Santa Fé Island (Snorkeling Day)

• Morning Meal
• Pickup from your lodging in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island.
• Boarding Time at 08:00 am.
• Voyage duration from Santa Cruz to Santa Fé Island. (1 hour)
• Arrival at Pinzon Island at approximately 09:00 am.
• Three opportunities for snorkeling (45 minutes each)
• Midday Meal
• Visit Hidden Beach
• Return to Santa Cruz at 15:00 pm.
• Arrival in Santa Cruz at approximately 16:00 pm.
• Transfer to your lodging.
• Briefing for the next day’s activities.

Places to Explore:

• Santa Fé Island: This island is named after the Capitulations of Santa Fe, where Christopher Columbus was granted titles such as Admiral Major of the Ocean Sea, Viceroy, and Governor General of the lands he discovered. Its name is a tribute to Admiral Samuel Barrington. With an area of 24 km² and a maximum altitude of 259 meters, Santa Fé Island boasts a forest of Opuntia cacti, the largest in the archipelago, as well as palo santo trees. The island features a vibrant turquoise lagoon with calm waters, perfect for snorkeling alongside sea lions. Its coastal cliffs are home to swallow-tailed gulls, petrels, and other tropical birds. The endemic Santa Fé land iguana and lava lizards can be found in abundance on the island.
• Hidden Beach (Playa Escondida): This beautiful beach on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos Islands is a hidden gem, teeming with diverse marine life. White-tip reef sharks, golden stingrays, eel rays, and sea turtles welcome visitors to this picturesque location.

Details:

• Animals to observe: Sea lions, sea turtles, reef fish, rays, reef sharks.
• Activities: Snorkeling
• What to bring: Sunscreen, Insect repellent, Lightweight clothing, Binoculars, Camera, Swimsuit.
• Includes: Morning Meal, Professional bilingual guide, Transportation, Midday Meal, Snack, Water, Lodging Accommodation, and Snorkeling Equipment.
• Not Included: Dinner, Tips, and Additional Expenses.

Notes:

• We cannot guarantee the sighting of all animals, as they are in their natural habitat.

• The main activity on this tour is snorkeling.

Pinzón Island (Snorkeling day)

• Breakfast
• Pick up from your Hotel in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island.
• Boarding Time at 08:00 am.
• Sailing time from Santa Cruz to Pinzón Island. (1h20 minutes)
• Arrival to Pinzon Island at 09:20 am. aprpoximately.
• 3 times for snorkeling (45 minutes each one)
• Lunch
• Visit La Fé Beach
• Return to Santa Cruz at 14:40 pm
• Arrival to Santa Cruz at 16:00 pm approximately.
• Transfer to your Hotel
• Briefing for next day activities

Places to Visit:

• Pinzon Island: Called in honor of the Pinzón brothers, captains of the caravels Pinta and La Niña in the first expedition of Christopher Columbus (his name in English reminds the Viscount of Duncan). It has an area of 18 km² and a maximum altitude of 458 meters. It has no places to visit and a special permit from the authorities is required to enter. The main forest species are on the island, in the humid zone, there is a unique species called the margarita tree. Pinzón is home to sea lions, giant tortoises, marine iguanas and dolphins, as well as other endemic species.

• La Fé Beach: Beach to rest, have a short path, where you can see marine iguanas also for its crystal clear water you can see small sharks and we can also do snorkeling.

Details:

• Animals to see: Sea lions, sea turtles, reef fish, starfish, eagle rays, tintoreras sharks, penguins in cold season.

• Activities: Snorkeling

• What do you bring: Sunscream, Repellent, Light clothing, Binoculars, Camera, swimsuit.

• Include: Breakfast, Professional bilingual guide, Transport, Lunch,Snack, Water, Hotel Accommodation and Snorkeling Equipment.

• Not Included: Dinner, Tips and Additional Expenses.

Notes:

• We can’t guarantee that you will see all the animals, since they are in wildlife.

• The main activitie in this tour is snorkeling.

Isabela Island

• Breakfast
• Pickup from your hotel in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island.
• Boarding Time at 07:00 am.
• Sailing time from Santa Cruz to Isabela Island.
• Arrival at Villamil Port in Isabela Island at approximately 09:00 am.
• Explore the Wetlands.
• Visit Flamingo Lake.
• Visit the Tortoise Breeding Center.
• Lunch Snorkeling at Tintoreras (45 minutes).
• Return to Santa Cruz at 03:00 pm.
• Arrival in Santa Cruz at approximately 05:00 pm.
• Transfer to your hotel.
• Briefing for next day’s activities.

