Land at the Baltra airport and meet your fellow passengers before transferring to the Charles Darwin Research Station. The Charles Darwin Research Station provides an unmissable opportunity to find out about the vital work being carried out to preserve the archipelago’s ecosystems.

One element of this is a significant breeding program for Galapagos tortoises, whose numbers have been in decline since the 1970s. These enormous captivating reptiles are very accustomed to humans, so be sure to bring your camera for some close-ups. Embark on your ship this afternoon.

El Barranco, also known as Prince Philip’s Steps, is a rocky stairway that leads past a colony of Nazca and red-footed boobies and up to a plateau of dried lava. Continuing through the thin Palo Santo forest and looking out over the plain, visitors are often treated to sites of storm petrels launching out over the ocean. A panga ride or kayaking/paddle boarding along the edge of the cliffs provides a good chance to see the elusive Galapagos fur seals nestled on the rocks, and snorkeling is a great activity if you fancy a dip with a variety of shark species.

Darwin Bay has a small sand and coral beach that provides the perfect spot for snorkeling, kayaking, or paddle boarding in calm, sheltered waters in the company of hammerhead sharks, rays, and a plethora of colorful reefs fish. Onshore, a short trail leads along a tidal lagoon and mangroves, home to various land bird species, including Nazca and red-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. The trail culminates at a viewpoint that offers a stunning view overlooking the cliffs and the bay below.

Espumilla beach, located on the northern coast of Santiago island, is an exquisite white sand beach whose name refers to the meringue-like trails of foam left by the lapping of the waves.

Sally Lightfoot crabs are in abundance here, and as a result, it is common to see predatory birds such as hawks, herons, and pelicans. This idyllic location is perfect for snorkeling or kayaking/paddleboarding amongst a raft of marine life, including species of octopus, eels, and sharks.

Buccaneer Cove has an interesting history as it is where sailors, Buccaneers, and whalers frequently anchored their vessels in search of food and water. It has become an important nesting site for turtles in more recent times and is also popular with sea lions. Enjoy a panga ride along with the eroded shoreline yields views of intriguing rock formations that provide excellent ledges for boobies, pelicans, and gulls.

Egas Port was once the site of a salt mine, but now this impressive black sand beach is an excellent location for snorkeling and observing shorebirds, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and marine iguanas. Stroll along the wide trails inland leads you past tidal pools and rocky volcanic formations known as grottoes, where it is possible to spot fur seals enjoying a spot of shade.

Bachas Beach is a glorious white sand beach on which the remnants of a rusted barge, thought to have been abandoned by the Americans during WWI, can be seen. It is a popular nesting site for turtles, so if you go for a snorkel, you might find yourself sharing the water with these wonderful creatures. The site is also full of vibrant Sally Lightfoot, and hermit crabs and elegant pink flamingos frequent the saltwater lagoon.

This afternoon, visit the Twin Craters. The best way to appreciate these remarkable, almost identical crater-like holes caused by the collapse of empty lava chambers is to take the trail that leads up and around the rims. From this vantage point, one can revel in the beauty of the surrounding highlands, lush with ferns and an abundance of Scalesia trees. Here, bird enthusiasts can also enjoy spotting the distinct red feathers of Vermilion Flycatchers, Darwin’s finches, Galapagos doves, and an endemic short-ear owl with a bit of luck. 
 

Kicker Rock is an iconic feature of the Galapagos that has been formed over time by the erosion of the cone of an extinct volcano. The channel that runs between two imposing shards of rock is often described as one of the most thrilling sites for snorkeling and diving, where it is common to see spotted eagle rays, sea turtles, marine iguanas, Galapagos sharks, and even hammerhead sharks. Nazca, on the rock formation itself, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and sea lions can often be seen perched on the ledges above.

Disembark and transfer from the yacht to the airport.