Galapagos 5 Day Cruise | M/C Galapagos Seaman Journey

Begin your journey to the Galapagos with a morning flight from Quito Airport. The approximately 4-hour flight from Quito to the Galapagos includes a stop in Guayaquil en route. Upon arrival at San Cristobal Airport, your naturalist guide will greet you and collect your luggage. You will then be escorted by bus to the harbor where you will board the Seaman Journey.

Please note that all travelers must pass through an airport inspection point to ensure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands. Additionally, a fee of US$100 per person (subject to change) is required for entrance to the Galapagos Islands National Park.

In the afternoon, visit the Interpretation Centre which offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural and human history of the islands through its beautiful gardens and stunning ocean views. As the oldest museum of natural history in the Galapagos Islands, it provides visitors with important information about conservation facts and the natural history of the region. Witness their research and be inspired and motivated by what you learn.

In the morning, we'll visit the Galapaguera, a breeding station and sanctuary for giant tortoises that was built to increase their population, as they're under threat from introduced species like wild goats and cats. This will be a great opportunity to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

After that, we'll head to San Cristobal Island, which is the easternmost island in the Galapagos archipelago and home to several endemic species like the San Cristobal mockingbird, San Cristobal lava lizard, leaf-toed gecko, and turtles. The beach on the island is large and serves as a nesting site for sea turtles, with females laying their eggs in the sand dunes between January and May.

In the afternoon, we'll explore Cerro Brujo, a stunning white coral sand beach that offers great swimming and snorkeling opportunities in the turquoise waters. The beach is home to a colony of sea lions and blue-footed boobies, and the lagoon behind it has great egrets and great blue herons. You'll also be able to spot Nazca boobies, frigate birds, and shore birds. This was the first coast where Charles Darwin went ashore in 1835.

The saltwater pools behind the sand dunes at Cerro Brujo were used by fishermen as a salt mine to preserve food for the local population. Here, you might get a chance to see the Chatham mockingbird and San Cristobal lava lizard, both endemic to the island and unique to this area. You may even spot the Pájaro Brujo, an endemic species from San Cristobal Island. The vegetation on the island includes candelabrum cacti and carob trees.

Cerro Brujo is located on the north coast of Isla San Cristobal and offers a peaceful escape with white sand and crystal-clear waters, making it the perfect spot for an unforgettable visit.

In the morning, explore the southernmost and one of the oldest islands of the Galapagos, Española Island, which is known for its large number of endemic species. Among these are the Española mockingbird, Española lava lizard and the waved albatross. Head to Gardner Bay, located on the north-eastern coast of Española Island (or Hood Island as it was named by the English), for a perfect beach experience. Here, you can relax, swim, snorkel, and kayak in the crystal-clear ocean waters. You'll encounter many sea lions and might even spot sharks and green sea turtles.

In the afternoon, visit Suarez Point, a picturesque ocean front where you can spot blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and the large, waved albatrosses that breed on the island and use the cliff as a launching pad. One of the famous attractions of the site is the magnificent blowhole, where waves crash into a lava fissure, creating a blowhole that spurts water 30-50 metres into the air. Don't forget to bring your camera to capture the wonderful photographic opportunities this location offers.

In the morning, we will explore Cormorant Point on Floreana Island, which boasts one of the largest and most impressive flamingo lagoons in the Galapagos. Surrounded by two tuff lava cones, this area exudes a unique atmosphere that adds to the overall charm of the experience. Along with flamingos, visitors can also observe other species of shorebirds, including common stilts, white-cheeked pintail ducks, large-billed flycatchers, finches, and other migratory birds. The site is home to two distinct beaches: Green Beach, named after its high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand, and Flour Sand Beach, composed of fine, pulverized coral. Flour Beach is a nesting site for green sea turtles, and several species of rays can be spotted in the surrounding waters.

After our morning walk, we will head to Champion Islet, which is a fantastic spot for snorkeling and observing underwater wildlife. Here, you can see sea turtles, sea lions, and schools of fish thanks to the nearby coral reef.

In the afternoon, we will visit Post Office Bay, which has a rich history dating back to the 18th century when a wooden barrel was placed here by the crew of a whaling ship. This barrel has since been used by mariners and tourists as a post office, where visitors can hand-deliver letters or postcards to their intended recipients. This afternoon provides a perfect opportunity for guests to enjoy the stunning beach and soak in the beauty of the Galapagos Islands.

In addition to appreciating the natural wonders of the Galapagos Islands, it is also valuable to learn about the ongoing efforts to protect and conserve them. The Turtles Trail provides an opportunity to do just that, while immersing yourself in the beauty of the island's flora and fauna.

Following this morning excursion, you will be transported to Baltra airport for your flight to the mainland.