Natural Paradise Galapagos Cruises

Take a morning flight from Quito or Guayaquil to San Cristobal, where you will pass through immigration and baggage claim. Be transferred to the yacht and have time to settle into your cabin before lunch and a welcome briefing.

In the afternoon visit Kicker Rock, a striking rock formation located a couple hours off the western shore of San Cristobal. Jutting out of the water, the rocks stand vertically at hundreds of feet above the ocean divided by a small channel. Although there are no landing areas, kayaking and panga rides allow visitors to spot a variety of marine life.

Next, visit Witch Hill. Located on the northern coast, this eroded hill and its surroundings present one of the most picturesque beaches in the Galapagos with its white powdery sand and the abundance of animals. Wildlife includes sea turtles, rays and various types of booby birds. The clear water provides an excellent opportunity for enjoying swimming and snorkeling.

The island was formed by a series of submarine lava containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone. In the morning, head to South Plaza Island, a small island with steep cliffs formed by rising lava and now covered by opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas. The most characteristic plant is sesuvium. During the rainy season its color is a greenish to yellowish tone and in the dry season (end of June through January) a bright red. In the afternoon, Visit Black Turtle Cove in the northern part of Santa Cruz. This inlet is surrounded by mangroves and is only accessible by dinghy. The shallow cove is a haven for young marine life. Black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of rays are often spotted here.

Today visit Rabida Island (Jervis), which is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago with a fantastic snorkeling site. Make a wet landing on Rabida’s famous maroon sandy beach to begin an easy hike that leads to a stunning lookout of the magnificent landscapes. This is a birdwatcher’s delight with some of the rarest species such as nine varieties of finches, large-billed flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans.

In the afternoon, visit Bartolome, home of the famous Pinnacle Rock. Bartolome consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. A trail of stairs leads to the summit of the volcano, boasting one of the best views of the islands. The beach is perfect for snorkeling and possible sightings of the Galapagos penguin.

This morning, enjoy a coral beach landing in Sullivan Bay that leads to a lava field as far as the eye can see. Hunt and peck over the two distinguished types of lava, pahoehoe and ‘a’a, for signs of plant life that have managed to emerge over the past 100 years since this island’s most recent volcanic explosion. A truly amazing volcanic experience…up close and personal! This afternoon, visit Dragon Hill. Situated on Santa Cruz Island, Dragon Hill is one of the newest visitor sites accessible to tourists in the Galapagos Islands. One of the lengthier Galapagos walking trails will lead visitors along a beach and up a trail to the lagoon lookout where bright flamingos, pintail ducks and land iguanas can be spotted.

Reached by bus from Puerto Ayora, the highlands of Santa Cruz are a deep green that contrast beautifully with much of the dry, lower islands. The dominant vegetation in the highlands is the forest of scalesia trees creating the lush green color. The lava tubes, over half a mile long, are underground; walking through them is a unique, surreal experience. Next visit Los Gemelos, or the Twin Craters, located opposite each other on both sides of the road leading from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is only figurative; not real craters, these formations were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. The view is breathtaking.

This afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station/Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, home to turtles ranging from three inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long. Subspecies of turtles interact with one another and many of the older turtles are accustomed to humans and stretch out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years old and strong enough to survive on their own.

Today, begin at El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps. The rocky path leads up to a high cliff face, where a marvelous view can be appreciated. This site is also home to palo santo vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, Galapagos swallows and Galapagos doves. This afternoon, visit the white-sand coral beach of Darwin bay, which follows a half mile trail that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls can be spotted here. Farther down the path are tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end is a spectacular view off a cliff.

This morning, visit Espumilla Beach, a popular place for marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot crabs. The crabs attract the hunting herons, performing the dance of predator and prey. With an abundance of marine life including octopi, moray eels and sharks, snorkeling is highly recommended. Next stop at Buccaneer Cove is a testament to the fact that Santiago Island was once a refuge for British buccaneers. Pirates would anchor in the protected bay to make repairs and stock up on tortoise meat, among other things. The steep cliffs, where hundreds of seabirds perch in front of the dark red sand beach, are also a magnificent site.

Spend this afternoon at Egas Port, also known as James Bay, home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to a coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos fur sea lions bathe in the sun, and there is also a great snorkeling site.

Begin today swimming at Las Bachas, a beautiful beach located on the north shore of Santa Cruz. One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galapagos is a floating pier that can be seen here. Flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts and whimbrels can be seen. Sea turtles also nest off the beach. After this final visit, be transferred to Baltra’s airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.

Take a morning flight to Baltra, pass through immigration and baggage claim, then be met by your guide. Arrive at the yacht and have time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing. In the afternoon, visit North Seymour where you may see Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and magnificent frigate birds which are abundant on this island. North Seymour was formed by a series of submarine lava flows containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone.

