Infinity is a modern, spacious cruise yacht in the Galapagos with a range of high-quality facilities. As one of the Galapagos’ more comfortable yachts, Infinity boasts large cabins and social spaces, making it an ideal choice for large groups or families who want to explore the Archipelago. 10 cabins give a capacity for up to 20 guests at a time, each featuring a private balcony for spectacular views of the surrounding scenery.
One of the biggest strengths of Infinity is the quality of its social areas, both indoor and out. The main deck sports a large joint lounge & dining room, with capacity enough for all guests with sofas, coffee tables, a TV and a projector. Furthermore, the coffee station and wine cupboards mean you can enjoy this space with your favourite refreshments as the boat navigates or anchors overnight. Large panoramic windows on either side of the boat give you great views from inside the air-conditioned room, so you can enjoy wide views whilst escaping the heat of the Galapagos sun.
Sheltered areas at the stern of the ship allow for great observations from shade and come furnished with cushions to make seated viewing as comfortable as possible. If you prefer having 360° views, the sun deck is the best place to be, with deck chairs and a hot tub, which offer a great way to wind down in the evenings or as your cruise along with fellow passengers, and a sheltered seating and al fresco dining area, where you can hopefully enjoy some of the meals prepared by the onboard chef.
The 10 cabins onboard can either be standard double or twin cabins, or they can be a larger suite. 6 standard cabins (cabins 1-6) are located towards the bow on the main deck, in front of the lounge / dining room. An additional 2 standard cabins are towards the bow of the 2 suite cabins on the upper deck. Cabins 8 and 10 are interconnectable. All cabins have a TV, a desk, under-bed storage, bed-side storage, air-conditioning and a private balcony with chairs and a small table. They are also ensuite cabins and bathrooms come with shampoo, shower gel and conditioner as well as towels. There is storage space for additional toiletries you may wish to bring with you.
Cabin | Type | Size | Deck |
1 | Standard | 226 ft2 / 21 m2 | Main |
2 | Standard | 226 ft2 / 21 m2 | Main |
3 | Standard | 237 ft2 / 22 m2 | Main |
4 | Standard | 237 ft2 / 22 m2 | Main |
5 | Standard | 270 ft2 / 25 m2 | Main |
6 | Standard | 270 ft2 / 25 m2 | Main |
7 | Suite | 361 ft2 / 34 m2 | Upper |
8 | Suite | 377 ft2 / 35 m2 | Upper |
9 | Standard | 248 ft2 / 23 m2 | Upper |
10 | Standard | 248 ft2 / 23 m2 | Upper |
Technical specifications
Year of construction | 2018 |
Length | 161 feet / 49 metres |
Beam | 33 feet / 10 metres |
Draft | 8 feet / 2.4 metres |
Speed | 10 knots |
Guest capacity | 20 |
Crew capacity | 10 + 1 cruise director + 2 bilingual guide |
Main engines | 2x SCANIA 550 hp |
Weight | 420 tons |
Generators | 2x John Deere Genset 70 kW 1800 rpm 60 Hz |
Safety equipment | Life vests, GPS, sonar, naval radars, fire detection and prevention systems |
Deck plan
Itinerary
Please note that these itineraries are subject to change without notice due to seasonal changes, last minute weather conditions and the decision of the Galapagos National Park authority.
Itinerary A (8 days / 7 nights)
Day 1 (Tuesday) – Arrival & Black Turtle Cove
AM: Arrival, Baltra Island
Upon arrival Baltra, travellers pass through an airport inspection point to make sure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, and to pay the park entrance fee of $200 (unless it has been prepaid). A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbour.
PM: Caleta Tortuga Negra, Santa Cruz Island
Black Turtle Cove offers engineless activities, so you will explore it by dinghy, paddling across the mangrove forested coastline of this stretch of Santa Cruz. There is great wildlife here due to the high levels of protection of this environment such as Sea Turtles, Pelicans & Sharks.
