Ocean Spray – 15 Day Cruise Complete Galapagos Islands

Overview:

The classic Mega-Catamaran Ocean Spray offers the best performance and comfort in Galapagos Cruising. The elegant design includes a huge sundeck, Jacuzzi and spacious cabins each with a private balcony. Her speed, comfort, top guides and itinerary will make Ocean Spray perfect for your luxury Galapagos cruise. Kayaks are also available for use. With this 15 day mega cruise itinerary you'll thoroughly explore the Galapagos from end-to-end.

Ships that operate this itinerary:

Ocean Spray

Islands Visited:
- Santa Cruz
- Isabela
- Santa Fe
- Española
- San Cristobal
- Floreana
- Bartholomew
- Genovesa
- Santiago 

Included:

• Accommodation onboard cruise
• All meals
• Airport transfers 
• All visitor site excursions
• Regular soft drinks and juices and  a champagne reception
• Galapagos National Park bilingual Guide
• Use of snorkeling gear and wetsuits
• Kayaks
• Carbon Offset for your Cruise

Exclusions:

• Airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Gratuities
• Alcoholic beverages
• Any additional transportation and personal services
• Galapagos Conservation Tax – $100 USD pp payable in cash only upon arrival to the Galapagos
• Isabella Island Arrival Tax – $10 USD pp payable in cash only upon arrival to the Island

Day 1: Arrival to Baltra, Santa Cruz and embark cruise

Welcome to the Galapagos Islands aboard the M/C Ocean Spray. The guide and crew will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your vessel. They will 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. 

In the afternoon, you'll sail to the Chinese Hat. This site offers rare, up close viewing of Galapagos wildlife and well-preserved remnants of fragile volcanic rock that can't be found in such a unique condition anywhere else. The island is named after the similarity of an Asian type of hat. Here you can see American Oystercatchers and Galapagos Penguins swimming along the shores. 

Activities: Hiking, snorkeling
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shorebirds, white-cheeked pintail ducks, penguins, Galapagos Hawks, various tropical fish, sally lightfoot crabs. 

Note: Itineraries are subject to change due to many different elements such as weather, park authorities and regulations, airline operations, guide experience and safety concerns. 

AM: Isabela - Vicente Roca Point 

Vicente Roca Point has outstanding geological formations and is a great place to see various bird species. Because this visitor site is located on the western area of the island, the Cromwell Current provides cold water that carries many nutrients for both land and aquatic species, offering the chance to see amazing feeding frenzies.

Activities: Panga ride, snorkeling
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shorebirds, blue-footed boobies, nazca boobies, fur seals, whales, sea turtles, various tropical fish, sally lightfoot crabs and other marine species.

PM: Fernandina - Espinosa Point

As one of the most pristine islands in the archipelago, Fernandina has never had a foreign species invade. It is also the most active island and farthest west. Espinosa point is the only visitor site on the entire island. Here you can see marine iguanas, Galapagos hawks and enjoy a hike and/or snorkeling activity at one of the most natural, unspoiled sites in the entire world. 

Activities: Hiking, snorkeling
Possible Wildlife: Flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, land iguanas, penguins, sea lions, various shorebirds, Galapagos Hawks, various tropical fish, sally lightfoot crabs, sea turtles.

AM: Isabela - Tagus Cove 

If you like historic remnants, then you will enjoy finding what was left behind by pirates and sailors in the 1800s. This site was one of their preferred pit stops while traveling the seas. The hike here will provide incredible views of the cove and on the other side the mangrove forest where the last 35 pairs of Mangrove finches thrive. 

Activities: Hike, snorkeling and panga ride
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shorebirds, flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs, mangrove finches. 

PM: Isabela - Urbina Bay 

Millions of years ago, Urbina Bay was once laying on the ocean floor. Volcanic uplifts caused it to rise and now it is occupied by sea lions, land iguanas and flightless cormorants. It is a great place to enjoy some free time on the beach or the guide may suggest a hike. 

Activities: Hike, snorkeling and panga ride
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shorebirds, flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, sea turtles, land iguanas, Galapagos Hawk, sally lightfoot crabs, Galapagos tortoise

AM: Isabela - Elizabeth Bay 

This visitor site is visited by panga only as the park authorities have no authorized landing in order to protect the island. While in the panga you can appreciate a large abundance of marine life that can be seen in the clear waters. It is great for snorkeling. 

Activities: Panga ride
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, frigate birds, sea turtles, various shorebirds, flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, pelicans, sally lightfoot crabs, tropical fish and marine life such as galapagos sharks. 

PM: Isabela - Moreno Point 

The beautiful rocky shores of Moreno Point offer a plethora of birds to be seen. It is truly a birders delight. The main attraction are the coast lagoons where white tipped sharks can be seen and the panoramic views of Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcanoes cannot be missed. 

Activities: Hike, snorkeling and panga ride
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, great blue herons, various shorebirds, flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs, sea turtles, land iguanas, Galápagos Hawk, Galapagos tortoise.

