Ocean Spray 8 Days - Itinerary A

Upon your arrival to the airport on Baltra Island, you will be transferred to the dock to get onboard Ocean Spray Catamaran. After settling in the catamaran and lunch, the catamaran will transfer you to your first visit point, Chinese Hat, named like this because itspeculiar form. In this site you will view the remnants of fragile volcanic rock, and also species like Oystercatchers and Galapagos ́ penguins swimming along the shore. You can also snorkel at this place. End of the day and dinner onboard.

Full itinerary map here: http://bit.ly/ocean-spray-8-day-a

First activity of the day will be heading to Vicente Roca Point at Isabela Island. This place has outstanding geological formations, and is also the perfect site to seevarious bird species like Nazca boobies and blue footed boobies. You can also snorkel at this place, and spot sea lions, fur seals and sea turtles while doing this activity. In the afternoon, you will go to Espinosa point, at Fernandina Island, where you can see marine iguanas, sea lionsand Galapagos hawks. You can enjoy a hike to the highest spot at this place or snorkel at the bay.

Early in the morning, you will take apanga ride to Tagus Cove, which used to be a pit stop for pirates andsailors in the 1800s. Once you land, you will hike to a cliff, which will provide incredible views of the cove and the mangrove forest found a t this spot. You can also snorkel at this place, and watch sea lions, and marine iguanas while doing this activity. During the afternoon, head to Urbina Bay, where you can see the geological lava formations that compose this island. Several species like sea lions, land iguanas andflightless cormorants inhabit this place. In here it’s also possible to snorkel. End of the day and dinner onboard.

First activity of the day will be taking a panga ride to Elizabeth Bay. There is not a landing point in here, so you will see the marine life from afar, like sea lions, frigate birds, flightless cormorant, and marine iguanas that inhabit this place. During the afternoon, after lunch, head to Moreno Point, the perfect place for birdwatching. Once you land, you will visit the coast lagoons where white tipped sharks can be seen, and after a brief hike you will have a panoramic view of Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul Volcanoes at the distance.

Early in the morning, you will disembark at Santa Cruz Island, and the first visit site will be Charles Darwin Research Station, a research facility that has an extensive collection of Galapagos plant life specimens carefully preserved and also acts as a biological research station and active breeding center for several native and endemic species at the islands. During the afternoon, you will take a bus ride to Santa Cruz Highlands, this area is rich with wildlife, and is also home to giant tortoises that roam freely and that you can see from afar. End of the day and dinner onboard.

First visit of this day, will be to South Plaza Island, one of the smallest islands, home to an incredible amount of diverse flora and fauna, like frigate birds, sea lions, and swallow-tailed gulls, but most importantly, a recent population of land iguanas, that grew healthily after the mice were eradicated from this place. After this activity, you will visit Santa Fe Island, home to the endemic Santa Feiguana, and a place where you can visit a forest of Opuntia and Palo Santo Trees.

Early in the morning, you will head to Española Island, specifically Suarez Point, site where you will get to see many species such as sea lions, marine iguanas, Galapagos Hawk, and Nazca boobies, but the most important of all is the waved albatross, since this is their breeding site. If you are lucky enough you may see a young albatross take off for its first flight to the sea. In the afternoon, head to Gardner Bay, home to a large colony of sea lions, and alsoGalapagos finches and the endemic Española ́s mockingbird. You can also snorkel nearby at Osborn Islet. End of the day and dinner onboard.

First activity of the day will be disembarking at San Cristobal Island, where you will visit the Interpretation Center, opened since 1998, it offers extensive knowledge of Galapago ́s history. You will also visit the Galapaguera, a breeding center for Galapagos giant tortoises. After this activity you will be transferred to the San Cristobal Airport to take your flight back to the continent.