This morning, visit Vicente Roca Point, located on the northwestern coast of the island and comprised of two separate coves. Vicente Roca Point is a large bay with spectacular sea life like seahorses, sea turtles and the strange yet fascinating mola mola (sunfish). This bay is great for diving and snorkeling. In the afternoon, visit Espinosa point on Fernandina Island. Because no foreign species have ever invaded Fernandina Island, it is one of the world’s most pristine island ecosystems. The volcano “La Cumbre” dominates the landspace with lava fields reaching the ocean. The island’s highlight features the flightless cormorant nesting site. This area provides a great opportunity to see the Galapagos hawk.

Spend this morning at Urbina Bay, located at the base of Alcedo Volcano on the west coast between Tagus Cove and Elizabeth Bay. This area experienced a major uplift in 1954 causing the land to rise over 16 feet. The coast expanded half a mile out, leaving marine life stranded on the new shore. This area is also a great place for snorkeling. In the afternoon, enjoy Moreno Point near Elizabeth Bay on the west coast of Isabela Island. The plethora of birds seen during a panga ride along the striking rocky shores or a hike along a path through lava rock leading to tide pools and mangroves are a birdwatcher’s delight. In the tide pools, search for green sea turtles and white-tipped sharks.

In the morning, visit the Sierra Negra Volcano, which boasts the largest basaltic caldera in Galapagos with a diameter of 6.2 miles. The site offers impressive views and the opportunity to observe up to seven species of finches and a rich display of vegetation. The north side of the caldera provides evidence of its most recent volcanic activity in 2005.

In the afternoon, visit the Wetlands of Isabela Island, located just outside of Puerto Villamil, that consist of lagoons, swamps and mangroves and are home to a variety of unique bird species such as common stilts, whimbrels, white-cheeked pintails and gallinules. The Wetlands can be visited on foot via a path that winds through the swamps. End today at the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center, about one mile (1.5 km) from Puerto Villamil. Here, tortoise populations from South Isabela, Sierra Negra Volcano, Cerro Azul, Cazuela, Cinco Cerros, Roca Union, San Pedro, Tables and Cerro Paloma have been bred in captivity. In total there are 330 juvenile and adult tortoises.

In the morning, visit Chinese Hat, a small islet located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island, whose name comes from the distinct shape of the islet’s summit. This small islet is a great location to view many geological formations such as lava tubes and lava flows, some of which were formed underwater and subsequently raised above sea level. The presence of coral heads on the lava flow makes this a great site for snorkeling with an abundance of marine species, marine iguanas and sea lions.

In the afternoon, visit the northern area of Santa Cruz Island, Bahía Borrero, a beautiful white coralline beach used as a nesting site by Green Sea turtles. This extinct volcano, due to its altitude, shows all the different zones of vegetation, changing from the littoral to the arid, and then with more moisture into the humid zone, to end in the dry pampa zone.

This morning, visit Baroness Viewing Point, a fantastic place to absorb the environment of the Galapagos. Once inhabited by an indulgent baroness and her three lovers, the history of this island is intriguing. The legends about this baroness are associated with a fascinating murder mystery. There are easy trails in this area for exploring the flora and fauna of Floreana.

Next, visit Post Office Bay on the southern Galapagos Island of Floreana. In the 18th century whalers passing through the islands placed a wooden barrel on Floreana Island for use as an unofficial mail box. The tradition continues today as visitors leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver upon their return home.

In the afternoon, visit Comorant Point, a site that hosts a large flamingo lagoon where other birds such as common stilts and white-cheeked pintails can also be seen. The beaches on this island are distinct: the “Green Beach” was named due to its green color, which comes from a high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand, and the “Four Sand Beach” composed of white coral. Next, visit Champion Islet, named after the whaler Andrew Champion. It’s a small island located just offshore Floreana Island in the southern part of the archipelago. It’s considered one of the most beautiful places in the Galapagos for snorkeling and diving fans and offers an excellent opportunity for dolphin watching.

On the trail to Suarez Point you will have the chance to spot blue-footed boobies, albatrosses and nazca boobies. This island is the breeding site of nearly all of the world’s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. You will also visit a beautiful site on the ocean front where there is a cliff that the large albatrosses use as a launching pad! You will have the chance to see the famous blowhole that spurts sea water into the air. The landscape is great for photography.

In the afternoon, visit the spectacular Gardner Bay, Gardner Islet and Osborn Islet. TAfter landing, you can walk across a lovely white-sand beach amongst a busy sea lion colony or dive into the water to swim with sea lion pups. You may also see curious mockingbirds on the beach.

The name means “Sea Lion Island,” and Lobos Island was appropriately named for the noisy, frolicking sea lions who welcome you to their home. This island also offers great snorkeling opportunities as well as the chance to see blue-footed and Nazca boobies. After this final visit, you will be transferred to San Cristobal’s airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.

Take a morning flight from Quito or Guayaquil to San Cristobal, where you will pass through immigration and baggage claim. Be transferred to the yacht and have time to settle into your cabin before lunch and a welcome briefing.

