Seaman 5 Days - Itinerary A

The first activity of the final day will take place at Santa Cruz Island with a visit to Charles Darwin Research Station where you will learn about the protection and conservation of the island, and visit the Breeding and Rearing Centre for young tortoises and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity. After this activity, you will be transferred to Baltra Airport and take your flight back to the continent.

Upon your arrival to the islands, the Seaman crew will handle your luggage while you are transferred to the yacht via a comfortable tender boat, locally known as a “panga.” This short scenic ride will take you directly aboard your boutique yacht, where the crew will welcome you with refreshments. Every detail has been arranged to ensure your arrival is seamless and comfortable, allowing you to begin your adventure in style.

PM: BARTOLOME ISLAND
You will visit Bartolome Island, located across Sullivan Bay. From its 114-meter (approximately 375 feet) altitude, you will observe one of the most stunning sceneries in the Galapagos Islands, featuring volcanic cones, lunar-like craters, lava fields, and the famous Toba-formed pinnacle eroded by the sea.

You will explore two breathtaking beaches where you can spot marine turtles alongside sea lions. At the base of the pinnacle, you will find a tiny colony of Galapagos penguins waiting to be discovered.

AM: MOSQUERA ISLET
You will visit Mosquera Islet, one of the smallest islands in the Galápagos, located between North Seymour and Baltra. This volcanic island was formed by geological uplift, with no visible crater and very flat terrain.

You will be struck by the island’s stunning contrast of colors: a beautiful white sand beach, transparent turquoise waters, lush green vegetation, and jet-black lava rocks. This is an ideal spot for landscape photography, especially during the golden light of early morning or at sunset.

PM: NORTH SEYMOUR
You will explore this remarkable elevated island, enjoying an easy, level walk across a pristine landscape. Here, nature offers you an intimate theater of Galápagos wildlife. You will watch magnificent frigatebirds nesting among the low shrubs, with males proudly displaying their brilliant red throat pouches. Nearby, blue-footed boobies will delight you with their charming courtship dances just a few feet from the trail.

Along the shoreline, playful sea lions will ride the waves, while elegant swallow-tailed gulls perch gracefully on the cliffs. Your expert guides will lead you along well-maintained paths, ensuring you have comfortable viewing of these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat.

You can tailor your visit to be as active or relaxed as you prefer, with plenty of opportunities to observe and photograph wildlife from convenient resting spots.

AM: GENOVESA, ISLAND EL BARRANCO – THE CLIFF
You will embark on an enchanting morning exploration along the southern edge of Darwin Bay. This 1.5 km trail crosses volcanic terrain and typically takes about two hours at a leisurely pace. Along the way, you will discover one of Genovesa’s most remarkable bird sanctuaries, where red-footed and masked boobies nest closely together.

In the cliff’s natural cavities, you will observe fascinating storm petrels and their primary predator, the short-eared owl. You will also admire the dramatic coastline from the trail and during a comfortable panga ride, where you might spot fur sea lions resting on the rocks.

Note: This is one of only five places in the archipelago where red-footed boobies nest, making it a truly special destination for wildlife enthusiasts like you.

PM: DARWIN BAY
You will visit Darwin Bay, which formed when the crater of this island collapsed below sea level. You will make a wet landing on a beautiful white coral sandy beach. This island is a favorite destination for birdwatchers, and you will have the chance to see several species including red-footed boobies, masked boobies, wandering tattlers, lava gulls, whimbrels, yellow-crowned and black-crowned lava herons, and yellow warblers.

As you continue along the trail, you will see red-footed boobies nesting in the mangrove trees below. Your birdwatching opportunities will also include sharp-beaked finches, large cactus and ground finches, Galápagos doves, and swallow-tailed gulls.

Alongside the trail, you will find tidal pools where you can observe coastal and sea birds like night herons, as well as playful sea lions. This is also a great snorkeling spot where you may encounter small reef-tip sharks, sea turtles, and hundreds of colorful fish. If you wish, you can also enjoy sea kayaking to explore the marine life further.

AM: PLAZAS ISLANDS
You will visit South Plazas, located east of Santa Cruz Island and part of the two islands known as Islas Plazas. Despite its small size, you will find some of the most interesting and unique species of the Galápagos here.

You will notice that the Plazas land iguanas are smaller than their relatives on other islands. Throughout the island, you will encounter several hybrid iguanas—a fascinating cross between a male marine iguana and a female land iguana. These hybrids are easily recognizable by their black/gray color, the crest of a land iguana, and the face and tail of a marine iguana.

The large population of iguanas on the island thrives due to the abundance of tunas, their favorite food. As you explore, you will also see swallow-tailed gulls nesting along the rugged cliffs, alongside other seabirds such as Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigatebirds, and brown pelicans.

PM: SANTA FE
After disembarking into the beautiful, clear waters, you will find yourself close to one of the many sea lion colonies. Along the trail, you will observe salt bushes and giant prickly pear cacti—an example of the island gigantism typical of oceanic islands.

You will have excellent opportunities for snorkeling, where you can swim alongside playful sea lions and vibrant tropical fish, making for an unforgettable underwater experience.

AM: DAVID RODRIGUEZ LAND TORTOISE BREEDING CENTRE
On your final morning in the Galápagos, you will visit the prestigious David Rodriguez Tortoise Center, a conservation jewel dedicated to protecting San Cristóbal’s native giant tortoises. Named after a devoted park ranger who served these islands for 39 years, this sophisticated breeding facility plays a crucial role in preserving these magnificent creatures.

You will enjoy a scenic 40-minute drive from the port through the island’s highlands to reach the center, located near Cerro Colorado in a peaceful setting. Here, you will witness the remarkable Chelonoidis chathamensis tortoises thriving in a carefully designed natural habitat.

Established in 2002 and continuously refined, the facility represents the pinnacle of conservation excellence in the Galápagos.

After this memorable encounter, our staff will ensure your seamless transfer to San Cristóbal airport for your departure flight.