Galápagos Islands

Fly to Galápagos and land on Mosquera Islet

Apr 21

After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to the Galápagos Islands. Upon arrival in the islands, you’ll transfer to the dock where the Samba, your home for this glorious adventure, awaits.

All routings and visitor sites on the Galápagos Islands are subject to change by the Galápagos National Park Service to minimize traffic and impact.

After introductions and a safety briefing, you’ll make your first landing at nearby Mosquera Islet where the beach rises from the ocean floor with sand grains as soft as sugar. This volcanic uplift, dating back 100,000 years, is home to Galápagos sea lions, sally lightfoot crabs, and shorebirds. Once back on board, relax with a welcome cocktail and meet the Samba’s friendly, professional crew. In the evening, you will travel to Genovesa in the outer archipelago. As the moonlight beams on the dark waters, look for phosphorescence from ctenophores (comb jellies) and other plankton on the surface. If you are lucky, you may see them appearing to encapsulate dolphins in a glowing shield as they bow-ride with the boat.

Isla Genovesa: Darwin Bay and Prince Philip’s Steps

Apr 22

Anchor in the huge flooded volcanic caldera that created Darwin Bay. As you approach, observe the walls of the caldera, which provide wonderful ledges for the very rare Galápagos fur seals and nesting sites of Red-billed Tropicbirds. You will hike up a stony stairway known as Prince Philip’s Steps for great views of Red-footed and Nazca Booby colonies on the way to the Wedge-rumped (Galápagos) Storm-Petrel colony. The island’s largest Red-footed Booby nesting site is located here too. Keep an eye out for the elusive Short-eared Owl that hunts for storm-petrels during the day.

After your first snorkeling of the trip, you’ll end your day with excellent views of Red-footed Boobies and Great Frigatebirds nesting with unparalleled density. Following the cliff edge, photograph and observe incoming boobies and frigatebirds. Frigatebirds are ceaseless with aerial displays of kleptoparasitism as they “dog-fight” along the cliffs for scarce nesting material. Genovesa’s four species of Darwin’s finches – Common Cactus Finch, Green Warbler Finch, Gray Warbler Finch, and Large Ground Finch – show huge variation in bill size, and you can find all four species here (one of the most outstanding sites that you will visit for Darwin’s finches along with the Highlands of Santa Cruz). Unlike trips with shorter itineraries, you’ll have the luxury of anchoring in the calm waters of Darwin Bay for the night.

Isla Marchena: Punta Mejía and Playa Negra

Apr 23

You will have the rare opportunity to visit Marchena, making your experience truly unique. Although landings are not permitted, it is one of the best places to snorkel with tropical fish, rays, sea turtles, sharks, and eels. You may also find hermatypic (reef building) coral formations here, an uncommon sight in the rest of the archipelago. During your navigation to and from Marchena, you sail through some of the most whale-rich waters in the region, so keep your eyes on the horizon and your binoculars ready!

Isla Isabela: Punta Albermarle and Punta Vicente Roca

Apr 24

Punta Albermarle is not commonly visited, but home to one of the loveliest Flightless Cormorant colonies in the Galápagos. This landing is your first endeavor on Isabela, by far the largest in the archipelago.

The northwest tip of Isabela, called Punta Vicente Roca, sits at the edge of a sharp drop into deep, nutrient-rich waters. You may see Galápagos Penguins, Brown Noddies, sea turtles, marine iguanas, Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, marine mammals, and the bizarre-looking sunfish (Mola mola).

En route to Fernandina, keep your eyes out for whales in the cold, deep water on the western side of the archipelago. These waters offer the chance to see orcas, pilot whales, and larger species such as sperm whales. A study by Hal Whitehead, with the help of World Wildlife Fund, found sperm whales particularly abundant west of Isabela where the subsurface Cromwell Current meets land and provides oxygen and nutrient-rich upwellings that supports a high density of squid that they feed on.

Isla Fernandina then back to Isla Isabela

Apr 25

Across the calm Canal Bolivar, separating Isabela from Fernandina, sits Punta Espinoza, one of the most wildlife-rich sites of the trip. Fernandina, the youngest of the Galápagos Islands, is one of the world’s most pristine islands because no known introduced animals have become established here. You’ll have the unique opportunity to observe and photograph marine iguanas sunbathing in piles by the hundreds. The famous Flightless Cormorant also inhabits this island along with Galápagos Penguins, lava lizards, and pelicans. Take a walk along the relatively young basalt (lava rock) to find lava cactus (Brachycereus nesioticus), the only species in its genus, growing directly out of what still seems like fresh lava. While snorkeling is not allowed to protect the algae-covered coastline that marine iguanas depend on for food, you will have ample opportunity to observe them as they navigate the reefs. 

This afternoon, you head back to Isabela for a very interesting landing at Urbina Bay. In 1954, this portion of Isabela lifted out of the sea so suddenly that fish and sea turtles were literally trapped high and dry on a freshly changed coastline. You will explore this unusual site to examine evidence of the geologic forces that continue to shape these islands. Along your walk, you will find rocks full of bleached shells and massive coral heads now far from the sea. Large iguanas, both land and marine, live here as well as a few giant tortoises, the species for which the Galápagos Islands were named. You will snorkel in some of the coldest water of the trip but, thankfully, your full-length wetsuit will provide insulation as you discover the underwater world.

