Santa Cruz II – 11 Day Cruise East West Galapagos

Overview:

This 11 day tour combines the Eastern and Western itineraries for a extended Galapagos cruise with the Santa Cruz II.  You will be able to visit the Tortoise Breeding Center and the Charles Darwin Research Station. Get close up to plenty of wildlife including: red-footed boobies, sea lions, land iguanas and stunning marine birds.You'll also visit the central islands, starting with Santa Fe, with its beautiful tranquil bay, before continuing to the wild cliffs of South Plaza Island, Española Island and North Seymour Island, famous for its land iguanas. 

You'll continue on toward the western islands including Isabela Island. here you'll visit Punta Vicente Roca and Punta Espinoza on Fernandina (one of the most pristine islands in the world, with one of the archipelago’s biggest colony of marine iguanas and opportunities to see flightless cormorants). Spend some time in Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz, and visit the famous Post office bay before we say goodbye to the Galapagos Islands after an amazing journey!

Ships that operate this itinerary:

Santa Cruz II

Islands Visited:

- Santa Cruz
- San Cristobal
- Santa Fe
- South Plaza
- Española
- North Seymour
- Isabela
- Fernandina
- Floreana 

Included:

• Accommodation onboard cruise
• All meals throughout cruise
• Transfers in the islands
• All excursions and activities 
• Bilingual naturalist guides
• Snorkeling equipment, kayaks, glass bottom boat
• Airport transfers 
• Onboard Medical Assistance
• Luggage handling

Exclusions:

• Airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Gratuities
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (drink packages available)
• Wetsuits (available for rent)
• 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 and embark cruise
You will land in Baltra Island by plane in the morning and then transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise. After an introductory briefing onboard, we will all partake in an emergency boat drill, be assigned to your cabin and then be invited to lunch.

PM - Mosquera Islet
After lunch, the Santa Cruz II will sail and relocate just four nautical miles away from Baltra Island, right beside Mosquera Islet– a small piece of volcanic uplift that sits between the larger islands of Baltra and North Seymour. Mosquera Island is a long and narrow sandbank that’s surrounded by lava reefs. The excursion group will approach the island from its western shore, which consists of a long shallow reef and acts as the perfect nook for young sea lions. After a wet landing, naturalist guides will lead you past the sea lion colonies, where you will get the chance to learn more about the fragile marine and terrestrial ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands. The walk is easy here, as it only involves walking across a few hundred meters of flat and sandy dunes.

Note: Itineraries are unlikely to change significantly but are subject to change. Weather, wildlife breeding, safety concerns, instructions from the Galapagos National Park, specific abilities and interests of passengers as well as operational matters may cause your guide or captain to change the time or nature of visits. Your guide and captain will always endeavor to select the best itinerary within these limits.

AM: San Cristobal Island - Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
After breakfast, we will disembark (dry landing) at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the Galapagos Islands’ capital, and take a 40-minute drive over to the island’s southern shore. At Cerro Colorado, you’ll get to visit the Breeding Center for highly endangered Galapagos giant tortoises that amble around under the cover of a fantastic deciduous forest. This forest also happens to be home to dozens of bird species (including the San Cristobal mockingbird) and the San Cristobal lava lizard – both of which happen to be endemic species on this island!

PM: Punta Pitt
In the afternoon, we will disembark (wet landing) on the eastern tip of the island at Punta Pitt, which consists of an eroded tuff cone and a trail that provides spectacular views of the coastline. This is the only site in the Galapagos Islands where the three species of boobies can (most likely) be found together! You are more than welcome to enjoy the walk or a dinghy ride along the coast. Snorkeling, swimming and kayaking activities are also available here.

AM: Santa Fe Island
After breakfast, you hop aboard and ride a dinghy to disembark (wet landing) over at this idyllic white sand beach that’s home to plenty of sea lions. The endemic land iguana, which is exclusive to this island, may be spotted during the morning walk, typically sitting among the giant prickly pear cactus. Snorkeling and swimming from the dinghy rounds out this supremely rewarding experience. Alternatively, you can also opt to hop aboard the Santa Cruz II Galapagos cruise’s glass-bottom boat. Kayaking is also offered here.

PM: South Plaza Island
Following lunch and a break, we will disembark (dry landing) along the channel here, where turquoise waters contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. Nearby, a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent-green prickly-pear cactus. Yellow-grey land iguanas sit beneath these, waiting patiently for their prickly-pears to drop. Along the coastline, we will have the chance to spot sea lion colonies, all while frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls and shearwaters glide around, playing with the currents.

AM: Santa Cruz Island Puerto Ayora & the Charles Darwin Research Station
In the morning, we will disembark (dry landing) at Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. The Station consists of a giant tortoise Breeding Center and an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest that is home to many land birds. The Station also serves as the headquarters for scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. Following this visit, we will board a private transport to head up and enjoy lunch in the cooler highlands of Santa Cruz Island, which is an entirely different ecosystem.

