Galapagos Cruise

Upon arrival at Baltra, guides will meet you, collect your luggage, and escort you on the short bus ride to the harbor. Motorized rafts, called ‘Pangas’ will transport you to the vessel and crew will welcome you onboard. After lunch, the first island visit will be made.

Kicker Rock, located off the coast of San Cristobal, is also known as the Sleeping Lion because of its shape. The remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea, the two vertical rocks rise 500 feet from the ocean to form a small channel that is navigable by small boats. This Galapagos Islands natural monument has become a favorite sight for cruises due to the many tropical birds, frigates, and boobies that fill the surrounding air. Beneath the sea, the nearly crystal waters offer a brilliant show of colorful tropical fish and invertebrates. Later in the afternoon, travel to Isla Lobos which is about an hour by boat from Port Baquerizo Moreno. The length of the trail is 850 meters and the estimated travel time is one hour. There is a small population of blue-footed boobies and common frigate birds nesting on this site. You can observe the two species of sea lions present in the archipelago. During the tour, you’ll cross through a dry vegetation zone, substrate of volcanic rocks and a sandy area. During the panga tour, brown pelicans and several species of shorebirds can be observed. If snorkeling, it’s common to see juvenile sea lions, manta rays and sea turtles.

Explore Pitt Point on the north of San Cristobal. Here there are endemic species such as lava lizards and red-footed boobies. The view is impressive when you walk up to the high part of the island. You may be lucky to see the Red-footed Booby - the most elusive of the bunch. It’s also the home of the Chatham mockingbird, only found here on San Cristobal Island.

Later in the day, experience the north coast of San Cristobal at Cerro Brujo, a beautiful beach of white coral where you can swim, snorkel, bird watch, and enjoy the company of playful sea lions. In the vicinity of the beach you can see seabirds such as Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, herons, frigate birds and shore birds.

In the morning explore, Punta Suarez, where the rocky land sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea affording the visitor spectacular views of soaring birds, and the blow hole which spouts water up 50-75 feet into the air, according to the intensity of the surf.

Later in the day visit Gardner Bay. Located on the northeastern coast of Española, Gardner Bay provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and the opportunity to observe sea lions. Here you can also observe sharks in the crystal clear ocean waters.

Cormorant Point offers one of the best flamingo lagoons in the Galapagos; it is also one of the largest in the islands. It’s situated between two tuff lava cones that give the area a special atmosphere. There are various species of shorebirds to observe besides flamingos. The most frequent are common stilts, white-checked pintail ducks, and other migratory birds. It is very interesting to see the two distinct beaches: “The Green Beach” (due to its high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand) and the “Flour Sand Beach” which is made up of coral.

Post Office Bay is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed there in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since this time by mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. Continue to the north of the island and will ascend to an elevated slope to enjoy a beautiful vista at the Baroness lookout. It is said that Baroness Eloisa Von Wagner loved this place and spent several hours watching the horizon. Within walking distance (30 m) are the ruins of what is known as her house. From this lookout, the landscape covers the coastline from the Enderby islet to Post Office Bay. Cerro Pajas, the pool of flamingos and the wide forest of Palo Santo are also in view.

In the morning, visit the Charles Darwin Station. Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands are carried out. Some of the main attractions are the National Park information center, the Van Straelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Center for young tortoises, and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity. After the morning excursions, transfer to the airport for return flight to the mainland.