Galapagos 8 Day Cruise C+A (2026-2027) | Galaxy Yacht

Departure to the Galapagos Islands, arrive at Baltra airport, where a National Park-certified naturalist guide will warmly welcome you to this biodiversity-rich paradise. Your exciting journey in the footsteps of Darwin is about to start!

Your journey continues with an afternoon visit to North Seymour Island, a spectacular showcase of the Galapagos Islands' diverse wildlife. This relatively flat island is home to a thriving population of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. The trail winds its way through a forest of low, bushy vegetation, where you'll have the opportunity to witness the fascinating courtship dance of the blue-footed boobies. The island's coastline also allows one to observe sea lions and marine iguanas basking in the sun. The large frigate bird colonies are a sight, especially when the males inflate their bright red throat pouches to attract mates.

Bartolome Island is one of the most iconic places in the Galapagos, renowned for its accessible penguin population and the beautiful Pinnacle Rock. The beach near the rock is painted with peach-colored sand, adding to the surreal beauty of the landscape. A hike to the island's summit will offer you panoramic views of lunar-like landscapes dotted with volcanic cones, numerous islands, Sullivan Bay, and, of course, the towering Pinnacle Rock.

Walking through Sullivan Bay offers an extraordinary journey into the volcanic origins of the Galapagos Islands. Your hike will take you across a perfectly preserved Pahoehoe lava flow, providing endless opportunities to observe the delicate textures of this rare type of lava. While the landscape may appear barren and lifeless at first, a closer look reveals resilient pioneer plants, scurrying lava lizards, and small birds. Along the shore, penguins, pelicans, and oystercatchers add a touch of life to the stark environment.

Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island is a birder's dream come true. When you set foot on the beach, you will be amazed by the spectacle of hundreds of boobies, gulls, and frigatebirds soaring above, nesting in the bushes, or roosting on the sandy terrain. This immersive wildlife trail hosts sea lions and marine iguanas by the sea, and inland you'll encounter night herons, lava and swallow-tailed gulls, Darwin finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds, and more.

Snorkeling Experience: Darwin Bay offers a variety of snorkeling locations, from deep waters along the bay's cliffs to shallow waters near the beach. Regardless of where you choose, a colorful variety of fish awaits your visit, with a high chance of spotting sharks, rays, and sea lions.

Located in the southern part of Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island, El Barranco is blessed with cliffs facing the sea made from very fragile, fractured lava. This creates an ideal nesting environment for storm petrels, attracting a significant population of short-eared owls. The trail is dotted with red-footed and Nazca boobies. At the same time, the base of the cliffs provides restful, shaded areas for Galapagos fur seals and numerous seabirds.

Kicker Rock is a striking formation made of two vertical rocks rising 500 feet from the ocean. The narrow channel between these impressive cliffs serves as a pathway for marine life, creating a stunning backdrop for snorkeling and diving. This is a prime spot to observe a variety of marine species, including sharks, rays, and tropical fish. Kicker Rock is also a significant area for nesting seabirds like frigatebirds and boobies.

Witch Hill is an exquisite spot for walking and enjoying the scenery, with its powdery white sand and turquoise waters. The area is home to a large sea lion colony, and the nearby lagoon often hosts several bird species, including pelicans and blue-footed boobies.

Situated on the outskirts of Puerto Baquerizo, the Interpretation Center serves as a rich repository of the history of human presence in the Galapagos Islands. Its exhibitions chronicle the stories of early Spanish explorers up to the present day, highlighting prominent visitors such as Charles Darwin. The displays at this center illustrate the challenges and perils faced by the first settlers as they endeavored to survive in the rugged Galapagos environment.

This afternoon, visit Lobos island, a small islet separated from San Cristobal by a narrow channel, forming a sheltered bay where sea lion pups play in tidal pools. Despite its small size, the island is surprisingly packed with wildlife, especially with “lobos marinos”, the Spanish name for sea lions. Groups of sea lions will welcome you at the landing spot, but as you walk a few steps inland, male frigatebirds displaying their inflated red balloons will be perched on the bushes and trees. A small colony of blue footed boobies, which often nest right on the trail, will give you the opportunity to observe their famous courtship dance.

Embrace the morning at Suarez Point. This rocky trail presents a natural gallery of the Galapagos islands, brimming with an awe-inspiring array of fauna. Upon landing, you'll be greeted by sea lions and marine iguanas, your first hosts in this nature carnival. As you venture further, you'll encounter a mosaic of seabird colonies - from the striking Nazca and blue-footed boobies to the elegant gulls and tropicbirds. The pinnacle of this journey brings you face-to-face with the waved albatross, the island's largest bird (present from April to January). This majestic creature, exclusive to Española, will captivate you with its powerful flight and intricate courtship display.

Transition into the afternoon with a thrilling adventure to Gardner Bay, a pristine piece of paradise in the Galapagos archipelago. Sugar-white coral sands merge with crystal-clear turquoise waters, creating a tropical oasis. Watch as the beach becomes a theater, starring sun-basking sea lions in a playful performance. This idyllic setting invites you to stroll along the coast, immersing yourself in an enlightening experience as you delve into the biology of the endemic fauna - from the melodious Española mockingbird and the unique marine iguanas to the regal Galapagos hawks.

Shift your expedition northwards to Cormorant Point, renowned for its expansive coastal lagoon teeming with American flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, black-necked stilts, and other shorebirds. This natural haven also features a pristine white sand beach, a crucial nesting ground for green sea turtles, and a newly established breeding ground for blue-footed boobies near the trail. Amidst this vibrant wildlife, also take the opportunity to admire the island's unique flora.

Post Office Bay is imbued with tales from the late 1920s and '30s involving German settlers, a baroness, unsolved mysteries, and captivating intrigue. The bay was a historic anchoring point for whalers, who journeyed to the highlands for freshwater and tortoises. A mail system over two centuries old was established as a hub for visiting vessels centered around a barrel near the beach. This system endures today, offering a unique opportunity to send postcards from this remote part of the world. Apart from its rich history, Post Office Bay presents natural attractions such as a scenic beach, a lava tunnel, and sea tours that can unveil sea lions, green sea turtles, shorebirds, small sharks, and, if luck permits, Galapagos penguins.

Kickstart your day with a profound encounter at the Charles Darwin Station, a dedicated non-profit working hand-in-hand with the Galapagos National Park to safeguard the archipelago's unique biodiversity. This visit provides insights into the collaborative efforts of these institutions to shield native species and combat the invasive ones threatening the delicate balance of the Galapagos ecosystem. One of their emblematic endeavors includes the captive breeding giant tortoises, an integral part of the conservation strategy. Amidst the educational venture, enjoy the setting of an outdoor native dry forest adorned with towering cacti and a rich array of fascinating endemic flora. This is an ideal spot to discover various endemic Darwin finches, as well as vivacious flycatchers and melodious mockingbirds.

As the day winds down, prepare for your return to the Ecuador mainland. Reflect on the extraordinary experiences and memories created as you journey back. The return trip is a time to relax and ponder the unique ecosystems and incredible wildlife you've encountered, leaving the enchanted islands behind but taking a piece of their magic.

This concludes your remarkable journey through the Galapagos, filled with awe-inspiring encounters with nature's wonders, leaving you with a deeper appreciation for the delicate balance of our planet's ecosystems.