WINDROSE YACHT DAILY TOUR

BARTOLOMÉ & CHINESE HAT

General details:

• Activity level: Moderate
• Tour style: Trekking | Snorkeling
• Pick up: 7:00 am
• Departure & Return location: Hotel
• Drop off: 17:00 pm

What to You bring: We suggest bringing a compact waterproof backpack, comfortable walking shoes, sneakers or shoes with rubber soles, shorts, trousers, t-shirts, long and short-sleeved shirts, a windbreaker, a swimsuit, a hat or cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars, and a camera.

Bartholomew is renowned as one of the premier snorkeling spots in the central Galapagos region. Snorkeling at the base of the iconic Pinnacle Rock offers an exceptional opportunity to explore the depths teeming with a diverse array of parrotfish, marine turtles, sea lions, and occasionally Galapagos penguins. Following a delectable lunch on board the M/Y WindRose, we will venture to Chinese Hat, a small volcano located near Santiago Island. Surrounded by spatter cones, it boasts a striking and dramatic landscape. Chinese Hat has captivated visitors with its distinct shape throughout the years. Although one of the smallest Galapagos Islands, it offers a unique visitor site with an unforgettable panoramic view. Galapagos Penguins and occasional Galapagos hawks can be spotted here, adding to the allure. Upon a wet landing at the island’s main beach, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the sandy shore where sea lions rest and various wading birds forage along the coastline.

NORTH SEYMOUR – BACHAS BEACH

General Details:

• Activity level: Moderate
• Tour style: Trekking | Snorkeling
• Pick up: 7:30 am
• Departure & Return location: Hotel
• Drop off: 17:00 pm

What to You bring: We suggest bringing a compact waterproof backpack, comfortable walking shoes, sneakers or shoes with rubber soles, shorts, trousers, t-shirts, long and short-sleeved shirts, a windbreaker, a swimsuit, a hat or cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars, and a camera.

North Seymour Island, located an hour away from the Itabaca Channel on the northern side of Santa Cruz, is a small rocky landmass that is home to an impressive array of animal species. During your exploration of the island, you will encounter magnificent Great frigate birds engaged in courtship rituals, spending hours passing nesting materials to each other. Blue-footed boobies can also be observed, tidying the ground and occasionally moving twigs, although they do not construct nests. The nesting area is marked by a ring of white guano. As you walk along the shore, you will come across a vast expanse of sand crisscrossed with trails made by marine iguanas, which use the island as a nesting site. Take care where you step. To your left, a boulder beach is pounded by impressive waves, often enjoyed by young sea lions as they body-surf. Towards the west, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the two Daphne islands, Major and Minor.

After a delightful lunch aboard the M/Y WindRose, we will proceed to Bachas Beach, a stunning coral beach. This idyllic spot is perfect for snorkeling, swimming, or simply enjoying the soft white sand. Just a few steps away from the shore, several brackish lagoons serve as feeding grounds for various wading birds, including stilts and flamingos.

SOUTH PLAZAS & SANTA FE

General details:

• Activity level: Moderate +
• Tour style: Trekking | Snorkeling
• Pick up: 7:30 am
• Departure & Return location: Hotel
• Drop off: 17:00 pm

What to You bring: We suggest bringing a compact waterproof backpack, comfortable walking shoes, sneakers or shoes with rubber soles, shorts, trousers, t-shirts, long and short-sleeved shirts, a windbreaker, a swimsuit, a hat or cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars, and a camera.

Our adventure begins with a dry landing in the heart of South Plaza Island, a breathtaking location teeming with terrestrial life and a variety of birds. Here, you can spot Swallow-tailed Gulls, Lava Gulls, Frigatebirds, Masked Boobies, Blue-footed Boobies, Pelicans, and Red-billed Tropicbirds. It’s not uncommon to come across gull nests with chicks flapping their wings in an attempt to fly. South Plaza Island, formed by volcanic activity that lifted the seabed, is ancient and has been gradually colonized by its resident wildlife and diverse plant life. The island’s steep, sloping cliffs host an incredible array of birds, as well as large colonies of sea lions and marine animals.

