The ‘ our sand’ beach on the southern side of the peninsula is made up of even ner white coral sand which feels very smooth on the feet.
Day 4: AM Dragon Hill - PM Chinese Hat
AM – Dragon Hill Dragon Hill boasts two key-species which are very likely to be seen during every visit to the Galapagos, though not too commonly distributed throughout the islands: Galapagos land iguanas and American amingos. You will climb a hill with giant opuntia cacti where these ‘dragons’ feed and breed. Although they are quite shy and elusive, you stand a fair chance of seeing the success of this project with your own eyes.
PM – Chinese Hat Islet (Santiago) Chinese Hat is a 52m/170ft high volcanic cone, forming another islet right off the rocky coast of Santiago, where a small colony of Galapagos penguins have settled. Approaching Chinese Hat from the north, you will understand the meaning of the name. This is an excellent place to learn more about volcanoes, lava bombs and lava tunnels.
Day 5: AM Cowley Islet - PM Albany Islet
AM - Cowley Islet (Isabela) This islet, located coast of Isabela, is a popular diving site due to the many incredible species located in the waters here. You will encounter a range of shark species, Galapagos sea lions, stingrays, green sea turtles, cormorants, penguins, manta rays, and more! And if you’re lucky, you can encounter sea horses!
PM - Albany Islet (Santiago) Albany Islet is an amazing sloping rock located off the Northwest Point of Santiago. This is a great site to observe tiger nudibranchs, sea turtles, Galapagos black coral, barnacles, Galapagos sharks and golden eagle rays.
Day 6: AM Egas Port - PM Sullivan Bay
AM - Egas Port We 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 Seal. During the walk you will be able to see some of Darwin’s nches, yellow warblers and many other beautiful and unique animals!
PM - Sullivan Bay The arrival in Sullivan Bay is like a moon landing. The desolate, sprawling elds seem to be mostly lifeless, but this island, which is particularly popular among photographers, still offers a lot to see. There is even some life! Green sea turtles burrow in the small white sand beach, where you can also nd crabs, blue herons and oyster catchers
Day 7: AM Rabida Island - Bartolome
AM - Rábida Island After a ‘wet landing’ on the remarkable red beach of Rabida, there are two short guided hikes. Oxidised iron particles give the rocks and sand their rusty colour. The beach wall holds a shallow green-fringed lagoon; this oasis is the most fertile place on the otherwise arid islet, which is overgrown with leaf-dropping palo santo trees. The salty pool attracts all kind of aquatic birds, like pintails and sometimes American amingos.
PM - Bartolome Island The beautiful volcano islet of Bartolomé is among the youngest of the islands, and on a geological scale was just recently born out of re. Although at rst sight lifeless, Bartolomé offers some of the wildest landscapes and best panoramas of the entire archipelago. To enjoy the postcard view of the idyllic ‘Pinnacle Bay’ you have to climb the stairs to the viewpoint on top of the island (114m/375ft).
Day 8: AM Mosquera - PM Transfer to Baltra
AM - Mosquera Though close neighbours, Mosquera and North Seymour offer a very different experience; diverging habitats attract different residents. While North Seymour contains large breeding colonies of boobies and frigate birds, Mosquera stands out as one of the largest concentrations of Galapagos sea lions in the entire archipelago. It’s also one of the few spots inside the National Park where you can stroll around freely, without being restricted to a trail.
Transfer out to Baltra Airport (GPS) It’s time to say goodbye to Galapagos! It’s been a pleasure accompanying you on this unique trip and hope to see you again very soon!
Cruise B5: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Friday - Tuesday
Day 1 Friday: AM Baltra Airport - PM North Seymour
AM – BALTRA AIRPORT
Upon arrival at Seymour Ecological Airport, a check-up is carried out first, to ensure that no foreign plant or animal species are introduced on the islands. Furthermore, your TCC (Transit Control Card) is stamped; this must be kept safe during your trip, as it has to be presented again on your return flight. In addition, entrance to the Galapagos National Park is due for entry (US $ 100), if this has not yet been paid. Your guide will meet you at the airport, assist you with the luggage and accompany you on the short bus ride to the harbour of Puerto Ayora.
PM – CHINESE HAT ISLET (SANTIAGO)
Chinese Hat is a 52m/170ft high volcanic cone, forming another islet right off the rocky coast of Santiago, where a small colony of Galapagos penguins have settled. Approaching Chinese Hat from the north, you will understand the meaning of the name. This is an excellent place to learn more about volcanoes, lava bombs and lava tunnels.
Day 2 Saturday: AM- Comley Islet - PM Albany Islet
AM – COWLEY ISLET (ISABELA)
This islet, located coast of Isabela, is a popular diving site due to the many incredible species located in the waters here. You will encounter a range of shark species, Galapagos sea lions, stingrays, green sea turtles, cormorants, penguins, manta rays, and more! And if you’re lucky, you can encounter sea horses!
PM – ALBANY ISLET (SANTIAGO)
Albany Islet is an amazing sloping rock located off the Northwest Point of Santiago. This is a great site to observe tiger nudibranchs, sea turtles, Galapagos black coral, barnacles, Galapagos sharks and golden eagle rays.
Day 3 Sunday - AM Egas Port - PM Sullivan Bay
AM – EGAS PORT
We 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 the Galapagos Fur Seal. During the walk you will be able to see some of Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers and many other beautiful and unique animals!