PM: Santa Cruz Highlands
You will have several options to choose from in the afternoon, these of which can be discussed in advance with your Expedition Leader. At the end of the afternoon’s activities, guests will return to Puerto Ayora and hop aboard the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise.

AM: Española Island- Punta Suarez
An exciting walk awaits at this site, where you can be sure to enjoy the unique variety of sea bird colonies present. Galapagos albatross (present between April-December), Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls are all present here. Guests will also get to experience the Galapagos’ famous “blowhole” geological phenomenon. Red-green-black marine iguanas are also present here. Afterward, guests will head back on board for lunch.

PM: Gardner Bay & Osborn Islet
In the afternoon, the postcard-worthy coral beach of Gardner Bay and the nearby Osborn Islet provide a beautiful setting for observing sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches as you take your time to simply relax or take a dip in the water for some excellent snorkeling. Kayaking activities are available here too.

AM: Eden Islet (Santa Cruz Island)

After breakfast, a panga ride takes us over to Eden Islet – a small islet located off the coast of Santa Cruz Island. It is here that you will have the chance to observe blue-footed boobies diving into the water, reef sharks swimming around and frigatebirds flapping about. There’s a chance to snorkel and, weather permitting, take a ride aboard the glass-bottom boat or do some kayaking.

PM: North Seymour Island

North Seymour is the result of oceanic uplift that resulted from a volcanic event long ago. Its origins as a seabed give the island its low, flat profile. A tiny forest of silver-grey Palo Santo trees stands just above the landing site (dry landing). These trees are typically leafless, remain dormant for half of the year and spend most of their time waiting for the rains as their cue to burst into bloom. This is a great site to watch as bird colonies of blue-footed boobies, two species of frigatebirds, and swallow-tailed gulls all fly around. You will also get the chance to experience sea lions and marine iguanas.

This morning you'll have free time at Santa Cruz and then in the afternoon visit Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill). The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragon. The first part of the walk here passes by a brackish-water lagoon that’s frequented by shorebirds, ducks and American flamingos. Further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western islands of the Galapagos, as well as a chance to check out some land iguanas.

AM: Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)

After breakfast, we will get to explore the coast by dinghy, all while your naturalist guides explain the dramatic geology of the surrounding area. This site is also a nesting place for numerous Galapagos iconic species, such as: flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, fur seals, and boobies. Weather permitting, you will get the chance to snorkel alongside the cliffs of this area that are rich in marine life, oftentimes visited by green sea turtles and oceanic sun fish (Mola mola).

PM: Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)

The afternoon is dedicated to exploring Fernandina, the youngest island in the Galapagos Islands. The complete absence of introduced animals is one its biggest draws, as Fernandina boasts a very unique environment with a very high density of marine iguanas. Other Galapagos iconic species found here include sea lions, Sally lightfoot crabs, hawks, penguins and flightless cormorants.

AM: Puerto Ayora & the Charles Darwin Research Station

In the morning, we disembark (dry landing) at Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. The Station consists of a giant tortoise Breeding Center and an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest that is home to many land birds. The Station also serves as the headquarters for scientific investigation and conservation efforts, as well as the Galapagos National Park administration. Following this visit, we will board a private transport to head up and enjoy lunch in the cooler highlands of Santa Cruz Island, which is an entirely different ecosystem.

PM: Santa Cruz Highlands

You will have several options to choose from in the afternoon, these of which will be discussed in advance with your Expedition Leader. At the end of the afternoon’s activities, guests will return to Puerto Ayora and hop back aboard the Santa Cruz II Galapagos cruise.

AM: Baroness Tower + Post Office Bay

After breakfast, a dinghy ride along the maze of channels on Floreana’s north shore can be enjoyed. Afterwards, you will get to experience Baroness Cove with its breathtaking views of Floreana Island. Later on, we will land at Post Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that has served as a post office in the Galapagos Islands for over two centuries. It is here that you will be invited to leave your very own postcard and/or take postcards that have been left by other visitors (for you to hand-deliver to their addressee)! Snorkeling activities are offered right off the beach. Afterwards, we will head back aboard for lunch.

PM: Champion Islet + Cormorant Point

Following lunch and a break, you will be invited to hop aboard the dinghies (for snorkeling) or the glass-bottom boat to explore the underwater wonders around Champion Islet – an extinct shield volcano that’s regarded as one of the best snorkeling spots in the Galapagos Islands. From there, it’s onwards to Cormorant Point, beginning with a wet landing on an olivine-crystal beach for a leisurely walk that includes a brackish-water lagoon where bird species – such as American flamingos, pintail ducks, common stilts, herons, sandpipers, and other birds – tend to gather. After this, we will continue our walk over to a white-sand beach, where sea turtles emerge from the sea at night to nest (from December to May).

Baltra Island
On the last day, you will disembark at Baltra Island, take the transfer to the airport and hop on your flight back to the mainland.