Nemo I 8 Days - Itinerary A North

Arrival to the airport in Baltra, where you will be transferred to the Nemo I Catamaran at the Bay. Lunch service on the yacht and navigation to Bachas Beach, two small beaches made of decomposed coral, which makes it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of this beaches, there is a small brackish water lagoon, where it is possible to observe famingos and other coastal birds like black-necked stilts and whimbrels. On the other beach there are two barges, abandoned during World War II, since this place was used as a strategic point to protect the Panama Channel. You can also snorkel at Bachas Beach. After this activity, head back to the yacht for dinner and rest.

Full itinerary map here:  http://bit.ly/Nemo-I-8DaysA

Early in the morning, after breakfast you will visit Darwin Bay, a collpased crater that is now below sea level, and has a white coral sandy beach, hwere you can spot red - footed boobies, lava gulls, and lava herons. You will take a trail to this places ́edge and spot more species in the mangrove area, like sharp beaked gfinches, Galapagos doves and swallow- tailed gulls. In the afternoon, after lunch, you will visit El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip Steps, you will climb to a plateu, where a big population of masked boobies reside, along with red footed boobies, storm petrels and short-eared owls. After this activity head back to the yacht for dinner and rest.

Early in the morning you will head to Rabida Island, a unique place due to the red color of the sand at the beach, due to the volcanic material that forms it. You will take a trail to a coastal lagoon behind the beach to observe finches, doves, and mocking birds. There is also a colony of flamingos, and the beach if full of sea lions. In the afternoon, you will head to Bartolome Island, with an altitude of 144 meters, from where you can observe one of the most beautiful landscapes os the archipelago. This place has two amazing beaches, where marine turtles reside and a very small colony of Galapagos penguins. After these activities head back to the yacht for dinner and rest.

First activity of the day will be landing at Santa Cruz Island, where you will visit the Highlands of Santa Cruz, where you can see Galapagos giant tortoises roaming freely. In the afternoon, you will visit Charles Darwin Station to learn about the protection and conservation efforts made in the island to preserve the native and endemic species. You will also visit the Van Strelen Exhibition Hall and the Breeding Center for young tortoises and adult Galapagos Tortoises in captivity. In the evening you will have a briefing and dinner on board.

Early in the morning, visit Moreno Point on the north coast of Isabela, between volcanoes Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul, through a trail of solidified lava until a coastal lagoon where you will see several species of birds. You can practice deep snorkerling here.  During the afternoon you will go to Elizabeth Bay. This excursion has no landing point, you will go on a panga ride. You will visit the Marielas islets, and see the most important penguin colony and a cove that is surrounded by red mangroves to observe seas turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, brown pelicans and sea lions. End of the day and dinner.

First activity of the day will be heading to Punta Espinoza at Fernandina Island, one of the youngest islands with the most active volcano where you can spot pelicans, sea lions and marine iguanas. After lunch, head to Punta Vicente Roca, a wonderful snorkeling site, where you can see turtles and various species of fish. After this activity you will have dinner at the yacht and rest.

Early in the morning, you will head to Espumilla Beach at Santiago Island, an exquisite white sand beach, whose name refers to meringue-like trails of foam. You can find sally light foot crabs, hawks, herons and pelicans. This place is also perfect for snorkeling, kayaking or paddle boarding. In the afternoon, you will visit Buccaneer Cove, which was a place used by sailors, buccaneers, and whalers to anchor their vessels in search for food and water. This is now a nesting site for turtles, and also a place where sea lions swim by. Finally, you will visit Egas port, once a salt mine, now is an impressive black sand beach, which provides an excellent location for snorkeling and observing shorebirds.

After breakfast, the boat will take you to Daphne Island, Major and Minor, and you will sail around them to admire their ecosystem and the species that inhabit it. After this activity you will disembark at Baltra Island to take your flight back to the continent.