Santa Cruz II
In Darwin's Footsteps: Galapagos Wildlife Cruise
Eastern Galapagos Tour, Embrace Nature’s Masterpiece
7 Days
Friday to Thursday
13 of 15
Galapagos Iconic Species
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Overview
Our Eastern Galapagos cruise itinerary begins on Baltra Island, after which a short journey aboard the Santa Cruz II brings us to Mosquera Islet where we check out the sea lions before our sailing team heads to San Cristobal. A stop at the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Breeding Center will open our eyes to the beauty of the Galapagos giant tortoise and to the important scientific work that continues to be done on the islands. In the afternoon, we travel to the most eastern tip of the archipelago, Punta Pitt, the only stop on this journey where we can likely see red-footed boobies. From here, it’s on to the central islands, starting with Santa Fe, with its beautiful tranquil bay, before continuing to the wild cliffs of South Plaza Island with its alluring cacti, land iguanas, and stunning marine birds. The following day we visit the world-famous Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island. Then, Española Island, voted the #1 island by guides and expedition leaders, awaits with its remarkable visitor site of Punta Suarez, home to hundreds of marine iguanas, sea lions, marine birds, and even albatross (present between April and December) – making this a truly stunning site! In the afternoon, we enjoy the water at Gardner Bay. The following morning, we wake up at Eden Islet and finish the day at North Seymour, famous for its land iguanas and sea lions as well as bird colonies of blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and Nazca boobies. We finish back at Baltra Island after a moving and memorable experience of the Eastern Galapagos Islands.
Galapagos Islands You’ll Visit on this Itinerary:
- Baltra
- Mosquera
- San Cristobal
- Santa Fe
- South Plaza
- Santa Cruz
- Española
- Eden Islet
- North Seymour
Day by Day
Day 1 - Baltra & Mosquera Islands
Santa Cruz II will set sail after lunch.
It will sail 4 nautical miles to Mosquera Islet.
Mosquera is a sandbank between Baltra and North Seymour.
It is surrounded by lava reefs.
Landing will be on the western shore.
This area is home to juvenile sea lions.
A wet landing will be performed.
Guides will lead visitors through sea lion colonies.
Galapagos ecosystems will be explained.
The walk is easy and short over flat, sandy dunes.
Day 2 - San Cristobal Island
Punta Pitt
In the morning, we do a wet landing at Punta Pitt, on the eastern tip of San Cristobal Island, featuring an eroded tuff cone and scenic coastal views.
This is the only site in the Galapagos where all three booby species (blue-footed, red-footed, and Nazca) are likely to be seen together.
Visitors can enjoy a guided walk, a dinghy ride along the coast, and optional activities like snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking.
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
After lunch, we disembark (dry landing) at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and drive 40 minutes to the southern shore of San Cristobal Island.
At Cerro Colorado, we visit the Breeding Center for endangered Galapagos giant tortoises in a deciduous forest.
The forest is also home to endemic species like the San Cristobal mockingbird and San Cristobal lava lizard.
Day 3 - Santa Fe & South Plaza Islands
Santa Fe Island
After breakfast, we take a dinghy for a wet landing on a beautiful white sand beach, home to numerous sea lions.
During the walk, we may spot the endemic land iguana resting near giant prickly pear cactus.
Activities include swimming from the dinghy, kayaking, or exploring via the glass-bottom boat.
South Plaza Island
After lunch and a break, we disembark (dry landing) along a scenic channel with turquoise waters, white sand, and black lava shore.
The area features scarlet sesuvium groundcover and green prickly-pear cactus, where yellow-grey land iguanas wait beneath.
Along the coast, we may see sea lion colonies and observe frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, and shearwaters gliding in the air.
Day 4 - Santa Cruz Island
Puerto Ayora & the Charles Darwin Research Station
In the morning, we disembark (dry landing) at Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, home to a giant tortoise breeding center and a cactus forest inhabited by land birds.
The Station is also the headquarters for scientific research and conservation efforts in the Galapagos National Park.
After the visit, we travel by private transport to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for lunch in a cooler, distinct ecosystem.
Highlands
In the afternoon, you can choose from several activity options, which can be discussed ahead of time with your Expedition Leader.
After the activities, guests will return to Puerto Ayora.
From there, everyone will board the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise.
Day 5 - Española Island
Punta Suarez
- An exciting walk offers close encounters with sea bird colonies, including Galapagos albatross (April–December), Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls.
- The site features the Galapagos’ famous “blowhole” and colorful marine iguanas in red, green, and black hues.
- After the visit, guests return on board for lunch.
Gardner Bay & Osborn Islet
- In the afternoon, visit the stunning coral beach of Gardner Bay and nearby Osborn Islet.
- Enjoy sightings of sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches, or relax and swim in the clear waters.
- Snorkeling and kayaking activities are also available at this location.
Day 6 - Santa Cruz & North Seymour Islands
Eden Islet (Santa Cruz Island)
After breakfast, we take a panga ride to Eden Islet, off the coast of Santa Cruz Island.
Wildlife sightings include blue-footed boobies diving, reef sharks, and frigatebirds.
Activities include snorkeling, kayaking, and, weather permitting, a glass-bottom boat ride.
North Seymour Island
After breakfast, a panga ride brings us to Eden Islet, located off the coast of Santa Cruz Island.
Wildlife includes blue-footed boobies diving, reef sharks swimming, and frigatebirds flying overhead.
Guests can snorkel, kayak, or take a glass-bottom boat ride (weather permitting).
Itinerary Map
Eastern Galapagos Wildlife
Gallery
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“Melissa has been fantastic! She answers all my questions, gets back to me quickly, and has mapped out a wonderful trip for us. I couldn’t be happier with the service I have received.”
—Mary Kabat
