Introductory Nature Cruise Through the Galápagos - 4 Days

Highlights

• Hike the highlands of Isla Santa Cruz alongside ancient giant turtles
• Snorkel and swim with rays, turtles, and even reef sharks at Kicker Rock
• Meet colonies of sea lions on the beach at Gardner Bay
• Go in search of Galápagos penguins on Isla Floreana

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive on Isla Santa Cruz, Board Cruise, Highlands Tour

Welcome to the Galápagos! This large archipelago in Ecuador comprises 13 main islands, and you've only got a few days to see the highlights. Not to worry because the adventures start right away. Your connecting flight arrives on Baltra, an islet north of Santa Cruz, one of the Galápagos' main islands. A driver will pick you up for the ride to the south side and Puerto Ayora, the main town. There, you'll board a luxury cruise ship, which will be your accommodation for the duration of the adventure.

After dropping off your bags, you'll transfer to the interior highlands for your first naturalist excursion in the Galápagos. On an easy one-hour nature hike, you'll spot exotic birds like finches, vermilion flycatchers, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets. That last bird you'll usually see perched on the back of another famous Galápagos resident: the giant tortoise. In fact, while here, you'll visit a tortoise reserve, where you'll see these incredible animals (which can live well over 100 years) roaming free. At the end of the day, you'll return to the ship.

Day 2: Cruise to Isla Floreana: Post Office Bay, Cormorant Point & Snorkeling

Rise and shine for a packed day of Galápagos adventures! This morning, the ship will cruise south of Santa Cruz to Isla Floreana and Post Office Bay. A short walk from the beach here leads to the famous Post Office Barrel. Claimed to have been set up in 1793 by Captain James Colnett, it remains the oldest functioning "post office" in the Pacific. The system was that whalers and fur sealers would leave addressed letters in the barrel to be picked up by homeward-bound colleagues. In the spirit of tradition, visitors today often take letters and hand-deliver them to their home countries.

You can also swim and relax on the beach here, where, in addition to sea lions, you may spot Pacific green turtles, golden rays, and Galápagos penguins. This is the only place in the southeastern archipelago where penguins reside. Another option is to climb the small basaltic cone of the Baroness Lookout for fine coastal views.

After lunch on the ship, you'll visit nearby Cormorant Point, which forms the extreme north cape of Isla Floreana. At the landing beach, you'll be welcomed by a small Galápagos sea lion colony. (Note the beach's greenish sand due to the high percentage of glassy olivine crystals.) Before the day ends, you'll snorkel at Devil's Crown, which is comprised of the remnants of an offshore volcano. It's a great site to spot a wide range of marine creatures, including rays and turtles. 

Day 3: Cruise to Isla Española: Punta Suarez & Gardner Bay

Another full day of wildlife spotting in the Galápagos is in store as you cruise to Isla Española this morning. You'll disembark at Punta Suarez, where huge ocean waves crash onto the southern basaltic cliffs. This forms a spectacular blowhole, causing water to spray high into the air (depending on the season, the tide, and the strength of the sea breeze). It's also a popular breeding spot for waved albatrosses who use the cliff as a launching pad. Take your time hiking around and see other exotic birds, like Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls.

Later, after lunch on board the yacht, continue to nearby Gardner Bay, which also happens to be an important breeding site for Pacific green turtles. However, its main attraction is its large colony of Galápagos sea lions. Females stay year-round in this natural nursery, suckling their pups up to the age of three years. Take some time to enjoy and photograph the spectacle. Also, the nearby Osborn Islet provides a beautiful setting for observing sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches as you spend time relaxing, swimming, or snorkeling. 

Day 4: Cruise to Isla San Cristóbal, Snorkeling at Kicker Rock, Depart

Alas, it's time to leave the Galápagos—but not before one more snorkeling adventure! This morning, the ship will cruise to Isla San Cristóbal. You'll stop along the coast at Kicker Rock, also known as León Dormido (Sleeping Lion). This is one of the most spectacular snorkeling sites in the archipelago. While swimming around this massive rock formation, which rises 500 feet (152 m) from the water, you'll encounter sea lions, rays, turtles, and an array of fish. Get lucky, and you might even spot hammerhead sharks. Afterward, you'll transfer to the airport in San Cristóbal for your flight home. Safe travels!

More Great Galápagos Itineraries