Have questions? We're here.
A male frigatebird rests in the trees of the Galapagos

Northern & Southern Islands

Roundtrip Baltra - Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Galapagos Angel
Talk with an expert
Build your ideal Galapagos trip. Call 1.406.541.2677
Start Planning My Trip
Embark on an 8-day cruise aboard the Galapagos Angel to explore the Northern and Southern Islands. Witness North Seymour's unique geology and rich wildlife. Visit Sullivan Bay in southeast Santiago to witness its captivating geology, marked by lava flows and small volcanoes.  Explore Darwin Bay's mangrove trails and El Barranco's steep cliffs with unique species. Enjoy snorkeling with fur seals at Egas Port and vibrant landscapes on Rabida Island. Visit the Tortoise Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora, then explore the lush Highlands of Santa Cruz. Spot blue-footed boobies, albatrosses, and Nazca boobies at Suarez Point. Relax at Gardner Bay's stunning white-sand beach and swim with sea lion pups. Discover Santa Fe Island's scenic viewpoints and diverse wildlife. Conclude in Black Turtle Cove before departing from Baltra.
Blue-footed boobies perched on volcanic rocksWildlife in the GalapagosSea lions in the GalapagosWildlife in the GalapagosGiant TortoiseKayak on a beach in the galapagosGalapagos hawkA male frigatebird rests in the trees of the Galapagos
Highlights
  • Explore lush Santa Cruz highlands and extensive lava tunnels
  • Marvel at blue-footed boobies and albatrosses on Suarez Point
  • Witness North Seymour's rich wildlife and unique geology
  • Explore mangrove trails at Darwin Bay, cliffs at El Barranco
Activities
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
0

Full Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Baltra | Embark | North Seymour

Morning flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra, Galapagos Islands.

Arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. Pass through immigration and baggage claim, and a Galapagos Angel staff member meets and transfers you to the yacht. They show you to your cabin, where you have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.

In North Seymour, you may see Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and magnificent frigate birds which are abundant on this island. North Seymour was formed by a series of submarine lava flows containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone.

Possible Activities: Dinghy ride & hiking (1.5 miles / 2.41 km)
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Land & marine iguanas, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, sea lions; snorkeling: rays, reef sharks, fish, garden eels.

Day 2: Chinese Hat Islet | Sullivan Bay

This small islet is located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet’s summit. Chinese Islet is a great location to view many geological formations such as lava tunnels and lava flows. Some of the lava flows were formed underwater and subsequently raised above sea level. The presence of coral heads on the lava flow indicates this phenomenon.

Possible Activities: Hike (1.9 miles / 3 km)
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights & Animals: Lava formations are a great site for snorkeling with an abundance of marine species such as sea lions, sharks, rays, and penguins.

Visit Sullivan Bay located in the southeast part of Santiago. This place is interesting for its geology because the area is covered by lava flows. This place has elevations in the form of small volcanoes formed by the lava flows.

Possible Activities: Hiking
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Lava flows, small volcanoes
 

Day 3: Darwin Bay | El Barranco

Visit the white-sand coral beach of Darwin Bay which includes a half-mile trail (0,75km) that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls, which can easily be spotted here. Continuing down the path, tidal pools reveal sea lions swimming playfully. At the end is a spectacular view of a cliff.

Possible Activities: Hiking (0.9 miles / 1.5 Km), snorkeling, kayaking, and dinghy ride
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights & Animals: Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls, mangroves, coral pebble beach, snorkeling: rays, colorful reef fish, and hammerhead sharks occasionally.

El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, is a steep, rocky path that leads up a high cliff rock face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to Palo Santo vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, Galapagos storm petrels, and Galapagos doves.

Possible Activities: Hiking (0.9 miles / 2 Km)
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, storm petrels, Galapagos doves

Day 4: Egas Port | Rabida

Egas Port, also known as James Bay, on Santiago Island is home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to the coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos fur seals bathe in the sun. This is also a great snorkeling site.

Possible Activities: Snorkeling, hiking (1.2 miles/2 km)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights & Animals: Fur seals, Galapagos sea lions, tidal pools and grottos, Galapagos hawks, oystercatchers, marine iguanas, finches; snorkeling: reef sharks, turtles, rays, nice underwater formations.

Visiting Rabida Island (or Jervis) is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago, in addition to being a great snorkeling site. Starting on Rabida’s famous maroon/red sand beach and following an easy hike, you arrive at a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some species are abundant such as a few varieties of finches, Galapagos vermilion flycatchers, Galapagos hawks, and brown pelicans.

Possible Activities: Snorkeling, panga ride & short hike (0.6 miles / 1km)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights & Animals: Snorkeling: white-cheeked pintail ducks, colorful fish, sea lions, brackish water lagoon, pelicans

Day 5: Fausto Llerena Breeding Center | Highlands

Visit the "Fausto Llerena" Tortoise Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora, and observe giant tortoises breeding in captivity. This is home to tortoises ranging from 3 inches (new hatchlings) to 4-foot-long adults. Subspecies of the giant tortoises interact with one another, and many of the older tortoises are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years old and strong enough to survive on their own.

