Eastern Islands Cruise | Integrity

Today you’ll arrive mid-day and have lunch, then visit the tortoise reserve of San Cristobal Island for a special opportunity to view the islands’ most famous reptile: the giant tortoise. What a privilege to see an endangered species! Next, you’ll visit the Interpretation Center to discover the Islands' geological, natural, and human history. In the early evening, you will board INTEGRITY for orientation, dinner, and set sail on our island cruise. You will live aboard the yacht and spend as much time exploring the islands as park rules permit. Each night, you’ll travel on to the next destination.

This morning, your destination will be Santa Fe. Upon landing on a pristine white beach, often adorned with lounging sea lions, you'll venture into a vast grove of towering Opuntia cacti, where the chance to encounter the native land iguanas awaits. Following the land exploration, immerse yourself in snorkeling and/or kayaking adventures in the bay's turquoise waters, teeming with sea lions, rays, urchins, eels, and a kaleidoscope of colorful fish.

In the afternoon, we'll head to South Plaza. Here, you'll encounter another fascinating species of Galapagos land iguana, alongside cactus finches. Both North and South Plazas were shaped by geological forces, tilting towards the north, their southern coasts adorned with dramatic cliffs. In the intimate setting of these small islands, terrestrial and marine species engage in unique interactions, with sightings of hybrid iguanas, sporting distinctive "zebra-like" stripes, not uncommon. The south-facing cliffs serve as bustling hubs for a diverse array of birdlife. As dusk approaches, bachelor sea lions ascend the steep cliffs, seeking refuge from the larger dominant bulls.

This morning, we'll set our course for Darwin Beach. Situated along the north side of Darwin Bay, this beach owes its existence to the rim of a sunken crater. As you traverse the hiking trail, shaded by vibrant red mangroves, keep your eyes peeled for Yellow Warblers, Yellow-Crowned Night Herons, and Pintail Ducks. The true spectacle of this locale lies in the remarkable abundance of Red-Footed Boobies, Great Frigatebirds, Swallow-Tailed Gulls, and Yellow-Crowned Night Herons. Notably, while Red-Footed Boobies are among the most prevalent boobies in the islands, witnessing them in their natural habitat is a rare treat reserved for visitors to Darwin Beach.

In the afternoon, our adventure leads us to Prince Phillip’s Steps. As we navigate along the base of the eastern cliffs of Darwin Bay aboard a panga, prepare to delve into the hidden world of cliff crevices teeming with diverse animal life. Our journey will bring us to a rockfall, forming a natural staircase aptly named Prince Phillip’s Steps or the “Stairway to Seabird Heaven.” Here, amidst massive colonies of Red-Footed and Nazca Boobies, and an extraordinary Palo Santo forest, we'll ascend to a lava ridge. Thousands of Wedge-Rumped Storm Petrels dart about, while Short-Eared Owls stealthily stalk them for prey.

This morning, we'll explore Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island. You'll walk across a recent lava flow, noting its unique structural features. This flow, formed in the second half of the 19th century, lacks much plant or animal life due to its youth. The focus of this visit is on the lava itself, with contrasting black pahoehoe flow and reddish-yellow tuff cones providing striking visuals, ideal for photography.

In the afternoon, our destination is Bartolomé Island. Here, Pinnacle Rock rises prominently from the northern bay, a well-known landmark in the Galapagos. Snorkeling in the bay offers the chance to swim alongside Galapagos Penguins. For panoramic views, a climb up the 600-meter trail to the island's summit reveals spectacular vistas of Pinnacle Rock, Santiago Island, and Daphne Major and Minor.

This morning, our journey begins at Rabida Island. Upon landing at Red Beach, you'll encounter wading birds and ghost crabs scattered along the sand. Beyond the beach lies a saltwater lagoon, where sightings of Pintail Ducks, Common Stilts, and bachelor sea lions are common. Brown Pelicans nest amidst the nearby salt brush. A brief inland trail offers opportunities to observe finches, Galapagos Doves, Yellow Warblers, mockingbirds, and the occasional snake.

In the afternoon, we'll head to Sombrero Chino. The turquoise waters surrounding Sombrero Chino provide an excellent chance to spot Galapagos Penguins. A panga ride in search of wildlife precedes a snorkeling session often featuring encounters with sharks, sea lions, penguins, and rays. We'll make landfall at a stunning white sand beach, where a leisurely walk along a meandering trail offers views of diverse lava formations.

This morning, we'll enjoy breakfast on board before disembarking at Baltra Island.