Santa Cruz II Eastern 7 Days

Upon your arrival to the airport on Santa Cruz Island, you will be transferred to the dock to get onboard Santa Cruz II Ship. After lunch and your introductory briefing on board, Santa Cruz II will relocate only four nautical miles from Baltra, next to Mosquera Islet, a small volcanic uplift between Baltra and North Seymour. The island is a long and narrow sand bank surrounded by lava reefs. Our groups will approach the island from its western shore, a long shallow reef, the perfect rookery for young sea lions. After a wet landing, our guides will lead you past the sea lion colonies, where you will learn more about the fragile marine and terrestrial ecosystems of Galapagos. The walk is easy as it is restricted to a few hundred metres of flat sandy dunes.Full itinerary map here: http://bit.ly/santa-cruz-7-days

After breakfast, you will disembark at Baquerizo Moreno Port, San Cristobal ́s Island capital, and from here, you will take a ride to the island ́s southern shore to visit Cerro Colorado ́s Tortoise Breeding Center, where you will see the highly endangered species in captivity and learn about the efforts done to protect and preserve this species. During the afternoon, you will disembark at Pitt Point, an eroded tuff cone, that provides spectacular views of the shoreline. You can also swim or snorkel or kayak at this visit point.

After breakfast, you will take a dinghy ride to Santa Fe Island. And land at a white sand beach, where a great population of sea lions resides, along with the endemic Santa Fe land iguana. You can also snorkel or swim at this spot. During the afternoon, head to South Plaza Island a turquoise water channel and a white sand beach form an amazing landscape, and once you land here you can visit observe the prickly pear cactus and the land iguanas that feed from them. After this activity head back to the yacht for dinner.

Early in the morning, you will disembark at Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, and after a brief bus ride you will visit Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the scientific and conservation efforts done by the National Park administration to preserve the tortoise endangered species of the archipelago. Following our visit, we board our transport to enjoy lunch in the cooler highlands of Santa Cruz Island, a completely different ecosystem. We have several options available for the afternoon, which can be discussed in advance with your Expedition Leader. Options include beach walks, kayaks, walks along the tortoise reserve, etc.

First activity of the day will be landing at Suarez Point on Española Island, where you will begin with a walk to visit sea bird colonies including albatross, Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. You will also have a view of the famous Galapagos’ blow-hole from afar. During the afternoon, after lunch, you will visit Gardner Bay, and the nearby Osborne Islet, which is a nice place for rest, swim, kayaking or snorkeling. After these activities head back to the yacht for dinner.

After breakfast, you will take a panga ride to Eden Islet, located off the coast of Santa Cruz, where you can observe blue-footed boobies, and dive into the water to spot reef sharks and sea turtles. In the afternoon, you will visit NorthSeymour Island, where you will take a walk to visit a Palo Santo Forest and the great bird colonies of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds that reside and nest in this place. End of the day and dinner onboard.

Early in the morning and after breakfast, the yacht will land at Baltra Island, and you will take a bus ride to the airport to take your flight back to the continent.