Day 2 (Wednesday) – Prince Philip’s Steps & Darwin Bay
AM: El Barranco, Genovesa Island
Before landing, you will take an inflatable dinghy-ride along the eastern arm of the caldera. As we approach, the soaring 25 m / 80 ft high walls become overwhelming. Sometimes, a Galapagos fur seal is resting or a seabird is nesting on one of the ledges at the base. You will then have to hike and overcome the steep stairs from the landing dock to a bush of palo santo shrubs on top. Red-footed boobies gratefully use these scarce nesting places so that they don’t have to nest on the rocky ground. Upon arriving at the edge of the rim, the bushes open up and you can enjoy panoramic views, a sea breeze and the amazing flying skills of countless seabirds. Following the exposed rim, you will first pass a place where we usually encounter a colony of Nazca boobies; and finally reach the extensive storm petrel nesting places. If you are lucky, you can spot the well camouflaged short-eared owl hunting for them on foot!
PM: Darwin Bay, Genovesa Island
Inside the submerged caldera of Genovesa lies Darwin Bay, whose diameter is more than 1.5 km (1 mile) and it is almost 200 m (650 ft) deep. The small area will surprise you repeatedly, walking along a coral sand beach, crossing barren lava formations and creeks, passing tidal pools, shrubs and further ahead following the top of some cliffs. With this peaceful surrounding, every species has occupied its own ecological niche (or habitat) without disturbing others. There is great birdlife here with starring species including Red-Footed Boobies, Great Frigatebirds & Laval Gulls. These often share the beach with Galapagos Sea Lions.
Day 3 (Thursday) – Sullivan Bay & Rabida
AM: Sullivan Bay, Santiago Island
Setting foot at the lava stream covering Sullivan Bay is like landing on the moon. The desolate, stretched out lava fields seem mostly lifeless, but there is plenty to see on this highly popular site, with lots to photograph. Pacific green turtles seasonally bury eggs in the tiny white sand beach, where you might also encounter crabs, a stray blue heron or an American oystercatcher. On the lava flows sparse pioneer vegetation such as lava cacti and carpetweed are able to grow. You might also encounter a lava lizard, locusts or a small species of snake called the Galapagos racer.
PM: Rábida Island
Rábida Island is unique because of the red colour of the rocks and sand. The volcanic material on this island is very porous and external factors such as rain, saltwater and sea breeze have acted as an oxidising agent. A short walk along a trail leads us to a coastal lagoon behind the beach where we can see land birds including finches, doves, yellow warblers and mockingbirds; seabirds such as pelicans, masked and blue-footed boobies; and of non-feathered species you can hope to see marine iguanas and sealions. Our team will take you to a small brackish lagoon where you can anticipate a colony of flamingos.
Day 4 (Friday) – Breeding Centre & El Chato
AM: Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre, Santa Cruz Island
Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre was founded in 1965 with the aim of rescuing Pinzón tortoises from extinction & was previously home to Lonesome George – the last of the Pinta Island Tortoises – who died in 2012. The Galapagos Tortoises currently at the centre are accustomed to humans, so there are great opportunities to get photos of these amazing creatures.
PM: El Chato Reserve, Santa Cruz Island
At El Chato Reserve, Giant Galapagos Tortoises can be observed in the wild – the iconic species which gave the Galapagos Islands their name. Other species to see at this reserve include Short-Eared Owls, Yellow Warblers & Finches. More elusive species which can be difficult to spot here are Galapagos Rails & Paint-Billed Crakes.
Day 5 (Saturday) – Dragon Hill & Bachas Beach
AM: Cerro Dragón, Santa Cruz Island
Dragon Hill is home to the largest wild population of Galapagos Land Iguanas on Santa Cruz thanks to efforts by the Charles Darwin Foundation & the Galapagos Park Service. Supporting this species are Bursera forests which in turn support an array of birdlife. On this island is one of the peninsula’s longest walking trails which will take you to the top of Dragon Hill.
PM: Playa las Bachas, Santa Cruz Island
These two small beaches are found to the west of Turtle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, and a favourite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where it is occasionally possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels.
The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during World War II, when USA used Baltra Island as a strategic point from which to protect the Panama Channel. The rocky shoreline can be a great place to photography Sally Lightfoot Crabs.
Day 6 (Sunday) – Post Office Bay & Cormorant Point / Devil’s Crown
AM: Post Office Bay, Floreana Island
Post Office Bay is primarily of cultural significance. In times before there was a reliable postal service, a barrel onshore was a point where British 16th century whalers and poachers could post a letter. You are encouraged to write and address one or two post cards; whilst at the same time picking out any which are addressed close to your home, which you are happy to hand deliver when you return.
Shallow waters offshore are lovely to swim in. If you doon a mask and snorkel, you might see Pacific green turtles which often graze here.