After a delightful lunch on board the WindRose, we will set sail for Santa Fe Island, also known as Barrington Island, named after British Admiral Samuel Barrington. This small island was formed by uplifted submarine basaltic lava around 4 million years ago. Much of the island is a faulted plateau covered in a forest of giant Opuntia cacti. As you walk along the short trail through the dense bushes, be cautious of the Croton bushes, an endemic plant known for its indelible stain. Santa Fe Island is home to unique flora, including the impressive giant prickly pear cacti (Opuntia echios barringtonensis). Keep an eye out for the Galapagos dove and painted locusts along the trail, often followed by a snake or two. The park monument offers a great vantage point to spot a Galapagos hawk. The highlight of Santa Fe Island is the land iguana, a distinct lighter-colored species endemic to the island. Santa Fe is also a sanctuary for a large sea lion nursery, adding to its natural charm.

SANTA FE & SOUTH PLAZAS

General details:

• Activity level: Moderate
• Tour style: Trekking | Snorkeling
• Pick up: 8:00 am
• Departure & Return location: Hotel
• Drop off: 17:00 pm

WHAT TO BRING: We suggest bringing a compact waterproof backpack, comfortable walking shoes, sneakers or shoes with rubber soles, shorts, trousers, t-shirts, long and short-sleeved shirts, a windbreaker, a swimsuit, a hat or cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars, and a camera.

Santa Fe Island, also known as Barrington Island in honor of British Admiral Samuel Barrington, is characterized by its uplifted, submarine basaltic lava that formed around 4 million years ago. The island features a faulted plateau covered with a dense forest of giant Opuntia cacti. As you traverse the short trail through the thick bushes, keep an eye out for the Croton bushes, an endemic plant known for its indelible stain. The most remarkable plants on the island are the unique giant prickly pear cacti (Opuntia echios barringtonensis). Along the trail, you can spot the common Galapagos dove and painted locusts, often pursued by a snake or two. The park monument frequently serves as an observation point to catch a glimpse of the majestic Galapagos hawk. One of the highlights of Santa Fe Island is the endemic land iguana, which boasts a lighter-colored appearance. Additionally, the island is home to a large nursery for sea lions.

After a satisfying lunch on board the WindRose, we will set sail for South Plaza Island. This picturesque island is abundant with terrestrial life and diverse bird species, including Swallow-tailed Gulls, Lava Gulls, Frigatebirds, Masked Boobies, Blue-footed Boobies, Pelicans, and Red-billed Tropicbirds. It is quite common to pass by gull nests and witness chicks flapping their wings in their attempts to fly. South Plaza Island, formed by volcanic activity that tilted the seabed, has existed for countless years, with its resident wildlife and varied plant life gradually taking over the island since its formation. Visitors to the island will be enthralled by the steep, sloping cliff sides teeming with a remarkable array of bird species. The island is also home to large colonies of sea lions and other marine animals.

NORTH SEYMOUR & BACHAS BEACH

General Details:

• Activity level: Moderate
• Tour style: Trekking | Snorkeling
• Pick up: 7:30 am
• Departure & Return location: Hotel
• Drop off: 17:00 pm

What to You Bring: We recommend bringing a compact waterproof backpack, comfortable walking shoes, sneakers or shoes with rubber soles, shorts, trousers, t-shirts, long and short-sleeved shirts, a windbreaker, a swimsuit, a hat or cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars, and a camera.

North Seymour Island, a small landmass located an hour away from the Itabaca Channel on the northern side of Santa Cruz, is known for its impressive array of different animal species. As you explore the rocky island, you will encounter Great Frigatebirds engaged in courtship rituals, spending hours passing nesting materials to one another. You will also come across Blue-footed Boobies diligently cleaning the ground and transporting twigs, although they never actually construct a nest. The area where the birds lay their eggs is marked by a ring of white guano. Along the shore, you will walk across a wide expanse of sand crisscrossed with trails left by marine iguanas. Exercise caution as these reptiles nest in this area. On your left, you will witness the magnificent waves crashing against a boulder beach, where young sea lions often enjoy body-surfing. Looking west, you will be treated to stunning views of the two Daphne islands, Major and Minor.