Isla Isabela: Elizabeth Bay and Punta Moreno

Apr 26

Your morning begins with a visit to Elizabeth Bay, one of the most spectacular locations for panga (small boat) cruising. You cruise with the swimming sea turtles in this paradise, following channels through the verdant green mangrove forests. The endemic Flightless Cormorant and the Galápagos Penguin are in their prime habitat in these cold, rich waters. Then you travel to the wildly stark landing site of Punta Moreno (Dark Point) where raw basalt coats the landscape and rises into the slopes of the shield volcanoes of Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. Yet amid the stark, seemingly sterile landscape, you’ll discover rich lagoons full of life. This evening, you’ll travel through more nutrient-rich waters excellent for whale watching.

Isla Floreana: Post Office Bay and Champion Islet

Apr 27

After breakfast you’ll stop briefly at Post Office Bay, where you can continue the whalers’ tradition of dropping a letter or postcard in the box and taking one to hand deliver to someone else. The fantastic landscape of the Floreana highlands is decorated with lichens and epiphytes, while the waters around the island are great for dolphins so keep your eyes open! These waters are also rich with seabirds, such as Waved Albatross, three species of storm-petrels, Galápagos Shearwaters, and large flocks of diving boobies. You’ll spend time visiting Champion Islet off the coast of Floreana before navigating to Santa Cruz Island for a quiet dinner in Academy Bay.

Isla Santa Cruz: Highlands and Charles Darwin Research Station

Apr 28

Upon reaching Santa Cruz, you’ll anchor in Academy Bay beside the bustling small town of Puerto Ayora, the islands’ primary population center. You’ll travel to the Santa Cruz highlands to seek out elusive island endemics in beautifully unique habitats. You will explore Los Gemelos, two incredible volcanic sinkholes surrounded by Scalesia forest. The elegantly tall Scalesia trees evolved from beach composites, making it essentially the world’s largest daisy. In the highlands you may see the shy Galápagos Rail, Short-eared Owl, Large and Small Tree Finches, Vegetarian Finch, and the famous tool-using Woodpecker Finch. You will also walk through a lava tube left over from Santa Cruz’s active volcanic island-building days.

You return to Puerto Ayora in the afternoon to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, the center of evolutionary science and conservation in the Galápagos. Your visit includes the opportunity to see the resident tortoises and enjoy an intimate look at the captive breeding programs whose goal is to return the Galápagos to a more pristine, pre-colonization state. This is one of your best opportunities to photograph tortoises up close.

Isla Floreana: Punta Cormorant, Devil’s Crown, and Baroness Lookout

Apr 29

In the morning you will land behind Punta Cormorant for a walk to the Flamingo Lagoon in search of shorebirds and a few flamingoes. The plant life here is unique and includes another species of the endemic composite Scalesia. After returning to the Samba, you will sail to one of the best spots in the world for snorkeling – Devil´s Crown. You normally see rays, sea turtles, surgeonfish, parrotfish, jacks, wrasses, and many other tropical fish. Floreana also holds a compelling human history that includes pirate caves, European settlers, the islands’ first citizen birth, and unexplained disappearances. Experience a piece of this history with a visit to Baroness Lookout.

Isla Española: Punta Suárez with Waved Albatross and Gardner Bay

Apr 30

Punta Suárez is unique beyond description and as rich as any spot in the Galápagos Islands. You’ll find huge numbers of breeding birds and iguanas, and most significantly, the majority of the world’s nesting Waved Albatross. Recently paired young adults will court each other, a most enticing expression of the lifelong bond that breeding and survival depend upon – an unforgettable site to observe! You will also find the fearless Española Mockingbird, Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, Swallow-tailed Gull, Galápagos Hawk, marine iguana, lava lizard, and Galápagos sea lion. The seascapes are spectacular, particularly where the waves force water through a blowhole spouting up to 75ft high.

This afternoon, you’ll sail to Gardner Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galápagos. A nearby snorkel is likely to find you in the water with playful sea lions. Galápagos sea lions populate the surf while the remarkably brave Española Mockingbird may peck your water bottle for water. Enjoy photographing shorebirds and sea lions, looking for the Large Cactus Finch, or walking along the beautiful beach.

Isla San Cristóbal: Punta Pitt, Cerro Brujo, and Isla Lobos

May 1

One of the oldest islands is home to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital and second largest population in the Galápagos Province. In the morning you’ll have an opportunity to stretch your legs at the geologically striking Punta Pitt and examine some of the island’s vegetation, which includes endemic flowering plants such as Calandrinia galapagosa (a plant that resembles a small baobab and is in the Miner’s Lettuce family) and Lecocarpus darwinii (a plant in the Sunflower family). Make a stop at Cerro Brujo, an eroding tuff cone with a beautiful white sand beach and impressive volcanic landscape. Then travel along the north coast for some excellent wildlife and snorkeling at Isla Lobos. Look for frigatebirds, sea lions, sea turtles, Blue- and Red-footed Boobies, tropicbirds, marine iguanas, Swallow-tailed Gulls, and dolphins.

Isla Cristóbal: Cerro Tijeretas and Interpretación Center, disembark, fly to Quito

May 2

Enjoy your last morning in the Galápagos with a beautiful, scenic walk around Cerro Tijeretas. Followed by a visit to the Interpretación Center, where you will learn even more about the islands’ history. Reluctantly, bid farewell to the Samba and its crew and head to the San Cristóbal Airport for your flights back to Quito.

Depart for home

May 3