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Galapagos snorkeling

Western Islands

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Beluga
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Embark on this exciting 8-day tour of the western islands of this incredible archipelago. Highlights of the west include beautiful Santa Cruz, wildlife-rich Isabela, cliff-laden Fernandina, and the amazing black beaches of Santiago. Get ready to see an abundance of unique wildlife including flamingos, frigate birds, iguanas, and enjoy some friendly interaction with the islands playful sea lions. The wildlife here is abundant and the landscape is stunning to behold making this an incredible vacation.
Galapagos Sally Lightfoot CrabCharles Darwin Research Station is amazing!Isabela Island, GalapagosA fur seal stretches out on volcanic rockGalapagos snorkeling
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.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Baltra | Embark | Santa Cruz Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Galapagos giant tortoises can be seen in the wild in the Highlands of Santa Cruz.

Visit the Charles Darwin Station a research facility and National Park Information Center. The Charles Darwin Station has a giant tortoise and land iguana breeding program and interpretation center.
Activities: Walking

Day 2: Chinese Hat | Rabida

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Sombrero Chino or Chinese Hat is a small volcanic island just off the southeast tip of Santiago. The name of the island describes the shape of the island. Fauna includes Sea lions, marine iguanas, and the Galapagos penguin.
Activities: Walking, Kayaking, Panga ride, Snorkeling

Rábida Island is a small island with a dark red coral sand beach. Highlights include the lagoon with flamingoes, a pelican nesting site, a sea lion bachelor colony, and a snorkeling site at the end of the beach.
Activities: Walking, Kayaking, Panga ride, Snorkeling

Day 3: Sierra Negra | Puerto Villamil, Isabela

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Isabela Island (Albemarle) is the largest of the Galapagos Islands formed by five active volcanoes fused together. Wolf Volcano is the highest point in the entire Galapagos at 1707m.

Volcan Sierra Negra has a caldera with a diameter of 10km. View recent lava flows, moist highland vegetation, and parasitic cones.
Activities: Walking

Puerto Villamil is a charming small town on a white sand beach. Highlights include the Tortoise Breeding Station and the flamingo lagoon. Other visits (depending on conditions) are the Tintoreras or Los Humedales.
Activities: Walking, Kayaking, Panga ride, Snorkeling

Day 4: Punta Moreno | Elizabeth Bay, Isabela (Albemarle)

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Punta Moreno is located on the central southwestern coast of Isabela Island. The site has spectacular views of volcanoes Alcedo, Sierra Negra, and Cerro Azul. Some highlights include impressive lava flows, desolate and pristine landscapes, and varied and unusual arid zone vegetation.
Activities: Panga ride, Kayaking

Elizabeth Bay is only accessible by dinghy. It is possible to see penguins on the small islets in the bay. The end of the bay is long and narrow surrounded by three species of mangroves. Galapagos Sea Turtles and rays can usually be seen in the water.
Activities: Walking, Panga ride, Snorkeling

Day 5: Urbina Bay | Tagus Cove, Isabela (Albemarle)

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Urbina Bay is located on the central-west coast of Isabela Island at the foothills of the Alcedo and Darwin volcanoes. Highlights include the colorful land iguanas, Galapagos Giant tortoises and the coral uplifting from 1954.
Activities: Walking

Tagus Cove is a natural harbor where centuries ago whalers and pirates left their ship’s names painted or carved on the rocks. A walk uphill to Darwin’s Crater salt-water lake will provide an excellent view.
Activities: Walking, Kayaking, Panga ride, Snorkeling

Day 6: Punta Espinosa, Fernandina | Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Fernandina is the youngest volcanic island and is still active.
Punta Espinoza is a place famous for its large colonies of marine iguanas and as the habitat of unique species like the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, Galapagos hawk, and Galapagos snake, among others.
Activities: Walking, Snorkeling

Punta Vicente Roca is visited by dinghy rides along the cliffs or the partially sunken cave at the water’s edge. Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and flightless cormorants inhabit the shoreline.
Activities: Panga ride, Snorkeling

Day 7: Playa Espumilla, James (Santiago) Island | Bartolome Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
James (Santiago) Island is located between Isabela and Santa Cruz Islands. This Island offers a wide variety of seabirds, marine iguanas, and fur seals.
Playa Espumilla or Espumilla Beach has a beautiful contrast between the golden beach and the green mangroves. It is also a great site to see flamingos, pintail ducks, green sea turtle nests, and the Galapagos Hawk. It is also a good site to go for a cool-off swim or a snorkel.
Activities: Walking, Kayaking, Panga ride, Snorkeling

Buccaneers Cove was Charles Darwin’s home for 9 days. As well as a resting site for many whalers and pirates. With this rich history, Buccaneers Cove is a must-see. Enjoy a panga ride or snorkel looking for Galapagos Fur Seals, Brown Noddies, Pelicans, and Swallow-tailed Gulls

Bartolome Island is famous for its pinnacle rock and penguins.
A hike will take you to the highest point on Bartolome for a spectacular view. Sea lions and penguins can be seen around Pinnacle Rock. There is a sandy beach with great swimming and snorkeling.
Activities: Walking, Panga ride, Snorkeling

Day 8: North Seymour | Baltra | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
North Seymour Island is a flat piece of land that originated after an uplifting event thousands of years ago. The island is home to endemic Palo Santo trees, colonies of blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and magnificent frigate birds.
Activities: Walking, Panga ride

Return flight from Baltra to Quito.

Ship/Hotel

Beluga

Beluga ship in the Galapagos
Beluga ship in the Galapagos
Beluga ship in the Galapagos

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$5,300
Beluga CabinTwin Bed with porthole windowMatrimonial with Porthole window
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Cabin
eight double cabins. Four cabins feature two lower berths, two cabins offer a matrimonial bed, and the additional two cabins can be converted to either two lower berths or one matrimonial bed. Cabin #1 has three beds two lower and one upper bed. Each cabin has their own private bathroom equipped with hot & cold water showers as well as its own security safe. On board Beluga, all passengers pay the same price regardless of the cabin they choose and where it is located.

Child Discount

50% discount for children under age 12 at time of Galapagos 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 and kayaking equipment is included in the cruise cost and available for your use on board.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Galapagos Park Entrance Fee: $200 per adult, $100 per child under 12 (fees of $100 per adult and $50 per child valid on arrivals through Aug 1, 2024). Payable upon arrival to the Galapagos, only in cash dollars. Subject to increase by Galapagos Park Service.
  • Internal Flights: Mainland Ecuador - Galapagos - Mainland Ecuador: $475-675
  • Wetsuits are not included but are available to rent on board - $30/week per person.
  • Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately

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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
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