Galapagos 8-Day Ultimate Island Cruise: Western & Central Route - 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 frigatebirds, 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, frigatebirds, 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

At 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), onto 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: Fur seals, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos hawks, oystercatchers, marine iguanas, finches, reef sharks, sea turtles, rays, and fish

Rabida Island

After a wet landing onto 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 mockingbirds, pelicans, and yellow warblers

Charles Darwin Station

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.

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

Highlands

In the afternoon, we will visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. In contrast to the coastal region, the area has lush vegetation and occasionally a cloud forest-like climate due to the humidity. We will visit El Chato Ranch where it is possible to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. As these animals migrate from the coastal area to the highlands and back throughout the year. This is also a good place to observe the ground finch and vermilion flycatcher.

• Possible Activities: Hiking
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: N/A
• Wildlife: Galapagos hawks, yellow warblers and giant tortoises

We will spend the day on Floreana, legendary homestead of infamous Baroness Eloise Von Wagner de Bousquet.

Champion Islet & Cormorant Point

After snorkeling near Champion Islet, we will disembark onto the olivine beach of Punta Cormorant where we hope to observe the greater flamingos in the brackish lagoon on our way to another special beach with the finest sand in the islands - a sea turtle nesting ground where sharks and rays also visit regularly.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride
• Difficulty: Easy
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Flamingos, white-tipped sharks, Galapagos sharks,rays and tropical fish

Baroness Lookout & Post Office Bay

After lunch, we will hike up to Baroness Lookout for an incredible panoramic view. This is a great place to see Palo Santo trees, mangroves, and the coastline from the Enderby Island to Post Office Bay, Cerro Straw, and Punta Cormorant.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – kayaking ‐ snorkeling
• Difficulty: Easy
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: N/A

Gardner Bay

We will spend the morning in beautiful Gardner Bay (wet landing) on Española Island, a white sand beach populated by sea lions, marine iguanas, and the intrepid Española mockingbird. Close to Española, there is a popular spot for snorkeling called Gardner Islet. While snorkeling, there is a good chance playful sea lions will join you. Get ready for more snorkeling at Osborn Islet, a great place to observe marine life.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Española mockingbirds, three species of Darwin’sfinches, a large colony of sea lions, occasional green sea turtles, coral fish and other marine life

Suarez Point

In the afternoon we will head to Suarez Point, one of the most popular landing sites in Galapagos. The highlights include sea lions near the landing site, sometimes seen body‐surfing in the large breakers, large marine iguanas including red‐colored males during the breeding season, oystercatchers, blue-footed and Nazca boobies, Galapagos hawks, Galapagos doves, swallow‐tailed gulls, red-billed tropicbirds, and three species endemic to Española: the waved albatross (present only from April to December), the Española mockingbird, and the Española lava lizard. The trail ends in El Soplador, a blowhole that sprays water some 25 m (75 feet) into the air.

• Possible Activities: Hiking
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Dry
• Wildlife: Waved albatross (breeding site), Nazca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, blue-footed boobies, finches, Galapagos doves and marine iguanas

Pitt Point

Pitt Point is located on the northeastern tip of San Cristóbal Island and is the only place in the archipelago where is possible to see the three different species of boobies (blue-footed, red-footed and masked) as well as the two species of frigatebirds all in the same area. The site has a trail that leads up a cliff and through a ravine, to an area abundant with bird life. This site is also known for being one of the best snorkeling spots of San Cristóbal Island.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – kayaking – panga ride - snorkeling
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Sea lions, 3 species of footed-boobies

Witch Hill

In the afternoon, we will visit Witch Hill. This place is an eroded tuff cone surrounded by a beautiful white powdery sand beach with an abundance of wildlife including sea turtles, rays, pelicans, sea lions and various types of boobies. The clear water provides an excellent opportunity for swimming and snorkeling. This was also one of the first places visited by Charles Darwin during his trip on the M/S Beagle.

Kicker Rock 

Afterwards, we will head to Kicker Rock, also known as León Dormido (‘sleeping lion’ in Spanish). This natural monument has become a favorite site for cruises due to the many tropicbirds, frigates, and boobies that perch on the rocks. Within the nearly crystal-clear waters enjoy the impressive variety of colorful tropical fish and invertebrates. Due to the sheer vertical pitch of the rock face, landings here are not possible.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – kayaking – panga ride
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Dry
• Wildlife: Galapagos sharks, tropical fish, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies.

The interpretation center, located in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, capital of the Galapagos province, was opened in 1998 with the purpose of informing visitors about the origins and geography of the islands. The center has different areas offer the opportunity to appreciate the natural and human history of the Galapagos Islands as well as the current conservation efforts to preserve them.
After this visit, we will transfer to the San Cristóbal airport for the flight back to the mainland.

• Possible Activities: Hiking
• Difficulty: Easy
• Landing Type: Dry
• Wildlife: N/A