Itinerary A - Xavier III Yacht - Galapagos Cruise

Fly to San Cristóbal Island. Meet the guide and transfer to the boat. Visit Isla Lobos in the afternoon to spot blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas and sea lions.

Isla Lobos Visit

Explore this tiny island by foot and boat for some great wildlife encounters. Take a panga ride to view the sea and shore birds nesting and feeding. Spot a small colony of blue-footed boobies as well as two species of sea lions.

Snorkelling (Isla Lobos)

Snorkel right off the beach at peaceful Isla Lobos, amid the families of sea lions and their inquisitive pups looking to play. Spot nesting frigate birds and the famous blue-footed boobies resting on the shore. Be sure to bring your camera to catch some snapsat this prime wildlife watching haven.

North Seymour Islan Visit

Have an amazing wildlife experience visiting North Seymour Island–this island is teeming with life! Follow trails to see all the action (you may need to give way to a passing sea lion or marine iguana while walking). See blue-footed booby nests where mating pairs perform their courtship dance. Head to a rocky shore to see flocks of pelicans having lunch in a dive bomb feeding frenzy, then turn inland to a large nesting site of magnificent frigatebirds. These huge, dark acrobats have two-metre (6.5 ft)wingspans, and males, with their puffed-up scarlet throat sacks, sit precariously perched in low bushes to watch over their equally large chicks. Top off the excursion with a snorkel among sea lions and rays.

Snorkelling

Take your time exploring the underwater world along North Seymour’s beach. Be greeted by large schools of tropical fish and sea lions, and keep an eye out for sea turtles and reef sharks.

Sullivan Bay Visit

Visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island to see one of its star natural attractions–striking and fascinating giant lava formations. Very few plants have managed to survive on this island due to its harsh environment and relatively new lava flow. Enjoy a walk along the lava formations before coming to a white-coral sand beach, where abundant Sally Lightfoot crabs and sea lions gather on shore.

Bartolomé Island Landing

Hike to Bartolomé’s summit for a stronger perspective of the islands’ not-too-distant volcanic origins, and enjoy a panoramic view–it’s one of the best among the islands!See other Galápagos Islands in the distance as well as Pinnacle Rock, the island’s famous towering landmark.!

Snorkelling (Bartolomé Island)

Take the opportunity to swim and snorkel around Pinnacle Rock, one of the most iconic volcanic rock formations on the islands. Home to Galápagos penguins, friendly sea lions, sea turtles, and a huge variety of fish, Bartolomé and its surrounding water sare a fantastic place to explore the natural wonders of the Galápagos.

Baltra

Disembark in Puerto Ayora and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the giant Galápagos tortoises.

Charles Darwin Research Station Visit

Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center a great place to observe many species of tortoises and land iguanas in captivity. Brought back from the brink of extinction, seethe famous Galápagos tortoise up close–a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery cares for the young until around age three when their shells have hardened.This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos’ ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers. While the offices themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location for international scientists and environmental education for the local community.

Punta Cormorant Visit

Visit Punta Cormorant, the only landing site on Floreana Island, and discover two amazingly different beaches: one with green sand, coloured by olivine crystals, and another with white sand particles known as ‘Flour Beach’. Spend the afternoon observing flamingos and other shore birds feeding in the lagoon.Spot penguins and marine iguanas at the water’s edge.