Activity level: Moderate
Ship: Galapagos Eden
Baltra
Catch an early flight to the Galápagos. In the afternoon, visit the highlands to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat.
Santa Cruz Highlands Excursion
Santa Cruz Island (2h-3h)
Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and see the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural surroundings. Explore the area and its incredible underground lava tunnels. Wander along the volcanic tubes and keep an eye out for the (mainly) nocturnal barn owls that sometimes roost here.
Visit Post Office Bay and enjoy guided walks to observe the bird and wildlife and learn about the natural history of Floreana Island. After, snorkel at Corona del Diablo.
Post Office Bay Visit
Floreana Island
Visit Post Office Bay and learn about its unique history. In the late 18th century, English whaling vessels placed a barrel here to be used as a post office. Today, the box is used mainly by tourists, who may drop off and pick up unstamped letters to be carried to far destinations. Continue the tradition – leave a letter and take one to deliver (be sure it makes it to the correct location)!
Punta Cormorant Visit
Floreana Island
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.
Snorkelling (Corona del Diablo)
Punta Cormorant (45m-1h)
Enjoy an amazing snorkelling experience at the ‘Devil's Crown’, an old underwater volcanic cone just north of the Punta Cormorant. Spot large schools of tropical fish, rays, reef sharks, and sea turtles that make their home among the coral reef. Be sure you're a strong swimmer; the currents can be intense.
Enjoy the day on Española Island, one of the oldest in the archipelago. Visit Punta
Suárez, known for its amazing bird colonies and home to the waved albatross
(between April and December). After lunch, visit the white sandy beach of Gardner Bay and jump in for a snorkelling excursion.
Punta Suárez Visit
Bahía Gardner (45m-1h)
Head to Tortuga Rock and Gardner Bay for a spectacular snorkelling experience. Spot playful young sea lions and large schools of tropical fish, including yellowtailed surgeonfish, king angelfish, and bump-head parrot fish. Look for whitetipped reef sharks napping on the bottom.
San Cristóbal
Learn about the history of the Islands at the San Cristóbal Interpretation Centre before flying back to Quito.
Interpretation Center Visit
San Cristóbal Island (1h-2h)
Learn about the history of the Galápagos Islands from the very beginning of their volcanic origins through to today’s conservation efforts. Tour the Human History exhibit to learn about the islands’ discovery and colonization, and discover the natural history and variety of flora and fauna that make the Galápagos so fascinating.