| Day | Visitor Site |
|---|---|
| Saturday | AM - Baltra Island Airport: Arrival and Transfer to the boat |
| PM - Rabida Island | |
| Sunday | AM - Isabela: Vicente Roca Point |
| PM - Fernandina: Espinosa Point | |
| Monday | AM - Isabela: Tagus Cove |
| PM - Isabela: Urbina Bay | |
| Tuesday | AM - Isabela: Elizabeth Bay |
| PM - Isabela: Moreno Point | |
| Wednesday | AM - Isabela: Puerto Villamil |
| PM - Isabela: Puerto Villamil | |
| Thursday | AM - North Seymour |
| PM - Transfer to the Airport |
Day 1 (Saturday)
- MORNING FLIGHT FROM QUITO OR GUAYAQUIL TO BALTRA (GALAPAGOS) RABIDA ISLAND
Assistance at the airport by our representative for your Galapagos flight.
You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim you will be met by Ocean Spray staff and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.
The afternoon visit, Rabida Island (or Jervis), is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago as well as a great snorkeling site. We will start on Rabida’s famous maroon sandy beach and after an easy hike will arrive to a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes.
The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as nine varieties of finches, Large-billed Flycatchers, Galapagos Hawks and Brown Pelicans.
Day 2 (Sunday)
- ISABELA & FERNANDINA ISLANDS
Isabela Island: The largest in the archipelago, this seahorse-shaped island is also one of the youngest and most volcanically active.
The morning visit is to Vicente Roca Point. Comprised of two separate coves, this site is a large bay with spectacular sea life. Keep an eye out for seahorses, sea turtles, and the strange yet fascinating Mola-mola (or sunfish).
Fernandina Island: No foreign species have ever invaded this island and therefore it is one of the world’s most pristine island ecosystems. Fernandina is the youngest island in Galapagos. Access to this site is extremely restricted by the Galapagos National Park and you will be one of those very lucky visitors. The volcano “La Cumbra” dominates the landspace with lava fields reaching the ocean.
Crossing the Bolivar Channel that divides Isabela and Fernandina Islands we will land at Espinosa Point, and after walking past a colony of marine iguanas and a group of sea lions, reach the island´s highlight: the Flightless Cormorant nesting site. This area provides a great opportunity to see the Galapagos Hawk.
Day 3 (Monday)
- ISABELA ISLAND – TAGUS COVE & URBINA BAY
The morning visit, including Tagus Cove’s ‘cliff-side gallery,’ provides a clear view of pirate graffiti dating back to 1836. The contrast between vandalism and the pristine environment is thought provoking. Up the (1.2 mi / 2 km) hike through lava formations, we will see stunning views of the surrounding slopes and volcanoes, making our way to Darwin Lake. This salt-water crater-lake may have been filled with a tidal wave brought on by a volcanic eruption.
In the afternoon, we will land at Urbina Bay which presents some fascinating geological formations. In 1954, an uplift from the sea formed the bay; which has been characterized by the resulting terrestrial coral reef ever since. Expect to see stingrays and sea turtles swimming near the surface of the water, along with Flightless Cormorants, pelicans, and marine iguanas. You will be dazzled by the breathtaking view of the Alcedo Volcano.
Day 4 (Tuesday)
- ISABELA ISLAND – ELIZABETH BAY & MORENO POINT
The morning visit will take us to Elizabeth Bay, a secluded space lacking any landing sites. We will take a traditional ‘panga’ ride, passing the red mangroves and amongst the wildlife of the lively bay. Elizabeth is known for its marine life; you will probably see sea turtles and rays skimming the surface of the water. You may also see the Brown Pelicans diving for fish, penguins, Blue-footed Boobies & possibly spot humpback whales.
In the afternoon we will visit Moreno Point, located south west of Elizabeth Bay. Here, a dry landing onto what was once flowing lava is possible. The lava has left craters in its wake, which formed crystal tide pools. By looking into the pools, you can peer into another world, as the marine life drifts by your window. In the brackish pools of this area, you may see pink flamingos, White-Cheeked Pintails, and Common Gallinules. If you look carefully into the pools you may see whitetip reef sharks and some sea turtles.
