Petrel

Day 1: Monday
– AM – Baltra Island
Assistance will be provided upon your arrival by a Petrel representative after passing through immigration and baggage claim.
When ready, you will be transferred to the yacht. You will then be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before the welcome briefing and lunch.

– PM – Highlands
The Highlands of Santa Cruz is a very interesting site due to the rich wildlife, hills, ferns, volcanoes and lava tubes present. Exploring the lava tubes is a surreal and unique experience. Here you can see all the different agricultural zones that are present in the Galapagos in one place. The variety of birds makes this a bird watchers delight. 

Possible Activities: Hike
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: All Galapagos life zones, vermilion flycatcher, Darwin finch, yellow warblers, Galapagos rails, paint-billed crakes, short eared owls, wild Giant Tortoises.

Day 2: Tuesday
– AM – Santiago Island – Sullivan Bay
The second Island visited by Charles Darwin was originally named after England’s King James the second. The island was a good source of salt, water and food for whalers and buccaneers passing. There was a salt mine inland that was used to salt fish and tortoise meat. Land iguanas used to populate the island but are now extinct. From Darwin’s own notes he wrote that land iguanas were thriving quite well since there was no place to even pitch a tent. Santiago Island today is now one of the most visited islands. 

Sullivan Bay, is a satellite island of Santiago. This is one of the best places to see the Galapagos fur seal. There is not much wildlife to see here, but the old lava formations are quite a site to see with tuff cones, pyroclastic cones, and other volcanic landscapes.

Possible Activities: Hike and snorkel
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: Various volcanic landscapes and formations.

– PM – Bartholomew Island – Pinnacle Rock
Bartholomew is another satellite island that derives from Santiago Island. It is home of the famous Pinnacle Rock and is named after James Sullivan, a friend of Charles Darwin who was also aboard the HMS Beagle. Of all the islands, this is the most photographed and is also featured in the 2003 movie “Master and Commander”.

Pinnacle rock is a volcano cone formed by magma expelled by an underwater volcano. The sea cooled the hot lava and as it exploded from contact, the pieces formed together this huge rock of many, many layers of basalt. The huge rock also has a beach where a small population of green sea turtles will nest. Galapagos penguins gather here and swimming can offer beautiful sights of colorful schools of fish and curious sea lions.

Possible Activities: Hike, snorkel, panga ride
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights: Galapagos penguins, Pinnacle rock, swimming, awesome photography opportunities. Snorkel – Sea lions, rays, sea turtles, sharks, many different fish.

Day 3: Wednesday
– AM – Genovesa Island – Darwin Bay
Genovesa Island: This horse-shoe shaped island was formed by the eruption of a shield volcano with large slopes formed by gradual lava flows. It is known as “Bird Island” due to the wide variety of birds that can be seen. The only reptile on the entire island is the marine iguana and it is one of the very few places red-footed boobies gather in one large mass.

Darwin Bay is the result of the shield volcano where one of the sides of the caldera collapsed after years of erosion. It is one of the places in the Galapagos where red-footed boobies can be guaranteed to be seen. Over 200,000 red-footed boobies are estimated to be living in the trees and bushes of Genovesa.

Possible Activities: Hike, kayak, panga ride, and snorkel
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights: Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, mangroves. Snorkeling – various sharks, colorful fish, sea turtles, sea lions, occasional rays.

– PM – Genovesa Island – El Barranco (Prince Phillip’s Steps)
El Barranco: Better known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, a steep and rocky path leads up to a cliff with a marvelous view. There is also a Palo Santa forest that is home to nesting red-footed boobies and other birds.

Possible Activities: Hike, kayak, panga ride, and snorkel
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Spectacular view, red-footed boobies, wedge-romped storm petrels, Galapagos doves, short-eared owls, Palo Santo forest. Snorkel – fish, sea turtles, rays, sharks, and sea lions.

Day 4: Thursday
– AM – Santiago Island – Egas Port
Egas port is also known as James Bay. It is home to quick footed Galapagos lava lizards, Galapagos fur seals along the grottos and tide pools and is a great snorkeling site. 

Possible Activities: Hike and Snorkel
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights: Fur seals, sea lions, tidal pools and grottos, Galapagos hawk, salt water lagoon with flamingoes. Snorkeling – sea turtles, rays, sharks and amazing underwater geological formations.

