Day 1
Saturday
Today we will take flight from Ecuador's mainland to San Cristobal. Upon arrival we will be greeted for airport reception and transferred to the Ocean Spray Catamaran to begin our Galapagos adventure.
Isla Lobos
We visit the tiny rock island to see a colony of sea lions and a colony of blue-footed boobies.
Kicker Rock
Kicker Rock is a magnificent rock that jets out 500 feet high from the middle of the ocean and is shaped similar to a sleeping lion. The rock is split with towering vertical walls on either side that forms a narrow channel through which small vessels can investigate. There is no landing site here but the view from the boat will make a lasting impression.
Day 2
Sunday
Cerro Brujo (Wizard Hill Beach), San Cristobal Island
A dingy ride along the coast of San Cristobal will take us northeast to Cerro Brujo. We make a wet landing onto the island’s white sandy beach which is a great open area popular for bird watching. Frequently seen is the Chatham mocking bird and the Chatham lava lizard, both endemic to the island. Here we have time to snorkel with sea turtles, rays, and sea lions.
Punta Pitt, San Cristobal Island
This unusual volcanic formation is located in the northeast of San Cristobal Island. Here we are likely to see tiny lava lizards scurrying around the rocks as well as all three species of the Galapagos booby; Nazca, masked, and blue or red-footed boobies.
Day 3
Monday
Post Office Bay, Floreana Island
We make a wet landing on Post Office Bay to visit the oldest postal system in the world. From this remote archipelago send letters to friends and family around the world.
Baroness’s Outlook, Floreana Island
This is the perfect place to take in the environment that defines Floreana. Here we can sit and hear the story of the Baroness and the history of her three lovers.
Punta Cormorant, Floreana Island
We make a wet landing on the greenish colored beach of Punta Cormorant. Here we take a brief walk through the black mangroves to Flamingo Lagoon which holds one of the largest populations of flamingos in the Galapagos. We continue our walk to La Picona to see the marine turtles and their spawning grounds on the beach. We return to Punta Cormorant where novice snorkelers can practice from the beach and more experience snorkelers can explore Devil’s Crown. Please be advised Devil’s Crown is an open water experience and there is no place to stand.
Day 4
Tuesday
Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz Island
Enjoy a peaceful dingy ride through Black Turtle Cove, a tidal lagoon where you will see three different species of mangrove plants: red, white, and black. While passing through the cove we will be on the lookout for golden rays, sea turtles, white-tipped sharks, spotted rays, mustard rays, Pacific marine turtles, and possibly even seahorses clinging to the roots of the mangroves.
Bartolome Island
This island is perhaps the most photographed location in the entire archipelago. As we arrive on the island we see volcanic formations including lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. We make a dry landing and walk to the top of the island in order to see the most famous Galapagos vista: Pinnacle Rock & Santiago Island. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase, but the view from the top is well worth the effort. After returning to the dingy we ride around Pinnacle Rock for our first chance to see the small Galapagos penguins. Before returning to our boat there is time for an optional swim or snorkel.
Day 5
Wednesday
Darwin Bay, Genovesa Island
Genovesa is a collapsed volcano that ships are able to sail into through its large breached caldera and anchor at the foot of the steep crater walls. Genovesa is commonly referred to as ‘bird island’ because it is home to thousands of great frigate birds, red-footed boobies, noddy terns, lava gulls, tropic birds, doves, storm petrels, and Darwin’s finches. After a wet landing we follow a trail that leads from a coral beach past tidal lagoons to a cliff’s edge for amazing views. After the walk you can enjoy snorkeling and swimming along the cliffs.
Prince Philip’s Steps, Genovesa Island
We take a dingy ride to make a dry landing on Barranco, also known as Prince Philip’s Steps. Here we follow a trail through a Palo Santo forest to an open area full of nesting birds that include masked boobies, frigates, and red-footed boobies. At the end of this trail are thousands of band-rumbed storm petrels nesting in the crevices at the cliff’s edge. We will also be able to see the short-eared owls as they hunt the storm petrels during the daylight hours.
Day 6
Thursday
Puerto Egas (James Bay), Santiago Island
We make a wet landing on the black sand beach of Puerto Egas which was the site of a small salt mining industry in the 1960s. A walk down the shoreline takes us to grottos where we can see several colonies of fur seals. This location is ideal for watching shorebirds, while land birds are better observed inland. Before returning to our vessel we have the opportunity to swim and snorkel from the beach in search of octopuses, sea horses, star fish, and other marine life.
Espumilla Beach and Buccaneer Cove, Santiago Island
Today we will visit the main attractions of Santiago Island including the holy stick forest, beautiful Espumilla beach, and the amazing landscape over Buccaneer Cove. Espumilla is an important beach for nesting marine turtles; here you can also see the white-checked pintail, finches, and mockingbirds.
Day 7
Friday
Plazas Island
We make a dry landing on the pier of Plaza Sur where we can enjoy the juvenile antics of the sea lions. This island was originally formed by uplifted lava and the terrain includes an impressive cactus forest. On land we will see land iguanas and several species of tropical birds.
Highlands, Santa Cruz Island
We disembark to board a bus taking us to the Highlands of Santa Cruz. Here we visit the native forest and the twin craters. The island is a good place to view the giant tortoise in their natural habitat and we have the opportunity to visit one of the island’s lava tunnels.
Day 8
Saturday
Mosquera Island
This tiny island is located between North Seymour and Baltra. The long narrow stretch of white sand is ideal for snorkeling and relaxing.
Today we will transfer to Baltra airport for our flight back to Ecuador's mainland to connect with another Yampu add-on of your choice.
Ecuador
Sun deck
Ocean Spray Catamaran
Dining Room
