Las Bachas Beach

Prince Philip’s Steps

Early in the morning, you begin with a hike up the steep stairs of Prince Philip to a bush of palo santo shrubs on the top, where you can see red footed boobies; upon arriving at the edge of the rim you will enjoy a panoramic view of Genovesa Island. At the end of the trail, there will be Nazca boobies and petrel nesting places.

El Barranco

Continue along the island’s rim to El Barranco, a dramatic cliff face where thousands of storm petrels swirl in and out of cracks in the lava. Scan the palo santo trees for the endemic short-eared owl, which hunts here by daylight, before descending back to the beach.

South Plazas

First activity of the day will be landing on South Plaza Island where you will see various species of land iguanas, marine iguanas, and hybrids of this species.

Santa Fe

In the afternoon, after lunch, you will head to Santa Fe Island, which is a great place to snorkel and swim along sea lions. This place is also the home of endemic species like the Galapagos Hawk, and native Santa Fe iguanas. After this activity, dinner will be served onboard.

Santa Cruz Highlands

In the morning, you will take a bus ride up to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, where giant tortoises roam free in the wild. Walk among these gentle giants in their natural habitat and look for Darwin’s finches and vermilion flycatchers in the Scalesia forest.

Fausto Llerena Breeding Center

Next, you will visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center at the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the conservation efforts and scientific research protecting the Galapagos giant tortoise. See tiny hatchlings and juveniles raised in captivity before they are released back into the wild.

Baroness Viewpoint

In the morning, land at Baroness Viewpoint on Floreana Island, named for the eccentric baroness who once made this island her home. A short climb leads to a panoramic lookout over the coastline, with flamingos often visible in the lagoon below.

Asilo de la Paz

Continue inland to Asilo de la Paz, a lush highland oasis where a natural spring drew some of the island’s first settlers. Explore the historic pirate caves and watch for giant tortoises wallowing in the muddy pools.

Post Office Bay

Afterwards, stop at the famous Post Office Bay, where an old wooden barrel has served as a post office since the 18th century. Leave your own postcard and take any addressed near your home, a beloved Galapagos tradition among sailors.

Champion Islet

In the afternoon, the dinghy circles Champion Islet, a small offshore islet and one of the finest snorkeling sites in the archipelago, with playful sea lions, reef sharks and clouds of colorful tropical fish.

Cormorant Point

End the day at Cormorant Point, where a green olivine-sand beach leads to a brackish lagoon visited by flamingos, pintails and stilts. A short trail crosses to a white coral-sand beach, an important nesting ground for green sea turtles.

Suarez Point

Early in the morning head to Suarez Point on Española Island, and you will take a walk along the cliffs past colonies of blue-footed and Nazca boobies. From April to December, the waved albatross performs its elaborate courtship dance here, and the trail ends at a dramatic blowhole where the surf explodes through the lava.

Gardner Bay

In the afternoon, the yacht will take you to Gardner Bay, a long white-sand beach to watch sea lions and marine iguanas. Swim and snorkel with curious sea lion pups, then continue to Osborn Islet, a small offshore islet with excellent snorkeling among coral heads, sea turtles and reef fish.

Witch Hill / Kicker Rock

After breakfast, your experienced captain sails around Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido), a towering tuff cone rising from the sea, home to blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds and sea lions. Continue to Witch Hill (Cerro Brujo), a beautiful white-sand beach at the foot of a striking tuff cone, ideal for walking, swimming and snorkeling.

Lobos Island / Interpretation Center

In the afternoon, visit Lobos Island, a small islet named for its colony of sea lions, where blue-footed boobies nest along the trail. Then head to the Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center in San Cristóbal to discover the natural and human history of the islands.

Black Turtle Cove

After breakfast, the dinghy glides into Black Turtle Cove, a large mangrove lagoon on the north shore of Santa Cruz reached only by small boat. Drift silently among the red mangroves where sea turtles, rays and white-tipped reef sharks shelter, before your transfer to Baltra Airport for the flight back to the mainland.