Eastern Islands

Arrive at Baltra airport. Visit the largest of the central islands, Santa Cruz, home to many tourist visitor sights and the largest human settlement, Puerto Ayora. 

Caleta Tortuga (Turtle Cove) is a red mangrove lagoon on Santa Cruz and a perfect example of how mangroves alter the marine environment to create a rich and unique habitat. You will have the opportunity to see sea turtles, rays, sharks, and sea birds.

Genovesa Island (Tower) is an eroded flat volcanic island, with a natural harbor, which is the submerged caldera of this volcanic island.

In Darwin Bay, the steep cliffs of this area dominate the island. This area is home to thousands of frigate birds, red-footed boobies, Noddy terns, lava gulls, tropicbirds, doves, storm petrels and Darwin's finches.

There is a good possibility of seeing the unique "Short-eared owl” at El Barranco. During the dinghy rides along the cliffs fur seals and several species of seabirds can be spotted.

A hike will take you to the highest point on Bartolome for a spectacular view. Sea lions and penguins can be seen around Pinnacle Rock. There is a sandy beach with great swimming and snorkeling.

Sombrero Chino (Chinese Hat) is a small volcanic island just off the southeast tip of Santiago. The name of the island describes the shape of the island. Fauna includes Sea lions, marine iguanas, and the Galapagos penguin.

Rábida is a small island with a dark red coral sand beach. Highlights include the lagoon with flamingoes, a pelican nesting site, a sea lion bachelor colony, and a snorkeling site at the end of the beach.

Dragon Hill is located on the northwestern side of Santa Cruz Island. Some highlights include small lagoons with flamingos, Palo Santo trees, and Opuntia cactus.

Galapagos giant tortoises can be seen in the wild in the highlands of Santa Cruz.

Visit the Charles Darwin Station which is a research facility and the National Park Information Center. The Charles Darwin Station has a giant tortoise and land iguana breeding program and interpretation center.

Española Island (Hood) is the oldest of the Southern Islands and is the southernmost in the archipelago. Because of its remote location, a unique range of endemic species evolved here.

Gardner Bay is located on the northeast of the island, the site has a long and beautiful white sand beach inhabited by sea lion colonies.
Islote Garnder and Islote Osborn are snorkeling sites where visitors will see an abundance of tropical fish, reef sharks, and turtles.

The wildlife at Punta Suarez is plentiful and varied. Along the cliff, visitors can enjoy the blowhole where seawater is forced about 20m into the air. The highlights are the Waved albatross (April-Dec) that are only found on Hood, Galapagos Hawks, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and Española lava lizards.

Santa Fe is a smaller island of 24 km2. The visitor site Santa Fe is located on the northeast end of the island. Highlights include Santa Fe land iguanas, pelican nesting site, sea lion colony, mockingbird, and Palo Santo trees.

South Plaza Island consists of two very small islands that were uplifted from the sea, separated by a channel. Only South Plazas has a visitor site. The highlights include tall Opuntia cactus, land and marine iguanas, a rocky cliff that looks out towards the open ocean which is also a nesting site for red-billed tropic birds and gulls, and a seal lion bachelor colony.

Surrounded by the endemic Scalecia trees, these two sunken craters are known as the twins. They are naturally beautiful and home to yellow warblers and finches.

Return flight to Quito or Guayaquil.