PM: Punta Cormorant & Devil’s Crown, Floreana Island
The peninsula of Punta Cormorant (Cormorant Point) marks the extreme northern cape of Floreana – an island formed from smaller volcanic cones, covered now by tropical dry forest (palo santo). At the landing beach, you are likely to be welcomed by a small colony of Galapagos sealions. 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 ‘flour sand’ beach on the southern side of the peninsula is made up of white coral ground into sand by Parrotfish. It feels very smooth on the feet. You may be able to spot stingrays who use the sandy bottom to bury themselves. During the first months of the year, Pacific green turtles come ashore to dig a nest in which to bury their eggs.
Devil’s Crown is a small outcrop of rocks off the coast of Floreana near Cormorant Point with a circular arrangement which gives them their name. Here, there is spectacular snorkelling with an abundance of reef fish such as Parrotfish, Surgeonfish & King Angelfish as well as Sharks, Manta Rays & Hammerhead Sharks.
Day 7 (Monday) – Suarez Point & Gardner Islet / Osborn Islet / Gardner Bay
AM: Punta Suarez, Española Island
Huge ocean waves crash onto the southern basaltic cliffs of Suarez Point, forming a spectacular blowhole. Where the water sprays metres high into the air (depending on the season, the tide and how strongly the sea breeze pushes the waves). This location is home to the only breeding colony of Waved Albatross in the Galapagos. You can also see wildlife such as marine iguanas, Nazca and Blue-Footed Boobies. Take your time for a meditative break in silence at this emblematic viewpoint and convert this unforgettable moment in a lifetime experience.
PM: Gardner Islet, Osborn Islet & Gardner Bay, Española Island
Gardner Islet is just off the coast of Española and is a great snorkelling site for a wide range of marine life. Some of the main creatures you can hope to see as you snorkel or kayak here include Galapagos Sea Lions, Eels, Pufferfish and Starfish.
Osborn Islet is just southeast of Gardner Bay where a similar snorkelling quality to Gardner Islet can be expected. You will be able to see Parrotfish, Sea Lions, Butterfly Fish and more.
The striking white beach at Gardner Bay is an important breeding site for Pacific green turtles. However, without doubt its main attraction is the Galapagos sea lion colony. Females stay year-round in this nursery, suckling their pups up to an age of 3 years, although they start to fish after 5 months of their birth. During the breeding and mating season, the colony becomes even bigger.
Day 8 (Tuesday) – Interpretation Centre & Departure
AM: Interpretation Centre, San Cristobal Island
The San Cristóbal Interpretation Centre just outside the provincial capital of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, is a perfect complement to the field explanations and briefings of your naturalist guide and host. Information panels are in English and Spanish, with many photographs, models and true to life dioramas which tell the background story of the islands in different ways. They really capture what makes the Galapagos Islands so unique. The well-maintained botanical garden with native species from the arid zone (including the giant prickly pear and candelabra cacti) is worth your visit as well; and you will probably spot the Chatham Mockingbird which is endemic to this island - a bird which put Darwin on track to his theory of evolution. The attractive exhibition is quite complete and explains a series of natural circumstances that create the Galapagos’ unique environment: such as the volcanic genesis of the islands, their remoteness from the continent, its ocean currents, its special climate, the arrival of different species, and their establishment, among others. It also recounts historic discovery and attempts of colonisation; and shows a diorama with ancient mail barrels from Post Office Bay.
PM: Departure, San Cristobal Island
Your guide and some crew members will accompany you back to San Cristobal where you will take the airport shuttle. Your guide will remain with you through check-in counters & the departure hall.
Itinerary B (8 days / 7 nights)
Day 1 (Tuesday) – Arrival & Puerto Chino / Colorado Hill
AM: Arrival, San Cristobal Island
Land at San Cristobal airport where you will be directed towards the airport terminal building. You will need to queue here to pay your Galapagos National Park fee and have your luggage inspected for potential contaminants to the island, such as plant matter or seeds.
Please wait for you baggage to be unloaded. Collect it and then look for someone holding a card with your name or the name of your Galapagos yacht: Infinity.
PM: Puerto Chino & Cerro Colorado, San Cristobal Island
Before we can reach Puerto Chino, we need to walk a very pleasant descent along a trail through a lava field where some very attractive Opuntia cactus trees grow. You might be able to grab a cold drink to enjoy as you walk amongst Darwin’s finches, hopping across the path.
