San Cristobal, Española & Santa Cruz Islands short cruise Horizon - Galapagos

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.

Lobos Island

Lobos Island is aptly named after the many sea lions that reside here resting and playing along the rocky shores. It is also home to many different birds like pelicans, frigate birds and their nests, yellow warblers and more. Within the small channel the waters are very clear, making it easy to find sea turtles, sea lions, stingrays and perhaps even white-tipped sharks.

Kicker Rock

Kicker rock is one of the most extraordinary sites in the Galapagos Islands, made of two eroded volcanic cones that tower over the sea at about 104 meters in the middle of the open water. It is one of the best sites in Galapagos to see incredible underwater life.

• Activities:​ Short hiking, swimming and snorkeling.
• Difficulty:  ​Easy/Moderate
• Landing: ​Dry landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, various shorebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, frigate birds, Galapagos sharks, schools of tropical fish, stingrays.

Pitt Point

When arriving to Pitt Point, it will feel almost like you’ve landed on an extraterrestrial planet. You can see the many different developments over time of how volcanic activity formed this island. A hike up to the top beholds amazing views of the surrounding waters. Watch out for blue-footed boobie nests on the ground and keep an eye out for the red-footed boobies nesting in the trees once you reach the top of the island.

• Activities:​ Hiking and kayaking.
• Difficulty:  ​Moderate to Difficult
• Landing: ​Wet landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, various shorebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, red-footed boobies.
• What to Bring: ​Sturdy hiking shoes and walking sticks to aid on the uneven terrain.

Witch Hill

Passing by on a panga your guide and crew will show you amazing rock formations formed by the passing of time and erosion of the sea. You’ll finally arrive to a beautiful white sandy beach to spend the time swimming or basking in the sun. Frolic with sea lions who may swim by playfully or take a walk down the entire beach and back. 

• Activities:​ Panga ride, swimming and snorkeling.
• Difficulty:  ​Moderate
• Landing: ​Dry landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, various shorebirds, sally lightfoot crabs.
• What to Bring: ​Swimwear and/or sandals or shoes for both land and water.

Suarez Point

This is the only nesting site in Galapagos where the Waved Albatross nests. They come back only once a year to meet the same mate, year after year. They spend the rest of the year at sea. Apart from these amazing birds are the Galapagos Hawks that can be seen and the amazing formations and blow hole on the other side of the island, reached by a hike.

• Activities:​ Hike
• Difficulty:  Easy/​Moderate
• Landing: ​Dry landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, marine iguanas, Galapagos hawk, waved albatross, red-billed tropic birds, various shorebirds, sally lightfoot crabs.
• What to Bring: ​Sturdy hiking shoes and walking sticks to aid on uneven terrain.

Gardner Bay & Osborn Islet

Gardner Bay is an excellent place to see sea lions lounging on the beach while mockingbirds get up close to see if they can steal water or crumbs. Over time, the mockingbird must have been offered water or food from tourists and now they have no fear of walking on your things or landing very close to you. It is so important not to feed or touch the animals.  It can disrupt their normal behaviors and threaten their future.

• Activities:​ Walking on the beach and swimming.
• Difficulty:  ​Easy
• Landing: ​Wet landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, various shorebirds, mockingbirds, stingrays, sea turtles.
• What to Bring: ​Swimwear and footwear for walking in and out of the water.

Bachas beach has beautiful green and blue waters that contrast along the surf of the black lava shores. In the air various shore birds fly searching for food. On the shore you can explore the sand dunes and find a salt water lagoon with greater pink flamingos.

• Activities:​ Walking on the beach and swimming.
• Difficulty:  ​Easy
• Landing: ​Wet landing
• Possible Wildlife: ​Sea lions, various shorebirds, mockingbirds, sea turtles, flamingos.

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.