On this 8 day adventure through the Galapagos Islands you will see truly unique wildlife, up close! Your journey takes place aboard an upscale expedition vessel, a wonderful way to explore this nature-lovers’ paradise. You get substantial exploration ‘range’ throughout the archipelago, and spectacular comfort and terrific food when each day’s adventure is done!

Welcome to the Galapagos!

You will arrive at the airport in Baltra, and will be transferred to the dock to board the M/V Eclipse, o ne of the best small ships sailing in the Galapagos Islands. Check-in to your cabin and enjoy lunch, followed by an introductory briefing and safety drill.

In the afternoon, we will visit Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz Island. Black Turtle Cove is one of the most beautiful marine sites in the Galapagos. It is a complex maze of tranquil salt-water inlets, surrounded by three different species of mangrove. Its waters are a nursery site for sea turtles, rays and sharks as well as a nesting site for sea birds. This site is only accessible by panga.

This morning we will visit Rábida, a small island with red volcanic rocks surrounding a beautiful red sand beach. Here there is a colony of sea lions and a pelican nesting site. The trail leads to a salt water lagoon where shore birds can be seen. Rábida is considered to be one of the best snorkelling sites in the Galapagos Islands, and you will also have the opportunity to go snorkel, kayak or panga ride.

In the afternoon, we land at Puerto Egas (James Bay), located on the northwest side of Santiago Island. The landing is on a black beach with eroded rock formations in the background. The trail crosses the dry interior, where the remains of a salt mining enterprise can still be seen, and then continues along the coast. Tidal pools are home to a variety of invertebrate organisms, including sea urchins, octopus and starfish. You will also see marine iguanas, finches, oyster catchers and possibly the Galapagos Hawk. The trail leads to the Fur Sea Lion Grottos, one of the only places in the islands where these unique animals can be seen. 

After the walk, you will have time to swim or snorkel off the beach, where you will see sea lions, fish and maybe some turtles, rays and possibly some reef sharks.

This morning, we wake up early for a hike in Tagus Cove, which was historically used as an anchoring place for pirates, buccaneers and whalers. Here you will see the names of hundreds of ships painted on the high ridges (a practice now forbidden). On the hike, the trail goes through an area of vegetation and the volcanic landscape of Darwin volcano. At the top of the trail, you will enjoy an incredible view of the whole cove and Darwin Lake.

This early morning activity is followed by kayaking or a panga ride, where you will have the opportunity to see a large number of blue-footed boobies perched on the ledges of the cliffs, as well as marine iguanas, penguins, brown pelicans, brown noddy terns and swallow-tailed gulls. While exploring the channel between Fernandina and Isabela Islands, we sometimes encounter dolphins and whales.

In the afternoon we visit Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island. Fernandina Island is one of the most pristine ecosystems in the entire world and also one of the most dynamic. Punta Espinoza is a narrow piece of land where some of the most unique Galapagos species can be seen, including the flightless cormorant, Galapagos snakes, marine iguanas, penguins and the Galapagos hawk. 

After breakfast, disembark the ship for Urbina Bay. After a wet landing on a beautiful black-sand beach, you may be able to observe sea turtle nesting sites. This area is also known for penguin and flightless cormorant sightings and is one of the best places to see Darwin’s finches as well as large land iguanas. Also, be on the lookout for Galapagos tortoises, which like to feed within the site’s dense vegetation.

After lunch, visit Punta Vicente Roca, a wonderful snorkelling site where you can usually see turtles as well as all kinds of fish. For those who do not snorkel, a panga ride will give you the opportunity to study some of the Galapagos’ spectacular geological rock formations. Nazca boobies, pelicans, swallow-tailed gulls, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants and penguins are often seen in the area.

This morning we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here you will gain insight into the great efforts being made by scientists, guides, rangers and park managers to preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

After the visit we drive to the green highlands of Santa Cruz, where you will visit a tortoise reserve to search for giant tortoises in their natural surroundings. 

This morning we land at Genovesa Island, or Tower Island. It is the northernmost island that is allowed to be visited by naturalist (non-diving) cruises. This island is extremely remote and home to literally millions of birds belonging to many different species including the red footed booby as well as frigates, swallow-tailed gulls and even endemic owls! 

In the afternoon we land at Darwin Bay Beach. Darwin Bay’s soft, coralline white sand is only the beginning of a spectacular excursion. A trail from the beach takes you into lush mangroves where red footed boobies nest. Other locals include sea lions, swallow-tail gulls, frigates and more. Snorkelling is a must here as sharks, colourful reef fish, rays and tortoises are common.

Bartolome is a small island that has two visitor sites. At the first site, you can snorkel around Pinnacle Rock, where penguins are usually seen. Then, it’s back on board for a quick change of clothes followed by a short dinghy ride to a dry landing for a climb to the highest point on the island. On the way up, you will encounter different volcanic formations, including spatter and tuff cones, lava flow and lava tubes. From the summit you will have a wonderful view of Sullivan Bay. For those not interested in the hike, there is the option of a panga ride. Usual fauna and flora also includes sea lions, pioneer plants, reef sharks, rays and colorful reef fish.

In the afternoon, we visit Santa Cruz Island. The name Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) stems from the fact that it was one of the few sites on Santa Cruz Island where a healthy population of land iguanas were found in 1975. After landing at a pier, a hike takes to you to a salt water lagoon behind the beach, frequented by common stilts, pintail ducks and occasionally flamingos. A short walk up the hill leads you to a land iguana nesting site, with breathtaking views of the bay. You will have the chance to go swimming after the walk.

Get up early to enjoy your last morning in the Galapagos!

Disembark at Bachas Beach for a final excursion before you depart. The beach is located in the north of Santa Cruz Island. Its soft, white sand is derived from decomposed coral, making it a favourite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind the beach there is a small brackish lagoon, where it is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels.

Later in the morning, you will disembark the Eclipse and transfer to the aiport.