Puerto Chino itself is a lovely white sand beach with rolling waves and basking sealions. On the far side of the beach there is a lava hill which is worth a walk in search of lava lizards and lovely views on the opposite side of waves crashing onto the rocky coastline. During high tide the entire beach is covered by the sea. Upon arrival one is greeted by the sounds of many sea birds including blue footed boobies and brown pelicans resting after diving for fish. Lava lizards and sally Lightfoot crabs run around the lava.
Cerro Colorado Tortoises Protection and Growing Centre, located approximately 40 minutes by bus from the southeast of the island, was built to improve the status of the population of the island tortoises. The centre includes a large corral, a Visitor Centre, breeding centre and an interpretative trail. Along this trail, it is possible to see different species of native and endemic plants as well as birds like the San Cristóbal mockingbird, yellow warblers, many species of finches and the Galapagos flycatcher.
Day 2 (Wednesday) – Santa Fe & South Plaza
AM: Santa Fe Island
Located in the southeastern part of the Galapagos, this island was formed from an uplift rather than being from a volcanic origin, which is why it is mostly flat. There are some theories claiming that this could be the oldest island in the archipelago. Santa Fé 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 land iguanas on the islands. After disembarking into the beautiful and clear waters, you will be in contact with one of the many sea lion colonies. Along the trail, many saltbushes can be seen, as well some particularly impressive giant Opuntia cacti ‘trees’.
The island is some 24 km2 in area and a maximum 60 metres above sea level. The waters which surround it can be a lovely turquoise blue, with a protective barrier of rocks creating a semi-lagoon which is ideal for humans and sealions alike for swimming and snorkelling.
PM: South Plaza Island
South Plaza is a beautiful island formed out of lava which bubbled up to the sea surface. It is relatively small but very diverse in its botany and very good for spotting Land Iguanas. hybrid Iguanas exist here, created through the mating of male marine iguanas and female land iguanas.
There are approximately 1,000 Galapagos Sealions on the island and birdlife is plentiful. Cliffs on the western side are nesting sites for Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, whilst we can find Darwin's Finches amongst the rocks of the eastern side, Lava Gulls and lovely Swallow-tail Gulls. Red-billed Tropicbirds often swoop low overhead, whilst in the sea beneath the western cliffs we can often see schools of fish close to the surface.
This island can be one of the best for photography.
Day 3 (Thursday) – Fausto Llerena & Twin Craters
AM: Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre, Santa Cruz Island
Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre was founded in 1965 with the aim of rescuing Pinzón tortoises from extinction & was previously home to Lonesome George – the last of the Pinta Island Tortoises – who died in 2012. The Galapagos Tortoises currently at the centre are accustomed to humans, so there are great opportunities to get photos of these amazing creatures.
PM: Twin Craters, Santa Cruz Island
The Twin Craters are 2 large sinkholes formed by the collapse of rock over a lava tube. The fertile volcanic soils here have made the Twin Craters heavily vegetated, in turn supporting lots of birdlife. Common sightings in the area include Vermillion Flycatchers, Short-Eared Owls & the Galapagos Dove.
Day 4 (Friday) – Moreno Point & Elizabeth Bay
AM: Punta Moreno, Isabela Island
Moreno Point is located on the north coast of Isabela Island between the volcanoes Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. The trail runs along a solid dry lava flow called Pahoehoe into a complex of lagoons. Its main attraction are birds, which are found around the lakes and mangroves.
PM: Elizabeth Bay, Isabela Island
This is a marine visitor site, so the excursion has no landing point. Your panga ride starts with a visit to the Marielas islets: home to the largest and most important penguin colony in the Galapagos Islands. The excursion continues into a cove, surrounded by red mangroves, where you can admire their red roots and green leaves. Here, you might be able to observe sea turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden cownose rays, brown pelicans and sealions. You might also see Galapagos hawks soaring overhead with schools of pompano and dorado fish swimming down below.
Day 5 (Saturday) – Urbina Bay & Tagus Cove
AM: Urbina Bay, Isabela Island
Urbina Bay is on the west coast of Isabela and has a recently uplifted seabed which has forced corals up above the water’s surface, providing a unique snorkelling experience. There are 2 treks at this bay which offer chances of seeing Galapagos Tortoises & large Land Iguanas amongst other wildlife including Flycatchers, Finches & Mockingbirds.
