Galapagos Western Islands - Horizon Catamaran

After arriving at Baltra Airport, you’ll board the Horizon and begin your adventure with a visit to Sullivan Bay. This site showcases a vast field of fresh lava flows, offering insight into the Galapagos' volcanic origins. Small cones and fascinating rock formations tell a story of geological forces still shaping the islands today. Hiking across the hardened lava gives a surreal experience of walking on another planet.

Begin the day at Vicente Roca Point, a snorkeling hotspot home to sea turtles, rays, and the elusive mola mola. In the afternoon, cross the Bolívar Channel to Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island, where flightless cormorants nest among marine iguanas and lava fields. Keep an eye out for Galapagos hawks and penguins near the base of the active La Cumbre Volcano.

Explore Tagus Cove, once a safe harbor for whalers and pirates. Trails here lead past Darwin Lake to scenic viewpoints overlooking Isabela’s volcanic ridges. Later, visit Urbina Bay, uplifted dramatically by tectonic forces in 1954. The area now hosts giant land iguanas, tortoises, and fossilized coral—a testament to the island’s dynamic nature.

Elizabeth Bay offers a peaceful start to the day with a panga ride among mangroves and islets inhabited by sea lions, penguins, and marine birds. In the afternoon, explore Moreno Point, where lava flows have left natural tide pools that attract flamingos and white-tipped reef sharks. The contrast between solidified lava and aquatic life is a striking feature of this unique site.

Visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora, where you'll see giant tortoises of all ages in a conservation environment. Learn about the efforts to protect these iconic reptiles before transferring to Baltra Airport for your flight back to the mainland.