– PM – Santiago Island – Espumilla Beach / Buccaneer Cove
We will also visit Espumilla Beach where marine iguanas lounge and the Sally-Lightfoot crabs attract the hunting herons and perform the dance of predator and prey right before your eyes. Snorkeling is highly recommended as you could find yourself face to face with an octopus, moray eel, shark, or a variety of other species of tropical fish.

Possible Activities: Snorkeling and swimming, short walk along the beach (less than 0.6 mi / 1 km)
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights & Animals: Snorkeling, sea birds, historical site, and rock formations.

Buccaneer Cove: This cove is better known for excellent snorkeling opportunities and was once known as a refuge for British buccaneers or pirates. The underwater formations are amazing and many different species of fish gather here.

Possible Activities: Hike, kayak, panga ride and snorkel
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights & Animals: Historical pirate/buccaneer shelter site. Snorkeling – sea turtles, rays, sharks and amazing underwater geological formations.

Day 5: Friday
– AM – Santa Cruz Island – Carrion Point
Carrion Point: There is no place to land here so either a panga ride or snorkeling will take place. It is a sheltered lagoon with beautiful turquoise water on the Northern coast of Santa Cruz at the entrance of the Itabaca Channel.

Possible Activities: Panga ride and snorkel
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: No Landing
Highlights: Various species of fish, white-tipped reef sharks, rays, and sea turtles.

Your cruise has officially come to an end. We hope you enjoyed your Galapagos Cruise! We will now transfer you to your scheduled departure from Baltra Airport to mainland Ecuador.

Day 1: Friday
– AM – Baltra
Welcome to the Galapagos Islands aboard the M/C Petrel. The guide and crew will greet you and show you to your accommodations upon your arrival. Afterwards, the guide and cruise manager will hold a short briefing on all safety and emergency protocols, different areas of the vessel and the normal routine of the itinerary.

– PM – North Seymour Island
The island was named after English nobleman Lord Hugh Seymour. Formed by uplifted submarine lava, the island is home to a huge colony of about 2,500 land iguanas and large populations of sea lions, blue-footed boobies, common noddies, and frigatebirds. Along the coast, it is possible to see land and marine iguanas and the biggest colony of Magnificent Frigatebirds.

Possible Activities: Snorkeling, panga ride, hike
Difficulty: Moderate / Difficult.
Type of Landing: Dry  Landing
Highlights: Land and marine iguanas, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, common noddies, sea lions.

Day 2: Saturday
– AM – Isabela – Vicente Roca Point
Vicente Roca Point has outstanding geological formations and is a great place to see various bird species. Because this visitor site is located on the western area of the island, the Cromwell Current provides cold water that carries many nutrients for both land and aquatic species, offering the chance to see amazing feeding frenzies.

Possible Activities: Panga ride, snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: No landing
Highlights: Sea lions, various shorebirds, blue-footed boobies, nazca boobies, fur seals, whales, sea turtles, various tropical fish, sally lightfoot crabs and other marine species.

– PM – Fernandina Island – Espinosa Point
As one of the most pristine islands in the archipelago, Fernandina has never had a foreign species invade. It is also the most active island and farthest west. Espinosa point is the only visitor site on the entire island. Here you can see marine iguanas, Galapagos hawks and enjoy a hike and/or snorkeling activity at one of the most natural, unspoiled sites in the entire world.

Possible Activities: Hiking, snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry landing – may be slippery
Highlights: Flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, land iguanas, penguins, sea lions, various shorebirds, Galapagos Hawks, various tropical fish, sally lightfoot crabs, sea turtles.

Day 3: Sunday
– AM – Isabela Island – Tagus Cove
If you like historic remnants, then you will enjoy finding what was left behind by pirates and sailors in the 1800s. This site was one of their preferred pit stops while traveling the seas. The hike here will provide incredible views of the cove and on the other side the mangrove forest where the last 35 pairs of Mangrove finches thrive.

Possible Activities: Hike, snorkeling and panga ride
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: Sea lions, various shorebirds, flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs, mangrove finches.

– PM – Isabela Island – Urbina Bay
Millions of years ago, Urbina Bay was once laying on the ocean floor. Volcanic uplifts caused it to rise and now it is occupied by sea lions, land iguanas and flightless cormorants. It is a great place to enjoy some free time on the beach or the guide may suggest a hike.