In the afternoon visit Kicker Rock, a striking rock formation located a couple hours off the western shore of San Cristobal. Jutting out of the water, the rocks stand vertically at hundreds of feet above the ocean divided by a small channel. Although there are no landing areas, kayaking and panga rides allow visitors to spot a variety of marine life.

Next, visit Witch Hill. Located on the northern coast, this eroded hill and its surroundings present one of the most picturesque beaches in the Galapagos with its white powdery sand and the abundance of animals. Wildlife includes sea turtles, rays and various types of booby birds. The clear water provides an excellent opportunity for enjoying swimming and snorkeling.

The island was formed by a series of submarine lava containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone. In the morning, head to South Plaza Island, a small island with steep cliffs formed by rising lava and now covered by opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas. The most characteristic plant is sesuvium. During the rainy season its color is a greenish to yellowish tone and in the dry season (end of June through January) a bright red. In the afternoon, Visit Black Turtle Cove in the northern part of Santa Cruz. This inlet is surrounded by mangroves and is only accessible by dinghy. The shallow cove is a haven for young marine life. Black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of rays are often spotted here.

Today, visit Rabida Island (Jervis), which is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago with a fantastic snorkeling site. Make a wet landing on Rabida’s famous maroon sandy beach to begin an easy hike that leads to a stunning lookout of the magnificent landscapes. This is a birdwatcher’s delight with some of the rarest species such as nine varieties of finches, large-billed flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans.

In the afternoon, visit Bartolome, home of the famous Pinnacle Rock. Bartolome consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. A trail of stairs leads to the summit of the volcano, boasting one of the best views of the islands. The beach is perfect for snorkeling and possible sightings of the Galapagos penguin.

This morning, enjoy a coral beach landing in Sullivan Bay that leads to a lava field as far as the eye can see. Hunt and peck over the two distinguished types of lava, pahoehoe and ‘a’a, for signs of plant life that have managed to emerge over the past 100 years since this island’s most recent volcanic explosion. A truly amazing volcanic experience…up close and personal!

In the afternoon, visit Dragon Hill, situated on Santa Cruz Island. Dragon Hill offers one of the lengthier Galapagos walking trails along a beach and up a trail to a lagoon lookout where bright flamingos, pintail ducks and land iguanas can be spotted.

Spend this morning visiting the Twin Craters, located opposite to each other on both sides of the road leading from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is only figurative; not real craters, these formations were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. The view is breathtaking. After this final visit, be transferred to Baltra’s airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.

Arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, be met by a Natural Paradise staff member and brought into a private bus to start your adventure in Galapagos.

Accessible by bus from Puerto Ayora, the highlands of Santa Cruz are a deep green which contrast beautifully with the dry, lower part of the islands. The predominant vegetation in the highlands are Scalesia trees which create a lush green forest. The lava tunnels, over half a mile long, are underground and walking through them is a unique, surreal experience. At this place you’ll have lunch.

This afternoon, visit “Fausto Llerena” Tortoise Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity. This is home to tortoises ranging from 3 inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet-long adults. Subspecies of the giant tortoises interact with one another and many of the older tortoises are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years old and strong enough to survive on their own.

Please note: Your first excursion in the Galapagos will be after being picked up at the airport upon arrival to the islands, before boarding the cruise. It is essential for you to arrive in the Galapagos wearing comfortable clothes, good closed-toe shoes suitable for an excursion, a long-brimmed hat, sun lotion, sunglasses, and to ensure you have your camera handy.

Begin today on El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, on Genovesa Island, where a steep, rocky path leads up to a high cliff-face and a marvelous view. This site is also home to palo santo vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, Galapagos swallows and Galapagos doves. This afternoon, visit the white-sand coral beach of Darwin Bay, which follows a half-mile trail that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls can be spotted here. Farther down the path are tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end is a spectacular view off a cliff.

This morning, visit Espumilla Beach, a popular place for marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot crabs. The crabs attract the hunting herons, performing the dance of predator and prey. With an abundance of marine life including octopi, moray eels and sharks, snorkeling is highly recommended. Next stop at Buccaneer Cove is a testament to the fact that Santiago Island was once a refuge for British buccaneers. Pirates would anchor in the protected bay to make repairs and stock up on tortoise meat, among other things. The steep cliffs, where hundreds of seabirds perch in front of the dark red sand beach, are also a magnificent site.

Spend this afternoon at Egas Port, also known as James Bay, home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to a coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos fur sea lions bathe in the sun, and there is also a great snorkeling site.

Begin today swimming at Las Bachas, a beautiful beach located on the north shore of Santa Cruz. One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galapagos is a floating pier that can be seen here. Flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts and whimbrels can be seen. Sea turtles also nest off the beach. After this final visit, be transferred to Baltra’s airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.