Possible Activities: Walking
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Giant tortoises, finches, Galapagos rails

Accessible by bus from Puerto Ayora, the highlands of Santa Cruz are a deep green which contrasts beautifully with the dry, lower part of the islands. The predominant vegetation in the highlands are Scalesia trees which create a lush green forest. The lava tunnels, over half a mile long, are underground, and walking through them is a unique, surreal experience. Lunch is served at this location.

Possible Activities: Hiking (1.5 miles / 2 ½ km)
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Lava tunnels, Finches, wild tortoises, tortoise nesting site.

Day 6: Gardner Bay, Gardner Islet & Osborn Islet | Suarez Point

This excursion takes you to the spectacular Gardner Bay. After landing, you can walk across a lovely white-sand beach amongst a busy sea lion colony or dive into the water to swim with sea lion pups. You may also see curious mockingbirds on the beach.

Possible Activities: Snorkeling, panga ride, a short hike (0.6 miles / 1km), and Kayaking
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights & Animals: White sandy beach, sea lions, mockingbirds; snorkeling: colorful fish, sea lion nursery.

On the trail to Suarez Point, spotting blue-footed boobies, albatrosses, and Nazca boobies becomes possible. This island serves as the breeding site for almost all of the world's 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. Additionally, visit a picturesque oceanfront location featuring a cliff that the large albatrosses utilize as a launching pad. Witnessing the renowned blowhole, which spouts seawater into the air, becomes an option. The landscape offers excellent photography opportunities.

Possible Activities: Hike (1.9 miles / 3 km)
Difficulty: Difficult
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Hood mockingbirds, Nazca boobies, waved albatrosses (approximately from the last week of April until the last week of January), red-billed tropicbirds, lava lizards, Galapagos hawks, blowholes, amazing landscapes, and maybe blue-footed boobies.

Day 7: Santa Fe Island | South Plaza Island

Santa Fe Island (Barrington) is home to the small picturesque bay and anchorage on the island’s northeast coast. The bay has two visitor trails: one leading to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff, and the other spanning from a small beach to a tall prickly pear cactus forest.

Possible Activities: Hiking (5 miles / 8 km)
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Land iguanas, giant Opuntia cacti

This small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas. The most characteristic plant is the Sesuvium. During the rainy season, its color is a greenish to yellowish tone, and in the dry season (end of June through January) a bright red.

Possible Activities: Hike (1.5 miles / 2 ½ km)
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Land iguanas, sea lion colony, Audubon’s shearwaters, swallow-tailed gulls, Nazca boobies, amazing landscape with cliffs

Day 8: Black Turtle Cove | Disembark | Baltra

  • 1 Breakfast
Visit Black Turtle Cove in the northern part of Santa Cruz. This inlet is surrounded by mangroves and is only accessible by dinghy. The shallow cove is a haven for young marine life. Black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of rays are often spotted here

Possible Activities: Dinghy ride
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: No Landing
Highlights & Animals: Baby hammerhead shark, rays, sea turtles, sea birds

After this final visit, transfer to the Baltra airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.

Ship/Hotel

Galapagos Angel

Galapagos Angel Dining Area
Galapagos Angel Lounge
Galapagos Angel Social Area

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$6,645 2-3 travelers
Galapagos Angel - Standard Room
Standard
(152 ft2 / 14 m2) - 6 double cabins in the Main Deck. Each cabin is equipped with private bathrooms, hot water, air-conditioning, panoramic windows, a safety box, a hairdryer, bathrobes, and a TV.
Galapagos Angel - Suite Room
Suite
(196 ft2 / 18 m2) - 2 Suites room in Upper Deck. Each cabin is equipped with private bathrooms, hot water, air-conditioning, panoramic windows, a safety box, a hairdryer, bathrobes, and a TV.

Notes

  • Discount for children under 12 years: 10%
  • Single supplement: 80%
  • Christmas & New Year: special conditions apply.
  • Prices are per person in United States Dollars

Child Discount

10% Discount applies when traveling with two adults. Children must be under 12 years old by the time they cruise. Child discounts are conditional and may not apply on certain departures. Please contact us for more information.

Children under 12 may receive discounts on Galapagos flight fares and entrance fees. Contact us for details.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Bilingual Naturalist Guide 
  • Adventure Life Pre-departure Services and In-Country Assistance (Quito Representative)
  • Shore Excursions, Swimming and Snorkeling 
  • Transfers and Baggage Handling in the Galapagos
  • Snorkeling equipment (mask, fins), wetsuits, kayaks, underwater cameras, and walking sticks are all included in the cruise cost and are available for your use onboard.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Galapagos Park Entrance Fee: $200 per adult, $100 per child under 12. Payable upon arrival to the Galapagos, only in cash dollars. Subject to increase by Galapagos Park Service.
  • Alcoholic Drinks
  • Internal Flights: Mainland Ecuador - Galapagos - Mainland Ecuador: $475-675

Map

When to Go

Inquire

* By providing your phone number, you consent to receive direct phone calls or SMS messages from our Trip Planners to get the process started. We do not share your information with third-parties.
Travel Agents

We Love to Talk Travel

Call 1.800.344.6118
or
Chat Now
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
More Reasons

Why Travel With Adventure Life

All News

Recognized By