Possible Activities: Hike, snorkeling and panga rid
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights: Sea lions, various shorebirds, flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, sea turtles, land iguanas, Galapagos Hawk, sally lightfoot crabs, Galapagos tortoise.

Day 4: Monday
– AM – Isabela Island – Elizabeth Bay
This visitor site is visited by panga only as the park authorities have no authorized landing in order to protect the island. While in the panga you can appreciate a large abundance of marine life that can be seen in the clear waters. It is great for snorkeling.

Possible Activities: Panga ride
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: No Landing
Highlights: Sea lions, frigate birds, sea turtles, various shorebirds, flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, pelicans, sally lightfoot crabs, tropical fish and marine life such as galapagos sharks.

– PM – Isabela – Moreno Point
The beautiful rocky shores of Moreno Point offer a plethora of birds to be seen. It is truly a birders delight. The main attraction are the coast lagoons where white tipped sharks can be seen and the panoramic views of Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcanoes cannot be missed.

Possible Activities: Hike, snorkeling and panga ride
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Highlights: Sea lions, great blue herons, various shorebirds, flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs, sea turtles, land iguanas, Galápagos Hawk, Galapagos tortoise.

Day 5: Tuesday
– AM – Isabela – Sierra Negra Volcan
Volcano Sierra Negra is an active volcano in the south of Isabela Island. A hike in this area will show you different types of vegetation and geological zones. The Sierra Negra Volcano boasts the largest caldera in the Galapagos. The north side of the caldera shows evidence of the most recent activity back in 2005. If you reach the summit of Sierra Negra you can see petrified lava still present and its huge caldera.

Possible Activities: Hiking
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: 7 different types of finches, shorebirds.

– PM – Isabela – Wetlands / Breeding Center
The highlands are located in the northern part of Santa Cruz and can reach elevations up to 1500 meters. This area is rich with hills, ferns, volcanoes and wildlife. A great contrast to the molten lava hardened beaches and rocky areas of other islands already seen. It is home to giant tortoises, mockingbirds, finches and many other species.

Possible Activities: Hiking
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: Galapagos tortoises, finches, mockingbirds, lava lizards, pintail ducks, other shorebirds

Day 6: Wednesday
– AM – Santa Cruz – Charles Darwin Research Station
The Charles Darwin Research Station is one of the Galapagos Island’s most important sites for visitors. It is a research facility that has an extensive collection of Galapagos plant life specimens carefully preserved and also acts as a biological research station and active breeding center operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation. Their biggest conservation efforts are to one day eliminate all invasive and non-native plants and animals destroying endemic species within the islands.

Possible Activities: Visit to the research station
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: Galapagos tortoises in captivation and various stages of tortoises.

The only visit you will have on this day is to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Afterwards, you will have time to gather your belongings. Then, you will be transferred to the airport and your cruise will come to an end.

Day 1: Wednesday
– AM – Arrival to Baltra Airport with transfer to M/C Petrel
Welcome to the Galapagos Islands aboard the M/C Petrel. The guide and crew will greet you and show you to your accommodations upon your arrival. Afterwards, the guide and cruise manager will hold a short briefing on all safety and emergency protocols, different areas of the vessel and the normal routine of the itinerary.

– PM – Santa Cruz – Los Gemelos
Los Gemelos are named after two giant craters in the highlands of Santa Cruz. They were both once the magma chambers of previous volcanoes present on the island millions of years ago. It is an incredible site to see with trails throughout the surrounding Scalesia forest.

Possible Activities: Hike
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: Many different land birds such as various species of finches, short-eared owls, vermilion flycatchers, Galapagos doves, wild giant tortoises, lizards, shore-birds flying overhead.

Day 2: Thursday
– AM – South Plaza Island
South Plaza is one of the smallest islands with a visitor site but is home to an incredible amount of diverse flora and fauna. It has a large population of Sesuvium plants like the prickly pear cactus tree that is an important source of food for the land iguana. Just a few years ago mice were finally eradicated from the island, helping the population of land iguanas grow healthily once more. The amazing colors of the turquoise waters against the black lava create a setting for amazing photography opportunities.
Possible Activities: Hike
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: frigatebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, sea lions, land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, various shorebirds and seabirds.

