Northeast and Southern Islands

Arrive in the Galápagos Islands and begin your adventure at Baltra Airport, where a naturalist guide greets you and assists with your transfer to the Itabaca Channel. Cross by ferry to Santa Cruz Island and take in your first views of the archipelago. Observe Baltra’s arid landscape and learn about its past as a former U.S. WWII airbase, setting the stage for the stories that unfold throughout your journey.

Explore North Seymour Island, a haven for birdwatchers. Watch large colonies of magnificent and great frigatebirds inflate their red throat pouches in striking courtship displays. Observe blue-footed boobies performing their iconic mating dance, while swallow-tailed gulls perch along cliffs overlooking the sea. Venture inland and encounter land iguanas thriving through conservation efforts, then spot marine iguanas basking on rocks near sea lions riding the waves.
Highlights: Galapagos sea lions, Magnificent and great frigatebirds, Land and marine iguanas, Darwin finches
Trail: 1.4 km / 0.8 mi
Level: Moderate
Activities: HIKING, SNORKELING, PANGA RIDE

Explore Santa Fe Island, set within one of the most beautiful bays in the Galápagos Islands. Walk along a trail lined with towering prickly-pear cacti and ancient lava formations. Relax on a white-sand beach where a large sea lion colony basks beside turquoise waters. Continue inland and spot the endemic Santa Fe land iguana, and with luck, observe a Galápagos hawk perched atop a cactus scanning for prey. Encounter Darwin’s finches, Galápagos doves, mockingbirds, and lava lizards along the way, creating a rich wildlife experience.
Highlights:  Stunning Views, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos hawks, Galapagos doves, Santa Fe land iguanas, Reef sharks
Trail: 0.8 km / 0.5 mi
Level: Moderate
Activities: HIKING, SNORKELING, PANGA RIDE

Visit South Plaza Island, one of the twin Plaza Islands open to visitors, while North Plaza remains a research site. Observe land iguanas resting beneath Opuntia cacti as they wait for fallen fruit. Walk along the shore and watch a large sea lion colony, where playful pups explore tide pools and dominant bulls guard their territory. Follow the trail to a dramatic cliffside and take in sweeping ocean views as frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, and swallow-tailed gulls glide overhead. Admire the island’s striking landscape, covered in a vibrant blanket of reddish succulents.
Highlights:  Stunning Views, Boobies, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos shearwaters, Galapagos land iguanas, Tropicbirds, Pelicans
Trail: 1.4 km / 0.8 mi
Level: Difficult
Activities: HIKING, SNORKELING

Located in the southern part of Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island, El Barranco is a wildlife sanctuary. Its fragile lava cliffs provide shelter for storm petrels and a remarkable population of short-eared owls. Along the trail, red-footed and Nazca boobies nest on the volcanic rock. At the base of the cliffs, Galapagos fur seals rest in shaded areas, while seabirds soar above this breathtaking landscape, making El Barranco an unforgettable destination for nature lovers.
Highlights:  Nesting great frigatebirds, Galapagos sea lions, Genovesa ground finch, Genovesa cactus finch, Galapagos mockingbirds, Galapagos fur seals
Trail: 1.2 km / 0.7 mi
Level: Difficult
Activities: HIKING, SNORKELING, PANGA RIDE, PADDLE BOARD, KAYAK

Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island is a breathtaking sight for birdwatchers. As you step onto the beach, you’ll be amazed by the presence of hundreds of boobies, gulls, and frigatebirds soaring, nesting in bushes, or resting on the sand. Along the shore, sea lions and marine iguanas blend into the scenery, while inland you may spot night herons, swallow-tailed gulls, Darwin finches, Galapagos doves, and mockingbirds. This immersive experience brings you face-to-face with a thriving ecosystem.
Highlights:  Nesting great frigatebirds, Red-footed and Nazca boobies, Galapagos sea lions, Yellow-crowned night herons, Genovesa ground finch, Genovesa cactus finch, Galapagos mockingbirds
Trail: 1.2 km / 0.7 mi
Level: Difficult
Activities: HIKING, SNORKELING, PANGA RIDE, PADDLE BOARD, KAYAK

Enjoy a scenic journey into the lush highlands of Santa Cruz. Walk through a reserve where you may spot giant tortoises—some weighing over 600 pounds—grazing peacefully. Observe endemic birds such as finches and flycatchers. If included in your itinerary, explore a lava tunnel, a fascinating remnant of the volcanic forces that shaped these islands.
Highlights:  Lava tunnels, Darwin finches, Galapagos flycatchers, Giant tortoises, Barn owls, White-cheeked pintails
Trail: 1-1.5 km / 0.6-0.9 mi
Level: Easy
Activities: HIKING

Visit Las Bachas Beach, located on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. Snorkel in clear waters or take a relaxing walk along the shore. Make a wet landing by stepping from the panga directly onto the beach, and disembark barefoot before switching to light walking shoes for the rest of your visit. Walk toward the saltwater lagoon behind the beach and observe great blue herons and small shorebirds in their natural habitat. Discover that these beaches also serve as important nesting grounds for green sea turtles, offering a glimpse into the island’s thriving wildlife.
Highlights:  Stunning Views, Blue footed boobies, White-cheeked pintails, American flamingoes, Sandpipers, Lava gulls
Trail: 1.6 km / 1 mi
Level: Difficult
Activities: HIKING, SNORKELING, PANGA RIDE, PADDLE BOARD, KAYAK

