Galapagos 4 Day Cruise A

Take a flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra. The flight from Quito to the Galapagos is approximately 2 ½ hours and from Guayaquil approximately 1 ½ hours. Arriving in the Galapagos, passengers are met at the airport by our naturalist guides and driven ten minutes by bus to the pier to board the M/Y Coral I or M/Y Coral II.

This afternoon, we will take a dinghy ride through the entry of the Itabaca Channel, a lagoon area with beautiful blue turquoise waters. Here we can observe and spot many different kinds of fish, sharks and blue-footed boobies.

This morning, we head to El Barranco Prince Philip's Steps on Genovesa Island. Be marvelled at the variety of sea life that uses the crevices of the lava cliffs for shelter. Red-billed Tropicbirds fly overhead, switching between their nests and the bay, and a small colony of fur seals may be found near the landing site.

You will be dropped off at a steep stairway that begins on rocks at the foot of a path that leads through a seabird colony full of Nazca and Red-footed Boobies. At the plateau, the trail continues inland allowing you to see more nesting booby colonies in the thin Palo Santo forest. Near the end of the trail, over a rocky lava plain, Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrels can be observed flying in all directions. If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a Short-eared Owl.

This afternoon we continue our explorations, heading for Darwin Bay. Disembark onto a small sand and coral beach, follow a short trail heading west along a tidal lagoon and then up a rocky hill that leads to a point overlooking the cliffs of Darwin Bay. Along the trail near the tidal lagoon, visitors will see pairs of Swallow-tailed Gulls, Lava Gulls, Yellow-crowned and Lava Herons. The trail continues through Palo Santo trees, Opuntia cacti, and Saltbushes inhabited by Great Frigate birds and Red-footed Boobies. This is one of the few places on the islands where visitors are guaranteed to see Red-footed Boobies. It is estimated that more than 200,000 Red-footed Boobies live in the trees and bushes of Genovesa.

This morning, enjoy a wet landing at Rabida Island. Dark red sand covers these unique beaches with their incredible landscape. Rábida is considered the epicentre of the Galapagos Islands due to the diversity of its volcanic geology. Nesting brown pelicans are found from July to September and 9 species of the famous Darwin’s finches can be seen. We take a dinghy ride along the cliffs to observe nesting seabirds and snorkel off the coast, where marine life is particularly active.

This afternoon, embark on a dry or wet landing depending on your preference. We discover a fascinating landscape formed by different volcanic parasitic cones —lava bombs, spatter, cinder cones — that resemble the moon. Going up to the summit here gives an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone Pinnacle Rock. We will also encounter marine iguanas, lava lizards, and blue-footed boobies in this area. Beach time allows for a great opportunity to do some snorkelling and see the famous Galapagos Penguins, sea turtles, and White-tipped Reef Sharks among a great variety of colourful fish. For many visitors, this may turn out to be the best snorkelling experience. Crystal clear water is the perfect spot to appreciate the incredible marine life it has to offer.

In the mountains of the Galapagos it is possible to admire different kinds of birds, such as tree and ground finches, vermillion flycatchers, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets (usually standing on the tortoises’ shells). The journey to the reserve offers great opportunities to see the contrasts that the island offers with the variety of ecosystems. The road goes from the coast through the agricultural zone and straight up to the dense humid forests. Galapagos giant tortoises are often seen on the way, wandering through pastures in the paddocks. This spot is a birdwatchers’ haven since almost every land bird present on the island lives or migrates here.

After the visit you are transferred to Baltra Airport for your return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.