AM: Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Station 

The Charles Darwin Research Station is one of the Galapagos Island’s most important sites for visitors. It is a research facility that has an extensive collection of Galapagos plant life specimens carefully preserved and also acts as a biological research station and active breeding center operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation. Their biggest conservation efforts are to one day eliminate all invasive and non-native plants and animals destroying endemic species within the islands. 

Activities: Visit to the research station
Possible Wildlife: Galapagos tortoises in captivation and various stages of tortoises.

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

Activities: Hike
Possible Wildlife: Galapagos tortoises, finches, mockingbirds, lava lizards, pintail ducks, other shorebirds.

AM: South Plaza Island 

South Plaza is one of the smallest islands with a visitor site but is home to an incredible amount of diverse flora and fauna. It has a large population of Sesuvium plants like the prickly pear cactus tree that is an important source of food for the land iguana. Just a few years ago mice were finally eradicated from the island, helping the population of land iguanas grow healthily once more. The amazing colors of the turquoise waters against the black lava create a setting for amazing photography opportunities. 

Activities: Hike
Possible Wildlife: frigatebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, sea lions, land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, various shorebirds and seabirds. 

PM: Santa Fe Island 

Santa Fe is home to the endemic Santa Fe iguana. The island was created by a volcanic uplift that now hosts a forest of Opuntia and Palo Santo trees. It is a picturesque island with two different trails, one leading to a scenic viewpoint and the other leading to a small beach. Giant tortoises were once native here but went extinct after pirates and sailors took them aboard as a source of food. 

Activities: Hike
Possible Wildlife: Santa Fe land iguanas, frigatebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, sea lions, finches, various shorebirds.

AM: Española - Suarez Point 

This is a phenomenal site where you will get to see many of Española Island's endemic species. The trail will pass by the only Waved Albatross breeding site in all of Galapagos. If you are lucky you might see a young albatross take off for its first flight for up to five years at sea. Older birds stay at sea for months at a time, only coming back to breed. They have the same mate for life and will meet each other each year, only here to reproduce.

Activities: Hike
Dry Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, marine iguanas, Galapagos hawk, waved albatross, red-billed tropic birds, various shorebirds, nazca boobies, swallow tailed gulls, finches and sally lightfoot crabs. 

PM: Española - Gardner Bay / Osborn Islet 

This white sandy beach is home to a large colony of sea lions and incredibly blue and turquoise waters. Three different finches can be seen, as well as the Española mockingbird. 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.
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shorebirds, mockingbirds, stingrays, sea turtles.

AM: San Cristobal - Interpretation Center and Galapaguera 

The Interpretation Center has been open to the public since 1998, offering extensive knowledge about the history of Galapagos. San Cristobal is also the island where Charles Darwin first landed on. It is now home to the capital of Galapagos and houses many government offices, as well as part of the Ecuadorian Navy. Giant tortoises are bred at the Galapaguera and roam in a seminatural habitat created by the center. 

Activities: Introduction and walk in center
Possible Wildlife: Giant tortoises in various stages of their life. 

PM: San Cristobal - Lobos Island/Kicker Rock 

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 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
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shorebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, frigate birds, Galapagos sharks, schools of tropical fish, stingrays.

AM: San Cristobal - Pitt Point 

When arriving at Pitt Point, it will feel as if 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.
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shorebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, red-footed boobies. 

PM: San Cristobal - Witch Hill 

Witch hill has awesome crevices and eroding rocks along the shoreline where you will first pass in panga. Afterwards be prepared to visit a powdery white sand beach with teal and turquoise waters. 

Activities: Panga ride, swimming, snorkel
Possible Wildlife: sea lions, various shore birds, finches, mockingbirds, tropical fish, and different crabs from the Sally lightfoots

AM: Floreana - Post Office Bay

Use one of the complimentary postcards to write a message and address it home. Leave it in the barrel used before by pirates and sailors. While your there, see if there are any other postcards you can take home with you to send for fellow travelers who have already left their messages! 

Activities: Post office barrel, relaxing on the beach, swimming or snorkeling Possible Wildlife: frigatebirds, sea lions, sea turtles, various shorebirds and seabirds, marine life. 

PM: Floreana - Cormorant Point / Devil’s Crown 

Cormorant is an interesting visitor site. Two beaches can be visited here, just beyond the first beach is a saltwater lagoon with flamingos. One of the beaches look green because of the olivine crystals, and the other is appropriately called Flour Beach because of the powdery white sand, made from fine, pulverized coral. Watch your feet if wading in the water, stingrays love to hang out here as well. Devil’s Crown boasts one of the finest snorkeling opportunities. Below the surface are amazing volcanic structures that have submerged over time. Hundreds of colorful fish species can be seen along the reef, along with sharks, rays, sea turtles, sea lions, and rays. It’s a beautiful underwater spectacle that cannot be missed. 

