Northern and Central Galapagos Cruise

After landing at San Cristobal Airport, receive guidance and transfer to the M/C Monique for embarkation.

In the afternoon, Head to Witch Hill, a secluded bay with fine white sand and crystal-clear waters, perfect for swimming or snorkeling. Its shallow saltwater lagoon provides a peaceful setting, ideal for spotting marine life and enjoying views of Kicker Rock from a unique vantage point.

During a circumnavigation, you’ll take in breathtaking views of Kicker Rock—a towering, twin-peaked volcanic formation rising from the sea. This iconic landmark is a haven for seabirds, including blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds, often seen perched on its narrow ledges.
Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy ride, Kayaking/paddleboarding (Kicker Rock circumnavigation)
Difficulty: Easy

Start the day on Santa Fe Island, one of the oldest islands in the Galápagos. Walk through stands of giant Opuntia cactus and watch for pale-yellow land iguanas resting across the dry terrain. Follow marked paths through the highlands before entering the bay, where calm waters invite you to swim or snorkel with sea lions, rays, and reef fish.
Activities and Excursions:  Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy ride, Kayaking/paddleboarding
Difficulty: Moderate

In the afternoon, explore the compact yet remarkably diverse South Plaza Island. Its vivid red and green Sesuvium ground cover contrasts dramatically with the island’s black lava and towering prickly pear cacti. Here, you can often see swallow-tailed gulls, tropicbirds, and other seabirds nesting or riding the thermals above the crashing waves.
Activities and Excursions: Walking, Dinghy ride, Kayaking/paddleboarding
Difficulty: Easy

In the morning, you will explore Bartholomew Island. Upon arrival, you’ll ascend to enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Sullivan Bay and the iconic Pinnacle Rock. The beaches at the base of Pinnacle Rock are excellent for snorkeling, where you can discover a vibrant underwater world—and with a bit of luck, even snorkel alongside penguins.
Activities and Excursions:  Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy Ride
Difficulty: Easy

In the afternoon, you will visit Sullivan Bay, located on the east coast of Santiago Island. Land on a white coral sand beach and take a walk across lava flows that are less than 100 years old. This is the perfect place to experience and appreciate the volcanic origins of the Galapagos. You will also have the opportunity to admire the unique flora that thrives in these lava fields.
Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy ride
Difficulty: Easy

In the morning, you will visit El Barranco (Prince Philip’s Steps), a staircase carved from stone. It leads to a wide plateau where you can observe large colonies of masked boobies, frigatebirds, storm petrels, and ducks. During this easy stroll, you will pass through a small Scalesia forest, home to the short-eared owl, before returning along the same path to your boat.
Activities:  Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy Ride, Kayaking / Paddleboarding
Difficulty: Moderate

In the afternoon, visit Darwin Bay, the only sandy beach within the caldera on Genovesa, where you will encounter colonies of great frigatebirds along the shore. Males display their red throat pouch to attract females. Red-footed boobies nest in the trees, in contrast to the other two booby species, which nest on the ground.
Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy Ride, Kayaking / Paddleboarding
Difficulty: Moderate

After breakfast, you'll explore Black Turtle Cove, located along the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. This site vividly demonstrates how mangroves shape the marine ecosystem, forming a vibrant and unique habitat. Three different species of mangroves extend from the shore deep into the water, stretching nearly a mile inland.

While gliding silently through the calm waters aboard a dinghy, you may spot spotted eagle rays and mustard rays gracefully swimming in formation. Keep an eye out for white-tipped reef sharks gliding beneath the surface and Pacific green sea turtles surfacing to breathe or mate. The area is also a haven for waterfowl, such as pelicans, herons, and egrets, all drawn by the cove’s rich feeding grounds.
Activities and Excursions: Dinghy ride    
Difficulty: Easy  

After this last visit, transfer to Baltra airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.  Assistance and farewell at the airport.