Elite Catamaran Galapagos cruise Itinerary B East Islands 8 days


The Galapagos cruise route allows for visits to Espanola as well as Genovesa, two islands that are the jewels of the eastern side of the archipelago. This is a rare opportunity to see red-footed, blue-footed, and masked boobies as well as Galapagos Hawks, Galapagos hawks and giant tortoises. You can also snorkel with sea turtles and sea lions. The Elite catamaran, one of the most luxurious boats in these waters, offers 360-view dining and private balconies in every cabin. This ensures a scenic and smooth ride.
Day 1: San Cristobal Island: David Rodriguez Breeding Center

You will be taken to San Cristobal Airport.

David Rodriguez Breeding Center

Visit the David Rodriguez Breeding Centre to learn more about the evolution and origin of the giant tortoise. It also explains why this center is so important in protecting the future of these amazing creatures.
You can walk along the trails and see the baby tortoises being raised in semi-natural conditions. This is a great example of the dedication the Galapagos people have to conserving the wildlife that makes them so special.

Day 2: Española Island: Gardner Bay & Suarez Point

Suarez Point

Suarez Point is a rich habitat for wildlife. You can explore it by walking the circular trail. This unforgettable walk will take visitors past large nesting areas of blue-footed and nazca boobies, and mockingbirds.

The beautiful waved albatross are also a unique feature of Espanola Island. They can be seen majestically leaping out over the ocean from the cliffs or the green and red marine iguanas.

One of the most striking geological highlights is a series of blow holes that can shoot water 25m up into the air.

Gardner Bay

Gardner Bay's pristine, white sandy beach is perfect for relaxing. Paddle boarding or kayaking are great ways to see the many waved albatross that use this beach to breed.
You can snorkel with young sea lions in the Gardner and Osborn Islets by taking a short panga ride.

Day 3: Floreana Island: Cormorant Point, Champion islet, Post Office Bay & Baroness Lookout

Cormorant Point

Cormorant Point has two beaches. One is green-tinted due to high levels of olivine crystals and the other is pure white sand (commonly called 'Flour Beach'). Both are derived from pulverized Coral.
You must see the saltwater lagoon, which is home to one of the largest populations of Galapagos Flamingos.

Champion islet

Panga rides to Champion Islet, an extinct shield volcanic volcano, offer a great opportunity to snorkel in an area known for its high diversity of fish.

Post Office Bay

Post Office Bay, a man-made location, offers a glimpse into the remarkable postal tradition that British whalers created in 18th century. Visitors can still participate in it today.
This beach is great for snorkeling and kayaking. It's also possible to walk down into a lava tube.

The Baroness' Eyes

Take a panga ride next to the Baroness’ Lookout volcanic rock formation, named after an Australian baroness who visited the island during the 1930's. It is believed that she mysteriously vanished.
There is a short trail that leads to the vantage point, which offers spectacular views of the coastline and mangroves.

Day 4: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Research Station & Mosquera Islet

Mosquera Islet

Mosquera islet, a small, flat and sandy island between Baltra islands and North Seymour islets, is called.
You can explore the stunning surroundings on foot with no set trail. Here you'll find a variety of shorebirds, sea lions, and striking Sally Lightfoot crabs that stick to the dark rocks.
It is also a great spot for snorkeling, and you can see a variety of marine life such as turtles and sharks.

Charles Darwin Research Station

The Charles Darwin Research Station is a great place to learn about the important work being done to conserve the archipelago’s ecosystems.
This includes a significant breeding program for Galapagos tortoises. Their numbers have been declining since the 1970s.
These magnificent reptiles are well-acquainted with humans. Make sure you bring your camera to capture close-ups.

Day 5: Genovesa Island: Prince Philip's Steps, El Barranco & Darwin Bay

Prince Philip's Steps, El Barranco

El Barranco (also known as Prince Philip's Steps) is a rocky staircase that leads you past a colony red-footed bobies and nazca to reach a plateau of dry lava. Visitors are often treated with sightings of storm petrels flying out to sea from the Palo Santo forest as they continue onwards.
You can see the Galapagos fur seals nestled in the rocks by taking a panga ride, kayaking/paddle-boarding along the edge of cliffs. If you want to take a dip with many shark species, snorkeling is an excellent activity.

Darwin Bay

Darwin Bay is home to a small coral and sand beach. This makes it a great spot for kayaking, snorkeling and paddle-boarding. A short trail runs along the shoreline, past mangroves and a tidal lagoon. This area is home to many landbird species including Nazca, red-footed bobies and swallowtail gulls.
The trail ends at a breathtaking viewpoint with a view of the bay and the cliffs below.

Day 6: Santiago Island: Espumilla Beach, Buccaneer Cove & Egas Port

Espumilla Beach

Espumilla beach is located on Santiago island's northern coast. It is a beautiful white sand beach with meringue-like foam trails left behind by the waves. Sally Lightfoot crabs can be found here in large numbers. This makes it a popular spot for predatory birds like hawks, herons, and pelicans.

This is a beautiful spot for kayaking or paddle boarding, and snorkeling amongst the raft of marine life including sharks, eels, and octopuses.

Buccaneer Cove

Buccaneer Cove is a fascinating place with a rich history. It was where buccaneers, sailors and whalers used to anchor their boats in search of food and water. It has been a popular spot for sea lions in recent years and has become a key nesting area for turtles.
Panga rides along the shoreline provide views of interesting rock formations that offer excellent ledges to boobies and pelicans.

Egas Port

Egas Port was once a salt mine. Now, this stunning black sand beach makes for a great spot to snorkel and observe shorebirds, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and marine iguanas.
You can spot fur seals basking in the shade by taking a stroll along the wide trails that run inland.

Day 7: Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach, Twin Craters & Highlands

Bachas Beach

Bachas Beach is a beautiful white sand beach where you can see the remains of a rusted barge that was abandoned by the Americans in WWI. You might see turtles nesting here, so you can snorkel with them.
You will also find Sally Lightfoot, hermit crabs, and elegant pink Flamingos on the beach.

Twin Craters & Highlands

These crater-like holes are almost identical and can be appreciated best by following the trail around the rims.

This vantage point allows one to enjoy the natural beauty of the highlands surrounding the area, which are lush with Scalesia and ferns.

Bird lovers can enjoy the distinctive red feathers of Vermilion Flycatchers and Darwin's finches as well as Galapagos doves. You may also be able to spot an endemic short-ear Owl if you are lucky.

Day 8: San Cristobal Island: Kicker Rock & Airport

Kicker Rock is an iconic Galapagos feature that was formed by the erosion from the cone of an extinct volcano.

This channel, which runs between two massive shards rock, is often called one of the most exciting spots for snorkeling or diving. It is home to marine iguanas as well as Galapagos sharks, hammerhead sharks, and marine eagles rays.

You can also see blue-footed bobies, frigatebirds, and sea lions perched on the rocks above.

Take off from San Cristobal airport.

Highlights

  • Visit both Española and Genovesa island on an 8 day itinerary
  • Spot the 3 types of Boobies, red-footed, blue-footed and masked boobies
  • Walk to the Cliff at "El Barranco" an observe the Galapagos hawk hunting for sea birds
  • Snorkel with sea turtles and sea lions in the turqouise blue waters at Gardner bay
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