8 Days Western and Northern Galapagos Islands catamaran cruise


Board an expedition to the more remote areas of the Galapagos island chain, the trip includes visits to Fernandina, Isabela, Santiago and Genovesa Islands amongst other iconic visitor sites. Most shore excursions on this itinerary cannot be reached on a day tour. Encounter red footed boobies, penguins, flightless cormorants, giant tortoises and more. Swim with sea lions, marine iguanas, turtles and tropical fish. You will have the stability of a luxury catamaran for smooth navigation in between islands.
Day 1: Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Island: Twin Craters & Highlands

Santa Cruz: Twin Craters

Los Gemelos or the Twin Craters are found on opposite sides of the road from Puerto Ayora and Baltra. This name is a metaphor. These formations are not actually craters. They were formed by the collapse of underground material in fissures and chambers. It is stunning.

Santa Cruz Island: Highlands

The highlands of Santa Cruz can be reached by bus from Puerto Ayora. They are richly green and contrast beautifully with the lower, dry islands. The predominant vegetation of the highlands is the forest Scalesia trees, which creates the rich green color. Walking through the lava tubes underground, which are over half a mile in length, is an amazing, surreal experience.

Day 2: Isabela Island: Tintoreras Islet, Sierra Negra Volcano & Arnaldo Tupisa Breeding Center

Tintoreras Islet

A short distance from Puerto Villamil is the Tintoreras Islet which houses a wide range of wildlife. The turquoise waters of the Tintoreras Islet are home to white-tip reef sharks, Galapagos penguins and marine turtles. One of the few places where marine iguanas are able to reproduce is on one of its beaches, which is surrounded by mangroves.

Sierra Negra Volcano

At 9 x 10 kilometers, the Sierra Negra Volcano is home to the largest basaltic caldera of Galapagos. It offers stunning views, the chance to see up to 7 species and a rich display vegetation. Evidence of recent volcanic activity can be seen on the caldera's north side, which was formed in 2005.

Wetlands

Just outside Puerto Villamil, you will find the Wetlands of Isabela Island. The Wetlands are made up of mangroves, swamps, lagoons, and mangroves. They house a number of rare bird species, including common stilts and whimbrels as well as white-cheeked pintails and gallinules. You can visit the Wetlands by foot, following a path through the swamps.

Arnaldo Tupisa Breeding Center

This center was established to protect animals during their first years from foreign species like donkeys and pigs. The center collects giant tortoise eggs and keeps them there for five years until they can be released into their natural environment.

Day 3: Isabela Island: Punta Moreno & Elizabeth Bay

Moreno Point

Moreno Point can be found on the west coast Isabela Island's Isabela Island near Elizabeth Bay. A dinghy ride along the stunning rocky shores, or a hike through lava rock leading you to tide pools and mangroves is a great way to see a variety of birds. You can spot white-tip sharks and green sea turtles in the tide pools.

Elizabeth Bay

Elizabeth Bay can be found on the east coast off Isabela Island. Many islets can be accessed by dinghy. On the rocks are a variety of wildlife, including blue-footed bobies and penguins. The area is ideal for snorkeling, viewing schools of colorful fish and sea lions, as well as seeing sharks.
Day 4: Fernandina Island & Isabela Island: Mangle Point & Urbina Bay

Fernandina Island: Mangle Point

Mangle Point is a great place to see the incredible wildlife and views on Fernandina Island's Coast. You can snorkel to your heart's content at this small inlet along Fernandina Island's coast. Here you can also see curious penguins and playful sea lions. Also, get a glimpse at the home of flightless cormorants.

Isabela Island: Urbina Bay

This bay is located on the island's north coast and consists of two distinct coves. It has spectacular sea life. Here you might see seahorses and sea turtles as well as the fascinating Mola mola (sunfish). This bay is ideal for snorkeling and diving.

Day 5: Fernandina Island & Isabela Island: Espinoza point & Vicente Roca Point

Fernandina Island: Espinosa Point

This new site is located in the northeastern part of San Cristobal Island. It can be reached by car in approximately one hour from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The Breeding Center will allow you to observe hatchling turtles, from their birth to 120 days after their maturity.

Isabela Island: Vicente Roca Point

This bay is located on the island's northwestern coast and consists of two distinct coves. It has spectacular sea life. You will find seahorses and sea turtles here, as well as other fascinating creatures. Mola Mola You might see sunfish (sunfish). This bay is ideal for snorkeling and diving.
Day 6: Santiago Island: Egas Port, Espumilla Beach & Buccaneer cove

Puerto Egas

Egas Port, also known as James Bay is home to the Galapagos Hawks and Galapagos Lava Lizards. This trail leads to beautiful tide pools and grottos filled with fauna. The sun shines on the Galapagos fur sea-lions. This area is great for snorkeling.

Espumilla Beach

Espumilla Beach is home to many marine iguanas as well as Sally Lightfoot crabs. The hunting herons perform the dance of predator-prey on the crabs. Snorkeling is highly recommended due to the abundance of marine life, including moray eels and sharks.

Buccaneer Cove

Buccaneer Cove is testament to the fact Santiago Island was once home to British buccaneers. The protected bay was used by the pirates to repair and stockpile tortoise meat, among other things. It is a stunning sight to see the steep cliffs where hundreds of seabirds perch on the red sand beach.

Day 7: Genovesa Island :El Barranco & Darwin Bay

El Barranco

El Barranco's steep and rocky paths lead up to a high, dramatic cliff-face. From here, you can enjoy a stunning view. You will also find palo santo plants, red-footed boobies and short-eared lava owls at this site. Galapagos swallows and Galapagos doves can also be found here.

Darwin Bay

A half-mile trail (0.5km) leads to this white sand coral beach. It winds through mangroves full of land birds. Here you can find red-footed and swallow-tailed birds, as well as Nazca boobies. Further along the path, you will find tidal swimming pools where sea-lions play. The end of the path offers a stunning view from a cliff.

Day 8: North Seymour Island & Transfer out

North Seymour Island is home to magnificent frigatebirds, blue-footed bobies and Galapagos sea Lions. Submarine lava and sediment layers formed the island. These layers were lifted by tectonic activity. It is known for its dry vegetation zone.

Highlights

  • Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, whimbrels, sea turtles.
  • Variety of lava formations and landscapes, pahoehoe lava which is found primarily in Hawai’i and the Galapagos islands, ‘a’a lava, and pristine coral sand beach.
  • Land iguanas, sea lion colony, Audubon’s shearwaters, swallow-tailed gulls, Nazca boobies, amazing landscape with cliffs.
  • Beautiful rock formations, sea lions, shore birds, finches and mockingbirds; snorkeling: nice tropical fish, anemones, sponge coral.
  • Giant tortoises in captivity, snorkeling with sea lions, land and sea birds, blue-footed boobies, hatchling turles.
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