PM: Tagus Cove, Isabela Island
A tour along the cliffs will give visitors a good chance to see the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant and other seabirds. From the landing dock, it is about a 30-minute hike along the trail up to the top of the cliff from where you can view Darwin Lake, an uplifted lake saltier than the sea. You can also see several volcanoes from this location. Look carefully at the graffiti on the surrounding cliffs of the cove, done by pirates, whalers and buccaneers in past centuries!
Day 6 (Sunday) – Espinosa Point & Vicente Roca Point
AM: Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island
Fernandina is the third largest island in the archipelago and has a single visitor site: Punta Espinoza, located at the northeastern tip of the island. Here, marine iguanas conglomerate in larger groups than on any other island. They bask around in the sand, swim near the shore and sometimes block the way at the landing dock. Among the unique species found here, we can find the flightless cormorant.
PM: Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island
There are great snorkelling opportunities at Vicente Roca Point thanks to upwelling cold-water currents here. Marine life in the area includes various Shark species, Galapagos Penguins, Seahorses & Mola-Mola. Other animals which you can hope to see here are Nazca & Blue-Footed Boobies, Brown Pelicans & Flightless Cormorants.
Day 7 (Monday) – Egas Port & Bartholomew Island
AM: Puerto Egas, Santiago Island
Puerto Egas is a black beach located at the west side of Santiago Island. Volcanic tuff deposits formed this special black sand beach and made it the main attraction of the Island. This site is called Puerto Egas because Hector Egas attempted to exploit the salt, which failed because the price of salt on mainland South America was too low to make it a viable export. There is a trail which follows the coastline here for sightings of Marine Iguanas, Galapagos Sea Lions and many sea birds. Land Iguanas were reintroduced to the island as recently as 2019, so look out for these as you walk. At the end of the trail is a small Galapagos Fur Seal colony. If you snorkel from the beach here, you may be able to see Turtles, a range of Fish and Reef Sharks.
PM: Isla Bartholomé
One of the Galapagos’ most iconic locations, the beautiful volcanic islet of Bartolomé is among the youngest islands in the archipelago. On a geological scale Bartolomé was only recently born out of volcanic activity. 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 steps to a viewpoint on top of the island (114 m / 375 ft). Enter a dramatic world of threatening (though extinguished) nearby spatter cones, craters, and lightweight lava droplets that have been spewed out by fiery fountains. The Summit Trail is also ideal for witnessing how scanty pioneer vegetation such as lava cacti manage to take root on the bare virgin lava fields.
Day 8 (Tuesday) – North Seymour & Departure
AM: North Seymour Island
This islet is one of most visited sites in the Galapagos 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 frigatebird-males blow up their vivid red pouches (gulas) to impressive football-sized balloons. This is one of the few spots where you can compare the magnificent and the great frigatebird breeding next to each other.
You are likely to come across several land iguanas on North Seymour and the coast can be a good place to spot Galapagos sealions.
PM: Departure, Baltra Island
Your guide & some crew members will go with you to Baltra where you will board the airport shuttle. Your guide will remain with you through the check-in counters & departure hall.
Itinerary A5 (5 days / 4 nights)
Day 1 (Friday) – Arrival & El Chato
AM: Arrival, Baltra Island
Upon arrival Baltra, travellers pass through an airport inspection point to make sure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, and to pay the park entrance fee of $200 (unless it has been prepaid). A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbour.
PM: El Chato Reserve, Santa Cruz Island
At El Chato Reserve, Giant Galapagos Tortoises can be observed in the wild – the iconic species which gave the Galapagos Islands their name. Other species to see at this reserve include Short-Eared Owls, Yellow Warblers & Finches. More elusive species which can be difficult to spot here are Galapagos Rails & Paint-Billed Crakes.
Day 2 (Saturday) – Dragon Hill & Bachas Beach
AM: Cerro Dragón, Santa Cruz Island
Dragon Hill is home to the largest wild population of Galapagos Land Iguanas on Santa Cruz thanks to efforts by the Charles Darwin Foundation & the Galapagos Park Service. Supporting this species are Bursera forests which in turn support an array of birdlife. On this island is one of the peninsula’s longest walking trails which will take you to the top of Dragon Hill.
PM: Playa las Bachas, Santa Cruz Island
These two small beaches are found to the west of Turtle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, and a favourite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where it is occasionally possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels.
