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Baltra Island - Cruises & Tours

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Baltra is one of the most frequently visited islands because one of the Galapagos' two major airports that fly to the mainland is located on the island. Seymour Airport (GPS) receives flights from Quito and Guayaquil primarily in the mornings and early afternoons. Travelers may board their cruise directly from Baltra island, or, in the majority of cases, will take a short bus ride, then 5 minute ferry ride across the Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz where you'll greet your bus or taxi to take you to the town of Puerto Ayora. Visitors tend to not spend much time on Baltra island, but there are some points of interest such as the ruins from an abandoned World War II USA military base and several beaches with loud, playful sealions. Contact one of our Galapagos specialists for help planning your ideal trip today!
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10 Galapagos Cruises & Tours Visiting Baltra Island for 2025-2026

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Visit Kicker Rock, popularly known as the Sleeping Lion (Leon Dormido)

Galapagos Multisport

8 Days from $3,991
This 8-day multisport adventure to the Galapagos Islands is packed with thrilling and unique experiences. Begin your action-packed trip with a trek on San Cristobal Island, and then continue with kayaking, snorkeling, and biking around the Galapagos, where wildlife awaits at every turn, trailside, and shoreline!
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Floreana Island

Southeast Islands

5 Days from $2,692
Explore the south-eastern islands of San Cristobal, Española, Floreana, and Santa Cruz on this unforgettable 5-day cruise aboard the 100-guest Galapagos Legend small cruise ship.
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Wildlife in the Galapagos

North & Central Islands

5 Days from $5,845
Enjoy an extensive adventure into the unique world of the Galapagos on this incredible 5-day journey. Admire the incredible natural beauty of this archipelago sailing pass Baltra, Rabida, Santiago, Genovesa, Santa Cruz and more!
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Devil's Crown Galapagos

Galapagos Southeast Islands

5 Days from $2,610
This affordable 5-day Galapagos cruise aboard the Coral I or II explores the southeastern and central islands of the Galapagos including San Cristobal, Española, Floreana & Santa Cruz. Encounter fearless wildlife like giant tortoises and marine iguanas, and snorkel in the crystalline Galapagos waters viewing colorful fish, sharks, rays, and sea turtles.
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Black Turtle cove with mangroves

Northern Islands

5 Days from $4,200
Sail to one of the most unique archipelagos in the world on this 5-day Galapagos Islands cruise aboard the Alya catamaran. The Galapagos Islands are teeming with sea life including blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, land and marine iguanas, sea lions, and penguins.
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Overlook at Pitt Point

Western Islands

6 Days from $5,200
Embark the Alya on this 6-day catamaran cruise of the Western Galapagos Islands, visiting some of the most popular sites including the Tortoise Breeding Center on Santa Cruz, snorkeling in Elizabeth Bay on Isabela, kayaking around Urbina Bay at Fernandina, and hiking the Chinese Hat Islet near the southeast coast of Santiago, plus much more!
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Brilliantly colored flamingos

Northern Islands

4 Days from $6,195
Embark on a 4-day North & Central Islands cruise aboard the Hermes Ultra Luxury Cruise. Observe Santa Cruz Highlands' giant tortoises and lava tunnels. Journey to Dragon Hill, home to land iguanas and flamingos then visit Chinese Hat. Explore El Barranco cliffs and Darwin Bay's bird paradise. Conclude with a marine life excursion in Black Turtle Cove.
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Snorkeling near the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Northern Galapagos Catamaran Cruise

5 Days from $5,190
The Ocean Spray luxury catamaran takes you on a 5-day Galapagos Northern Islands cruise, exploring Genovesa, South Plaza, Mosquero, and Santiago. Light hiking, pristine snorkeling, and swimming with sea lions and penguins make this trip the perfect luxury Galapagos vacation package.
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See colorful Frigatebird birds on your trip to the Galapagos

Western Islands

5 Days from $8,195
Set off on a 5-day Western Islands Galapagos cruise aboard the Hermes Ultra Luxury Cruise. Begin at Baltra and sail to Bachas Beach for wildlife encounters. Explore Tagus Cove, Urbina Bay, Espinoza Point, and Vicente Roca Point, discovering rich marine life. Conclude with a visit to North Seymour Island before disembarking in Baltra.
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Getting ready to land

Private Charter - Western Islands II

5 Days from $51,120
Join the Archipel I for a 5-day private cruise of the Western Galapagos Islands. The scenic Santa Cruz, wildlife-rich Isabela, cliff-lined Fernandina, and pristine white sands of Bachas Beach are among the highlights. Swim beside friendly sea lions or stroll through volcanic landscapes teeming with gigantic tortoises, flamingos, iguanas, and penguins.
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Galapagos Travel Deals

