Central Galapagos Islands Cruise

Arrive into the Galapagos at the Baltra airport. Transfer to your ship. Spend the remainder of your day in the highlands of the Santa Cruz Island, exploring the Primicias Ranch, a reserve for giant tortoises.

Land in Tintoreras, a small bay of calm turquoise waters where sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, rays and more frolic in the clear waters. A white sand beach and a black stone beach provide a nesting site for marine iguanas.

Visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center located near Puerto Villamil, where several species of tortoises are being cared for. Continue to the wetlands of Isabela, which consist of lagoons, swamps, and mangroves. Here you will find the home to a variety of unique bird species such as common stilts, whimbrels, and gallinules. Then learn about the history of the wall of tears. The wall was constructed between 1946 and 1959 while Isabela was a penal colony.  As punishment, the prisoners were forced to build the wall from huge blocks of lava.  The wall is named for the many convicts that died while building the wall.

Rabida is a bird-watchers delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as 9 varieties of finches, large billed flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans. The dark red sand beaches and a horde of snoring sea lions make for spectacular snorkeling. Also, the island is home to the skinny legged Flamingo, which can be seen in a salt-water lagoon near the beach.

Hike Dragon Hill (Cerro Brujo) on Santa Cruz Island. This site consists of a trail that runs through three different environments along the way. View marine iguanas as well as the Galapagos flamingo.

Spend the morning at Black Turtle Cove, a mangrove estuary on the northern shores of Santa Cruz Island. Many rays, sea turtles, pelicans and other wildlife live among the mangroves.

Transfer to the Baltra airport for your journey home.