Itinerary B - Anahi Catamaran - Galapagos Cruise

Your arrival will occur about midday (local time) where our guide will be waiting for you with a signboard with the name of our Yacht Anahi at the lobby. The baggage is taken care by one of our crew members who will transport them directly to the yacht. First we will be transported by public bus to the place known as “El Muelle” (pier) from where our zodiacs will be ready to take you to the Yacht Anahi. Our Captain and crew will welcome you with a drink and then you will be allocated in your cabins.

Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach

Following lunch, our guide will give us a short explanation about the afternoon activities. At about 2 p.m. we will disembark with our zodiacs to be taken to the place known as Playa Bachas. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, making it very white and soft, and a favourite nesting site for sea turtles. To a side of one of the beaches, we find a small lagoon where the occasional flamingo can be observed, as well as many other animal species such as the black-necked stilts and whimbrels.

The other beach is longer, and has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War when the US used Baltra Island as a military base. Here we will also encounter sea lions which rest on the beach, as well as marine iguanas and several marine birds. We will have some time to enjoy the calmness of the beach, as well as some time with playful sea lions that swim with visitors.

Darwin bay

At 6 am. we will be arriving at Genovesa Island. This is the northeastern most Island in the Galapagos Archipelago also known as Tower Island with just 14 sq. km in size and a maximum elevation of 64 m (210 ft). The horse-shoe shaped island has a volcanic caldera whose wall has collapsed, forming the beautiful Great Darwin Bay, surrounded by high cliffs. Although no historical eruptions are known from Genovesa, there are very young lava flows on the flanks of the volcano.

Genovesa is also known as Bird Island, because of the large and varied bird colonies which nest here. There is an abundance of frigate birds and it is among the best place in the archipelago to see Red-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, Swallow-tailed Gulls, storm petrels, tropicbirds, Darwin’s finches, Galápagos Mockingbirds, the endemic Galapagos Dove and the short-eared owls.

Darwin Bay Beach

The first visitor site is the Darwin Bay Beach, a very beautiful site due to the great abundance of sea birds that nest on the salt bush plants that dominate the area, which we will visit in the morning. In the afternoon we head to the second visitor point which known as the Prince Philip ́s Steps. We will accent 25 meters of stairs into one of the best bird nesting sites in the islands.

On Genovesa we will also have opportunity for panga ride, snorkeling, kayaking and walking.

Plazas Island

Our arrival to Plazas Islands will be at around 6 am after nighttime navigation. After breakfast we start our first visit in the morning. Plazas are two small islets that were uplifted a short distance from the East Coast of Santa Cruz. The unusual vegetation and location of the island create an interesting landscape in which the fauna and flora of Galápagos are enhanced. Moreover, despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the archipelago occur here.

It is possible to guarantee the observation of land iguanas that often are in the shade of a cactus. Nesting on the rugged southern cliffs, are usually swallow tailed gulls, along with various other sea birds. The protected rocky seashore is a prime habitat for a large colony of noisy sea lions. The main attractions of Plazas Island include the land iguanas, the sea lions and the swallow tailed gulls as well as yellow tailed mullets, Audubon’s shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds, and brown pelicans gliding past the cliff. We return to the yacht for lunch and a well-deserved rest.

Santa Fe Island 

In the afternoon we start our second visit to Santa Fe (Barrington) Island. The small bay on Barrington’s northeast coast is extremely picturesque, where we can visit the two different trails, one leading to a scenic viewpoint on top of a cliff where it is possible to find land iguanas, endemic to the island. The other trail is near the beach and is a short circular trail where it is possible to find another colony of land iguanas, but early in the morning or in the afternoon when the sun is low. A particular attraction is the unusually tall forest of prickly cactus. Here we will also have the possibilities to do kayaking, snorkeling, panga ride and walks to observe and enjoy nature. We’ll then return to the yacht for dinner and relaxation time.

In the morning we will arrive to San Cristobal (Chatham) Island the easternmost island in the Galápagos archipelago, and one of the geologically oldest. The name “San Cristobal” comes from the patron saint of seafarers, St. Christopher. English speakers increasingly use that name in preference to the traditional English name of Chatham Island, derived from William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham. The Island has an area of 558 km2 (215 miles2) and its highest point rises to 730 m (2400 ft). The capital of the archipelago, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, is a small town lying at the south- western tip of the island. San Cristobal hosts a myriad of animal life including frigate birds, Galapagos sea lions, Galápagos giant tortoises, blue and red footed boobies, tropical birds, marine iguanas, dolphins, swallow-tailed seagulls and many more.

Punta Pitt

In the morning we visit Punta Pitt, considered as one of the most beautiful and impressive sites of Galapagos. The erosion of the high cliffs and the almost constant foggy morning gives to Punta Pitt an eerie atmosphere. Being the northeastern most point in Galapagos, it has become amongst the favorite nesting sites for sea birds. Here we can observe the three different species of boobies and great frigate birds nesting in the same area.

Kicker Rock

We return to the yacht for lunch and in the afternoon we navigate towards the giant and impressive rocky formation locally known as “Leon Dormido” (sleeping sea lion). On the cliffs we can see lots of blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, pelicans and other several marine birds. During our snorkeling activity we can observe sharks, marine turtles, sea rays, and several species of colorful fishes next to the impressive rock formation.

Lobos Island

Later on we go for a walk on Isla Lobos (Lobos Island), a small islet separated from the main Island by a narrow stretch of calm water. Upon its rocky shores blue-footed boobies nest and sea lions rest. The atmosphere is one of tranquility and primitive beauty: an example of the typical Galapagos environment.

Junco Lagoon

In the morning our guide will take you up on the highlands of San Cristobal Island. Our tour starts from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and our first visit point will be to the Laguna El Junco (El Junco Lagoon). Rainwater and condensation have collected for hundreds of years in the caldera of an extinct volcano, creating this haven for frigate birds. The lake in the main water supplier for the island population and thus of vital importance today. Hiking around the lake offers views of practically the entire island including San Joaquin Hill, the island’s highest point.

Cerro Colorado 

Our next stop will be at Cerro Colorado Turtle Breading Center. Here we can learn about the hard work developed by scientists in order to preserve the species of the Giant Galapagos Turtles. There is a nice walk on a trail which permits you to be in close contact with the turtles of the different sizes, from the tiny ones to the giant oldest ones.