The Fernandina Itinerary 8 Days - Beluga Yacht - Galapagos Cruise

The Fernandina Itinerary 8 Days - Beluga Yacht | Beluga | Galapagos Tours The Fernandina Itinerary 8 Days - Beluga Yacht | Beluga | Galapagos Tours

The M/Y Beluga Fernandina is an 8-day, 7-night cruise that takes you to some of the most popular and remote islands in the Galapagos. The itinerary includes visits to Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, Santiago Island, and Fernandina Island. Highlights of the trip include seeing giant tortoises in the wild, visiting the Charles Darwin Station, and exploring lava flows and volcanic landscapes. You will also have the opportunity to see penguins, flamingos, sea lions, fur seals, and a variety of other wildlife.

This is a great trip for anyone who wants to experience the unique beauty and wildlife of the Galapagos Islands. The itinerary is well-rounded and includes a variety of activities, so you are sure to have a memorable time.

Day by day

Day 1: Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Island: Highlands & Charles Darwin Station

Arrive at Baltra airport

Highlands of Santa Cruz Island

Galapagos giant tortoises can be seen in the wild in the highlands of Santa Cruz.

Charles Darwin Station

Visit the Charles Darwin Station is a research facility and National Park Information center. The Charles Darwin Station has a giant tortoise and land iguana breeding program and interpretation center.

Day 2: Sombrero Chino & Rabida Island

Sombrero Chino (Chinese Hat)

Sombrero Chino is a small volcanic island just off the southeast tip of Santiago. The name of the island describes the shape of the island. Fauna includes Sea lions, marine iguanas and the Galapagos penguin.

Rabida Island

Rábida is a small island with a dark red coral sand beach. Highlights include the lagoon with flamingoes, pelican nesting site, sea lion bachelor colony, and a snorkeling site at the end of the beach.

Day 3: Isabela Island: Sierra Negra & Puerto Villamil

Isabela Island

The largest of the Galapagos Islands formed by five active volcanoes fused together. Wolf Volcano is the highest point in the entire Galapagos at 1707m.

Sierra Negra

Volcan Sierra Negra has a caldera with a diameter of 10km. View recent lava flows, moist highland vegetation, and parasitic cones.

Puerto Villamil

Puerto Villamil is a charming small town on a white sand beach. Highlights include the Tortoise Breeding Station and the flamingo lagoon. Other visits (depending on conditions) are the Tintoreras or Los Humedales.

Day 4: Isabela Island: Punta Moreno & Elizabeth Bay

Punta Moreno

Punta Moreno is located in the central southwestern coast of Isabela Island. The site has spectacular views of volcanoes Alcedo, Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. Some highlights include impressive lava flows, desolate and pristine landscape, varied and unusual arid zone vegetation.

Elizabeth Bay

This spot is only accessible by dinghy. It is possible to see penguins on the small islets in the bay. The end of the bay is long and narrow surrounded by three species of mangroves. Galapagos Sea Turtles and rays can usually be seen in the water.

Day 5: Isabela Island: Urbina Bay & Tagus Cove

Urbina Bay

Urbina Bay is located at the central-west coast of Isabela Island at the foothills of Alcedo and Darwin volcanoes. Highlights include the colourful land iguanas, Galapagos Giant tortoises and the coral uplifting from 1954.

Tagus Cove

Tagus Cove is a natural harbor where centuries ago whalers and pirates left their ship's names painted or carved on the rocks. A walk uphill to Darwin's Crater salt-water lake will provide an excellent view.

Day 6: Fernandina Island: Punta Espinoza & Isabela Island: Punta Vicente Roca

Fernandina Island

Fernandina is the youngest volcanic island and is still active.

Punta Espinoza

Punta Espinoza is a place famous for its large colonies of marine iguanas and as the habitat of unique species like the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, among others.

Isabela Island: Punta Vicente Roca

This site is visited by dinghy rides along the cliffs or the partially sunken cave at the water’s edge. Nasca boobies, blue-footed boobies and flightless cormorants inhabit the shoreline.

Day 7: Santiago Island: Playa Espumilla / Buccaneers Cove & Bartolome Island

Santiago Island

This Island is located between Isabela and Santa Cruz Islands. This Island offers a wide variety of seabirds, marine iguanas and fur seals.

Playa Espumilla

Espumilla Beach has a beautiful contrast between the golden beach and the green mangroves. It is also a great site to see flamingos, pintail ducks, green sea turtle nests and the Galapagos Hawk. It is also a good site to go for a cool off swim or a snorkel.

Buccaneers Cove

This site was Charles Darwin’s home for 9 days. As well as a resting site for many whalers and pirates. With this rich history Buccaneers Cove is a must see. Enjoy a panga ride or snorkel looking for Galapagos Fur Seals, Brown Noodies, Pelicans, and Swallow- tailed Gulls

Bartolome Island

A hike will take you to the highest point on Bartolome for a spectacular view. Sea lions and penguins can be seen around Pinnacle Rock. There is a sandy beach with great swimming and snorkeling.

Day 8: North Seymour Island & Baltra Island

North Seymour

This flat piece of land originated after an uplifting event thousands of years ago. The island is home to endemic Palo Santo trees, colonies of blue-footed boobies, swallow tailed gulls, and the magnificent frigate birds.

Baltra for return flight to Quito

Itinerary Map

Click on the map to navigate the itinerary
The Fernandina Itinerary 8 Days - Beluga Yacht | Galapagos Map

Includes

  • Accommodation (sharing double cabins)
  • Meals
  • Excursions led by professional Naturalist guide
  • Use of snorkel equipment
  • Wetsuit
  • Use of kayaks
  • All transport between visitor sites and yacht
  • Tea, coffee, water and natural juices
  • Welcome cocktail

Does not Include

  • Air tickets to and from the Galapagos. Tickets have to be bought with Enchanted Expeditions - US$50 dollars net surcharge per pax if not
  • National Park fees (US$100)
  • Transit Control Card (US$20)
  • Bottled beverages on board
  • Isabela Municipal dock fee (US$10 per person)

Highlights

  • Land iguanas, marine iguanas, lava lizards, sea lions, giant tortoises, sally lightfoot crabs
  • Variety of fish, sea turtles, eels, rays, invertebrates, possible hammerhead sharks, sea urchins, possible sea horses
  • Flamingos, penguins, flightless cormorant, brown pelican, Darwin finches, bluefooted boobies, whimbrels, lava gulls, swallowtailed gulls, Galapagos hawk, red-billed tropic birds, common gallinules
  • Salt bush, algodoncillo, jerusalem thorn, castela, lantana, red white and black mangroves, lava cactus, palo santo, manzanillo, yellow cordia, opuntia cactus
  • Walking, hiking, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking (certain sites), relaxing

Meals Included

  • Breakfast Served Daily
  • 7 Dinners
  • 8 Lunches
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Reviews

Delightful trip!
- Darius Jakovchuk
All the tour guides were exceptional. I could see in Ecuador, people study at the University to become a qualified tour guide, so it was amazing being guided by professionals. Andrea was our tour guide during our cruise it the Beluga, she is knowledgeable and very funny, she definitely exceeded our expectations
Fantastic
- Jesse Bougardt
The Beluga was exactly what we wanted. Great itinerary and great crew, they went above and beyond to accommodate my complex situation.
More information about the Galapagos Islands you visit in this itinerary:
The Fernandina Itinerary 8 Days - Beluga Yacht
8 Days
From $5,300.00 per person


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