Private Charter - Eastern Islands Aboard Santa Cruz II

Arrive by plane at Baltra Island and transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II where you receive your welcome introductory briefing and lunch.

After lunch and your introductory briefing on board, Santa Cruz II relocates only four nautical miles from Baltra to Mosquera Islet, a small volcanic uplift between Baltra and North Seymour. The island is a long and narrow sand bank surrounded by lava reefs.  After a wet landing, your guides lead you past the sea lion colonies, where you can learn more about the fragile marine and terrestrial ecosystems of the Galapagos. The walk is easy as it is restricted to a few hundred meters of flat sandy dunes. This is also a great opportunity for an introduction to snorkeling.
Aquatic Activities: Beach

In the morning, disembark (wet landing) on the eastern tip of the island at Punta Pitt, an eroded tuff cone, whose trail provides spectacular views of the shoreline. This is the only site in the Galapagos where the three species of boobies can be found together. Walk or enjoy a panga ride along the coast. There is an opportunity for snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking.

After lunch, disembark (dry landing) at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the island's capital, and drive 40 minutes to the island’s southern shore. At Cerro Colorado, visit the breeding center for highly endangered giant tortoises in the midst of a fantastic deciduous forest, home to dozens of bird species, including the San Cristobal mockingbird, and the San Cristobal lava lizard, both island endemics.
Aquatic Activities: Snorkeling, Panga Ride, Kayaking, Beach, Swimming

After breakfast, take the dinghy over to this idyllic sandy-white beach populated by many sea lions (wet landing). The endemic land iguana, unique to this island, may be spotted during the morning walk amid the giant prickly pear cactus. Snorkeling and swimming from the panga round off your rewarding experience, or if guests prefer, the glass bottom boat is available for non-snorkelers. Opportunity for kayaking.
Aquatic Activities: Snorkeling, Panga Ride, Kayaking, Glass-bottom boat

Following lunch and a rest, disembark in South Plaza Islands (dry landing) in this channel, whose turquoise waters contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. Beyond, a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as ground cover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus. Yellow-gray land iguanas sit beneath these, waiting patiently for pears to drop. Along the coastline you will find sea lion colonies, while frigates, swallow-tailed gulls, and shearwaters glide, playing with the thermals.

In the morning, disembark (dry landing) for your visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station’s giant tortoise Breeding Centre within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest that is home to many land birds. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation, and the National Park administration. Following your visit, board your transport to enjoy lunch in the cooler highlands of Santa Cruz Island, a completely different ecosystem.

Then enjoy several options available for the afternoon, which can be discussed in advance with your Expedition Leader.  At the end of the afternoon’s activities, return to Puerto Ayora and embark on the Santa Cruz II.
Aquatic Activities: Kayaking

Today visit Punta Suarez (dry landing) - An exciting walk awaits at this site, where you can enjoy its unique sea bird colonies, including waved albatrosses (April-December), Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls as well as view of the Galapagos’ famous “blow-hole”. Also, look out for red-green-black marine iguanas. Back on board for lunch.

In the afternoon, the picture-postcard white coral beach of Gardner Bay and the nearby islet of Osborn provides a beautiful setting for observing sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches as you relax. Expect great snorkeling in this area. There is an opportunity for swimming and kayaking as well.
Aquatic Activities: Snorkeling, Kayaking, Beach, Swimming

After breakfast, a panga ride takes you to Eden Islet, a small islet located off the coast of Santa Cruz, where you can observe blue-footed boobies diving into the water, reef sharks, and frigates. There’s a chance to snorkel and, if weather conditions permit, ride in the glass-bottom boat and kayak.
Aquatic Activities: Snorkeling, Panga Ride, Kayaking, Glass-bottom boat, Paddleboarding
 
North Seymour was lifted from the ocean floor by a volcanic event, and its origins as a seabed give the island its low, flat profile. A tiny forest of silver-gray Palo Santo trees stands just above the landing (dry landing), usually without leaves, waiting for the rains to burst into bloom. This is a great introductory site to the islands and their wildlife, full of bird colonies of blue-footed boobies, two species of frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls, as well as sea lions and marine iguanas.
Aquatic Activities: Snorkeling, Panga Ride, Glass-bottom boat

On your last day, disembark at Baltra Island and transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the continent.