– PM – Santa Fe Island
Santa Fe is home to the endemic Santa Fe iguana. The island was created by a volcanic uplift that now hosts a forest of Opuntia and Palo Santo trees. It is a picturesque island with two different trails, one leading to a scenic viewpoint and the other leading to a small beach. Giant tortoises were once native here but went extinct after pirates and sailors took them aboard as a source of food.

Possible Activities: Hike
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: Santa Fe land iguanas, frigatebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, sea lions, finches, various shorebirds.

Day 3: Friday
– AM – San Cristobal – Lobos Island/Kicker Rock
Lobos Island is aptly named after the many sea lions that reside here resting and playing along the rocky shores. It is also home to many different birds like pelicans, frigate birds and their nests, yellow warblers and more. Within the small channel, the waters are very clear, making it easy to find sea turtles, sea lions, stingrays and perhaps even white-tipped sharks.

Kicker rock is one of the most extraordinary sites in the Galapagos Islands, made of two eroded volcanic cones that tower over the sea at about 104 meters in the middle of the open water. It is one of the best sites in Galapagos to see incredible underwater life.

Possible Activities: Short hiking, swimming and snorkeling.
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: Sea lions, various shorebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, frigate birds, Galapagos sharks, schools of tropical fish, stingrays.

– PM – San Cristobal – Interpretation Center and Galapaguera
The Interpretation Center has been open to the public since 1998, offering extensive knowledge about the history of Galapagos. San Cristobal is also the island where Charles Darwin first landed on. It is now home to the capital of Galapagos and houses many government offices, as well as part of the Ecuadorian Navy. Giant tortoises are bred at the Galapaguera and roam in a semi-natural habitat created by the center.

Possible Activities: Introduction and walk in center
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: Giant tortoises in various stages of their life.

Day 4: Saturday
– AM – Española Island – Gardner Bay / Osborn Islet
This white sandy beach is home to a large colony of sea lions and incredibly blue and turquoise waters. Three different finches can be seen, as well as the Española mockingbird. Over time, the mockingbird must have been offered water or food from tourists and now they have no fear of walking on your things or landing very close to you. It is so important not to feed or touch the animals. It can disrupt their normal behaviors and threaten their future.

Possible Activities: Walking on the beach and swimming
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights: Sea lions, various shorebirds, mockingbirds, stingrays, sea turtles.

– PM – Española Island – Suarez Point
This is a phenomenal site where you will get to see many of Española Island’s endemic species. The trail will pass by the only Waved Albatross breeding site in all of Galapagos. If you are lucky you might see a young albatross take off for its first flight for up to five years at sea. Older birds stay at sea for months at a time, only coming back to breed. They have the same mate for life and will meet each other each year, only here to reproduce. Other species that can be seen are marine iguanas that stay brightly colored year round, Galapagos doves, Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropic birds, and Darwin finches.

Possible Activities: Hike
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: Sea lions, marine iguanas, Galapagos hawk, waved albatross, red-billed tropic birds, various shorebirds, nazca boobies, swallow tailed gulls, finches and sally lightfoot crabs.

Day 5: Sunday
– AM – Floreana – Cormorant Point / Devil’s Crown
Cormorant is an interesting visitor site. Two beaches can be visited here, just beyond the first beach is a saltwater lagoon with flamingos. One of the beaches look green because of the olivine crystals, and the other is appropriately called Flour Beach because of the powdery white sand, made from fine, pulverized coral. Watch your feet if wading in the water, stingrays love to hang out here as well.

Devil’s Crown boasts one of the finest snorkeling opportunities. Below the surface are amazing volcanic structures that have submerged over time. Hundreds of colorful fish species can be seen along the reef, along with sharks, rays, sea turtles, sea lions, and rays. It’s a beautiful underwater spectacle that cannot be missed.

Possible Activities: Snorkeling and hiking
Difficulty: Snorkeling – Moderate to difficult / Hike – easy
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Highlights: frigatebirds, sea lions, sea turtles, galapagos sharks, white-tipped sharks, tropical fish, various shorebirds and seabirds, varied marine life.

– PM – Floreana – Post Office Bay
Ask the Cruise Manager for one of our complimentary postcards to write a message and address it home. Leave it in the barrel used before by pirates and sailors. While your there, see if there are any other postcards you can take home with you to send for fellow travelers who have already left their messages!

