15-Day Ultimate Galapagos Wildlife Expedition - Hermes Catamaran

Arrive at Baltra Airport, where a Hermes guide will welcome you to the Galapagos Islands and escort you to Seymour dock to board the superyacht and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, ascend from the coast into the lush, misty Santa Cruz Highlands and its wet zone. Visit a private reserve where Galapagos Giant Tortoises roam freely in their natural habitat and can be observed grazing, resting, and bathing in the mud. Continue with an exploration of the island’s volcanic history, walking through impressive lava tunnels formed by ancient molten rock and observing large craters created by the collapse of volcanic chambers.

Begin with a dry landing at Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island. Hike through several coastal environments, passing a brackish lagoon where Greater Flamingos and other wading birds may be observed. Continue toward the dry forest in search of reintroduced Galapagos Land Iguanas and enjoy views over the anchorage and surrounding islands from higher sections of the trail. In the afternoon, make a wet landing at Chinese Hat. Follow a short circular trail through its dark volcanic landscape while observing marine iguanas and searching for Galapagos Penguins. Finish with snorkeling in the turquoise channel between Chinese Hat and Santiago Island, where sea lions, tropical fish, and white-tipped reef sharks are among the marine life described in the source.

Explore Prince Philip’s Steps on Genovesa Island, beginning with a steep rocky climb to a flat plateau and an extensive seabird nesting area. Follow a circular trail among Red-footed Boobies nesting in Palo Santo trees while observing Nazca Boobies and Storm Petrels over the lava fields. After hiking, explore the caldera cliffs by dinghy before snorkeling in deeper water in search of Eagle Rays, sharks, and schools of pelagic fish. In the afternoon, make a wet landing at Darwin Bay and walk through a major nesting colony populated by Red-footed and Nazca Boobies, Swallow-tailed Gulls, and Darwin’s Finches. Complete the day with swimming or snorkeling in the sheltered natural harbor alongside sea lions and colorful reef fish.

Navigate the secluded mangroves of Black Turtle Cove by panga. This quiet excursion provides an opportunity to observe marine nursery life in calm, shallow water, including juvenile Whitetip Reef Sharks, rays, and young sea turtles. In the afternoon, visit Bachas Beach, where soft white sand formed from decomposed coral provides a nesting site for sea turtles. Walk along the shoreline while looking for colorful Sally Lightfoot crabs on the lava rocks. Frigatebirds, Blue-footed Boobies, and sea lions are also among the wildlife described for this coastal setting.

Visit Tagus Cove, a historic anchorage used by whalers and pirates dating back to the 1800s. Following a dry landing, hike along the slopes of Darwin Volcano to panoramic viewpoints and Darwin’s Lake, a saltwater crater lake situated above sea level. Continue by dinghy along the cliffs while observing Blue-footed Boobies, Brown Noddies, and Flightless Cormorants. Snorkeling provides opportunities to encounter Galapagos Penguins, schools of fish, and possibly sea turtles. In the afternoon, make a wet landing at Urbina Bay, where a dramatic geological uplift in 1954 exposed part of a coral reef above sea level. Walk among coral fossils, search for Galapagos Land Iguanas, enjoy views of Alcedo Volcano, and snorkel near Galapagos Penguins with opportunities to see marine iguanas feeding underwater.

Make a dry landing at Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island and hike across black basaltic lava flows. Observe one of the large concentrations of marine iguanas described in the itinerary and search for endemic Flightless Cormorants. Natural tide pools carved into the lava support marine life and colorful Sally Lightfoot crabs, while the location provides views across the Bolivar Channel toward Isabela and Fernandina’s La Cumbre Volcano. In the afternoon, explore Vicente Roca Point entirely from the water. Cruise by panga beneath towering cliffs while looking for Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, and Flightless Cormorants before snorkeling in nutrient-rich waters. Green Sea Turtles are described as very likely encounters, while Galapagos Penguins, Red-lipped Batfish, and Mola Mola are additional wildlife possibilities.

Discover Egas Port, characterized by black lava sand, volcanic formations, and remnants of a former salt mine that operated during the 1960s. Follow a coastal trail past grottos and natural lava pools while observing Galapagos Fur Seals, marine iguanas, and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Later, snorkel from the beach with opportunities to encounter sea lions, sea turtles, and schools of tropical fish. In the afternoon, explore historic Buccaneer Cove entirely from the water. Travel by panga beneath high cliffs and unusual rock formations while looking for sea lions and fur seals resting on small beaches and seabirds such as Brown Pelicans nesting in rocky crevices.

