Galapagos South, Central & West Islands Cruise | Seaman Journey

Today, you will fly to the Galapagos Islands. Due to the regulations of the Galapagos Government, a fee of 20 USD must be paid for the migration control card. Upon arrival in Santa Cruz, passengers must proceed through an inspection point at the airport to ensure that no foreign plants or animals are being introduced to the archipelago. Additionally, this inspection point is where passengers have to pay for entrance to the Galapagos National Park under the following parameters: As of August 2024, foreign passengers owe $200 and children owe $100 (under 12 years old).

Our guide will pick you up and carry your luggage to the bus that transports tourists to the ferries to cross the Itabaca Channel. After this, you will be taken by another bus for the first visit to Ranch Manzanillo where visitors must wear comfortable walking shoes, light clothing, a waterproof jacket, sunblock lotion, and carry a camera and repellent for the first activity. The visit to Ranch Manzanillo includes a picnic lunch and a short walk before boarding the Motor Catamaran. It is important to follow these instructions in order to accomplish this itinerary properly. Please be aware that passengers' luggage will be sent directly to the Seaman Journey yacht.

Santa Cruz offers excellent opportunities to observe the wild Galapagos Tortoises. Tracking tortoises is not the only exciting activity to be found in the highlands. There are also plenty of lava tubes, sinkholes, and craters ready to be explored. After this visit, you will move to the M/C Seaman Journey.

In the morning, explore Moreno Point on Isabela Island, situated between the Sierra Negra volcano and Cerro Azul volcano. The trail follows a Pahoehoe lava flow, leading into a complex of coastal lagoons. Here, various bird species can be spotted around the lagoons and mangroves.

In the afternoon, venture to Mangle Point off the eastern coast of Fernandina Island. This site offers excellent snorkeling opportunities and a picturesque ride through a grove of mangrove trees on a panga or zodiac. A half-mile hike is also possible, with chances to encounter sea lions, tortoises, pelicans, rays, and a plethora of bird species.

In the morning, explore Urbina Bay on Isabela Island, nestled at the base of Alcedo Volcano on the west coast, between Tagus Cove and Elizabeth Bay. This area underwent a significant uplift in 1954, causing the land to rise over 16 feet and expanding the coast half a mile out, leaving marine life stranded. Urbina Bay offers excellent snorkeling opportunities, starting with a wet landing and featuring a 3200-meter path comprised of sand, pumice, lava, coral, and vegetation, with iguana burrows dotting the landscape. Here, you can spot red and blue lobsters and encounter Darwin's finches and land iguanas, larger than those found on other islands. Wild tortoises may also be found, along with abundant vegetation such as chamomile and Rosewood, accentuated by the beautiful flowers of Darwin's cotton, endemic to the Galapagos Islands.

In the afternoon, visit Tagus Cove on Isabela Island, situated west of Darwin Volcano. This spot was a favorite haunt for pirates and whalers, who initiated the tradition of inscribing boat names. Along the trail, you'll discover a small cave adorned with inscriptions dating back to the 1800s. The name "Tagus" originated from a British warship that passed through the islands in 1814 in search of Galapagos Tortoises for food. Due to past eruptions, the substrate is rich in volcanic rocks of various sizes, including small spherical formations known as "lapilli" or petrified rain.

In the morning, visit Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island, renowned for its extensive colonies of marine iguanas and as the habitat of unique species such as the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, Galapagos hawk, and Galapagos snake.

In the afternoon, explore Vicente Roca Point, one of the most impressive and spectacular places in the enchanted Galapagos Islands. Situated on the northwestern coast of the island, it comprises two distinct islets and features high cliffs and tuffstone, ash, and lava formations, lending the area a majestic touch. This large bay boasts spectacular marine life, including seahorses, sea turtles, and the strange yet fascinating Mola-mola or sunfish. Punta Vicente Roca is an excellent location for practicing Panga Rides and snorkeling, where you can also find penguins, blue-footed boobies, terns, boobies, and sea lions. Additionally, snorkelers can observe sea turtles, stingrays, and pufferfish.

In the morning, explore Espumilla Beach on Santiago Island, located on the northern coast in James Bay. During the last occurrence of the El Niño phenomenon, one of the two lagoons at this site underwent sedimentation, resulting in the disappearance of a representative colony of flamingos. The main attractions here are the palo santo forest and the nesting of baby turtles.

In the afternoon, visit Puerto Egas on Santiago Island, renowned for its black beach situated on the west side of the island. This unique beach formed from volcanic tuff deposits is the main attraction of the island. Puerto Egas earned its name from an unsuccessful attempt to exploit salt due to low prices on the continent, leading to the abandonment of the project and infrastructure.

In the morning, explore Rabida Island, known for its unique red-colored rocks and sand. The volcanic material on this island, porous in nature, has been oxidized by external factors like rain, salty water, and sea breeze.

A short walk along a trail leads to a coastal lagoon behind the beach, offering opportunities to observe land birds such as finches, doves, yellow warblers, and mockingbirds. The lagoon is also home to a colony of flamingos.