After a delectable lunch onboard the M/Y WindRose, we will proceed to Bachas Beach, a breathtaking coral-lined beach. This idyllic spot is perfect for snorkeling, swimming, or simply relishing the soft white sand. Just a few steps away from the sea, you will find several brackish lagoons that serve as feeding grounds for a variety of wading birds, including stilts and flamingos.

BARTOLOME & SULLIVAN BAY

General details:

• Activity level: Moderate
• Tour style: Hiking | Snorkeling
• Pick up: 7:00 am
• Departure & Return location: Hotel
• Drop off: 17:00 pm

What to You bring: We recommend bringing a small waterproof backpack, comfortable walking shoes, sneakers or shoes with rubber soles, shorts, trousers, t-shirts, long and short-sleeved shirts, a windbreaker, a swimsuit, a hat or cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars, and a camera.

Bartolome is a small island located 18 miles northwest of the Itabaca Channel in the Galapagos. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by one of the most incredible landscapes. The summit trail begins with a dry landing, where sea lions add excitement to the purpose-built dock. The trail takes you through dusty volcanic ash, with the only vegetation being the “pioneer Tiquilia plant” and greenish Chamaesyce. These plants play a vital role in binding the ash that fans down from the hill.

Bartolome is renowned as one of the best snorkeling sites in the central Galapagos region. A swim at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock and around its base offers an extraordinary deep-water snorkeling experience, with numerous species of parrotfish, marine turtles, sea lions, and occasionally Galapagos penguins. After enjoying a delicious lunch onboard the M/Y WindRose, we will continue to Sullivan Bay, located on the eastern coast of Santiago. Sullivan Bay features the most interesting lava field in the Galapagos.

A short walk on the lava presents a unique opportunity to experience the volcanic origins of the islands. Pahoehoe and AA lava dominate this moonscape-like terrain. Following a land visit, you will have time to snorkel and enjoy an incredible white sand beach, where you can observe a variety of fish species, turtles, sea lions, and perhaps even Galapagos penguins.

NORTH SEYMOUR & PLAZAS ISLET

General details:

• Activity level: Moderate
• Tour style: Hiking | Snorkeling
• Pick up: 7:30 am
• Departure & Return location: Hotel
• Drop off: 17:00 pm

What to You bring: We recommend bringing a small waterproof backpack, comfortable walking shoes, sneakers or shoes with rubber soles, shorts, trousers, t-shirts, long and short-sleeved shirts, a windbreaker, a swimsuit, a hat or cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars, and a camera.

North Seymour Island is a small land mass located an hour away from the Itabaca Channel on the north side of Santa Cruz. This rocky island is home to one of the most impressive colonies of different species of animals. While exploring the island, you will find Great frigate birds engaging in courtship displays, where they spend hours handing nesting materials to each other. You will also encounter blue-footed boobies cleaning the ground and moving twigs around, although they never actually build a nest. The area where the eggs are laid is marked by a ring of white guano. As you traverse along the shore, you will come across a wide expanse of sand crisscrossed with marine iguana trails. These reptiles nest here, so caution must be taken while walking. On the left, you will find a boulder beach where some of the island’s finest waves pound, and young sea lions often body-surf. Looking west, you will enjoy beautiful views of the two Daphne islands, Major and Minor.

After enjoying a delicious lunch onboard the WindRose Yacht, we will head to South Plaza Island, a stunning island teeming with both land life and birds. Here, you can observe Swallow-tailed Gulls, Lava Gulls, Frigate birds, Masked boobies, Blue-footed boobies, Pelicans, and Red-billed Tropicbirds. It is quite common to pass by a gull’s nest and see chicks flapping their wings, attempting to fly. South Plaza Island was formed by lava that tilted up the sea bed countless years ago, and since then, its resident wildlife and diverse plant life have gradually taken over the island. Visitors will discover that its steep, sloped cliff sides are home to an incredible variety of birds, as well as large colonies of sea lions and marine animals.