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Santa Cruz II
Iconic Wildlife & Sublime Scenery
Western Galapagos Tour, Discover Untamed Beauty
5 Days
Thursday to Monday
12 of 15
Galapagos Iconic Species
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Overview
Our Western Galapagos cruise itinerary begins in Baltra, where we board the ship and sail towards Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island for an interesting hike through palo santo forests full of the Galapagos’ famed land iguanas. Overnight, we sail around the seahorse-shaped Isabela Island to two great visitor sites: Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island (with the fascinating geology of the collapsed Ecuador volcano) and then wild and pure Punta Espinoza on Fernandina (one of the most pristine islands in the world, with one of the archipelago’s biggest colony of marine iguanas and opportunities to see flightless cormorants). From there, we sail back around to Santa Cruz Island to visit the world-famous Charles Darwin Research Station, where scientists are involved in research and conservation efforts, the most well-known of which involves a captive breeding program for Galapagos giant tortoises. After that, we spend the afternoon enjoying a range of activities. The following day finds us on Floreana Island, exploring its human history and stunning wildlife at both Post Office Bay and Cormorant Point. The next day we say goodbye to the Galapagos Islands after an amazing journey!
Galapagos Islands You’ll Visit on this Itinerary:
- Baltra
- Isabela
- Fernandina
- Santa Cruz
- Floreana
Day by Day
Day 1 - Baltra & Santa Cruz Islands
Baltra Island
Morning arrival by plane at Baltra Island, followed by transfer to the dock to board Santa Cruz II.
Onboard activities include an introductory briefing and emergency drill.
Guests receive cabin assignments and enjoy lunch.
Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) [Santa Cruz Island]
- Visit Cerro Dragon on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island.
- Walk begins at a brackish lagoon with shorebirds, ducks, and flamingos.
- Trail continues inland with views of the bay and sightings of land iguanas.
Day 2 - Isabela & Fernandina Islands
Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)
- After breakfast, explore the coast by dinghy with naturalist guides explaining the area’s dramatic geology.
- Spot iconic species like flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, fur seals, and boobies.
- Weather permitting, snorkel along marine-rich cliffs, with chances to see green sea turtles and sunfish (mola mola).
Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)
- In the afternoon, explore Fernandina, the youngest and most pristine island in the Galapagos.
- Its unique ecosystem features no introduced animals and an exceptional number of marine iguanas.
- Iconic wildlife includes sea lions, Sally lightfoot crabs, Galapagos hawks, penguins, and flightless cormorants.
Day 3 - 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 tortoise breeding center and giant cactus forest with land birds.
The Station also houses scientific research, conservation operations, and the Galapagos National Park’s administrative offices.
After the visit, we travel by private transport to the cooler highlands of Santa Cruz Island for lunch in a different ecosystem.
Highlands
- In the afternoon, guests choose from various activities coordinated with the Expedition Leader.
- After the excursions, everyone returns to Puerto Ayora.
- Guests then board the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise.
Day 4 - Floreana Island
Baroness Tower + Post Office Bay
- After breakfast, enjoy a dinghy ride through the channels of Floreana’s north shore, followed by scenic views at Baroness Cove.
- Visit Post Office Bay to see the historic mail barrel, where guests can leave or take postcards for delivery.
- Snorkeling is available from the beach before heading back aboard for lunch.
Champion Islet + Cormorant Point
- After lunch and a break, guests can snorkel or ride the glass-bottom boat around Champion Islet, a top snorkeling spot and extinct shield volcano.
- Then, we make a wet landing at Cormorant Point on an olivine-crystal beach for a walk to a lagoon with flamingos, ducks, stilts, herons, and more.
- The walk ends at a white-sand beach, a seasonal nesting site for sea turtles (December to May).
Itinerary Map
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
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