PM – SULLIVAN BAY
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. There is even some life! Green sea turtles burrow in the small white sand beach, where you can also find crabs, blue herons and oystercatchers.
Day 4 Monday: AM Rabida Island - PM Bartolome Island
AM – RÁBIDA ISLAND
After a ‘wet landing’ on the remarkable red beach of Rabida, there are two short guided hikes. Oxidised iron particles give the rocks and sand their rusty colour. The beach wall holds a shallow green-fringed lagoon; this oasis is the most fertile place on the otherwise arid islet, which is overgrown with leaf-dropping palo santo trees. The salty pool attracts all kind of aquatic birds, like pintails and sometimes American flamingos.
PM – BARTOLOMÉ ISLAND
The beautiful volcano islet of Bartolomé is among the youngest of the islands, and on a geological scale was just recently born out of fire. Although at first sight lifeless, Bartolomé offers some of the wildest landscapes and best panoramas of the entire archipelago. To enjoy the postcard view of the idyllic ‘Pinnacle Bay’ you have to climb the stairs to the viewpoint on top of the island (114m/375ft). Enter a dramatic world of threatening (though extinguished) nearby spatter cones, craters, and lightweight lava droplets that have been spewed out by fiery fountains.
Day 5 Tuesday - AM Mosquera - PM Airport Baltra
AM – MOSQUERA
Though close neighbours, Mosquera and North Seymour offer a very different experience; diverging habitats attract different residents. While North Seymour contains large breeding colonies of boobies and frigate birds, Mosquera stands out as one of the largest concentrations of Galapagos sea lions in the entire archipelago. It’s also one of the few spots inside the National Park where you can stroll around freely, without being restricted to a trail.
PM – BALTRA AIRPORT
It’s time to say goodbye to Galapagos! It’s been a pleasure accompanying you on this unique trip and hope to see you again very soon!
Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crewmembers, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to the Seymour Ecological Airport, where we will take the shuttle back to the airport.
Cruise B 4: 4 Days / 3 nights
Friday - Friday
Day 1 Tue: AM Baltra Airport - North Saymour
AM – BALTRA AIRPORT
Upon arrival at Seymour Ecological Airport, a check-up is carried out first, to ensure that no foreign plant or animal species are introduced into the islands. Furthermore, your TCC (Transit Control Card) is stamped; this must be kept safe during your trip, as it has to be presented again on your return flight. In addition, entrance to the Galapagos National Park is due for entry (US $100), if this has not yet been paid. Your guide will meet you at the airport, assist you with the luggage, and accompany you on the short bus ride to the harbour of Puerto Ayora.
PM – NORTH SEYMOUR
This islet is one of most visited sites, and it is teeming with birdlife. An easy circular path takes you through the archipelago’s most extensive colonies of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. At the beginning of the breeding season, adult frigate bird-males blow up their vivid red pouches to impressive football-sized balloons. T
Day 2 Wenesday: AM South Plazas - PM Santa Fe
AM – SOUTH PLAZAS
South Plaza is located at the east of Santa Cruz Island, and forms part of two islands known as Islas Plazas. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the Galapagos are found here. The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than their relatives found on other islands. There are several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana; they are unique, recognisable at first glance by their black/grey color, with a land iguana's crest, but face and tail of the marine iguana.
PM – SANTA FE
Located in the south-eastern part of the Galapagos, this island was formed from an uplift rather than being of volcanic origin, which is why it is mostly flat. There are some theories which claim that this could be the oldest island in the Archipelago. Santa Fe is home to a number of endemic species like the Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats and one of the two species of lands iguanas of the islands.
Day 3 Thursday: AM Fausto Llerena - PM Cormorant Point
AM – CC FAUSTO LLERENA
After discovering and learning about the difference of Espanola Island tortoises with those from other islands, you will have the opportunity to take amazing photographs of the tortoises at the breeding center!
The tour starts at the information booth of the GNP. The trail continues to the Van Straelen interpretation Center, the breeding center and from there will be a path- this is where you can see the tortoises of Española Island, ending in the tortoise exhibit corral.
PM – CORMORANT POINT
The peninsula of Cormorant Point forms the extreme north cape of Floreana, which formed from smaller volcanic cones, covered by tropical dry forest (palo santo). At the landing beach, you will be welcomed by a small Galapagos sea lion colony. The green sand on this beach contains a high percentage of glassy olivine crystals which have been blown out by the surrounding tuff cones. T
Day 4 Friday: AM Dragon Hill - PM Baltra Airport
AM – DRAGON HILL
Dragon Hill boasts two key-species which are very likely to be seen during every visit to the Galapagos, though not too commonly distributed throughout the islands: Galapagos land iguanas and American flamingos. You will climb a hill with giant opuntia cacti where these ‘dragons’ feed and breed. Although they are quite shy and elusive, you stand a fair chance of seeing the success of this project with your own eyes.
PM – BALTRA AIRPORT
It’s time to say goodbye to Galapagos! It’s been a pleasure accompanying you on this unique trip and hope to see you again very soon!
Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crewmembers, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to the Seymour Ecological Airport, where we will take the shuttle back to the airport.
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Quito, Ecuador: +593.999.721.198
Dolores Veintimilla N2 - 68 y Rita Lecumberri
Quito - Ecuador