Genovesa and Central Islands - Horizon Catamaran - Galapagos Cruise

Welcome to the Galapagos Islands aboard the M/T Horizon. 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.

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.

Kicker Rock

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.

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

Pitt Point

When arriving to Pitt Point, it will feel almost like you’ve landed on an extraterrestrial planet. You can see the many different developments over time of how volcanic activity formed this island. A hike up to the top beholds amazing views of the surrounding waters. Watch out for blue-footed boobie nests on the ground and keep an eye out for the red-footed boobies nesting in the trees once you reach the top of the island.

• Activities:​ Hiking and kayaking.
• Difficulty:  ​Moderate to Difficult
• Landing: ​Wet landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, various shorebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, red-footed boobies.
• What to Bring: ​Sturdy hiking shoes and walking sticks to aid on the uneven terrain.

Witch Hill

Passing by on a panga your guide and crew will show you amazing rock formations formed by the passing of time and erosion of the sea. You’ll finally arrive to a beautiful white sandy beach to spend the time swimming or basking in the sun. Frolic with sea lions who may swim by playfully or take a walk down the entire beach and back. 

• Activities:​ Panga ride, swimming and snorkeling.
• Difficulty:  ​Moderate
• Landing: ​Dry landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, various shorebirds, sally lightfoot crabs.
• What to Bring: ​Swimwear and/or sandals or shoes for both land and water.

Suarez Point

 This is the only nesting site in Galapagos where the Waved Albatross nests. They come back only once a year to meet the same mate, year after year. They spend the rest of the year at sea. Apart from these amazing birds are the Galapagos Hawks that can be seen and the amazing formations and blow hole on the other side of the island, reached by a hike.

• Activities:​ Hike
• Difficulty:  Easy/​Moderate
• Landing: ​Dry landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, marine iguanas, Galapagos hawk, waved albatross, red-billed tropic birds, various shorebirds, sally lightfoot crabs.
• What to Bring: ​Sturdy hiking shoes and walking sticks to aid on uneven terrain.

Gardner Bay & Osborn Islet

 Gardner Bay is an excellent place to see sea lions lounging on the beach while mockingbirds get up close to see if they can steal water or crumbs. 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.

• Activities:​ Walking on the beach and swimming.
• Difficulty:  ​Easy
• Landing: ​Wet landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, various shorebirds, mockingbirds, stingrays, sea turtles.
• What to Bring: ​Swimwear and footwear for walking in and out of the water.

Santa Cruz: Bachas Beach

Bachas beach has beautiful green and blue waters that contrast along the surf of the black lava shores. In the air various shore birds fly searching for food. On the shore you can explore the sand dunes and find a salt water lagoon with greater pink flamingos.

• Activities:​ Walking on the beach and swimming.
• Difficulty:  ​Easy
• Landing: ​Wet landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, various shorebirds, mockingbirds, sea turtles, flamingos.

Bartolome Island

This island is well known for its incredible remnants of volcano cones and distinct terrain such as Pinnacle Rock. A hike will lead you up to the top of a lookout point to see all of Sullivan Bay. You might be able to see lava lizards and various sea birds flying above.

• Activities:​ Walk on the boardwalk, hike, snorkeling.
• Difficulty:  ​Easy
• Landing: ​Dry and Wet are both possibilities
• Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shorebirds, lava lizards, frigate birds.​

Rabida Island

This visitor site is quite different from others as it has a very distinct and red fine gravel beach due to the iron content. Snorkeling can be done here with spectacular sights of tropical fish. Visitors like to walk along the beach taking in the sights and also visiting the black lagoon with pink flamingos.

• Activities:​ Walking on the beach, swimming and snorkeling.
• Difficulty:  ​Easy
• Landing: ​Wet landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, various shorebirds, pelican, manta rays, sea turtles, pink flamingos, lava lizards, Galapagos doves, blue-footed boobies.  

Santiago Island: Egas Port

This visitor site is also known as James Bay, it is home to Galapagos hawks, lava lizards and the trails lead to a coastline with gorgeous tide pools full of fauna. Fur seals, different from the common sea lions can also be seen here. 

• Activities:​ Walking on the beach, swimming and snorkeling.
• Difficulty:  ​Easy
• Landing: ​Wet landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, various shorebirds, pelican, stingrays, sea turtles, fur seals, marine iguanas, lava lizards, Galapagos doves, blue-footed boobies.  

Darwin Bay

A white sand coral beach leads the way to a hiking trail through mangroves filled with many different species of land birds and other famous species like blue-footed and red-footed boobies and swallow tailed gulls. Towards the end of the hike are tidal pools where you can find sea lions swimming playfully and finally a spectacular view off a cliff.

• Activities:​ Hike and/or snorkeling
• Difficulty:  ​Easy/Moderate
• Landing: ​Wet landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, various shorebirds, red-footed boobies, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, lava lizards.

El Barranco

El Barranco is also known as Prince Philip’s Steps. It is an extraordinary site on the flatter area of the island in Darwin’s Bay. Be prepared to make your way up a rocky crevasse, then enjoy the easy trail to spectacular views. This is one of the few visitor sites where all three boobie species can be seen, as well as the short-eared owl.

• Activities: Hike​  
• Difficulty: ​Moderate/Difficult
• Landing: ​Dry landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, all three boobie species, short-eared owls, marine iguanas, Galapagos doves, storm petrels, finches, frigatebirds.

Mosquera Islet

Located between the islands of Baltra and North Seymour lays a reef made of coral. This was the result of volcanic uprising making the islet only 160 meters across at its narrowest width. It has one of the largest populations of sea lions and is home to many shorebirds.  On occasion, orcas can be seen hunting off the shoreline.

• Activities:​ Panga ride
• Difficulty: ​Easy
• Landing: ​No landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, various shorebirds and seabirds, frigatebirds, orcas.

Santa Cruz: Highlands

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 harden beaches and rocky areas of other islands already seen.  It is home to giant tortoises, mockingbirds, finches and many other species.

• Activities:​ Hike
• Difficulty:  ​Moderate
• Landing: ​Dry landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Galapagos tortoises, finches, mockingbirds, lava lizards, pintail ducks, other shorebirds.

Explore the rocky coast of North Seymour passing colonies of blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds. The island was formed by a series of submarine lava expelled from the ocean floor, carrying with it layers of sediment uplifted by the tectonic activity. The island is mostly characterized by the arid vegetation.

• Activities:​ Hike, snorkel, panga ride
• Difficulty:  ​Moderate
• Landing: ​Dry landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Marine iguanas, frigatebirds, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, finches, land iguanas.

After this final visit you will be transferred to the airport and your cruise will come to an end and you will be transferred to Baltra Airport.