Places to Discover:

• Wetlands: The Wetlands of Isabela Island are situated just outside Puerto Villamil. They consist of lagoons, swamps, and mangroves, and are home to various unique bird species such as common stilts, whimbrels, white-cheeked pintails, and gallinules. The Wetlands can be explored on foot via a path that meanders through the swamps.
• Flamingo Lake: Towards the west of Puerto Villamil, you’ll find several salt and brackish lagoons that host an impressive array of coastal and seabirds. This area is also known for having the largest concentration of flamingos in the Galapagos.
• Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center: The Tortoise Breeding Center (also referred to as the Interpretation Center) is located near Puerto Villamil. A boardwalk connects the town to the center, spanning across the wetlands and Prickly Pear Cacti shrub. Isabela Island is home to five sub-species of Giant Tortoises, which face threats from introduced animals like goats and cats. At the Tortoise Breeding Center, eggs are cared for in a hatchery, and adult giant tortoises can be observed in supervised enclosures. The center aims to increase the population and ensure the survival of these species.
• Tintoreras: The Tintoreras Islets, situated a short distance from Puerto Villamil, offer a diverse range of wildlife. Its turquoise and crystalline waters are inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos penguins, marine turtles, and sea lions. One of its beaches, surrounded by mangroves, serves as a successful breeding site for marine iguanas.

Details:

• Animals to observe: Giant tortoises, flamingos, land iguanas, white-tip sharks, sea lions, reef fish.
• Activities: Trekking and Snorkeling.
• What to bring: Sunscreen, Insect repellent, Lightweight clothing, Binoculars, Camera, Swimsuit.
• Includes: Breakfast, Professional bilingual guide, Transportation, Lunch, Snack, Water, Hotel Accommodation, and Snorkeling Equipment.
• Not Included: Isabela Fee $10, Dinner, Tips, and Additional Expenses.

Notes:

• We cannot guarantee the sighting of all animals, as they are in their natural habitat.

San Cristobal Island

• Morning Meal
• Pickup from your lodging in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island.
• Boarding Time at 07:00 am.
• Voyage duration from Santa Cruz to San Cristobal Island. (2 hours)
• Arrival at Baquerizo Moreno port in San Cristobal Island at approximately 09:00 am.
• Visit Tijeretas Hill
• Visit Punta Carola
• Visit Mann Beach
• Midday Meal
• Return to Santa Cruz at 15:00 pm.
• Arrival in Santa Cruz at approximately 17:00 pm.
• Transfer to your lodging.
• Briefing for the next day’s activities.

Places to Explore:

• Tijeretas Hill: This trail, adorned with cut stone, winds through a forest, offering observation points with captivating views of the coastal landscape and the native flora and fauna. The trail leads to a cove with calm waters, where visitors can engage in water sports and immerse themselves in the wonders of nature.
• Mann Beach: With its gentle slope and soft white sand, Mann Beach is the perfect spot for sunbathing and swimming. It boasts breathtaking landscapes, and its main attraction is the beach itself. Although it can get crowded on weekends, this small rocky beach is frequented by sea lions. It’s an ideal location for a refreshing swim and soaking up the sun.
• Punta Carola: This beach spans approximately 300 meters and is adorned with dry forest vegetation. A large colony of sea lions can be found on the beach, mingling with the vegetation, while marine iguanas bask on the rocks. Surfing is a popular activity at this site.

Details:

• Animals to observe: Sea lions, land iguanas, reef fish.
• Activities: Trekking and Snorkeling
• What to bring: Sunscreen, Insect repellent, Lightweight clothing, Binoculars, Camera, Swimsuit.
• Includes: Morning Meal, Professional bilingual guide, Transportation, Midday Meal, Snack, Water, Lodging Accommodation, and Snorkeling Equipment.
• Not Included: Dinner, Tips, and Additional Expenses.

Notes:

• We cannot guarantee the sighting of all animals, as they are in their natural habitat.

North Seymour

• Morning Meal
• Pickup from your lodging in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island.
• Departure Time at 08:00 am.
• Transfer from Ayora Port to Itabaca Channel. (45 minutes)
• Voyage duration from Itabaca Channel to North Seymour Island. (1 hour)
• Arrival at North Seymour Island at approximately 09:45 am.
• 2 Hours of hiking on North Seymour Island
• Midday Meal
• Snorkeling at Bachas Beach
• Return to Santa Cruz at 14:15 pm.
• Arrival in Santa Cruz at approximately 16:00 pm.
• Transfer to your lodging.
• Briefing for the next day’s activities.

Places to Explore:

• North Seymour Island: This island is named in honor of Lord Hugh Seymour, an English noble. With an area of 1.9 km² and a maximum elevation of 28 meters, the entire island is covered in lush vegetation. Visitors can embark on a 2 km trail that winds along the island’s rocky coastline, providing an opportunity to explore its diverse ecosystem. The island is home to a significant population of blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. Additionally, there are numerous land iguanas that were introduced from Baltra Island, contributing to the repopulation of this species on North Seymour. Visitors can also observe a multitude of frigate birds and sea lions, including their offspring.
• Bachas Beach: This beach is teeming with iconic Galapagos species, including flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and various migratory and aquatic birds. It is also a vital nesting site for sea turtles on Santa Cruz Island.

Details:

• Animals to observe: Blue-footed boobies, magnificent frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, land iguanas, sea lions, reef fish, sea turtles.
• Activities: Trekking and Snorkeling
• What to bring: Sunscreen, Insect repellent, Lightweight clothing, Binoculars, Camera, Swimsuit.
• Includes: Morning Meal, Professional bilingual guide, Transportation, Midday Meal, Snack, Water, Lodging Accommodation, and Snorkeling Equipment.
• Not Included: Dinner, Tips, and Additional Expenses.

Notes:

• We cannot guarantee the sighting of all animals, as they are in their natural habitat.