Galapagos Small Yacht Cruise

Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the yacht. You will then be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before the welcome briefing and lunch. This afternoon, visit Kicker Rock, a huge structure formed of two eroded volcanic cones that tower over the sea at about 340 feet and sits in the middle of the open water. It is one of the most well-known landmarks in Galapagos with many popular sea birds that surround the area. This is also perhaps one of the best sites in the Galapagos to see incredible underwater life. Overnight on board

Today includes a visit to North Seymour Island, which was formed by uplifted submarine lava, and is home to a huge colony of some 2,500 land iguanas and large populations of sea lions, blue-footed boobies, common noddies, and frigate birds. Along the coast it is possible to see land and marine iguanas and the biggest colony of Magnificent Frigate birds. You will also visit South Plazas Island, which has some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the Galapagos. The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than its relatives found on other islands. Throughout the island there are several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana. Swallow Tailed Gulls nest in the rugged cliffs, and view other sea birds such as Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds, and brown pelicans. Overnight on board

Today’s island adventures include Rabida Island, which is unique because of the red color of the rocks and sand. A short walk along a trail leads you to a coastal lagoon behind the beach, which permits the observation of land birds, such as finches, doves, yellow warblers, and mocking birds. At the lagoon there is a colony of flamingos. The beach is often full of sea lions, and there are good snorkeling opportunities. Next is Bartolome Island, which has an altitude of 374 feet, from where you can observe some of the most beautiful scenery of the Galapagos Islands such as volcanic cones, lunar-like craters, lava fields, and the famous Toba formed pinnacle eroded by the sea. It has two breathtaking beaches where marine turtles exist and at the base of the pinnacle, as well as a very small colony of Galapagos penguins. Overnight on board

Santiago is the fourth largest island in the archipelago (following Isabela, Fernandina, and Santa Cruz). Along with some of the large western volcanoes of Isabela and Fernandina, Santiago is also volcanically active, with a number of historic eruptions reported over the last two centuries. A visit to Dragon Hill features a trail that leads to a lagoon frequented by flamingos, pintail ducks, and other species of birds. This site has been re-populated with land iguanas from Seymour, Isabela and Santa Cruz islands. There is a short walk to the Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay. Overnight on board

The Highlands of Santa Cruz area a very interesting area due to the rich wildlife, hills, ferns, volcanoes, and lava tubes present. Exploring the lava tubes is a surreal and unique experience. Here you can see all the different agricultural zones that are present in the Galapagos in one place. The Twin Craters are two caved in magma chambers of a previous volcano. After years of erosion and extinction, the once-full chambers caved in, leaving two similar craters that can be seen on a short hike that passes by a Scalesia forest. You are also able to visit the Charles Darwin Station, where the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding program takes place as part of the efforts to preserve the fragile Galapagos environment. The Darwin Station also works providing environmental education to communities and schools within the islands, and to tourists visiting the Galapagos Islands. You will also have some free time to visit the town and shop for souvenirs. Overnight on board

Climb Prince Philip’s Steps to a plateau that is part of the stretch of land that surrounds Darwin. Darwin Bay was created when the crater of this island collapsed below sea level. This is a favorite island for birdwatchers: red footed-boobies, masked boobies, wandering tattlers, lava gulls, whimbrels Yellow-crowned, black-crowned and lava herons, and yellow warblers can be seen in the area. Overnight on board

Espumilla Beach is located at the northern coast of Santiago Island in James Bay. The main attraction is the Palo Santo forest. The beach is an important site for nesting marine turtles, and at the nearby Buccaneers Cove you have a great snorkeling opportunity. You also have the opportunity to visit Egas Port, also known as James Bay, home to quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards, Galapagos fur seals along the grottoes, and tide pools and a great snorkeling site. Overnight on board

Las Bachas are two small beaches, with soft sand made of decomposed coral, making them a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where occasionally it is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer with two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Channel. After visiting these beaches, transfer to Baltra Airport for your flight to mainland Ecuador or extend your stay in the Galapagos!