Day 5 (Wednesday)
- ISABELA ISLAND – PUERTO VILLAMIL
The morning will consist of a visit to Villamil Port, where the Wetlands are immediately visible. The port is situated along a stunning expanse of white beaches, backed by a fantastic lagoon where flamingos pose and marine iguanas give knowing looks. Here, you are likely to see a variety of unique bird species; including Common Stilts, Whimbrels, White-Cheeked Pintails, and Gallinules.
Then, you will be taken to The Wall of Tears (El Muro de las Lágrimas), 25-meters (65-feet) high and an important piece of island history. A penal colony existed on Isabella from 1945-1959, and the prisoners were forced to build the wall, stone by stone, while in isolation from the rest of the world. Thousands died in its construction. Many claim to feel the heavy energy of this historical site, and locals claim to hear cries in the wind.
Later we will visit the Centro de Crianza and Arnaldo Tupiza. We will head together over to the Giant Turtle Center “Arnaldo Tupiza.” This Giant Turtle Breeding Center in Isabela is located (0.9mi / 1.5km) from Villamil Port. In this breeding center there are Galápagos turtles from populations of the south of Isabela Island (Sierra Negra Volcano and Cerro Azul) reproducing. On the trail that goes to the Giant Turtle Center “Arnaldo Tupiza” there are two lagoons where one can observe flamingos feeding and ducks.
At the Breeding Center you can see two of the five sub-species of giant turtles, cared for by the park keepers. The center was created to protect the animals in their first years of life since their natural environment has been invaded by foreign species like pigs and donkeys, which constitute a threat because pigs eat the eggs and donkeys compete for food. The park keepers collect the eggs and bring them to the center where they place them in incubators. After five years, when the turtles have reached a decent size to make it on their own, they are released in their natural environment. Approximate time of driving: 1.5 hours.
The Breeding Center has beautiful gardens with plants like chamomile, algarrobo, cactus, Palo santo, cat claw, chala, horse knee, muyuyo, espuela de gallo, lechoso, arrayán, margarita de Galápagos.
Day 6 (Thursday)
- NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND & DEPARTURE
In the morning, before heading out to the airport, we will have the opportunity for one more wonderful visit. This time, we will head to North Seymour Island. Here you will be able to see Galapagos sea lions, blue footed-boobies and magnificent frigatebirds.
After this final visit, you will be transferred to Baltra Island´s airport in time to catch your flight back to the mainland.
Important: Itineraries and activities subject to change without prior notice. Depending on weather conditions and water currents, some wildlife described above may not be visible.
| Departure | Arrival | |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 18th of May 2024 | Thursday 23rd of May 2024 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 1st of June 2024 | Thursday 6th of June 2024 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 15th of June 2024 | Thursday 20th of June 2024 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 29th of June 2024 | Thursday 4th of July 2024 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 13th of July 2024 | Thursday 18th of July 2024 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 27th of July 2024 | Thursday 1st of August 2024 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 10th of August 2024 | Thursday 15th of August 2024 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 24th of August 2024 | Thursday 29th of August 2024 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 7th of September 2024 | Thursday 12th of September 2024 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 21st of September 2024 | Thursday 26th of September 2024 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 5th of October 2024 | Thursday 10th of October 2024 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 19th of October 2024 | Thursday 24th of October 2024 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 2nd of November 2024 | Thursday 7th of November 2024 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 16th of November 2024 | Thursday 21st of November 2024 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 30th of November 2024 | Thursday 5th of December 2024 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 14th of December 2024 | Thursday 19th of December 2024 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 28th of December 2024 | Thursday 2nd of January 2025 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 11th of January 2025 | Thursday 16th of January 2025 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 25th of January 2025 | Thursday 30th of January 2025 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 8th of February 2025 | Thursday 13th of February 2025 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 22nd of February 2025 | Thursday 27th of February 2025 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 8th of March 2025 | Thursday 13th of March 2025 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 22nd of March 2025 | Thursday 27th of March 2025 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 5th of April 2025 | Thursday 10th of April 2025 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 19th of April 2025 | Thursday 24th of April 2025 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 3rd of May 2025 | Thursday 8th of May 2025 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 17th of May 2025 | Thursday 22nd of May 2025 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 31st of May 2025 | Thursday 5th of June 2025 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 14th of June 2025 | Thursday 19th of June 2025 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 28th of June 2025 | Thursday 3rd of July 2025 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 12th of July 2025 | Thursday 17th of July 2025 | [request availability] |
| Saturday 26th of July 2025 | Thursday 31st of July 2025 | [request availability] |