In the afternoon, visit Chinese Hat, a small islet located just off the southeastern tip of Santiago Island. Shaped like a Chinese hat when viewed from the north, this recent volcanic cone features lava formations formed under the sea and raised upwards, resulting in coral heads found on the lava. This site provides an excellent opportunity for interpreting geological features like lava tubes and flows, amidst sea lion colonies, marine iguanas, and Galapagos penguins.

In the morning, embark on a dinghy ride to Black Turtle Cove, nestled on the north coast of Santa Cruz Island just west of Baltra. This serene hideaway of the Galapagos offers tranquil exploration within the mangrove-protected cove. With engines off, the boat gently navigates the waters, allowing for sightings of sea turtles feeding and mating, along with three species of sharks: the blacktip, white-tip, and Galapagos shark. Spotted rays, egrets, and herons are also commonly spotted here.

In the afternoon, visit Bartolome Island, located across Sullivan Bay. With an altitude of 114 meters, it offers breathtaking views of volcanic cones, lunar-like craters, lava fields, and the iconic Toba-formed pinnacle sculpted by the sea. Although vegetation is sparse, Bartolome boasts two stunning beaches where marine turtles nest, along with a small colony of Galapagos penguins at the base of the pinnacle.

In the morning, venture to Mosquera Islet, nestled between North Seymour and Baltra, known as one of the smallest islands in the Galapagos. This volcanic islet, formed by geological uplift, boasts a flat terrain with no visible crater. Its most striking feature is the contrast of colors, with a pristine white sandy beach, transparent turquoise waters, lush green vegetation, and jet-black lava rocks. Capture the beauty of this landscape through photography, especially during the golden light of early morning or sunset.

In the afternoon, explore North Seymour, a raised island with a flat terrain filled with rocks. This island hosts nesting sites for a large population of magnificent frigatebirds, while blue-footed boobies showcase their courtship dance in open areas. Swallow-tailed gulls perch on cliff edges, offering splendid views. Despite the powerful surf along the outer shore, sea lions can be spotted hauling out onto the beach and enjoying body-surfing.

In the morning, explore El Barranco, also known as The Cliff, located in the southern part of Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island. The trail, stretching for about 1.5 km on volcanic rock, offers a glimpse into the youngest geological area of the island. This fragile lava cliff, shaped by natural erosion, provides nesting grounds for Storm Petrels and two species of petrels that inhabit cavities and holes in the lava. Look out for the short-eared owl, a main predator of these birds, and spot the red-footed and masked boobies nesting on the outer islands. During panga rides along the cliffs, observe fur sea lions and various seabird species.

In the afternoon, visit Darwin Bay, formed when the island's crater collapsed below sea level. A wet landing brings you to a stunning white coral sandy beach, a favorite spot for birdwatchers. Here, you can observe a plethora of bird species including red-footed and masked boobies, wandering tattlers, lava gulls, and yellow-crowned and black-crowned lava herons. As you ascend the trail, catch sight of Red-Foots nesting in the Mangrove trees below, along with sharp-beaked finches, cactus and ground finches, Galapagos doves, and swallow-tailed gulls. Finally, at the cliff's edge, enjoy an incredible panoramic view of the island and its abundant birdlife.

In the morning, explore Plazas, situated east of Santa Cruz Island and comprising two islets known as Islas Plazas. Despite its small size, this area harbors some of the most captivating and remarkable species of the Galapagos. Here, you'll encounter Plazas land iguanas, smaller than their counterparts found elsewhere. Keep an eye out for hybrid iguanas, a unique sight resulting from the crossbreeding of male marine iguanas and female land iguanas, identifiable by their distinct black/gray color, land iguana crest, and marine iguana face and tail. The island boasts a large iguana population, nourished by the abundance of tunas, their preferred food. Additionally, observe swallow-tailed gulls nesting on the rugged cliffs, along with other seabirds like Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds, and brown pelicans.

In the afternoon, visit Santa Fe, located in the southeastern part of the Galapagos. Unlike most islands formed from volcanic origins, Santa Fe resulted from uplift, making it predominantly flat. Some theories suggest it could be the oldest island in the archipelago. Santa Fe is home to several endemic species such as the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats, and one of the two species of land iguanas found in the islands. Upon disembarking into the beautiful clear waters, encounter one of the many sea lion colonies. Along the trail, observe salt bushes and giant prickly pear cacti, characteristic of oceanic islands known for gigantism. Enjoy snorkeling opportunities with playful sea lions and tropical fish, adding to the island's allure.

On the final day of your trip, explore the David Rodriguez Land Tortoise Breeding Centre. Established in 2002 by the Galapagos National Park Service, this program focuses on breeding and caring for tortoises in captivity. Initially named the Jacinto Gordillo Tortoise Breeding Centre, it was renamed the David Rodriguez Tortoise Breeding Centre in 2016, honoring the 39 years of service of the park ranger. Situated in the southeast of San Cristobal, approximately 22.5 km from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the center is accessible by land, with a 40-minute bus journey near Cerro Colorado. Designed to mimic the natural habitat of giant tortoises, particularly Chelonoides chathamensis of San Cristóbal Island, the center aims to enhance the population status of these tortoises and contribute to the tourist development of San Cristobal.

After the visit, you will be transferred to San Cristobal airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.