The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during World War II, when USA used Baltra Island as a strategic point from which to protect the Panama Channel. The rocky shoreline can be a great place to photography Sally Lightfoot Crabs.
Day 3 (Sunday) – Post Office Bay & Cormorant Point / Devil’s Crown
AM: Post Office Bay, Floreana Island
Post Office Bay is primarily of cultural significance. In times before there was a reliable postal service, a barrel onshore was a point where British 16th century whalers and poachers could post a letter. You are encouraged to write and address one or two post cards; whilst at the same time picking out any which are addressed close to your home, which you are happy to hand deliver when you return.
Shallow waters offshore are lovely to swim in. If you doon a mask and snorkel, you might see Pacific green turtles which often graze here.
PM: Punta Cormorant & Devil’s Crown, Floreana Island
The peninsula of Punta Cormorant (Cormorant Point) marks the extreme northern cape of Floreana – an island formed from smaller volcanic cones, covered now by tropical dry forest (palo santo). At the landing beach, you are likely to be welcomed by a small colony of Galapagos sealions. 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 ‘flour sand’ beach on the southern side of the peninsula is made up of white coral ground into sand by Parrotfish. It feels very smooth on the feet. You may be able to spot stingrays who use the sandy bottom to bury themselves. During the first months of the year, Pacific green turtles come ashore to dig a nest in which to bury their eggs.
Devil’s Crown is a small outcrop of rocks off the coast of Floreana near Cormorant Point with a circular arrangement which gives them their name. Here, there is spectacular snorkelling with an abundance of reef fish such as Parrotfish, Surgeonfish & King Angelfish as well as Sharks, Manta Rays & Hammerhead Sharks.
Day 4 (Monday) – Suarez Point & Gardner Islet / Osborn Islet / Gardner Bay
AM: Punta Suarez, Española Island
Huge ocean waves crash onto the southern basaltic cliffs of Suarez Point, forming a spectacular blowhole. Where the water sprays metres high into the air (depending on the season, the tide and how strongly the sea breeze pushes the waves). This location is home to the only breeding colony of Waved Albatross in the Galapagos. You can also see wildlife such as marine iguanas, Nazca and Blue-Footed Boobies. Take your time for a meditative break in silence at this emblematic viewpoint and convert this unforgettable moment in a lifetime experience.
PM: Gardner Islet, Osborn Islet & Gardner Bay, Española Island
Gardner Islet is just off the coast of Española and is a great snorkelling site for a wide range of marine life. Some of the main creatures you can hope to see as you snorkel or kayak here include Galapagos Sea Lions, Eels, Pufferfish and Starfish.
Osborn Islet is just southeast of Gardner Bay where a similar snorkelling quality to Gardner Islet can be expected. You will be able to see Parrotfish, Sea Lions, Butterfly Fish and more.
The striking white beach at Gardner Bay is an important breeding site for Pacific green turtles. However, without doubt its main attraction is the Galapagos sea lion colony. Females stay year-round in this nursery, suckling their pups up to an age of 3 years, although they start to fish after 5 months of their birth. During the breeding and mating season, the colony becomes even bigger.
Day 5 (Tuesday) – Interpretation Centre & Departure
AM: Interpretation Centre, San Cristobal Island
The San Cristóbal Interpretation Centre just outside the provincial capital of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, is a perfect complement to the field explanations and briefings of your naturalist guide and host. Information panels are in English and Spanish, with many photographs, models and true to life dioramas which tell the background story of the islands in different ways. They really capture what makes the Galapagos Islands so unique. The well-maintained botanical garden with native species from the arid zone (including the giant prickly pear and candelabra cacti) is worth your visit as well; and you will probably spot the Chatham Mockingbird which is endemic to this island - a bird which put Darwin on track to his theory of evolution. The attractive exhibition is quite complete and explains a series of natural circumstances that create the Galapagos’ unique environment: such as the volcanic genesis of the islands, their remoteness from the continent, its ocean currents, its special climate, the arrival of different species, and their establishment, among others. It also recounts historic discovery and attempts of colonisation; and shows a diorama with ancient mail barrels from Post Office Bay.
PM: Departure, San Cristobal Island
Your guide and some crew members will accompany you back to San Cristobal where you will take the airport shuttle. Your guide will remain with you through check-in counters & the departure hall.