León Dormido, also known as Kicker Rock, is one of the most iconic rock formations in the Galapagos. Located off the coast of San Cristóbal, this towering islet with sheer cliffs offers an unparalleled setting for diving and snorkeling. Dive into crystal-clear waters and swim alongside hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, and majestic manta rays. The marine life here is abundant, with schools of tropical fish and sea lions exploring the reefs. For those seeking adventure and a deep connection with the Galapagos’ underwater world, this is an experience not to be missed.
Highlights:  Boobies, Pelicans, Frigatebirds

Lobos Island, a small islet near San Cristóbal, offers an unforgettable wildlife experience. Upon landing, groups of sea lions will greet you as they play in tidal pools. Walking inland, you’ll spot frigatebirds perched in bushes, displaying their inflated red pouches, while blue-footed boobies nest along the trail, performing their iconic courtship dance. In the calm waters, snorkeling provides an incredible opportunity to swim with playful sea lions, while sea turtles and rays rest on the sandy bottom.
Highlights:  Stunning Views, Galapagos sea lions, Magnificent and great frigatebirds, San Cristobal Lava Lizards
Trail: 0.6 km / 0.4 mi
Level: Moderate
Activities: HIKING, SNORKELING, PANGA RIDE

Embark on an adventure to Suarez Point, one of the Galapagos’ greatest natural wonders. This rocky trail is a haven for wildlife lovers, featuring an incredible array of species. Upon arrival, sea lions and marine iguanas welcome you as the first hosts of this nature spectacle. As you explore further, witness a vibrant mosaic of seabird colonies, from blue-footed and Nazca boobies to graceful frigatebirds and tropicbirds. The highlight of this journey is meeting the waved albatross, the island’s largest bird, impressing visitors with its powerful flight and intricate courtship display (present from April to January).
Highlights:  Stunning Views, Herons, Galapagos mockingbirds, Galapagos hawks, Darwin finches, Marine iguanas, Waved Albatross, Lava lizards
Trail: 1.7 km / 1.1 mi
Level: Difficult
Activities: HIKING

Gardner Bay, located on Española Island, boasts one of the most stunning beaches in the Galapagos. Its soft coral sand and crystal-clear waters create a paradise-like setting, perfect for relaxation and exploration. As you stroll along the shore, spot curious Española mockingbirds, marine iguanas basking in the sun, and Galapagos hawks soaring overhead in search of prey. This natural sanctuary is also home to playful sea lions, making for an unforgettable wildlife experience in a pristine, breathtaking environment.
Highlights:  Coral sand beach, Galapagos mockingbirds, Galapagos hawks, Darwin finches, Marine iguanas
Trail: 0.8 km / 0.5 mi
Level: Moderate
Activities: HIKING, SNORKELING, PADDLE BOARD, KAYAK
 

Located in northern Floreana, Punta Cormorant is a paradise for nature lovers. Its coastal lagoon hosts flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, and black-necked stilts, while its white sand beach is a crucial nesting site for green sea turtles. In recent years, blue-footed boobies have started nesting along the trail. This is also a great site for spotting endemic plants. For snorkeling, Devil’s Crown—a heavily eroded volcanic formation—offers an unparalleled experience, attracting reef sharks, rays, sea turtles, and massive schools of tropical fish.
Highlights:  Galapagos sea lions, Blue footed boobies, Galapagos shearwaters, American flamingoes, Sea turtles, Tropicbirds, Frigatebirds
Trail: 1.6 km / 1 mi
Level: Moderate
Activities: HIKING, SNORKELING, PANGA RIDE, PADDLE BOARD, KAYAK

Step into the past at Post Office Bay on Floreana, where sailors established a barrel-based mail system in the 1700s, still in use today. Beyond its historic charm, the bay was a key stop for whalers seeking freshwater and tortoises. This site also boasts a scenic beach, and incredible wildlife, including sea lions, green sea turtles, reef sharks, and, if luck is on your side, the elusive Galapagos penguin.
Highlights:  Galapagos penguins, Marine iguanas, Sea turtles, Finches, Shorebirds
Trail: 0.7 km / 0.4 mi
Level: Easy
Activities: HIKING, SNORKELING
 

Explore the Charles Darwin Research Station, a center dedicated to wildlife conservation and research. Witness breeding programs helping restore giant tortoise populations, learn about projects tackling invasive species, and see conservationists working to protect the fragile Galapagos ecosystem.
Highlights: Galapagos giant tortoise and land iguanas breeding program, Galapagos mockingbirds, Darwin finches, Galapagos flycatchers
Trail: 2 km / 1.2 mi
Level: Easy

Your Galapagos adventure comes to an end. Today, you will be transferred to Baltra Airport, where your National Park naturalist guide will assist you with final details before your flight back to mainland Ecuador. As you bid farewell to this paradise, take with you the unforgettable memories of one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations.