Galapagos Central and North Islands cruising vacation - Horizon Catamaran

Welcome to the Galapagos Islands aboard the M/T Horizon. The guide and crew will greet you and 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

Bartolome Island

This island is well known for its incredible remnants of volcano cones and distinct terrain such as Pinnacle Rock. A hike will lead you up to the top of a lookout point to see all of Sullivan Bay. You might be able to see lava lizards and various sea birds flying above.

• Activities:​ Walk on the boardwalk, hike, snorkeling.
• Difficulty:  ​Easy
• Landing: ​Dry and Wet are both possibilities
• Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shorebirds, lava lizards, frigate birds.​

Rabida Island

This visitor site is quite different from others as it has a very distinct and red fine gravel beach due to the iron content. Snorkeling can be done here with spectacular sights of tropical fish. Visitors like to walk along the beach taking in the sights and also visiting the black lagoon with pink flamingos.

• Activities:​ Walking on the beach, swimming and snorkeling.
• Difficulty:  ​Easy
• Landing: ​Wet landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, various shorebirds, pelican, manta rays, sea turtles, pink flamingos, lava lizards, Galapagos doves, blue-footed boobies.  

Santiago Island

This visitor site is also known as James Bay, it is home to Galapagos hawks, lava lizards and the trails lead to a coastline with gorgeous tide pools full of fauna. Fur seals, different from the common sea lions can also be seen here. 

• Activities:​ Walking on the beach, swimming and snorkeling.
• Difficulty:  ​Easy
• Landing: ​Wet landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, various shorebirds, pelican, stingrays, sea turtles, fur seals, marine iguanas, lava lizards, Galapagos doves, blue-footed boobies.  

Darwin Bay

A white sand coral beach leads the way to a hiking trail through mangroves filled with many different species of land birds and other famous species like blue-footed and red-footed boobies and swallow tailed gulls. Towards the end of the hike are tidal pools where you can find sea lions swimming playfully and finally a spectacular view off a cliff.

• Activities:​ Hike and/or snorkeling
• Difficulty:  ​Easy/Moderate
• Landing: ​Wet landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, various shorebirds, red-footed boobies, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, lava lizards.

El Barranco

El Barranco is also known as Prince Philip’s Steps. It is an extraordinary site on the flatter area of the island in Darwin’s Bay. Be prepared to make your way up a rocky crevasse, then enjoy the easy trail to spectacular views. This is one of the few visitor sites where all three boobie species can be seen, as well as the short-eared owl.

• Activities: Hike​  
• Difficulty: ​Moderate/Difficult
• Landing: ​Dry landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, all three boobie species, short-eared owls, marine iguanas, Galapagos doves, storm petrels, finches, frigatebirds.

Mosquera Islet

Located between the islands of Baltra and North Seymour lays a reef made of coral. This was the result of volcanic uprising making the islet only 160 meters across at its narrowest width. It has one of the largest populations of sea lions and is home to many shorebirds.  On occasion, orcas can be seen hunting off the shoreline.

• Activities:​ Panga ride
• Difficulty: ​Easy
• Landing: ​No landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, various shorebirds and seabirds, frigatebirds, orcas.

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

• Activities:​ Hike
• Difficulty:  ​Moderate
• Landing: ​Dry landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Galapagos tortoises, finches, mockingbirds, lava lizards, pintail ducks, other shorebirds.

Explore the rocky coast of North Seymour passing colonies of blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds. The island was formed by a series of submarine lava expelled from the ocean floor, carrying with it layers of sediment uplifted by the tectonic activity. The island is mostly characterized by the arid vegetation.

• Activities:​ Hike, snorkel, panga ride
• Difficulty:  ​Moderate
• Landing: ​Dry landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Marine iguanas, frigatebirds, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, finches, land iguanas.

After this final visit you will be transferred to the airport and your cruise will come to an end and you will be transferred to Baltra Airport.