Santa Cruz II
Galapagos Nature & Wildlife Expedition Cruise
Northern Galapagos Tour, Where Nature Inspires
5 Days
Monday to Friday
12 of 15
Galapagos Iconic Species
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Overview
Our Northern Galapagos cruise itinerary together begins at Baltra airport, from which we’ll sail to the glorious white beach of Las Bachas with a pair of brackish water lagoons only a few steps from the sea. These lagoons serve as feeding grounds for various wading birds, including stilts, pintail ducks, and flamingos. As we continue our voyage, we explore two fascinating visitor sites on Santiago Island: Buccaneer Cove, home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms; and Puerto Egas, with its fantastic tidal pools that are full of life and good snorkeling and swimming opportunities. The next day we visit the red-sand beach of Rabida Island along with a lovely trail around some cliffs and a popular spot for aquatic activities, with some of the best snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands! In the afternoon, we round out the day with a stop at Bartolome Island, which offers a volcanic viewpoint with room for hiking, swimming, and exploring the beach and the coast. Bartolome is one of the few spots in the Galapagos that will give you the chance to see Galapagos penguins. From here we sail northeast, crossing the equatorial line, to the sunken crater of Genovesa Island, home to thousands of marine birds. It feels like a world a million miles from our own. We finish with an incredible encounter with nature through which we respectfully share a wild habitat with giant Galapagos tortoises at a private reserve up in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island and then make our way to the airport at Baltra.
Galapagos Islands You’ll Visit on this Itinerary:
- Baltra
- Santa Cruz
- Santiago
- Rabida
- Bartolome
- Genovesa
Day by Day
Day 1 - Santa Cruz & Baltra Islands
Baltra Island
Morning arrival by plane on Baltra Island, followed by a guided transfer to board the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise.
Onboard activities include an introductory briefing, emergency boat drill, and cabin assignments.
Guests enjoy a hearty and delicious lunch after settling in.
Las Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz Island)
This visitor site on the northern shore of Santa Cruz Island features a stunning white beach and nearby brackish lagoons, feeding grounds for wading birds like stilts and flamingos.
Guests can enjoy swimming and snorkeling at the beach.
The day ends with a welcome cocktail, an expedition briefing for the next day, and dinner aboard the ship.
Day 2 - Santiago Island
Buccaneer Cove
After breakfast, we explore the coastline of Buccaneer Cove, known for its rich history and impressive cliffs.
The area is home to marine birds, sea lions, inter-tidal life, and striking geological features like Elephant Rock, The Bishop, and a natural cave.
Activities include snorkeling, dinghy rides, or exploring aboard the glass-bottom boat.
Puerto Egas
After disembarking at the beach, enjoy swimming or snorkeling along the rocky shorelines, often accompanied by marine turtles.
The walk offers views of iconic Galapagos wildlife amid tuff-stone layers and lava flows, with marine iguanas grazing during low tide and a nearby colony of fur-sea lions.
After the walk, guests have more time to swim or snorkel before returning to the ship.
Day 3 - Rabida & Bartolome Islands
Rabida Island
Guests can choose between a scenic dinghy ride or a landing on Rabida Island’s striking red sand beach, colored by its high iron content.
The walk includes encounters with sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several of Darwin’s finches, with a chance to spot American flamingos at a nearby saltwater pond.
The beach offers excellent snorkeling, and during the cruise’s departure, there’s a chance to spot dolphins in the surrounding waters.
Bartolome Island
Afternoon activities begin with a wet landing on the golden beach of Bartolome Island, near the iconic Pinnacle Rock, where guests can swim, snorkel, or ride the glass-bottom boat.
After returning to the ship, guests split into two groups: one hikes to the summit via a wooden staircase for panoramic views, while the other explores the volcanic shoreline by dinghy.
The groups then switch activities, ensuring everyone experiences both the scenic hike and coastal exploration.
Day 4 - Genovesa Island
Prince Philip's Steps
The morning begins with a 90-foot (28-meter) climb to a flat, rocky plateau.
Walk offers views of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and storm petrels.
Optional dinghy ride along the cliffs and kayaking, depending on weather.
Darwin Bay
In the afternoon, we land on a beautiful beach for swimming and snorkeling.
Afterwards, we take a walk to observe a variety of birds like frigatebirds, boobies, gulls, herons, finches, and mockingbirds.
More opportunities for snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming are available.
Day 5 - Baltra & Santa Cruz Islands
Tortoise Reserve
On our final morning, we visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island.
After a dry landing and bus ride to the highlands, guests see giant tortoises roaming in the wild.
The lush forest is home to Galapagos daisies, orchids, bromeliads, and endemic land birds.
Baltra Airport
- After this final visit, you will take your transfer vehicle to Baltra airport and say farewell to Galapagos Islands!
Itinerary Map
Northern Galapagos Wildlife
Gallery
Talk to an expert that´s
Sailed aboard!
“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
