Galapagos: Aqua I 4 days Eastern

From Baltra Airport to Baltra Airport
  • Ecuador
  • Galapagos Islands
  • Small Ship Cruising
  • Wildlife and Nature
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Tour Description

The Aqua is great and affordable for wildlife enthusiast and adventurers of all ages. Join us in the Galapagos Islands for snorkelling, hiking, guided walks, and swimming from the beach, with 16 like minded travellers and an experienced naturalist guide. 

Get a great taste of Galapagos life on our 4-day itinerary as we visit up close with the  Galapagos Giant Tortoises in Santa Cruz, hand out with Blue-footed Boobies, Frigate birds and other fascinating birds on North Seymour. The fun doesn’t end there, discover all the species of Iguanas in South Plazas, spot the Galapagos Hawk amoung the giant cacti on Santa Fe, swim with turtles and sea lions on Floreana and much more!

This itinerary is for non divers, please ask us for other great itineraries onboard the Aqua, including those for experienced and certified divers. 

 

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Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive Baltra

Fly from Quito or Guayaquil to the Galapagos Islands. A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbour.

PM – NORTH SEYMOUR
This islet is one of most visited sites, and it is teeming with birdlife. An easy circular path takes you through the archipelago’s most extensive colonies of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. At the beginning of the breeding season, adult frigate bird-males blow up their vivid red pouches to impressive football-sized balloons. This is one of the few spots where you can compare the magnificent and the great frigate bird breeding next to each other


Day 2
South Plazas & Santa Fe

AM – SOUTH PLAZAS
South Plaza is located at the east of Santa Cruz Island, and forms part of two islands known as Islas Plazas. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the Galapagos are found here. The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than their relatives found on other islands. There are several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana; they are unique, recognisable at first glance by their black/grey color, with a land iguana's crest, but face and tail of the marine iguana. The large population of iguanas is due to the presence of tuna, their favourite food. Swallow-tailed gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs are seen along with other seabirds such as Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and brown pelicans.

PM – SANTA FE
Located in the south-eastern part of the Galapagos, this island was formed from an uplift rather than being of volcanic origin, which is why it is mostly flat. There are some theories which claim that this could be the oldest island in the Archipelago. Santa Fe is home to a number of endemic species like the Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats and one of the two species of lands iguanas of the islands.
After disembarking into the beautiful and clear waters you will be in contact with one of the many sea lion colonies. Along the trail, many salt bushes can be seen as well as the giant prickly pear cactus - gigantism is a characteristic of oceanic islands. There are many possibilities to snorkel with playful sea lions and tropical fish.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner is included today

Day 3
Santa Cruz Floreana

AM – CC FAUSTO LLERENA
After discovering and learning about the difference of Espanola Island tortoises with those from other islands, you will have the opportunity to take amazing photographs of the tortoises at the breeding center!
The tour starts at the information booth of the GNP. The trail continues to the Van Straelen interpretation Center, the breeding center and from there will be a path- this is where you can see the tortoises of Española Island, ending in the tortoise exhibit corral. Tortoises of this corral are accustomed to humans; it is an excellent spot to be photographed with them!

PM – CORMORANT POINT
The peninsula of Cormorant Point forms the extreme north cape of Floreana, which formed from smaller volcanic cones, covered by tropical dry forest (palo santo). At the landing beach, you will be welcomed by a small Galapagos sea lion colony. The green sand on this beach contains a high percentage of glassy olivine crystals which have been blown out by the surrounding tuff cones. The ‘flour sand’ beach on the southern side of the peninsula is made up of even finer white coral sand which feels very smooth on the feet. Parrotfish have pulverised it, grinding the calcareous skeletons of living coral. You can spot schools of stingrays who love the sandy bottom to hide themselves. During the first months of the year, Pacific green turtles come ashore to bury their eggs.

Day 4
Depart Baltra

AM – DRAGON HILL
Dragon Hill boasts two key-species which are very likely to be seen during every visit to the Galapagos, though not too commonly distributed throughout the islands: Galapagos land iguanas and American flamingos. You will climb a hill with giant opuntia cacti where these ‘dragons’ feed and breed. Although they are quite shy and elusive, you stand a fair chance of seeing the success of this project with your own eyes.
The short walk crosses the coastal vegetation zone, as well as the somewhat higher arid zone with vulnerable tropical dry forest. In the warm and wet season in the first half of the year everything turns green. Evergreen giant prickly pear cacti with internal reservoirs used a different survival tactic in this dry climate to the leaf dropping palo santo trees; in the end both were successful. Moreover, this is a very photogenic spot as well, with breathtaking panoramas over the bay and towards an intriguing steep volcanic spout of red lava that overlooks the area. Dragon Hill has become popular because of its saline lagoons behind the beach; these contain algae and shrimp and attract seasonally foraging American flamingos. Dragon Hill is the best location on Santa Cruz to observe them.

PM: Transfer to Baltra Airport in time for your departing flight


NOTE: Aqua Yacht offers various 4 & 5 days itineraries which can be combined for even longer cruises. In addition there is a 8 day Diving cruise, for experienced divers. Please ask for more details, dates & prices.

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 Accommodation for 3 nights onboard Aqua
  • Included Copy 31 Solo travellers are able to book a twin cabin on a same sex sharing basis - No surcharge
Food
  • Included Copy 20 All meals, water, tea & coffee
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 All guided excursions & activities as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Included Copy 20 Beach towels & snorkelling gear (snorkel, mask, flippers)
  • Included Copy 7 Galapagos Islands National Park Entrance Fee USD$100 (Payable locally)
  • Included Copy 7 Ingala Tourist Card USD$20 (Payable locally)
  • Included Copy 7 Return flights Quito or Guayaquil / Galapagos Islands
  • Included Copy 7 Optional wetsuit hire
  • Included Copy 20 A National Park certified naturalist guide
  • Included Copy 31 Optional 8 Day Dive cruise extension on selected departures. Please enquire
Transportation

Aqua - Galapagos Dive & Naturalist Cruises

16 Passengers

Activities

  • Included Snorkelling and swimming opportunities
  • Included Discover all the different kinds of iguana species in South Plaza
  • Included Guided walks and hikes
  • Included Meet the Giant Tortoises of Galapagos and learn all about them
  • Included Take pictures of the unique and GIANT prickly pear cactus on Santa Fe Island!
  • Included Great bird life- flamingos, Blue footed boobies, penguins, and frigate birds
  • Included Hang out with playful sea lions
Click here for dates & prices
Duration

4 days

Price from

$1,650 USD

Per person, twin share

Departs select Tuesdays