Galapagos Western Islands On the Ocean Spray

Begin the day at Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island. This area is home to a colony of Galapagos fur seals, a species endemic to the islands. Other sitings may include sea turtles, Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, Nasca boobies, blue footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, frigate birds, and flightless cormorants.

In the afternoon, head to Fernandina Island, disembarking at Punta Espinosa. One of the youngest islands in the Galapagos, Fernandina remains one of the most highly active volcanoes in Galapagos. The island offers a contrast between green mangroves, black lava flows, and turquoise waters, and is home to flightless cormorants, Galapagos sea lions, marine iguanas, and colorful Sally Lightfoot Crabs.

Visit Tagus Cove, with pirate graffiti dating back to the 1800s. Explore the cove, enjoying views of a saltwater lagoon called Darwin Lake. From the summit of this hike, take in a sweeping view encompassing Darwin Volcano and Wolf Volcano.

Sail on to Urbina Bay, at the foot of the Alcedo Volcano. Urbina Bay was uplifted from the seabed in the 1950s, leaving striking formations of coral heads sitting out of the water. Stingrays and sea turtles swim near the surface of the water here, and on land you may see flightless cormorants, pelicans, and marine iguanas.

Set out by Zodiac boat to discover Elizabeth Bay, a salt-water lagoon surrounded by the largest red mangroves of the Galapagos. Navigate into the mangrove cove, home to sea turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, brown pelicans, and sea lions.

In the afternoon, visit Moreno Point, disembarking onto a pahoehoe lava flow surrounded by giant shield volcanoes, some of which are still active. The flowing lava of this striking site left craters in its wake, forming tide pools that attract birds and marine wildlife.

This morning you sail to Santa Cruz Island, the main inhabited island in the archipelago. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where a series of walkways takes you among juvenile and adult tortoises from different islands. Witness the work being done by the foundation to preserve the fragile ecosystems of the Galapagos.

In the afternoon, head to the Santa Cruz Highlands, journeying up in elevation through all seven vegetation zones of the Galapagos. Watch the vegetation grow ever more lush as you move into the higher altitudes, where humidity sustains a much greater variety of plant life. This area is home to giant tortoises, the Galapagos rail, the paint-billed crane, and many other species.

Your day starts at South Plaza, a small island with steep cliffs formed by rising lava. The island is covered by Opuntia cacti and the characteristic Sesuvium, which changes its colors from season to season. South Plaza is home to one of the largest sea lion colonies in Galapagos, as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas.

In the afternoon, disembark on Santa Fe, at a small, picturesque bay that attracts large numbers of sea lions. The trails lead you to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff and a prickly pear cactus forest, where the opuntia cacti grow to heights of over 30 feet.

Visit Española, the southernmost island in the Galapagos. Your first visit is to Punta Suarez, where colonies of Nazca and blue-footed boobies nest along the trails. See the famous Galapagos blowhole, where the seawater spouts up to 80 feet high. Later, head to Gardner Bay, whose white-sand beaches are home to sea lions, or to Osborn Islet, a small island where you can enjoy fantastic snorkeling and swimming.

Enjoy a final morning in the islands at the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center before flying back to Quito, where you can connect with your international flight home or continue your trip in mainland Ecuador.

If you have a long layover before your flight, we can set up a visit to nearby hot springs or transfer you to a hotel to relax and have dinner before transferring back to the airport.