Northern and Southern Galapagos Cruise

After landing at Baltra Airport, receive assistance and transfer directly to the M/C Monique.

Continue to the highlands of Santa Cruz, where you’ll have the opportunity to see the famous giant tortoises in the wild. These iconic endemic animals are so renowned that they gave the archipelago its name. Birdwatching is another popular activity in the Santa Cruz highlands, which are home to finches and a variety of other Galapagos birds.
Activities: Walking
Difficulty: Moderate 

In the morning, explore Champion Islet, a small sanctuary near Floreana Island known for its crystal-clear waters and coral reefs. During a panga ride and snorkeling session, guests may encounter sea turtles, playful sea lions, and vibrant schools of fish. This islet also shelters one of the last populations of the Floreana mockingbird, making it a remarkable spot for both wildlife and marine life preservation.

Cormorant Point features two contrasting beaches: one with olive-green sand, colored by a high content of olivine crystals, and another with pure white sand—commonly known as ‘Flour Beach’—derived from pulverized coral. The saltwater pond is a must-see, frequented by one of the archipelago’s largest populations of Galapagos flamingos, as well as other shorebirds such as stilts, white-cheeked pintails, and large-billed flycatchers.

Afterward, guests will take a dinghy ride to Devil’s Crown, an underwater volcanic crater that is almost entirely submerged. Only a small portion of the rock formation is visible above water, giving it the appearance of a crown. Snorkelers will discover a vibrant underwater world filled with coral reefs and a myriad of marine species, while the area also attracts a variety of birds due to its location in open waters.
Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy ride, kayaking/paddleboarding
Difficulty: Moderate

Post Office Bay is a man-made site that offers a glimpse into a unique mailing tradition established by British whalers in the 18th century, which visitors can still participate in today. The beach also provides excellent opportunities for snorkeling and kayaking, and guests can explore a lava tube by descending and walking through it.

Next, take a dinghy ride to the Baroness’s Lookout, a volcanic rock formation named after an Australian baroness who visited the island in the 1930s and is believed to have mysteriously disappeared. A short trail leads to a stunning vantage point with panoramic views of the surrounding mangroves and coastline.
Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling, dinghy ride, kayaking/paddleboarding.
Difficulty: Easy

Suarez Point is teeming with wildlife and is best explored along the circular walking trail. This memorable walk takes you past the nesting sites of large colonies of Nazca and blue-footed boobies, as well as mockingbirds. Unique to Española Island, the magnificent waved albatross can be seen soaring gracefully from the cliffs, alongside red and green marine iguanas. A geological highlight of the area is its blowholes, capable of shooting water up to 25 meters into the air, creating spectacular photo opportunities.
Activities and Excursions: Walking  
Difficulty: Moderate 

Spend the afternoon on the soft white sands of Gardner Bay, a pristine beach where sea lions lounge and the ocean invites you in. Whether you choose to swim, snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard, the surrounding turquoise waters offer a perfect opportunity to observe marine life. Just offshore, Gardner and Osborn Islets are home to coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, rays, and playful juvenile sea lions — ideal for a vibrant snorkeling adventure.
Activities and Excursions:  Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy ride, Kayaking/paddleboarding
Difficulty: Moderate

In the morning, deepen your understanding of the archipelago at the San Cristobal Interpretation Center. This modern facility features engaging exhibits that explore the Galapagos’ geological origins, ecological richness, and complex human history. Learn about the unique species that inhabit these islands and the ongoing conservation initiatives dedicated to protecting their fragile ecosystems for generations to come.
Activities and Excursions: Walking 
Difficulty: Easy 

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

Begin your morning by landing on Santa Fe, one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos, known for its towering forests of Opuntia cacti and distinctive pale-yellow land iguanas. Hike along scenic trails that lead you across the island’s arid landscape or into the highlands where these endemic iguanas bask under the sun. After your walk, cool off in the calm, crystal-clear waters of the bay — ideal for swimming or snorkeling alongside playful sea lions, rays, and colorful reef fish.
Activities: Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy ride, Kayaking/paddleboarding   
Difficulty: Moderate

In the afternoon, explore the compact yet incredibly 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:  Walking, Dinghy ride, Kayaking/paddleboarding 
Difficulty: Easy

In the morning, you will explore Bartholomew Island. Upon arrival, you’ll ascend to a viewpoint offering spectacular panoramas of Sullivan Bay and the iconic Pinnacle Rock. The beaches at the base of Pinnacle Rock are excellent for snorkeling, where you can discover the vibrant underwater world—and with a bit of luck, you may 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 encounter 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

During the visit to Darwin Bay, the only sandy beach within the caldera on Genovesa, 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

In the morning, you'll explore Black Turtle Cove, located along the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. This site vividly illustrates how mangroves shape the marine ecosystem, creating a vibrant and unique habitat. Three species of mangroves extend from the shore deep into the water, reaching nearly a mile inland.

While gliding silently through the calm waters aboard a dinghy, you may spot eagle rays and mustard rays swimming gracefully 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, including pelicans, herons, and egrets, all attracted 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.