DAY 1: SUNDAY
BALTRA - SANTA CRUZ: BACHAS BEACH
Start at mid-day
Morning: Arrival to the airport in Baltra, reception by the cruise guide and transfer to the yacht.
AM: Lunch service and navigation to Bachas Beach in Santa Cruz.
Wet landing. Nature walk. Snorkeling.
The name is “Spanglish” for 'barges' which were wrecked offshore during the World War II. A common first landing site, there is a delightful swimming beach here, with a lagoon behind, and a longer beach for a stroll and wildlife watching. The saltwater lagoon behind often has great blue herons and small waders such as sander lings and semi‐palmated plovers. Both beaches are nesting areas for green sea turtles, which leave tracks in the sand to the back of the beach, especially from November to February. The beach offers ample space one can explore at leisure.
Evening: Guide briefing. Welcome cocktail. Dinner service and navigation to Genovesa Island.
DAY 2: MONDAY
GENOVESA
DARWIN BAY - PRINCE PHILLIP´S STEPS (EL BARRANCO)
AM: Breakfast service. Wet landing. Nature walk. Shallow water snorkeling.
Darwin bay, is the caldera of a collapsed volcano. We land on a small coral beach, were will take an easy walk. For those looking for a little more action there is a demanding optional walk over lava rock. This path will uncover stunning views from the cliffs with ample time and opportunity to photograph the amazing bird life. You may observe such species as swallow-tailed gulls, red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, large ground finches, large cactus finches, sharp-billed ground finches, small marine iguanas, and great Frigatebirds.
PM: Lunch service. Dry landing. Nature walk. Prince Phillip´s Steps.
Deep water snorkeling.
Also known as the bird island: El Barranco, this is a demanding walk up a steep cliff, where tropicbirds, red-footed boobies and other nesting seabirds can be found. We follow the trail through Palo Santo forest to a storm petrel colony passing red boobies and great Frigatebirds along the way.
Evening: Guide briefing. Dinner service and navigation to Santiago Island.
DAY 3: TUESDAY
SANTIAGO
SULLIVAN BAY - RABIDA
AM: Breakfast service. Panga boat ride to Sullivan Bay. Wet landing. Nature walk.
Snorkeling from the beach.
The main attraction of this bay are the broad, Pahoehoe or rope lava flows.
It is one of the most incredible places to compare the lava flows and their characteristics.
PM: Lunch service and navigation to visit Rabida. Wet landing. Nature walk. Deep water snorkeling.
One of the special features of Rabida Island is its remarkable red color, which is a result of the high percentage of oxidized iron in the composition of lava. Here we will witness the nine varieties of finches, as well as the large-billed flycatchers and brown pelicans. There is also a small salt-water lagoon where greater Flamingos can be seen and a beautiful colony of sea lions.
Evening: Guide briefing. Dinner service. Navigation to Santa Cruz Island.
DAY 4: WEDNESDAY
SANTA CRUZ: HIGHLANDS - BALTRA
END AT 08:30 AM
AM: Breakfast service. Visit to Santa Cruz Highlands. Dry landing.
Check out and airport departure.
The highlands of Santa Cruz have incredible zones of vegetation. This reserve offers you one of the best possibilities to see the huge turtles of Santa Cruz Island in their natural habitat. You can observe them from very close.
