AM: Baltra
Flight from Quito, Guayaquil or Quito to Baltra (2 1/2 hours). Our natural guides will pick up passengers at the Galapagos airport and take them to the bus stop for a 10-minute drive. Then, they'll board the Santa Cruz II.
PM: Bachas Beach
The beautiful location is on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. There, a white sandy beach and a pair of salty lagoons are located just steps from the ocean. The lagoons are the breeding grounds for wading bird species like stilts, flamingos and more. This beach is also a great place to go swimming or snorkeling.
AM: Bucaneer Cove
You will explore Santiago Island today. First, you'll get to see the coast along the dramatic cliffs at Buccaneer Cove. The cove has a lot of marine birds and sea-lions. Visit the amazing geological formations, such as "Elephant Rock", "The Bishop" or "The Bishop". The guests can go on a glass bottom boat or dinghy ride, or snorkel.
PM Egas Port
You can swim and snorkel along the shoreline of the rocks after disembarking the boat. Usually, marine turtles will be with you. A wonderful walk will allow you to observe both marine and land birds skittering about the landscape of tuff stone layers and lava flow. Marine iguanas are often seen grazing on the nearby algae at low tide. Also, you can see a colony fur-sealions. The group can continue to swim and/or snorkel after the visit.
AM: Rabida Island
Others may opt for the mesmerizing red beach of Rabida Island. This beach's color is due to the high iron content in its sand. You will be able to see iguanas in the wild, as well as sea lions.
PM: Bartolome Island
The afternoon's activities start with an wet landing at the famous golden beach, which is dominated by Pinnacle rock. From the beach, guests can also go swimming and snorkeling. The glass bottom boat ride is another option. After returning to their ship, guests are divided into two groups. The first group hikes to the top of this small island to enjoy the amazing views. In the meantime, the second group will explore the volcanic and rugged shoreline on dinghies. After that, the groups will swap places so each group can experience this beautiful island.
AM: Prince Philip's Steps
It begins with a steep 90-foot climb up some stairs, to reach the flat plateau. You can hike to see large groups of Red & Nazca boobies as well as great frigate birds and storm petrels. If you don't want to get off the boat, you can take a panga along the cliffs.
PM: Darwin Bay
Afternoon: Wet-landing on the beach of this beautiful bay for some snorkeling and swimming. After a refreshing swim, we will take a walk and look at hundreds of bird species, including: Nazca and red-footed boobies, Herons and Frigate birds, Lava Gulls, Herons and Mockingbirds. Here, you can go snorkeling or kayaking.
AM: Santa Cruz Highlands
Start your final morning in Santa Cruz Island by heading out to the Giant Tortoise Reserve for a last time. After a landing on a passenger wharf, and then a short bus ride up to the highest region of Santa Cruz Island, the guests can experience this final highlight: the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The lush highlands are home to a dense forest of Galapagos daisies and orchids, as well as bromeliads and several endemic birds.
Transfer to the airport to catch your flight back to Mainland.