Begin with a dry landing at North Seymour Island and follow a circular trail through an active nesting area. Sea lions and marine iguanas may be encountered along the route, while Blue-footed Boobies can be observed performing their high-stepping courtship behavior. Continue to the nesting area of Magnificent Frigatebirds, where males may display inflated scarlet throat sacks. In the afternoon, ascend into the lush Santa Cruz Highlands and visit a tortoise sanctuary where Galapagos Giant Tortoises roam freely. Observe the tortoises grazing, resting, and bathing in the mud before exploring a lava tunnel that reveals another aspect of the island’s volcanic origins.

Make a wet landing on Rabida Island and discover its distinctive deep-red sand, colored by the high iron oxide content of its lava. Follow a trail to a brackish lagoon while searching for Greater Flamingos and White-cheeked Pintails, then ascend through a Palo Santo forest to a lookout overlooking the red bay, mangroves, and nearby islets. Snorkel offshore with sea lions and reef fish, with possible sightings of juvenile sharks and stingrays. In the afternoon, explore Bartolome Island. After a dry landing, climb a wooden boardwalk to the summit for panoramic views of Pinnacle Rock, volcanic terrain, and crescent-shaped beaches. Later, snorkel around Pinnacle Rock while searching for Galapagos Penguins, sea lions, and sea turtles.

Explore South Plaza Island, an uplifted lava islet populated by large colonies of sea lions. Follow a trail through colorful Sesuvium vegetation and an endemic Prickly Pear Cactus forest while observing Galapagos Land Iguanas. Along the cliffs, look for Swallow-tailed Gulls and Red-billed Tropicbirds. In the afternoon, make a wet landing at Barrington Bay on Santa Fe Island and hike through a giant Opuntia cactus forest in search of the Santa Fe Land Iguana. After exploring on land, snorkel in the turquoise waters among sea lions and schools of tropical fish, with possible encounters involving rays, sea turtles, and white-tipped reef sharks.

Make a wet landing at Pitt Point on San Cristobal Island and follow a demanding trail climbing the volcanic tuff cliffs. The site provides opportunities to observe three species of boobies nesting in the same area: Blue-footed, Red-footed, and Nazca Boobies. Magnificent and Great Frigatebirds may also be seen overhead. After hiking, snorkel offshore among sea lions and reef fish, with possible sea turtle encounters. In the afternoon, visit Witch Hill and walk along its white coral sand beach before exploring a nearby lagoon with birdlife such as Brown Pelicans and occasional Blue-footed Boobies. Relax on the beach or snorkel with sea lions, reef fish, and potentially marine iguanas.

Begin at Lobos Island with a short dry landing and a gentle walk along a defined trail. Observe nesting Blue-footed Boobies, frigatebirds overhead, and the island’s high concentration of sea lions, including pups and territorial males. The source then describes an afternoon visit to the San Cristobal Interpretation Center, where exhibits explore the volcanic and natural history of the archipelago and its conservation efforts. Later, hike to Tijeretas Hill for panoramic views of the coastline, Kicker Rock, and the ship anchorage. Frigatebirds can be observed soaring and nesting, while the quiet cove beneath the hill provides an opportunity to swim alongside sea lions and colorful fish.

Make a dry landing at Gardner Bay and explore its long white beach composed of pulverized coral. Walk or relax among large sea lion colonies before swimming or snorkeling in the calm, crystalline bay, where colorful marine life and possibly groups of sharks resting on the sandy bottom may be observed. In the afternoon, make a dry landing at Suarez Point and follow a two-mile (3.2 km) circular trail along spectacular lava cliffs. Look for the distinctive red-and-green “Christmas Iguanas,” Nazca Boobies, Blue-footed Boobies, and Waved Albatrosses displaying courtship behavior. The excursion concludes at the blowhole, where high tides can send seawater dramatically upward.

Make a wet landing at Cormorant Point and encounter a green-sand beach colored by microscopic olivine crystals. Continue to “Flour Sand Beach,” a white coral beach that serves as a nesting ground for Pacific Green Sea Turtles. Follow the inland trail to a brackish lagoon while searching for Greater Flamingos, White-cheeked Pintails, and Black-necked Stilts. Snorkeling offshore offers opportunities to encounter sea lions and possibly sea turtles. In the afternoon, visit Post Office Bay and its historic wooden barrel, used as an unofficial postal service since the 18th century. Participate in the traditional postcard exchange before taking a panga excursion along the coast to observe sea lions, marine birds, and the historic anchoring area.

Spend the final morning at the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora. Walk through breeding and rearing facilities and learn about conservation work focused on endangered species, particularly Galapagos Giant Tortoises. Observe tortoises at different stages of development, from small hatchlings to adults, while gaining insight into the conservation challenges and successes associated with protecting the archipelago’s wildlife. The source labels this day “Charles Darwin Station / Baltra Airport,” but does not provide further details regarding the airport transfer.