Possible Activities: Post office barrel, relaxing on the beach, swimming or snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Highlights: frigatebirds, sea lions, sea turtles, various shorebirds and seabirds, marine life.

Day 6: Monday
– AM – Santa Cruz – Charles Darwin Research Station
The Charles Darwin Research Station is one of the most important visitor sites when it comes to learning more about the evolution of both the wildlife and geology of the Galapagos Islands. With the station you can find many different interpretation centers on plant life, endemic wildlife, conservation projects, and even how a ladybug played a vital role in a new type of control against invasive intruders within the islands!

Possible Activities: Walking within the station
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: See the latest advancements in research, interesting interpretation centers, giant tortoises in different life stages, iguanas, endemic wildlife, finches, marine iguanas.

The only visit you will have on this day is to the Charles Darwin Research Center. Afterwards, you will have time to gather your belongings. Then, you will be transferred to the airport and your cruise will come to an end.

Day 1: Friday
– AM – Arrival to Baltra Airport with transfer to M/C Petrel
Welcome to the Galapagos Islands aboard the M/C Petrel. The guide and crew will greet you and show you to your accommodations upon your arrival. Afterwards, the guide and cruise manager will hold a short briefing on all safety and emergency protocols, different areas of the vessel and the normal routine of the itinerary.

– PM – North Seymour Island
The island was named after English nobleman Lord Hugh Seymour. Formed by uplifted submarine lava, the island is home to a huge colony of about 2,500 land iguanas and large populations of sea lions, blue-footed boobies, common noddies, and frigatebirds. Along the coast, it is possible to see land and marine iguanas and the biggest colony of Magnificent Frigatebirds.

Possible Activities: Snorkeling, panga ride, hike
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: Land and marine iguanas, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, common noddies, sea lions.

Day 2: Saturday
– AM – Isabela – Vicente Roca Point
Vicente Roca Point has outstanding geological formations and is a great place to see various bird species. Because this visitor site is located on the western area of the island, the Cromwell Current provides cold water that carries many nutrients for both land and aquatic species, offering the chance to see amazing feeding frenzies.

Possible Activities: Panga ride, snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
Type of Landing: No landing
Highlights: Sea lions, various shorebirds, blue-footed boobies, nazca boobies, fur seals, whales, sea turtles, various tropical fish, sally lightfoot crabs and other marine species.

– PM – Fernandina Island – Espinosa Point
As one of the most pristine islands in the archipelago, Fernandina has never had a foreign species invade. It is also the most active island and farthest west. Espinosa point is the only visitor site on the entire island. Here you can see marine iguanas, Galapagos hawks and enjoy a hike and/or snorkeling activity at one of the most natural, unspoiled sites in the entire world.

Possible Activities: Hiking, snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry landing – may be slippery
Highlights: Flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, land iguanas, penguins, sea lions, various shorebirds, Galapagos Hawks, various tropical fish, sally lightfoot crabs, sea turtles.

Day 3: Sunday
– AM – Isabela Island – Tagus Cove
If you like historic remnants, then you will enjoy finding what was left behind by pirates and sailors in the 1800s. This site was one of their preferred pit stops while traveling the seas. The hike here will provide incredible views of the cove and on the other side the mangrove forest where the last 35 pairs of Mangrove finches thrive.

Possible Activities: Hike, snorkeling and panga ride
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: Sea lions, various shorebirds, flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs, mangrove finches.

– PM – Urbina Bay
Millions of years ago, Urbina Bay was once laying on the ocean floor. Volcanic uplifts caused it to rise and now it is occupied by sea lions, land iguanas and flightless cormorants. It is a great place to enjoy some free time on the beach or the guide may suggest a hike.

Possible Activities: Hike, snorkeling and panga ride
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights: Sea lions, various shorebirds, flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, sea turtles, land iguanas, Galapagos Hawk, sally lightfoot crabs, Galapagos tortoise.

Day 4: Monday
– AM – Isabela Island – Elizabeth Bay
This visitor site is visited by panga only as the park authorities have no authorized landing in order to protect the island. While in the panga you can appreciate a large abundance of marine life that can be seen in the clear waters. It is great for snorkeling.

