Upon arrival at Baltra airport, you will be transfered to Santa Cruz island for a visit to Charles Darwin Station and Breeding Center, to learn about the conservation efforts that are being made to preserve the species of Galapagos Tortoises. Return to the yacht and dinner.
The day begins with a visit to Elizabeth Bay. Elizabeth Bay is one of the western-most points in the Galapagos. A scenic tender ride along this sheltered inlet offers viewing of a wide variety of wildlife and a wonderful mangrove ecosystem.
After lunch, navigation to Urbina Bay, one of the recent examples of geological uplift in the Galapagos where seasonally there is a nesting area for many tortoises, Galapagos Penguins, flightless cormorants and brown pelicans. End of the day and dinner.
Early in the morning we head to Tagus Cove on the west coast of Isabela Island, to see the Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants and other seabirds. Then we hike along the trail to the top of the cliff for fine views of Darwin Lake and uplifted lake, and to catch a glimpse of Darwin and Wolf Volcanoes. After lunch, visit Espinoza point on Fernandina Island, that is one of the youngest and most active volcano in the Galapagos, where you will see large groups of marine iguanas, sea lions and flightless cormorants. Dinner and end of the day.
After breakfast, head to Espumilla Beach and Buccaneer Cove, a former safe haven for pirates, sailors and whalers. Here you will have the opportunity to practice deep water snorkeling. After lunch, visit Puerto Egas where, after a brief walk, you will see some of the Galapagos Islands best tide pools, full of snails, barnacles and various species of fishes, along with marine iguanas and sea lions. From this point there are two possible excursions, first one to a salt mine used during the 1950s, second will be to the fur seal grotto to see sea lions and fur seals.
In the morning, you will head to Daphne Island. This spot is a tuff cone of compressed volcanic ash, situated at the north coast of Santa Cruz Island, you will take a zodiac ride around this place and see several species from afar, like blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, magnificent frigate birds and more. You'll also have the opportunity to observe short-eared owls and red-billed tropicbirds. Then, you will be transfered to the airport for your flight back.