10 Deals on Trips Visiting Baltra Island for 2025-2026

Trip Name From Days Next Departure Summary
Luxurious Southern Galapagos Cruise $6,190 6 Apr 24, 2025 On this 6-day luxury Galapagos cruise aboard one of the best yachts in Galapagos, the Ocean Spray catamaran, you'll see giant Galapagos tortoises, playful sea lion colonies, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and if traveling the right time of year, waved albatrosses on Espanola Island.
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Exploring Galapagos $6,605 10 Apr 25, 2025 Spend 10 days exploring the legendary Galápagos Islands aboard a classic, 96-guest expedition ship, the Endeavour II. Actively experience the wildlife and wonders of the islands through kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, and hiking.
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Exploring Galapagos $6,818 10 Apr 25, 2025 Set sail on a 10-day cruise through the Galapagos Islands aboard the National Geographic Gemini and visit iconic islands like North Seymour, Isabela, and Fernandina. This expedition offers unique experiences, providing an exploration of the legendary Galapagos wildlife.
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Southern Islands $6,195 4 Apr 28, 2025 Set sail on a 4-day Hermes Ultra Luxury Cruise to the Eastern Galapagos Islands. Explore San Cristóbal, and visit Tijeretas Hill. Enjoy Gardner Bay and Punta Suárez on Española, then discover unique beaches, flamingos, and marine life at Punta Cormorant on Floreana. Conclude your journey at the Charles Darwin Research Station and fly back home.
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Western Islands $4,700 6 Apr 26, 2025 Enjoy the Galapagos Islands aboard EcoGalaxy in 6 days, where you explore magical landscapes with unique wildlife like giant tortoises, flamingos, iguanas, and sharks. There is an endless list of activities to do on the different islands: Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina, Rabida and Santiago.
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Northwestern Islands $12,995 8 May 01, 2025 Embark on an 8-day Hermes Ultra Luxury Cruise in the Northwestern Galapagos Islands. Explore unique wildlife, including giant tortoises and lava tunnels. Visit Cerro Dragón, Chinese Hat, Genovesa, and more. Enjoy birdwatching, snorkeling, and diverse wildlife encounters. Finally, visit North Seymour before heading to Baltra for your flight home.
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Southern Islands $4,050 5 May 27, 2025 This 5-day Southern Galapagos Islands cruise on the Treasure of the Galapagos yacht explores the islands of Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Santa Fe and more.
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Central East & Southern Islands $12,995 8 Apr 24, 2025 Explore Central East & Southern Islands on this 8-day cruise aboard Hermes Ultra Luxury Cruise. Visit Baltra and meet giant tortoises. Enjoy geological wonders and encounter diverse wildlife on Rábida, Bartolomé, South Plaza, and Santa Fe. End at Fausto Llerena Breeding Center to see Galápagos tortoises and support conservation efforts.
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West & Central Islands + Genovesa $9,990 8 Jun 15, 2025 Enjoy an exceptional trip to the West & Central Galapagos Islands as you sail across one of the most magical destinations in the world. Discover the enchants of Fernandina, Genovesa, Isabela, Rabida, Santa Cruz and Santiago on this 8-day cruise aboard the glamorous M/C Endemic.
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Central East Islands $8,195 5 Apr 24, 2025 Set sail on a 5-day cruise from Baltra to San Cristobal aboard Hermes Ultra Luxury Cruise in the Central East Galapagos Islands. Explore Santa Cruz's highlands and lava tunnels, Rábida's red sand beach, Bartolomé's volcanic panoramas, and South Plaza's land iguanas. Discover more flora and fauna while enjoying up-close wildlife encounters.
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Baltra Facts and Highlights

Visitors arriving to the Galapagos Islands will most likely fly into the Seymour Galapagos Ecological Airport, located in the island of Baltra, just off Santa Cruz. Even though it is an inhabited area, aside from the airport, it serves as the main gateway to the archipelago and also as an embarkation point for many of the Galapagos ships and cruises. Here are some interesting facts about this small, but important island.
  • Baltra Island, also known as South Seymour Island, is a small, flat island located near the center of the Galapagos archipelago.
  • Despite being relatively barren and uninhabited, Baltra is an important hub for tourism and scientific research in the Galapagos.
  • Visitors to Baltra Island typically arrive at its airport, which was built by the United States military during World War II and now serves as the main gateway to the Galapagos.
  • The proximity of Baltra to the island of Santa Cruz, just one short ferry and bus ride away, allows visitors to explore its most relevant sites, such as the Charles Darwin Research Station, home to a wide variety of Galapagos wildlife, including giant tortoises, iguanas, and various bird species.
  • Explore the town of Puerto Ayora, Tortuga Beach, and Bachas Beach in Santa Cruz. 
TrustScore 4.8 | 529 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
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Based on 529 reviews on
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1 month ago
I just returned from a 10 day trip to Ecuador and The Galapagos Island. From the very first conversation with Adventure Life until my return, everything went smoothly. It was a great trip! Adventure Life excels at communication and organization. Every detail was considered, which made the preparation for my trip really easy. In country, my guides were outstanding...friendly, knowledgeable, on time, professional. I really can't say enough good things about how well I was taken care of during my trip. When flying to a new country it's comforting to be met by a friendly face at the airport who knows where you're going! All of my hotels were well-located and thoughtfully selected for comfort and historic interest. The yacht I sailed on through the islands exceeded my expectations in every way. My cabin was very comfortable, the food we were served was excellent and the crew was first-class. Our Park Guide found the perfect balance between fun and education. His passion for the Galápagos Islands was evident in every activity on every island. I look forward to planning my next trip with Adventure Life, and thank their entire team for making this adventure wonderful!
Tracy Heuermann
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1 month ago
Kevin had first hand experience of Ecuador and The Galapagos which helped us plan time before and after our visit to the Galapagos by water. We always plan our travel independently, but since we needed a guide in the galapagos, this was a perfect blend of self plan and assistance.
Lori
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1 month ago
Adventure Life helped guide us toward just the right trip for us and then made all the planning super easy. We absolutely loved our time at Hacienda Jimenita in Quito and on the Anahi in the Galapagos and would recommend both to anyone. Everything went so smoothly from start to finish because Adventure Life took care of all the arrangements.
Marla Zucker
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1 month ago
Jane went out of her way to help accommodate my what's and needs.
Walt LIGHTFOOT
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2 months ago
Adventure Life (with partner Adventure Journey) got us the real experience that we were hoping for. The food was definitely above what we expected, as were the accomodations. Gabriel S. (our Galapagos guide) was so very personable and tuned in that we felt we had the premium of experiences (food, activities, people to meet and interact with). Our experience in the Cloud Forest was an impressive "birding" experience with great accomodations and wonderful food.
Richard Mark Styczynski

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