Itinerary A4 (4 days / 3 nights)
Day 1 (Tuesday) – Arrival & Black Turtle Cove
AM: Arrival, Baltra Island
Upon arrival Baltra, travellers pass through an airport inspection point to make sure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, and to pay the park entrance fee of $200 (unless it has been prepaid). A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbour.
PM: Caleta Tortuga Negra, Santa Cruz Island
Black Turtle Cove offers engineless activities, so you will explore it by dinghy, paddling across the mangrove forested coastline of this stretch of Santa Cruz. There is great wildlife here due to the high levels of protection of this environment such as Sea Turtles, Pelicans & Sharks.
Day 2 (Wednesday) – Prince Philip’s Steps & Darwin Bay
AM: El Barranco, Genovesa Island
Before landing, you will take an inflatable dinghy-ride along the eastern arm of the caldera. As we approach, the soaring 25 m / 80 ft high walls become overwhelming. Sometimes, a Galapagos fur seal is resting or a seabird is nesting on one of the ledges at the base. You will then have to hike and overcome the steep stairs from the landing dock to a bush of palo santo shrubs on top. Red-footed boobies gratefully use these scarce nesting places so that they don’t have to nest on the rocky ground. Upon arriving at the edge of the rim, the bushes open up and you can enjoy panoramic views, a sea breeze and the amazing flying skills of countless seabirds. Following the exposed rim, you will first pass a place where we usually encounter a colony of Nazca boobies; and finally reach the extensive storm petrel nesting places. If you are lucky, you can spot the well camouflaged short-eared owl hunting for them on foot!
PM: Darwin Bay, Genovesa Island
Inside the submerged caldera of Genovesa lies Darwin Bay, whose diameter is more than 1.5 km (1 mile) and it is almost 200 m (650 ft) deep. The small area will surprise you repeatedly, walking along a coral sand beach, crossing barren lava formations and creeks, passing tidal pools, shrubs and further ahead following the top of some cliffs. With this peaceful surrounding, every species has occupied its own ecological niche (or habitat) without disturbing others. There is great birdlife here with starring species including Red-Footed Boobies, Great Frigatebirds & Laval Gulls. These often share the beach with Galapagos Sea Lions.
Day 3 (Thursday) – Sullivan Bay & Rabida
AM: Sullivan Bay, Santiago Island
Setting foot at the lava stream covering Sullivan Bay is like landing on the moon. The desolate, stretched out lava fields seem mostly lifeless, but there is plenty to see on this highly popular site, with lots to photograph. Pacific green turtles seasonally bury eggs in the tiny white sand beach, where you might also encounter crabs, a stray blue heron or an American oystercatcher. On the lava flows sparse pioneer vegetation such as lava cacti and carpetweed are able to grow. You might also encounter a lava lizard, locusts or a small species of snake called the Galapagos racer.
PM: Rábida Island
Rábida Island is unique because of the red colour of the rocks and sand. The volcanic material on this island is very porous and external factors such as rain, saltwater and sea breeze have acted as an oxidising agent. A short walk along a trail leads us to a coastal lagoon behind the beach where we can see land birds including finches, doves, yellow warblers and mockingbirds; seabirds such as pelicans, masked and blue-footed boobies; and of non-feathered species you can hope to see marine iguanas and sealions. Our team will take you to a small brackish lagoon where you can anticipate a colony of flamingos.
Day 4 (Friday) – Breeding Centre & Departure
AM: Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre, Santa Cruz Island
Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre was founded in 1965 with the aim of rescuing Pinzón tortoises from extinction & was previously home to Lonesome George – the last of the Pinta Island Tortoises – who died in 2012. The Galapagos Tortoises currently at the centre are accustomed to humans, so there are great opportunities to get photos of these amazing creatures.
PM: Departure, Baltra Island
Your guide & some crew members will go with you to Baltra where you will board the airport shuttle. Your guide will remain with you through the check-in counters & departure hall.
Dates
Included
Meals throughout cruise
Transfers in the Galapagos Archipelago
All excursions on itinerary
Use of expedition gear (kayak, wetsuit, snorkel equipment, underwater cameras and walking sticks)
Bilingual National Park guide
Not included
Mainland to Galapagos airfare
Alcoholic beverages
US$200 Galapagos National Park fee
US$20 Transit Control Card
Travel and medical insurance
Tips & gratuities
Personal expenses