Galapagos Itinerary B: 4-Day Cruise to Genovesa & Santiago - Anali Catamaran

Baltra Island

Upon arrival to the Baltra airport, we will be greeted by our naturalist guide to then board the M/C Analí and have lunch.

North Seymour Island

Afterwards, we will navigate a short distance to North Seymour, a small uplifted island, where we will observe up close colonies of nesting great frigates, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and experience, depending on the season, spectacular displays of mating rituals.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Dry
• Wildlife: Land and marine iguanas, frigates, blue-footed boobies, common noddies, sea lions, rays, reef sharks, and hammerhead sharks

Pinnacle Rock

After a dry landing at Bartolome, we can climb the wooden steps to the summit for a breathtaking panoramic view of the island’s iconic Pinnacle Rock and neighboring Santiago Island along with several other central islands in the distance. Afterwards, we will visit the white sand beach used as a nesting site by sea turtles. Bartolome is also a great place to spot the Galapagos penguin.

• Possible Activities: Hiking - snorkeling - panga ride
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Galapagos penguins, sea lions, rays, sea turtles and white-tipped sharks

Buccaneer Cove

Buccaneer Cove, we will take a panga ride along the beautiful coastline. This place got its name because it used to be a refuge for British pirates who anchored here to collect supplies and clean their ships, among other activities. The cove is very scenic and offers views of the cliffs and dark beach.

Espumilla Beach 

We then head to Santiago Island to disembark at Espumilla (wet landing), on to a golden-colored sand beach, used by green sea turtles as a nesting site. A forest trail will take us through some of the largest specimens of Palo Santo on the islands to observe yellow warblers, the amazing Galapagos flycatcher, and Darwin finches.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride - kayaking
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Yellow warblers, Galapagos flycatchers, Darwin finches

Santiago Island: Port Egas

At Puerto Egas (wet landing), we disembark onto a dark sand volcanic beach with an interesting history of human settlers. Sleepy Galapagos fur seals lounge under arches of lava carved by the ocean and occasionally dip into the crystalline pools, also known as ‘grottos’. A walk along the shore offers the opportunity to observe the abundant marine life.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Furseals, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos hawks, oystercatchers, marine iguanas, finches, reef sharks, sea turtles, rays and fish

Rabida Island

After a wet landing on to Rabida’s deep-red beach, we can explore the red island’s fascinating interior and saltwater lagoon where flamingos are usually present. Darwin’s finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, and yellow warblers feed off the vegetation. Given the right time of the year, we may see brown pelicans nesting on salt bushes near the beach.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride - kayaking
• Difficulty: Easy
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Darwin’s finches, Galapagos mocking birds, pelicans, and yellow warblers

We will spend this morning visiting one of Santa Cruz Island’s most famous attractions. After a dry landing at the Puerto Ayora passenger pier, we head to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here, we will see tortoises from several different islands. The animals are found in large semi-natural pens for their protection, but also to ensure an easy view for the visitors. The pens are divided according to four different stages of development: eggs, neonates, juveniles (held here until they are mature enough to be repatriated) and adults.

After the visit, we will transfer to the Baltra airport for the flight back to the mainland.

• Possible Activities: Hiking
• Difficulty: Easy
• Landing Type: Dry
• Wildlife: Giant tortoises and land iguanas