Activities: Snorkeling and hiking
Possible Wildlife: frigatebirds, sea lions, sea turtles, galapagos sharks, white-tipped sharks, tropical fish, various shorebirds and seabirds, varied marine life.

AM: Santa Cruz - Black Turtle Cove

Black Turtle Cove is located on the north side of Santa Cruz Island. This shallow inlet is surrounded by mangroves and provides a natural protection for a variety of marine life, attracting the vulnerable juveniles of many species. Below the surface of the water, you can see both blacktip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, golden cow-nose rays, and spotted eagle rays. Pelicans and blue-footed boobies hunt here, diving gracefully into the water. 

Activities: Panga ride
Possible Wildlife: White-tipped sharks, rays, sea turtles, sea lions and various shorebirds. 

PM: Bartholomew - Pinnacle Rock 

Pinnacle Rock is a volcanic cone formed by magma expelled by an underwater volcano. The sea cooled the hot lava and as it exploded from contact, the pieces formed together this huge rock of many, many layers of basalt. The huge rock also has a beach where a small population of green sea turtles will nest during breeding season. Galapagos penguins gather here and swimming can offer beautiful sights of colorful schools of fish and curious sea lions. 

Activities: Hike, snorkel and panga ride
Possible Wildlife: Galapagos penguins, sally lightfoot crabs, sea lions, rays, sea turtles, sharks, various tropical fish, various shore birds.

AM: Genovesa - Darwin Bay 

Darwin Bay used to be a shield volcano, now you can see where one of the sides of its caldera collapsed after hundreds of years of erosion. It is known for the wide variety of birds that can be seen. Over 20,000 red-footed boobies are estimated to call this island home within the trees and bushes of Genovesa Island. 

Activities: Hike, panga ride, snorkel
Possible Wildlife: Red-footed boobies, blue-footed boobies, nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, finches, various shorebirds, rays, tropical fish species, marine iguanas, sea lions. 

PM: Genovesa - El Barranco 

This visitor site is also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps. It leads to a rocky path up a cliff that rewards guests with a remarkable view. It is also home to a Palo Santo forest that is home to the nesting red-footed boobies and other shorebirds. 

Activities: Hike, panga ride, snorkel
Possible Wildlife: Red-footed boobies, storm petrels, Galapagos doves, short-eared owls, sea turtles, rays, sharks, sea lions, marine iguanas.

AM: Santiago - Espumilla Beach / Buccaneer Cove

As the second Island Charles Darwin discovered, it was originally named after King James of England. Buccaneer Cove is an excellent opportunity for snorkeling and was once a refuge for passing sailors and pirates. The underwater formations provide an amazing home for the many different tropical species of fish that can be found here. 

Activities: Snorkeling and swimming, short walk on beach
 Possible Wildlife: Marine iguanas, sea lions, various shorebirds, tropical fish species, rays, sea turtles, sally lightfoot crabs. 

PM: Santiago - Egas Port

Egas port is also known as James Bay, home to quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. There are grottos and tide pools housing all kinds of different marine species. This is also one of the best snorkeling sites in the Galapagos. 

Activities: Snorkeling
Possible Wildlife: Fur sea lions, Galapagos hawks, oyster-catchers, marine iguanas, finches, sharks, sea turtles, tropical fish.

AM: North Seymour Island 

The island was named after English nobleman Lord Hugh Seymour. Formed by uplifted submarine lava, the island is home to a huge colony of about 2,500 land iguanas and large populations of sea lions, blue-footed boobies, common noddies, and frigatebirds. Along the coast, it is possible to see land and marine iguanas and the biggest colony of Magnificent Frigatebirds. 

Activities: Snorkeling, panga ride,
Possible Wildlife: Land and marine iguanas, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, common noddies, sea lions. 

PM: Santa Cruz - Highlands 

The Highlands of Santa Cruz is a very interesting site due to the rich wildlife, hills, ferns, volcanoes and lava tubes present. Exploring the lava tubes is a surreal and unique experience. Here you can see all the different agricultural zones that are present in the Galapagos in one place. The variety of birds makes this a bird watchers delight. 

Activities: Hike
Possible Wildlife: Wild Galapagos Tortoises, various shorebirds, lava lizards.

AM: Mosquera Islet 

This visitor site is located between the islands of Baltra and North Seymour. It is a reef of rocks and coral (the result of an uprising) and a great white sand beach. Its narrowest width reaches about 160 meters and has an estimated length of 600 meters. In most of the perimeter, there is a base of lava rocks, as evidence of the lava uprising, except in the southwest side where the landing occurs. This island has one of the largest populations of sea lions. You can also observe several species of shorebirds. There have been occasional reports at this site of Orcas (Orcinus orca) feeding on sea lions. 

Activities: Short walk
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shore birds, frigate birds, sally lightfoot crabs. 

PM: Transfer to Airport 

This afternoon, you will have time to gather your belongings and then the guide and cruise manager will thank you for your time and transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.