Western Islands

Upon arrival, receive assistance at the airport before transferring to the M/C Eminence.

In the afternoon, visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island. Explore this important conservation site and learn about the efforts dedicated to protecting the iconic Galapagos giant tortoise. Observe tortoises at different stages of development, from young hatchlings to fully grown adults, while discovering the breeding and repopulation programs carried out across the archipelago. Gain insight into the fragile ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands and the long-term conservation work required to preserve them.
Activities: Walking
Type of landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Easy
 

In the morning, you arrive at Isabela Island, the largest island in the Galapagos Islands. You begin your excursion at Las Tintoreras, a group of small lava islets just off the coast. You explore calm waters and striking volcanic scenery while observing marine iguanas resting on black rocks, with sea lions and Galapagos penguins often nearby. You snorkel through clear channels where white-tipped reef sharks may be seen resting in shallow areas.

You then continue to Sierra Negra Volcano, where you take in one of the most impressive volcanic landscapes in the archipelago, overlooking its vast and dramatic caldera.
Activities: Walking, snorkeling, Dinghy ride
Type of landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Moderate

In the afternoon, visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center on Isabela Island, where conservation programs support several giant tortoise populations native to the island. Observe tortoises at different stages of growth and learn about the protection and breeding efforts that help preserve these iconic reptiles. Gain insight into the ecological importance of Isabela Island and the ongoing conservation work dedicated to protecting its endemic species.
Activities: Walking
Type of landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Easy

In the morning, visit to Moreno Point, located on the western side of Isabela Island. This visitor site is defined by expansive lava fields created by past volcanic activity. A walk across the dark terrain leads to a series of inland lagoons where flamingos, gallinules, and pintail ducks may be seen. The contrast between the dry lava landscape and the life that gathers around the water makes this visit especially striking. Marine iguanas are commonly found warming themselves on the rocks, and the nearby shoreline may also reveal turtles and rays.
Activities: Walking, snorkeling, Dinghy ride
Type of landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Moderate

In the afternoon, discover Elizabeth Bay by dinghy ride. There is no landing at this visitor site, allowing the experience to unfold entirely from the water. Surrounded by red mangroves and quiet channels, the bay offers excellent opportunities to observe wildlife in a serene setting. Guests may spot Galapagos penguins, sea turtles, rays, pelicans, and flightless cormorants as the dinghy moves through one of the most peaceful marine habitats in the western islands.
Activities: Dinghy ride, kayaking/Stand-up paddleboarding 
Type of landing: No landing
Difficulty: Easy

In the morning, visit to Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island, one of the most untouched ecosystems in the Galapagos. The lava shoreline is home to one of the largest colonies of marine iguanas in the archipelago, often seen gathered in large numbers across the rocks. Sea lions rest near the coast, Sally Lightfoot crabs add bright color to the black lava, and flightless cormorants can often be observed along the shore. The surrounding scenery is raw and dramatic, offering one of the most distinctive landscapes of the voyage.
Activities: Walking, snorkeling, Dinghy ride
Type of landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Moderate

In the afternoon, continue to Vicente Roca Point, on the northwestern coast of Isabela Island. This spectacular area is known for its cliffs, deep blue waters, and abundant marine life. The nutrient rich waters make this one of the most rewarding places for snorkeling, with chances to see sea turtles, rays, penguins, and other species moving through the bay. The towering rock formations complete a setting that feels both remote and extraordinary.
Activities: Snorkeling, dinghy ride
Type of landing: No landing
Difficulty: Moderate

In the morning, guests visit Egas Port on Santiago Island. This historic site combines a rugged coastline with rich wildlife activity. A coastal walk passes lava formations, tide pools, and shorelines where marine iguanas, sea lions, and several bird species can be seen. At the end of the trail lies the well-known fur seal grotto, where Galapagos fur seals often rest in shaded lava crevices close to the sea. The area offers a memorable blend of geology, wildlife, and coastal scenery.
Activities: Walking, snorkeling
Type of landing: Wet Landing
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

In the afternoon, exploration continues at Buccaneer Cove and Espumilla Beach, located along the northern coast of Santiago. Buccaneer Cove was once used as a refuge by pirates and sailors, and today it stands out for its cliffs and rock formations shaped by the ocean. The nearby beach at Espumilla offers a softer landscape of sand, mangroves, and coastal vegetation, where sea turtles may nest seasonally. Depending on conditions, this visit may include snorkeling, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, or a dinghy ride along the coast.
Activities: Walking, Dinghy ride, snorkeling, kayaking/stand-up paddleboarding
Type of landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy

In the morning, visit to Bartholomew Island, one of the most iconic landscapes in the Galapagos. A wooden stairway leads to a viewpoint with sweeping views over Pinnacle Rock, surrounding bays, and lava formations shaped by volcanic activity. From the summit, guests can appreciate the striking colors and textures of the islands from above. The beach below also offers the chance for snorkeling in clear waters, where tropical fish and, on occasion, Galapagos penguins may be seen.
Activities: Walking, snorkeling, Dinghy ride
Type of landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy

In the afternoon, visit to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island. This site is known for its extensive lava field, formed during a relatively recent volcanic eruption. A walk across the hardened surface reveals textures, patterns, and formations that show the volcanic origin of the archipelago in a vivid way. Even in this stark environment, pioneering plants have started to grow, creating a fascinating contrast between fresh lava and new life.
Activities: Walking, snorkeling, Dinghy ride
Type of landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Easy

In the morning, explore Chinese Hat, a small islet off the coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from its distinctive cone shape, and the area is known for its beautiful volcanic scenery and rich marine life. A short walk leads across lava formations and along the shoreline, where marine iguanas and sea lions are often present. The surrounding waters are ideal for snorkeling, with good chances to see colorful fish, penguins, and other marine species.
Activities: Walking, snorkeling, kayaking/stand-up paddleboarding, Dinghy ride
Type of landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy

In the afternoon, the yacht sails to Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island. This visitor site features a trail that passes through a dry landscape of cacti and palo santo trees, then continues inland toward lagoons where flamingos and other birds may be seen. Dragon Hill is also one of the key places to observe Galapagos land iguanas, which have been successfully reintroduced to the area through conservation efforts. The walk ends with beautiful views over the coastline and nearby islands.
Activities: Walking, snorkeling 
Type of landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

In the morning, visit to North Seymour, one of the most important nesting sites for seabirds in the Galapagos. The trail crosses a low, flat landscape where blue footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds can often be seen at close range. During the breeding season, male frigatebirds inflate their red throat pouches in a striking courtship display. Sea lions rest along the coast, while marine iguanas and shorebirds can also be spotted throughout the walk. This final excursion offers a memorable closing to the journey.
Activities: Walking, snorkeling, Dinghy ride
Type of landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Moderate

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