Possible Activities: Panga ride
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: No Landing
Highlights: Sea lions, frigate birds, sea turtles, various shorebirds, flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, pelicans, sally lightfoot crabs, tropical fish and marine life such as galapagos sharks.

– PM – Moreno Point
The beautiful rocky shores of Moreno Point offer a plethora of birds to be seen. It is truly a birders delight. The main attraction are the coast lagoons where white tipped sharks can be seen and the panoramic views of Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcanoes cannot be missed.

Possible Activities: Hike, snorkeling and panga ride
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights: Sea lions, great blue herons, various shorebirds, flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs, sea turtles, land iguanas, Galápagos Hawk, Galapagos tortoise.

Day 5: Tuesday
– AM – Isabela – Sierra Negra Volcano
Volcano Sierra Negra is an active volcano in the south of Isabela Island. A hike in this area will show you different types of vegetation and geological zones. The Sierra Negra Volcano boasts the largest caldera in the Galapagos. The north side of the caldera shows evidence of the most recent activity back in 2005. If you reach the summit of Sierra Negra you can see petrified lava still present and its huge caldera.

Possible Activities: Hiking
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: 7 different types of finches, shorebirds

– PM – Isabela – Wetlands / Breeding Center
The highlands are located in the northern part of Santa Cruz and can reach elevations up to 1500 meters. This area is rich with hills, ferns, volcanoes and wildlife. A great contrast to the molten lava hardened beaches and rocky areas of other islands already seen. It is home to giant tortoises, mockingbirds, finches and many other species.

Possible Activities: Hike
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: Galapagos tortoises, finches, mockingbirds, lava lizards, pintail ducks, other shorebirds.

Day 6: Wednesday
– AM – Santa Cruz – Charles Darwin Research Station
The Charles Darwin Research Station is one of the Galapagos Island’s most important sites for visitors. It is a research facility that has an extensive collection of Galapagos plant life specimens carefully preserved and also acts as a biological research station and active breeding center operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation. Their biggest conservation efforts are to one day eliminate all invasive and non-native plants and animals destroying endemic species within the islands.

Possible Activities: Visit to the research station
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights:  Galapagos tortoises in captivation and various stages of tortoises.

– PM – Santa Cruz – Los Gemelos
Los Gemelos are named after two giant craters in the highlands of Santa Cruz. They were both once the magma chambers of previous volcanoes present on the island millions of years ago. It is an incredible site to see with trails throughout the surrounding Scalesia forest.

Possible Activities: Hiking
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: Many different land birds such as various species of finches, short-eared owls, vermilion flycatchers, Galapagos doves, wild giant tortoises, lizards, shore-birds flying overhead.

Day 7: Thursday
– AM – South Plaza Island
South Plaza is one of the smallest islands with a visitor site but is home to an incredible amount of diverse flora and fauna. It has a large population of Sesuvium plants like the prickly pear cactus tree that is an important source of food for the land iguana. Just a few years ago mice were finally eradicated from the island, helping the population of land iguanas grow healthily once more. The amazing colors of the turquoise waters against the black lava create a setting for amazing photography opportunities.

Possible Activities: Hike
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: frigatebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, sea lions, land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, various shorebirds and seabirds.

– PM – Santa Fe Island
Santa Fe is home to the endemic Santa Fe iguana. The island was created by a volcanic uplift that now hosts a forest of Opuntia and Palo Santo trees. It is a picturesque island with two different trails, one leading to a scenic viewpoint and the other leading to a small beach. Giant tortoises were once native here but went extinct after pirates and sailors took them aboard as a source of food.

Possible Activities: Hike
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: Santa Fe land iguanas, frigatebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, sea lions, finches, various shorebirds.

Day 8: Friday
– AM – San Cristobal – Lobos Island
Lobos Island is aptly named after the many sea lions that reside here resting and playing along the rocky shores. It is also home to many different birds like pelicans, frigate birds and their nests, yellow warblers and more. Within the small channel, the waters are very clear, making it easy to find sea turtles, sea lions, stingrays and perhaps even white-tipped sharks.

Possible Activities: Short hiking, swimming and snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Highlights: Sea lions, various shorebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, frigate birds, Galapagos sharks, schools of tropical fish, stingrays.

The only visit you will have on this day is to Lobos Island. Afterwards, you will have time to gather your belongings. Then, you will be transferred to the airport and your cruise will come to an end.

