This 5-day itinerary through the southern islands visits the Charles Darwin Research Station in Santa Cruz, and combines the incredible shark canal off the coast of Isabela with the best flamingo lagoons of the Galapagos and spectacular snorkeling around Devil’s Crown on Floreana Island. The albatrosses, booby colonies, and marine iguanas on Española promise to be a highlight!
Highlights
Land at Bachas Beach and look for sea lions, marine iguanas, and sharks
Land in the Tintoreras islets and observe resting white-tip reef sharks
Enjoy a relaxing walk on Cormorant Point's green and 'flour sand' beach
Take a meditative break on the basaltic cliffs of Suarez Point
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Upon arrival in Baltra, a naturalist guide from the Nemo I greets you and transfers you to the harbor. Then, take a dinghy to the yacht and head to your first stop, Las Bachas in Santa Cruz. These two small beaches are composed of sand made from decomposed coral, making it soft and a favorite nesting place for sea turtles. Walk to a brackish water lagoon, where you may find flamingos, black-necked stilts, and whimbrels.
Start your day with a dinghy ride to Las Tintoreras, a small bay on an islet, to observe a colony of white-tipped sharks along with many other marine animals, including sea turtles, sea lions, rays, and marine iguanas. Las Tintoreras is one of Isabela's most beautiful spots for sightseeing and relaxing. The rocky shoreline with its intertidal life attracts Sally Lightfoot crabs, lava herons, and occasional Galapagos penguins. Galapagos sea lions occupy the sand beach and complete this stereotypical Galapagos image.
In the afternoon, tour the Arnoldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center, where you can visit about 300 tortoises of all ages and sizes. Isabela is the only island in the world that has 5 different species of giant tortoises. Visit the native botanic garden of this breeding center. It also attracts colorful songbirds such as yellow warblers, Darwin’s finches, and Galapagos and vermillion flycatchers. Finally there is no greater counterpart to the cumbersome tortoises as the graceful American flamingos that frequently filter the saline waters of the adjacent lagoon for shrimp and algae.
Spend the morning exploring Cormorant Point and Devil´s Crown on the gorgeous island of Floreana. Cormorant Point is home to the best and one of the largest flamingo lagoons in the Galapagos, as well as to many other shorebirds. After observing the wildlife and walking along the very distinct "Green Beach" and "Flour Sand Beach", head towards Devil´s Crown for some great snorkeling surrounded by colored tropical fish, such as yellowtail surgeon fishes, king angelfishes, and many other species. On the seabed you can distinguish resting white-tip reef sharks, different species of ray, and starfishes. A Pacific green turtle or Galapagos sea lion might swim by, and don’t scare when you encounter scalloped hammerhead sharks!
In the afternoon, sail past Post Office Bay and bring your unstamped postcards and post them in the peculiar barrel on this historic site. Together with James Bay (Santiago) this used to be a popular base to complement stocks. Its present barrel commemorates the improvised mail service between British 16th-century whalers and poachers.
After breakfast, walk along the shores of Suarez Point and observe one of the most impressive colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. Suarez Point is also a massive breeding site for Nazca and blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and red-billed tropicbirds. Blue-footed boobies don’t bother to breed in the middle of the trail. Especially during the food-abundant garúa-season, you can admire amusing courtship dances, mating, breeding, emerging from the eggs, nurturing, or first flight-attempts.
Spent the afternoon relaxing, snorkeling, and swimming in the crystal clear waters of Gardner Bay. Admire colorful reef fish, snorkel side-by-side with a Pacific green turtle, or find yourself in the middle of playful Galapagos sea lions. The striking white coral sand beach is an important breeding site for Pacific green turtles. But without doubt its main attraction is the Galapagos sea lion colony.
Because wild Galapagos giant tortoises don’t stop at official National Park boundaries, dozens of them also roam – and even mate – on the adjacent woodlands in the populated agricultural zone of Santa Cruz. Thanks to their concentrations around their favorite muddy pools, these semi-open pastures and moist scalesia-woodlands are the best place for a quick visit. Armed with a rain poncho and (provided) rubber boots you will get good chances to approach wild Galapagos giant tortoises within just a few meters! Their dome-shaped shells characterize the Santa Cruz subspecies. Most of their long lives are spent slowly and silently, except for a warning hiss, or loud screams during mating, which can be heard from afar in the first half of the year. Subsequently, females leave the highlands and descend all the way down to the beaches to dig holes and lay their eggs. It is estimated that in 2015 about 32,000 tortoises lived in the wild on all the islands, mostly in restricted locations of Isabela.
Transfer to Baltra airport for your flight back to Guayaquil or Quito.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$1,900
Child Discount
20% discount for children under 12 at time of Galapagos cruise. Child discounts are conditional and may not apply on certain departures. Please contact us for more information
Children under 12 may receive discounts on Galapagos flight fares and entrance fees. Contact us for details.
Initial deposit is 25% ($400 minimum), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners
4 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Bilingual Naturalist Guide
Adventure Life Pre-departure Services and In-Country Assistance (Quito Representative)
Shore Excursions, Swimming and Snorkeling
Transfers and Baggage Handling in the Galapagos
Snorkeling and kayaking equipment is included in the cruise cost and available for your use on board.
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Galapagos Park Entrance Fee: $200 per adult, $100 per child under 12 (fees of $100 per adult and $50 per child valid on arrivals throughAug 1, 2024). Payable upon arrival to the Galapagos, only in cash dollars. Subject to increase by Galapagos Park Service.
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 169 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 169 reviews on
5 days ago
I spoke with at least a half dozen other travel companies, looking for a Galapagos cruise that fit our schedule and budget. Some companies could manage one or the other, but Erin was the only one who could do both. She found us the perfect cruise, at a fantastic price! And she has been quick and patient with responses to my many questions. So far, Adventure Life has been a fantastic company to work with!
Sandi T
2 weeks ago
Erin was patient, thorough, responsive, knowledgeable.
Karen Bukolt
3 weeks ago
Erin was responsive, knowledgeable, helpful, and ran through a few different choices with us. She got us a fabulous price on a trip, and made everything easy to do. And QUICK!!
Tina
1 month ago
From the initial meeting and planning process with our trip planner Jess, through to the finalizing of our itinerary, trip details and questions, I was very impressed with the professionalism, thoroughness, organization and attention to details. I would highly recommend Adventure Life to anyone looking to plan a unique travelling experience, knowing that the expertise and experience provided will result in a seamless trip of a lifetime.
Lynn Farquharson
1 month ago
Excellent suggestions I line with my desires on a Galapagos very last minute cruise.
Swift and professional guidance and assistance in booking the trip. Helped me realising a substantial saving.