Land at Baltra Island by plane in the morning and transfer to the nearby dock to board the Santa Cruz II, where you take part in an introductory briefing, boat drill, and lunch. 

The beautiful visitor site Las Bachas is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, a glorious white beach with a couple of brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea. These lagoons are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. You may enjoy swimming at this beach, too. Back on the ship, settle in with a welcome cocktail, a briefing on the next day’s expedition plan, and a delicious dinner.

Disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and drive 40 minutes to the island’s southern shore. At Cerro Colorado (San Cristobal Island), 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, as well as the endemic San Cristobal lava lizard. 

In the afternoon, land on Punta Pitt, the eastern tip of the island. The trail that ascends from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline and is the only site in the Galapagos where the three species of boobies can be found together, as well as the two frigatebird species plus a colony of bachelor sea lions. If conditions are favorable, there is a chance to swim, kayak or snorkel from the beach or take an inflatable dinghy ride. 

In the morning, set foot on Gardner Bay in Española Island, a beautiful, white coral beach, and go on a short walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds, finches, or simply enjoy the beach. There is great snorkeling in this area. Kayaking, an inflatable dinghy ride, or a ride on the glass-bottom boat are also offered. 

Following lunch on board, your afternoon outing at Punta Suarez in Española Island takes you on an exciting trail across lava/boulder terrain. Along the way, you can enjoy unique sea bird colonies, including the beautiful, waved albatrosses, boobies, swallow-tail gulls, and the famous “blowhole.” This island is also famous for its colorful and sizeable marine iguanas—all in all, a fantastic visit. 

Disembark in the morning at Cormorant Point in Floreana Island, a curiously green-tinged, olivine-crystal beach that makes for an easy walk to a brackish water lagoon where bird species like American flamingos can be observed. Crossing over to the other side of the island, come to a white-sand beach where sea turtles come out at night to nest. At Champion Islet, guests can choose between snorkeling, a panga ride, or a ride in our glass-bottom boat. 

After lunch, land at Post Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that has served as an informal post office in the archipelago for over two centuries. Afterward, snorkeling off the beach in Baroness Cove is offered. 

In the morning, following a meander through the mangroves in search of sea turtles, disembark amid a landscape dominated by the giant volcanoes of Punta Moreno in southern Isabela Island, some still active. The rugged trail loops inland from the coast, giving you plenty of opportunity to enjoy unique lava formations, pioneer lava cactus, and interesting scalesia trees, as well as plenty of wildlife: Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, brown pelicans, herons, sea lions, marine iguanas, and dozens of Sally Lightfoot crabs. The inland lagoons are home to Bahama-pintail ducks, common stilts, Galapagos flamingos, and even Galapagos hawks and mockingbirds. Following our walk, we can take to our glass-bottom boats or deep-water snorkel. 

Venturing across to Punta Mangle (Fernandina Island), in the afternoon board the pangas (inflatable dinghies) to explore the coastline of the archipelago’s youngest ecosystem, a virgin, pristine world of tiny bays, tall mangroves (Mangle is Spanish for mangrove), and tranquil coves, home to diminutive Galapagos penguins and green-eyed flightless cormorants preening on the shore’s black rocks. Beneath the waves, rays and sea turtles might glide by. The nutrient-rich waters of the Bolivar Channel, which separates the Fernandina and Isabela Islands, attract dolphins and whales. With luck, you'll be able to spot them. Depending on sea conditions, end your visit with a glass-bottom boat ride or deep-water snorkel.

A panga ride takes you to Eden Islet, located off the coast of Santa Cruz, where you can observe blue-footed boobies, reef sharks, and frigates. There’s a chance to snorkel and, if weather conditions permit, to ride in the glass-bottom boat. The volcanic setting of this area is quite stunning. 

North Seymour Island, one of the best visitor sites in the archipelago, is saved for last. In the afternoon, disembark for a walk along the coast and the interior of this beautiful flat island, ambling between numerous nesting frigatebirds, some of the male frigatebirds displaying their balloon-like red gular sacs, as well as land iguanas and sea lion colonies along the coastline. Explore the coast by dinghy, too, seeking out fur seals, and enjoying a fun, deep-water snorkel. End the day with an evening briefing, cocktail, and dinner. 

Your journey ends at Baltra Island where you're transferred to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.