7-Night: Genovesa, San Cristobal, Española, Floreana & Santa Cruz - Eminence Catamaran - Galapagos Cruise

The San Cristobal Interpretation Center receives visitors at Baltra Airport to start their Galapagos exploration which includes their transportation to M/C Eminence. The journey begins at Bachas Beach which lies on the northern shore of Santa Cruz Island after you board the vessel and get settled in your suite and receive information about the cruise and expedition activities. The visitor area offers a peaceful setting which features soft white sand and shallow lagoons and calm turquoise waters. The shoreline walk lets you find marine iguanas and coastal birds and flamingos which feed in nearby wetlands. Visitors can swim in the protected bay for snorkeling when conditions allow them to see sea turtles and tropical fish. The natural beauty of Galapagos reveals itself through Bachas Beach which serves as an ideal spot for visitors to explore their new environment.

Explore Genovesa Island throughout the day to discover this distant volcanic island which stands as one of the best birdwatching destinations in the entire archipelago. The starting point for Prince Philip’s Steps exists at El Barranco which begins at the rocky shoreline before leading to a volcanic plateau elevation. The trail passes through palo santo vegetation and open lava terrain while visitors can see red-footed boobies and Nazca boobies and frigatebirds and storm petrels. The dramatic setting creates outstanding opportunities for wildlife photography. The caldera which contains Darwin Bay shows signs of submersion because of volcanic activity. The white-sand beach stretches out before you while birds build nests and marine iguanas swim and sea lions lounge in their usual spots. The protected bay area provides excellent snorkeling opportunities which allow visitors to spot rays and sea turtles and reef fish and various other marine creatures

The day begins on South Plaza Island which stands as a small yet visually stunning island that shows its volcanic origins through its rough terrain and its vibrant plant life and its tall cactus plants. The trail guides you to observe Galapagos land iguanas which you can find resting under cactus trees or watching their movements across the land. Seabirds glide through the sky while they ride the rising air currents which flow along the cliffs and sea lions rest on the rocky shoreline. The journey continues to Santa Fe Island which offers a protected bay with crystal-clear turquoise water that makes it perfect for snorkeling and marine life viewing. The Galapagos hosts its biggest prickly pear cacti which visitors can explore through hiking trails while they seek the exclusive Santa Fe land iguana species which exists only in this region.

The eastern section of San Cristobal Island needs exploration which starts at Pitt Point where visitors can enjoy breathtaking volcanic landscapes and watch various seabird species in their natural habitat. The hiking trails lead through steep rocky terrain to reach elevated viewpoints which allow visitors to watch blue-footed boobies and red-footed boobies and Nazca boobies during their nesting period. Pitt Point stands as the single Galapagos visitor site which shows all three species nesting together in their natural environment. The beach of Witch Hill offers visitors a chance to explore its beautiful white sands which extend into crystal-clear waters and volcanic rock formations. The shoreline serves as your relaxation place while sea lions perform their playful activities in the water and rest on the shore. The beach area gives visitors stunning views of Kicker Rock which stands tall in the ocean while it separates the open sea from the distant view of the sea horizon

The San Cristobal Interpretation Center serves as the starting point for visitors who can explore exhibits which explain the volcanic origin of Galapagos Islands and track human activities and environmental issues and preserve natural habitats. The visit provides valuable context for understanding the archipelago’s natural and cultural heritage. The journey leads to Kicker Rock which stands as the most famous natural formation throughout the Galapagos Islands. The marine environment allows snorkeling through its deep channels but the ability to find sharks and rays and turtles and tropical fish varies with ocean conditions. Later, explore Lobos Island, a small destination known for its active sea lion colonies. The trail leads visitors to observe seabirds which build nests and marine iguanas and coastal plants and sea lions that play in their native habitat.

Spend your entire day exploring Española Island which represents one of the earliest islands to develop in the Galapagos while hosting its unique biological diversity. The trail at Suarez Point starts its course through volcanic landscape which leads past essential seabird nesting sites. The search for blue-footed boobies and Nazca boobies and marine iguanas and mockingbirds and seasonal rare waved albatrosses continues throughout the area. The trail leads visitors to a powerful blowhole which creates an enormous water spray when ocean waves crash against the rocky coastline. Later, visit Gardner Bay and nearby Osborn Islet. Gardner Bay presents visitors with its stunning white-sand beach together with its extensive sea lion population. The nearby waters offer snorkeling opportunities to discover sea turtles and rays and vibrant reef fish and inquisitive sea lions.

Floreana Island presents visitors with its beautiful natural scenery together with its fascinating historical background. The starting point for exploration at Baroness Viewpoint offers visitors expansive ocean views which connect to stories about the first settlers and strange occurrences and eccentric characters who lived on this island. The tradition at Post Office Bay allows visitors to continue a practice which whalers started during their time at sea. Visitors leave postcards in a historic barrel and may select another to deliver personally after returning home. The next stop takes you to Cormorant Point which features a beach of green olivine sand and a nearby lagoon that attracts flamingos to its shallow waters. The day concludes at Champion Islet which stands as one of the best snorkeling destinations in the archipelago where visitors might encounter sea lions and reef sharks and rays and tropical fish.

Spend your last morning exploring Santa Cruz Island's highlands which contain humid forests and open grasslands that differ from the dry coastal areas of the archipelago. The trail leads you to watch giant tortoises as they move through their protected natural habitat which stretches across green vegetation. These remarkable reptiles may be seen grazing, resting near muddy pools, or slowly crossing the countryside. The highlands provide one of the best opportunities to observe giant tortoises in the wild and appreciate their ecological importance. After completing the excursion, continue with the coordinated transfer to Baltra Airport. The departure staff will help you before you board your flight to Ecuador mainland which ends your exciting trip that included wildlife watching and ocean exploration and volcanic landscapes and island discovery