BARTOLOME ISLAND

Pick up from the San Francisco Church at 7:00 am.

Once we arrive at the Itabaca Channel, we’ll board a panga (dinghy) that will take us to the Sea Lion Yacht. At approximately 8:30 a.m. is when we’ll set sail to Bartolome Island. During the following two-hour journey to Bartolome, you’ll get to relax under the sun or admire the views and some of the marine life that swims along with us.

Once we’ve arrived at the island, we’ll hop aboard the Sea Lion’s panga (dinghy) and head over to the shores of Bartolome to perform a Dry Landing at the base of a wooden walkway. It is here that we’ll begin our walk up the walkway and steps, passing along lookout points along the way that will allow us to soak in the surrounding scenery and vegetation that’s found on the island. Finally, once we reach the top of the stairs, we’ll reach the final viewpoint that offers one of the most jaw-dropping panoramic views in the entire archipelago.

After that, we’ll head back down the same walkway and steps to board our panga (dinghy) once again at approximately 12:15 p.m. This panga will take us on a nice and refreshing coastal exploration that will last around 30 minutes. Following this bit of coastal exploration, we’ll arrive at Sullivan Bay and disembark (Dry Landing) to explore this impressive lava field on foot.

After that, we’ll head back to the Sea Lion for a brief pit stop that will allow us to leave the majority of our belongings and change into our swimsuits. Once we’re ready, we’ll head out (approximately 1:20 p.m.) to explore one of the most iconic landmarks in all of the Galapagos: the colossal Pinnacle Rock. It is here that we’ll have the chance to enjoy a close encounter with numerous different aquatic creatures in the archipelago as we go snorkeling. Colorful schools of fish, sea lions, and even whitetip reef sharks and Galapagos penguins can be occasionally spotted here!

At approximately 2:15 p.m. we’ll head back to the Sea Lion Yacht for lunch, at which point you’ll get to sit back, relax and enjoy the food and impressive views of Bartolome Island from the comfort of our lovely yacht. Following that, we’ll set sail back to Santa Cruz Island at approximately 3 p.m.

SOUTH PLAZAS ISLAND

First stop: Punta Carrión

Pick up from the San Francisco church at 8:15 a.m. It’s around that time we’ll begin heading to the town of Puerto Ayora, which is where we’ll hop aboard a transfer bus that will take us on a 45-minute journey up and over the island of Santa Cruz to the Itabaca Channel. Once at the Channel, we will board the Sea Lion Yacht.

From the Itabaca Channel, we’ll begin heading to our first stop along the way (Punta Carrion), with a sailing time of approximately 15 minutes. Once we arrive at Punta Carrion at around 10:10 a.m., we’ll put on our snorkeling gear and jump in the water to begin our snorkeling activity that which will last a little under an hour. Punta Carrion is a small bay that allows you to see a variety of fish, rays, and possibly even whitetip reef sharks!

Second Stop: South Plaza Island

Following that, we’ll get back on board the Sea Lion Yacht and continue on our way to South Plaza, arriving at approximately 12:05 p.m. Once at South Plaza, we’ll disembark from the Sea Lion Yacht and take a small dinghy (panga) boat to the edge of South Plaza, where we’ll perform a Dry Landing to disembark from the panga. Once we’re on South Plaza Island, we’ll begin our walking excursion.

At the end of the walking excursion, we’ll head back to the Sea Lion Yacht at around 2:00 p.m., where we’ll get to enjoy lunch as we admire the island we just visited from afar. At 2:40 p.m., we’ll begin heading back to the Puerto Ayora docks, a journey that will take approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes and see us arriving there at around 4:20 p.m

SANTA FE ISLAND

Pick up from dock passengers at 07:45 am.

Once we’ve boarded the yacht, we’ll sail for two hours until we reach the beautiful island of Santa Fe. During this majestic journey, you’ll get to soak in the views and the gentle breeze from the ocean from the second floor of the yacht or soak in the sun from the comfort of the loungers we have on the bow. You can enjoy this journey as you see fit!

Studies suggest that the island of Santa Fe is, in fact, one of the oldest in the entire archipelago. Given the island is the result of uplift from the ocean floor, you can actually see lava formations (that were previously underwater) sitting on its surface. These rock formations have been dated to be around 4 million years old! It’s relatively flat surface (9.3 mi² / 24 km²) is home to two endemic species: the Santa Fe land iguana and the Santa Fe rice rat.

Additionally, you’ll also get to admire the largest species of opuntia cactus as well as Galapagos hawks (the largest predator in the archipelago), blue-footed boobies, Galapagos sea lions, frigatebirds (great and magnificent) and the marine iguana.

After performing a Wet Landing and disembarking on the beautiful, white sand beach of Sante Fe, we’ll immediately come upon numerous sea lion harems, which invite us to head out on an exciting walk throughout the island in search of the other residents that live here. Once we’ve taken our walk, you’ll enjoy a refreshing dip over at La Encañada – a wonderful visitor site on Santa Fe Island. You’ll also get the chance to go snorkeling using the equipment we provide aboard the Sea Lion Yacht!

Afterwards, a delicious lunch will be waiting for you aboard the Yacht. Following a brief period of relaxation, we’ll set sail back to Santa Cruz Island.