ISABELA II NATURAL SELECTION JOURNEY (Fri-Thurs)

Baltra Airport and Santa Cruz Island We land at Baltra Island by plane in the morning and transfer to the nearby dock to board Yacht Isabela II, where we receive a welcome introductory briefing, boat drill, and lunch. Las Bachas (Santa Cruz Island) This beautiful visitor site is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, a glorious white beach with a couple of brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea. These lagoons are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. You may enjoy swimming at this beach, too. Back on the ship, we will settle in with a welcome cocktail, a briefing on the next day’s expedition plan, and a delicious dinner.

Punta Pitt (San Cristobal) We land on the eastern tip of the island. The trail that ascends from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline and is the only site in the Galapagos where the three species of boobies can be found together, as well as the two species of frigatebirds, plus a colony of bachelor sea lions. If conditions are favorable, there is a chance to swim, kayak, or snorkel from the beach, or take an inflatable dinghy (panga) ride. Cerro Colorado (San Cristobal Island) We disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and drive 40 minutes to the island’s southern shore. At Cerro Colorado, we visit the breeding center for highly endangered giant tortoises in the midst of a fantastic deciduous forest, home to dozens of bird species, including the San Cristobal mockingbird. Here, we also find the endemic San Cristobal lava lizard

Gardner Bay (Española Island) In the morning, we’ll set foot on a beautiful, white coral sand beach. We can go on a short walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches, or simply enjoy the beach. There is great snorkeling in this area. Kayaking, panga, or glass-bottom boat rides are also offered. Punta Suarez (Española Island) Following lunch aboard the ship, our afternoon outing at Punta Suarez takes us on an exciting trail across lava/boulder terrain. Along the way, we can observe unique sea bird colonies, including the beautiful waved albatrosses, boobies, swallow-tail gulls, and the famous “blowhole”. This island is also famous for its colorful and sizable marine iguanas. All in all, an exciting visit!

Cormorant Point (Floreana Island) We disembark in the morning at the curiously green-tinged, olivine-crystal beach that makes for an easy walk to a brackish water lagoon where bird species like American flamingos can be observed. Crossing over to the other side of the island, we come to a white sand beach where sea turtles come out at night to nest. At Champion Islet, guests can choose to snorkel or take a panga or glass-bottom boat ride. Post Office Bay & Baroness Cove (Floreana Island) After lunch, we land at Post Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that has served as an informal post office in the archipelago for over two centuries. Snorkeling off the beach will be offered afterward.

Punta Moreno (Isabela Island) In the morning, we meander through the mangroves in search of sea turtles and eventually disembark amid a landscape dominated by the giant volcanoes of southern Isabela Island, some still active. The rugged trail loops inland from the coast, giving us plenty of opportunity to enjoy unique lava formations, pioneer lava cactus, and impressive scalesia trees, as well as plenty of wildlife. The inland lagoons are home to Bahama-pintail ducks, common stilts, Galapagos flamingos, and even Galapagos hawks and mockingbirds. Punta Mangle (Fernandina Island) Venturing across to Fernandina Island, in the afternoon we board our pangas (inflatable dinghies) and explore the coastline of the archipelago’s youngest ecosystem, a virgin, pristine world of tiny bays, tall mangroves (mangle is Spanish for mangrove) and tranquil coves, home to diminutive Galapagos penguins and green-eyed flightless cormorants preening on the shore’s black rocks

Eden Islet A panga ride takes us to Eden Islet, located off the coast of Santa Cruz, where we can observe blue-footed boobies, reef sharks, and frigatebirds. There’s a chance to snorkel and, if weather permits, or we can explore via glass-bottom boat. The volcanic setting of this area is quite stunning. North Seymour Island We have saved one of the best visitor sites in the archipelago for last. In the afternoon, we disembark for a walk along the coast and the interior of this beautiful flat island, ambling between numerous nesting frigatebirds, where many male frigatebirds display their balloon-like red gular sacs. Additionally, we view plenty of land iguanas and sea lions just doing their thing along the coastline. We explore the coast by dinghy, keeping an eye out for fur seals, and enjoy a fun, deep-water snorkel. Later, we attend an evening briefing, farewell cocktail, and dinner.

Baltra Island Our journey ends at Baltra Island where we transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.