Day 1: Friday
– AM – Arrival to San Cristobal Airport with transfer to M/C Petrel
Welcome to the Galapagos Islands aboard the M/C Petrel. The guide and crew will greet you and show you to your accommodations upon your arrival. Afterwards, the guide and cruise manager will hold a short briefing on all safety and emergency protocols, different areas of the vessel and the normal routine of the itinerary.

– PM – San Cristobal – Interpretation Center and Galapaguera
The Interpretation Center has been open to the public since 1998, offering extensive knowledge about the history of Galapagos. San Cristobal is also the island where Charles Darwin first landed on. It is now home to the capital of Galapagos and houses many government offices, as well as part of the Ecuadorian Navy. Giant tortoises are bred at the Galapaguera and roam in a semi-natural habitat created by the center.

Possible Activities: Introduction and walk in center
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: Giant tortoises in various stages of their life.

Day 2: Saturday
– AM – Española Island – Gardner Bay / Osborn Islet
This white sandy beach is home to a large colony of sea lions and incredibly blue and turquoise waters. Three different finches can be seen, as well as the Española mockingbird. Over time, the mockingbird must have been offered water or food from tourists and now they have no fear of walking on your things or landing very close to you. It is so important not to feed or touch the animals. It can disrupt their normal behaviors and threaten their future.

Possible Activities: Walking on the beach and swimming.
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Highlights: Sea lions, various shorebirds, mockingbirds, stingrays, sea turtles.

– PM – Española Island – Suarez Point
This is a phenomenal site where you will get to see many of Española Island’s endemic species. The trail will pass by the only Waved Albatross breeding site in all of Galapagos. If you are lucky you might see a young albatross take off for its first flight for up to five years at sea. Older birds stay at sea for months at a time, only coming back to breed. They have the same mate for life and will meet each other each year, only here to reproduce. Other species that can be seen are marine iguanas that stay brightly colored year round, Galapagos doves, Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropic birds, and Darwin finches.

Possible Activities: Hike
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Highlights: Sea lions, marine iguanas, Galapagos hawk, waved albatross, red-billed tropic birds, various shorebirds, nazca boobies, swallow tailed gulls, finches and sally lightfoot crabs.

Day 3: Sunday
– AM – Floreana – Cormorant Point / Devil’s Crown
Cormorant is an interesting visitor site. Two beaches can be visited here, just beyond the first beach is a saltwater lagoon with flamingos. One of the beaches look green because of the olivine crystals, and the other is appropriately called Flour Beach because of the powdery white sand, made from fine, pulverized coral. Watch your feet if wading in the water, stingrays love to hang out here as well.

Devil’s Crown boasts one of the finest snorkeling opportunities. Below the surface are amazing volcanic structures that have submerged over time. Hundreds of colorful fish species can be seen along the reef, along with sharks, rays, sea turtles, sea lions, and rays. It’s a beautiful underwater spectacle that cannot be missed.

Possible Activities: Snorkeling and hiking
Difficulty: Snorkeling – Moderate to difficult / Hike – easy
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Highlights: frigatebirds, sea lions, sea turtles, galapagos sharks, white-tipped sharks, tropical fish, various shorebirds and seabirds, varied marine life.

– PM – Floreana – Post Office Bay
Ask the Cruise Manager for one of our complimentary postcards to write a message and address it home. Leave it in the barrel used before by pirates and sailors. While your there, see if there are any other postcards you can take home with you to send for fellow travelers who have already left their messages!

Possible Activities: Post office barrel, relaxing on the beach, swimming or snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights: frigatebirds, sea lions, sea turtles, various shorebirds and seabirds, marine life.

Day 4: Monday
– AM – Santa Cruz – Charles Darwin Research Station
The Charles Darwin Research Station is one of the most important visitor sites when it comes to learning more about the evolution of both the wildlife and geology of the Galapagos Islands. With the station you can find many different interpretation centers on plant life, endemic wildlife, conservation projects, and even how a ladybug played a vital role in a new type of control against invasive intruders within the islands!

Possible Activities: Walking within the station
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Easy
Highlights: See the latest advancements in research, interesting interpretation centers, giant tortoises in different life stages, iguanas, endemic wildlife, finches, marine iguanas.

