Sea Star Yatch Itinerary 5days B 2025

AM: Arrival at Baltra Airport (GPS)
Upon arrival, Galápagos National Park staff will inspect your luggage to prevent the introduction of foreign species. You’ll need to pay a $200 entrance fee. A naturalist guide will meet you and take you on a short bus ride to board the Galapagos Sea Star Travel.

PM: Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island)
After a dry landing, you’ll walk past a brackish lagoon where you can spot flamingos and shorebirds. The trail takes you through dry zone vegetation up to Dragon Hill, a key nesting site for land iguanas with scenic views. Look out for mockingbirds, finches, flycatchers, and yellow warblers along the way.

AM: Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz Island)
Explore this peaceful mangrove cove by zodiac. You’ll spot green sea turtles, baby white-tip reef sharks, golden and spotted eagle rays, and a variety of birds like pelicans, herons, and frigatebirds. Keep an eye out for Sally Lightfoot crabs and blue-footed boobies on the rocks.

PM: Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino)
Visit this small volcanic island shaped like a traditional Chinese hat. Walk along a scenic beach where you’ll see red crabs, marine iguanas, sea lions, oystercatchers, herons, and lava lizards. Snorkeling is optional—look for sea lions, reef sharks, colorful fish, and sometimes Galápagos penguins.

AM: El Barranco – Prince Philip's Steps (Genovesa Island)
Start with a boat ride to spot Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, tropicbirds, marine iguanas, fur seals, and sea lions. After a dry landing, climb natural rock steps to reach the island's plateau. Walk through colonies of red-footed and Nazca boobies, frigatebirds, finches, and mockingbirds. At the trail’s end, look for storm petrels and the elusive short-eared owl. Optional kayaking in calm, clear waters is available.

PM: Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island)
Land on a young coral beach and walk a short, flat trail through mangroves and saltbush. Spot sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, and nesting red-footed boobies. If the tide is low, you may see the rare lava gull. This is a prime site for birdwatching—look for finches, doves, mockingbirds, Nazca boobies, and migratory birds. Finish with a chance to snorkel off the beach.

AM: Bartolomé Island
Hike to the summit for one of the most iconic views in Galápagos—Pinnacle Rock with Santiago Island in the background. Along the trail, you’ll see volcanic features like spatter cones, lava tubes, and sparse plant life. Take a boat ride to spot Galápagos penguins, the only tropical penguin species. Later, snorkel with chances to see penguins, white-tip reef sharks, and playful sea lions.

PM: Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)
Explore a fascinating volcanic landscape with smooth “pahoehoe” and rough “aa” lava formations from an eruption about 120 years ago. Spot tuff cones and hardy plants like lava cactus and Mollugo growing in cracks. Look out for tree molds—evidence of plants buried by ancient lava flows.

AM: Highlands Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island)
Take a 40-minute bus ride from Puerto Ayora to the highlands. Walk through lush landscapes where you can spot finches, yellow warblers, crakes, and cattle egrets—often seen perched on giant tortoises. This area showcases the island’s unique ecosystems, with tortoises roaming freely through pastures. Bring a light rain jacket, as it’s often misty. After the visit, you’ll head straight to Baltra Airport for your flight back to the mainland.