DAY BY DAY
DAY 1: TUESDAY
Tuesday: AM: Arrival to the Baltra Airport and transfer to the M/C Ocean Spray
Welcome to the incredible Galapagos Islands and your luxury catamaran, the M/C Ocean Spray! Upon arrival onboard the vessel, your guide and crew members will greet you and take you to your accommodations. After freshening up, a short briefing will be given on health, safety and emergency protocols, and you will be given a description of normal routines and different areas aboard the M/C Ocean Spray.
Sunday: PM Visit: Bartholomew Island – Pinnacle Rock
The most iconic geographical feature of the Galapagos Islands is, unquestionably, Pinnacle Rock. A volcanic cone that formed by magma forcefully expelled by an underwater volcano, the sea instantly cooled the lava as it exploded upward, forming an enormous rock rising out of the sea. Today, there is a small beach around the rock where green sea turtles nest during breeding season. It is also a gathering point for fun-loving Galapagos penguins who love to dive into the water from the base of Pinnacle Rock and splash around in its azure waters. Not to be outdone, Pinnacle Rock is frequented by curious sea lions and many kinds of tropical fish.
DAY 2: WEDNESDAY
Wednesday: AM Visit: Genovesa Island – Darwin Bay
Darwin Bay used to be a shield volcano, but one of the sides of its caldera collapsed after centuries of erosion. The bay is well-known for the sheer number and variety of birds that can been found here – in fact, over 20,000 red-footed boobies are estimated to call this island home, nesting among the trees and bushes of Genovesa Island. You will also fine Nazca and blue-footed boobies Darwin finches, and lots of marine life, including marine iguanas, rays, and sea lions.
Monday: PM Visit:Genovesa Island – El Barranco
visitors with an incredible panoramic view of the area. There is also a Palo Santo forest nearby, which is a nesting spot for red-footed boobies and other shorebirds.
DAY 3: THURSDAY
Thursday: AM Visit:Santiago Island – Espumilla Beach / Buccaneer Cove
Santiago Island is the second island in the archipelago that Charles Darwin set foot on, and Buccaneer Cove, once a refuge for passing pirates, sailors and whalers, is an excellent place to snorkel and swim. There are beautiful underwater formations that are home to many marine species, especially large schools of colorful tropical fish.
Thursday: PM Visit: Santiago Island – Egas Port
Egas Port, also known as James Bay, is home to quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards and lounging marine iguanas. The grottos and tide pools surrounding the bay hide all kinds of different marine species, and it’s always exciting to see what you can find! This is also one of the best places to go snorkeling in the entire Galapagos.
DAY 4: FRIDAY
Friday: AM Visit:North Seymour Island
Named after English nobleman Lord Hugh Seymour, this island was formed by uplifted submarine lava. Home to more than 2,500 land iguanas and large populations of sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and other bird species, North Seymour Island is also frequented by many different shark species, which can sometimes be seen from the Zodiac or from the M/C Ocean Spray itself.
Friday: PM Visit: Santa Cruz Island – Highlands
The highlands of Santa Cruz Island are fascinating given their height (up to 1,500 meters above sea level), varied wildlife, and other geological surprises, such as sinkholes and lava tunnels. Exploring the tunnels is truly a surreal, unique experience. Visitors will be able to see the different agricultural zones and crops grown by the islanders, and can often see Galapagos Giant Tortoises in their native environment here. There is also a large variety of birds in the highlands, making them a birdwatchers’ delight.
DAY 5: SATURDAY
Thursday AM Visit: Mosquera Islet
Mosquera Islet is located between North Seymour Island and Baltra, which is just off the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. The islet is home to a reef of rocks and coral resulting from a volcanic uprising, as well as a long, white-sand beach. The narrowest part of the islet is only 160 meters wide, and it is mostly surrounded by black lava rocks; however, on the southwest side of Mosquera there is a landing point. Despite its small size, Mosquera Islet is home to one of the Galapagos’ largest colonies of sea lions, and there are several species of shorebirds that make it their home, too. Given the large number of sea lions present, visitors can see orca whales periodically throughout the year who come to feed on them.
Transfer to Baltra Airport
On the last day of your cruise, the only visit you have is to Mosquera Islet. Afterwards, you´ll board the M/C Ocean Spray to gather your belongings and freshen up for your transfer to the airport.
