Galapagos: Endemic | 8 days luxury

Endemic 7 night Southern Galapagos Cruise
Itinerary B

*Galapagos excursions are subject to change without prior notice. Changes in plans may arise due to weather conditions, National Park regulations, or other unforeseen circumstances


AM: Baltra Airport to the M/C Endemic. 

Upon arrival, reception and assistance at the airport, transfer from Baltra Airport to the M/C Endemic. 

PM Visit: Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz Island.

In the afternoon, visit to Dragon Hill will take place, which is located in the north-western part of Santa Cruz Island. Here you will have the opportunity to walk into the island and view the land iguana. Be among these magnificent reptiles, that just a few decades ago were on the brink of extinction.  

Moreover, at Dragon Hill you will see a flamingos’ lagoon, pintail ducks and other endemic birds including flycatchers and warblers. After a short trek, amazing view awaits us up the hill. Offshore snorkeling before returning to the yacht.  

AM Visit: Kicker Rock, off San Cristobal Island.

In the morning, the first spot to be visited is Kicker Rock, an impressive geological formation due to erosion. This is a nesting place of sea birds and a nice spot to take pictures while the vessels circumnavigate around the rock. 

The next attraction to see is Witch Hill, a tuff cone hill located south west from San Cristobal. This name comes from the Spanish name of the bird known in English as Vermilion Flycatcher. 

A dinghy ride will take passengers into amazing rock formations along the island shore. A white sand beach and crystal-clear waters are part of this enchanted location. Fantastic opportunity for snorkeling.  

Visit: Lobos Island, San Cristobal Island.

In the afternoon, you will be taken to Lobos Island, where a small population of blue-footed boobies, frigates, marine iguanas, and great frigate birds nesting can be observed. Snorkeling with sea lions in this calm bay is also part of the excursion.  

AM Visit: Gardner Bay, Española Island | Osborn Islets

Española Island will be explored today. You will have the chance to observe endemic wildlife such as the Hood-Mockingbird. This is the southernmost island in the Galapagos archipelago, and home to several wildlife species, including masked and blue-footed boobies. Spectacular views from the top of a cliff. 

In the morning, after breakfast, the first attraction to be seen is Gardner Bay that provides an excellent beach for swimming. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. The bay is also frequented by colonies of sea lions which like to swim with you.  

Or visit the Osborn and Gardner islets that are amazing for underwater discovery. Snorkeling is a highlight on this visitor point.  

Visit: Suarez Point, Española Island

After lunch, Point Suarez will be visited, which represents one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and sand or pebble beach.  

AM Visit: Santa Fe Island.

In the morning, after breakfast, Santa Fe Island will be visited, which is one of the most entertaining destinations for shore excursions in the Galapagos Islands. It has two trail choices for visitors, one of which takes you to the tallest Opuntia cactus in the Galapagos. While the other trail takes you into the highlands where land iguanas can be seen. After a long walk, the opportunity to swim in calm waters or snorkel with playful sea lions will be pretty tempting.  

PM Visit: Fausto LLerna Breeding Center | Highland Santa Cruz Island

Visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, which is also known as Charles Darwin Research Station. This place has an information center, a museum, a library and a tortoise breeding station. In the tortoise breeding station, you can encounter tortoises of different subspecies, which are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most popular inhabitant of this Station is probably the Lonesome George turtle, that already died in 2012.

As part of your day, we will head towards the Highlands of Santa Cruz to admire the famous giant tortoises in the wild. It is impressive to see these endemic animals that give the name to the archipelago, Galapagos. Birdwatching is also one of the activities in the highlands, since this area is home of finches and other Galapagos birds. Finally we walk into lava caves to see the enormous lava flows that formed the islands before continuing back to the M/C Endemic.

AM Visit: South Plaza Island.

It has unique Sesuvium plants and Opuntia cactuses scattered across the landscape which provide some of the most interesting wildlife observations available in Galapagos. Land iguanas are easily seen from the trail, frequently under the shade of cactuses, waiting for a prickly pear to fall.

PM Visit: Bartholomew Island.

At this site you will be able to savor the best view of Pinnacle Rock, a jagged spear like formation that has become an iconic feature of the Galapagos. A series of steps leads you past a variety of coloured lava rocks to the summit of the now extinct volcano, where you will be rewarded with a picture perfect panorama. The island’s sandy cove is also a good area for snorkeling, with possible sightings of penguins, reef sharks and rays.

AM Visit: Devil’s Crown, Floreana Island.

Cormorant Point features two distinctly beautiful beaches, one tinted a glistening green by a high content of olivine crystals; the other pure white and aptly referred to as ‘flour beach’. The saltwater lagoon here is frequented by one of the largest populations of flamingos in the Galapagos as well as common stilts and white-cheeked pintails. Devil’s Crown is a stunning jagged volcanic crater, which has become mostly submerged beneath the water. It boasts a plethora of marine life making it an enthralling site for diving and snorkeling.

Visit: The Baronnes' Viewpoint, Floreana Island.

Post Office Bay provides a fascinating insight into the human history of the island as you will discover the postal system developed by British whalers in the 18th century and can take part in the tradition that has continued to this day. The Baroness’ Viewpoint is named after an Australian baroness, who visited the island in the 1930’s and sparked a number of speculations about her mysterious disappearance. This vantage point is ideal for surveying the surrounding mangroves and other points of interest from above.

AM Visit: Chinese Hat, Santiago Island.

This small island off the coast of Santiago Island is a result of erupted lava, and the remaining cone curiously resembles the shape of a Chinese hat. The short trail around the cove will guide you through a sea lion colony and provide opportunities to see eagles, oystercatchers and lava lizards. Furthermore, the channel of aquamarine water that runs between Santiago Island is very appealing to those who wish to enjoy some snorkeling, where you may be joined by sharks, rays and even a rare Galapagos penguin.

PM Visit: North Seymour Island.

This island was formed by the uplifting of lava from underneath the ocean resulting in a relatively flat landscape. As well as land iguanas, sea lions and turtles along the coast, inland you will see colonies of blue-footed boobies who you may be lucky enough to catch performing their delightful courtship dance. Most notably though, the island is the largest nesting site for magnificent frigate birds, the male variety of which possess distinctive red gular pouches that they inflate during the mating season.

AM visit: Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz Island.

After breakfast, enjoy the visit to Black Turtle Cove, which is located on the north shore of SantaCruz. It is a living illustration of how mangroves alter the marine environment to create a rich and unique habitat. Three mangrove species crowd the area from the shore out into the lagoon, which reaches almost a mile inland.

As you drift through quiet waters in the dinghy, you are likely to see spotted eagle rays and diamond shaped mustard rays, which swim in a diamond formation. White-tipped reef sharks slip beneath the boat and Pacific green sea turtles come to the surface for air and to mate. Waterfowl, including pelicans, herons and egret, all feed in the cove. This is a peaceful place that will make you feel calm.

PM: Departure from Baltra Island Airport


This is itinerary B. More itineraries are available on this vessel, please contact us for more information.