Galapagos Cruise Bonita | Northern Route 5 days

From South Plazas to Baltra Island
  • Ecuador
  • Galapagos Islands
  • Small Ship Cruising
  • Wildlife and Nature
View Similar Tours

Tour Description

A 5 day Galapagos cruise exploring four islands in the Archipelago. On the first day, in the highlands of Santa Cruz, you will hike and encounter giant tortoises in their natural habitat. A highlight for many travellers. This cruise provides a plethora of exciting wildlife encounters including marine iguanas, swimming turtles, bright blue-footed boobies and huge albatrosses. One of the most special experiences to be had on the Galapagos is snorkelling with curious and playful sea lions at Gardner Bay.

Your cruise ship, the Bonita, was totally renovated in September 2019 and has some beautiful features including broad ocean views from the dining room, huge sun deck with 360 degrees panoramic views and tasteful interior design. The physical capacity of the cruise is 16 passengers with space to accommodate single passengers and tour leaders, creating a very personalized onboard experience. The Bonita provides snorkelling gear for free with access to paddleboards and Kayaks.

 

 

Viva's Best Bits...

Go for a walk on the Barranco path and observe unique tropical birds.

Visit the beautiful beaches of Genovesa Island and go for a swim in Darwins Bay.

Explore the Black Turtle Cove in the northern region of Santa Cruz.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
South Plazas

SOUTH PLAZAS: After your arrival and lunch on board, we will visit Plazas, two small islands, created by an uplifting of the land. The land iguanas are smaller here; they nest during the warm season. The hike goes along an extraordinary cliff where sea birds nest. There are approximately 1000 sea lions (Zalophus Wollebaeki) located on the south side of the Plazas. Dinner.

Day 2
Black Turtle Cove Santa Cruz Highlands

BLACK TURTLE COVE: Our first visit is to Black Turtle Cove which is situated in the northern region of Santa Cruz. This bay is surrounded by mangroves and is accessible only by dinghy only. The shallow cove is a safe refuge for marine life. Black-tip reef sharks, marine turtles, and a variety of rays are often spotted here. Lunch

SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS: Here we have a trekking and we will find the giant tortoises in their natural habitat, this is a natural spectacle. For this visit, we recommend good walking shoes, long pants, a raincoat, a hat, and sunblock. Dinner.

Day 3
Genovesa Island

DARWIN BAY: wet landing, coral beach, activities for this day: short walks, photography, swimming, snorkelling. Genovesa is a small island in the north of the Galapagos. Our unloading in Darwin Bay will be wet. Near the beach is a mangrove swamp where we will find a colony of frigates, marine iguanas, red-footed boobies and mask boobies, the great terrestrial finch, seagulls, herons, and cactus finch. Following the land visit, our passengers can enjoy a swim in the bay. Snacks and refreshments are available. Lunch.

BARRANCO: dry landing, activities: hiking. Also known as Prince Phillip’s stairs. Here, we will go for a walk on the Barranco path. On our journey, we will observe tropical birds, petrels, common frigate, red-foot boobies, mask boobies, doves, and finches. Dinner.

Day 4
Santiago Island Bartolome Island

SANTIAGO ISLAND: SULLIVAN BAY: wet landing and hiking. Description: Virtually uneroded lava flows cover an extensive area of this island. Lava pahoehoe (basaltic lava that has a smooth, billowy, undulating or ropy surface), hornitos, and mollugo (a lava colonizer) can be seen. Snacks and refreshing beverages await you on board the ship. Lunch.

BARTOLOME ISLAND: dry landing, wet landing for the beach. Activities on this island include: walking, swimming, snorkeling, and photography. We will follow a path to the top (114m) where we can see pioneering plants such as tiquilia, chamaesyce, and scalesia. The island has been formed by cones, lava pipes where lava once flowed. Following the wet landing at the beach, we will follow a path through mangrove swamps and sand dune vegetation, to the south beach. At the north beach, guests can enjoy swimming and snorkeling. From the top of Bartolome, we will be able to see the islands of Santiago, Rabida, and Isabela. We will see penguins in the Rock Pinnacle. Dinner.

Day 5
Seymour Baltra Airport

SEYMOUR: dry landing. Seymour was formed by the lifting of volcanic marine lava. Marine fossils dating back to the Pleistocene period were found on this island. In 1932, Captain Alan Hancock and his crew took 72 malnourished land iguanas from Baltra Island to North Seymour Island so that the iguanas could live in better conditions. In 1934, colonists verified that the iguanas were in good condition. The vegetation of North Seymour is bushy and is host to nesting Real Frigates of the Galapagos. Transfer to the airport.

** This itinerary is subject to change without notice; due to seasonal changes, weather conditions or Galapagos National Park regulations. **

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 Cabin on board
Food
  • Included Copy 20 All meals throughout the cruise
  • Included Copy 20 Coffee, tea and water
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 All visits and excursions according to the itinerary
  • Included Copy 20 Airport assistance
  • Included Copy 20 Transfers in Galapagos
  • Included Copy 20 Naturalist Bilingual Guide
  • Included Copy 20 Snorkel Gear (mask, tube and fins)
  • Included Copy 20 Paddle boarding, Kayaking and wetsuit rental
  • Included Copy 7 Galapagos Islands National Park Entrance Fee USD$100 and Transit Control Card ($20)
  • Included Copy 31 Return flights Quito or Guayaquil to / Galapagos Islands
Transportation

Bonita | Galapagos Cruise Ship

16 Passengers

Activities

  • Included Snorkeling
  • Included Hiking
  • Included Wildlife observation
  • Included Swimming
  • Included Kayaking
  • Included Paddle Boarding
Click here for dates & prices
Duration

5 days

Price from

$2,460 USD

Per person, sharing

Departs Wednesdays