– PM – Santa Cruz – Highlands
The highlands of Santa Cruz are interesting due to the rich wildlife, hills, ferns, extinct volcanoes and lava tubes present. Throughout the highlands you can see the different agricultural zones where farmers plant a wide variety of fruits and coffee thanks to the rich volcanic soils. This area is great to spot wild giant tortoises and birds.

Possible Activities: Hike and walking
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: Various shore birds, vermilion flycatchers, finches, yellow warblers, cranes, short-eared owls, giant tortoises.

Day 5: Tuesday
– AM – Santiago Island – Sullivan Bay
This is actually the second island that was visited by Charles Darwin. It was originally named after James II, England’s King. The island was a source of salt, water, and food for whalers passing by. A salt mine was eventually created and it was used for salting fish and tortoise meat for future voyages. Land iguanas once populated the island but they are now extinct. We know this from Darwin’s personal notes talking about how there was no place to walk without stepping on iguanas or how they couldn’t even pitch a tent from the incredible amount of iguanas there was once.

Possible Activities: Hike, panga ride, snorkel
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights: Red-footed boobies, blue-footed boobies, nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, finches, various shorebirds, rays, tropical fish species, marine iguanas, sea lions.

– PM – Bartholomew – Pinnacle Rock
Pinnacle Rock is a volcanic cone formed by magma expelled by an underwater volcano. The sea cooled the hot lava and as it exploded from contact, the pieces formed together this huge rock of many, many layers of basalt. The huge rock also has a beach where a small population of green sea turtles will nest during breeding season. Galapagos penguins gather here and swimming can offer beautiful sights of colorful schools of fish and curious sea lions.

Possible Activities: Hike, snorkel and panga ride
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights: Galapagos penguins, sally lightfoot crabs, sea lions, rays, sea turtles, sharks, various tropical fish, various shore birds.

Day 6: Wednesday
– AM – Genovesa Island – Darwin Bay
Darwin Bay used to be a shield volcano, now you can see where one of the sides of its caldera collapsed after hundreds of years of erosion. It is known for the wide variety of birds that can be seen. Over 20,000 red-footed boobies are estimated to call this island home within the trees and bushes of Genovesa Island.

Possible Activities: Hike, panga ride, snorkel
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights:  Red-footed boobies, blue-footed boobies, nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, finches, various shorebirds, rays, tropical fish species, marine iguanas, sea lions.

– PM – Genovesa Island – El Barranco
n English. this visitor site is also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps. It leads to a rocky path up a cliff that rewards guests with a remarkable view. It is also home to a Palo Santo forest that is home to the nesting red-footed boobies and other shorebirds.

Possible Activities: Hike, panga ride, snorkel
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights: Red-footed boobies, storm petrels, Galapagos doves, short-eared owls, sea turtles, rays, sharks, sea lions, marine iguanas.

Day 7: Thursday
– AM – Santiago Island – Egas Port
Egas port is also known as James Bay, home to quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. There are grottos and tide pools housing all kinds of different marine species. This is also one of the best snorkeling sites in the Galapagos.

Possible Activities: Snorkeling, hike
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights: Fur sea lions, Galapagos hawks, oyster-catchers, marine iguanas, finches, sharks, sea turtles, tropical fish.

– PM – Santiago Island – Espumilla Beach / Buccaneer Cove
As the second Island Charles Darwin discovered, it was originally named after King James of England. Buccaneer Cove is an excellent opportunity for snorkeling and was once a refuge for passing sailors and pirates. The underwater formations provide an amazing home for the many different tropical species of fish that can be found here.

Possible Activities: Snorkeling and swimming, short walk on beach
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights: Marine iguanas, sea lions, various shorebirds, tropical fish species, rays, sea turtles, sally lightfoot crabs.

Day 8: Friday
– AM – Carrión Point
There is no place to land here, which means that the visitor site consists of a panga ride and/or snorkeling. It is a sheltered lagoon with beautiful turquoise waters on the northern coast of Santa Cruz at the entrance of the Itabaca Channel.

Possible Activities: Panga ride and snorkel
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Highlights: Sea lions, various tropical fish, white-tipped sharks, sea turtles.

The only visit you will have on this day is to Carrión Point. Afterwards, you will have time to gather your belongings.  Then, you will be transferred to the airport and your cruise will come to an end