Galapagos: Natural Paradise | 5 day cruise

4 night itinerary - please ask us about other exciting itineraries on the Natural Paradise

Arrival by plane in San Cristobal airport in the morning and transfer to the boat.

In the afternoon, the yacht will sail to Kicker Rock. The rocks stand vertically at hundreds of feet above the water. You will have the opportunity to encounter the Galapagos wildlife for the first time by doing some dinghy rides. Observe manta rays, turtles and the famous blue-footed boobies.

Highlights: Sharks, tropical fish, turtles, manta rays (occ.), hammerhead sharks, spectacular rock formations; sea birds: blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies & frigate birds.
Possible Activities: Dinghy ride
Type of Landing: No landing
Difficulty: Easy

In the morning, the boat will land on North Seymour Island.
Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds are abundant on North Seymour Island. The island was formed by a series of submarine lava containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone.

Highlights: Land & marine iguanas, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, sea lions; snorkeling: rays, reef shark, fish, garden eels.
Possible Activities: Dinghy ride & hiking (1.5 miles / 2.5 km)
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Moderate / difficult

South Plaza Island
In the afternoon, you will head to South Plaza Island. This small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas. The most characteristic plant is Sesuvium. During the rainy season its color is a greenish to yellowish tone and in the dry season (end of June through January) a bright red.

Highlights: Land iguanas, sea lion colony, Audubon's shearwaters, swallow-tailed gulls, Nazca boobies, amazing landscape with cliffs
Possible Activities: Hike (1.5 miles / 2 ½ km)
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Moderate

You will make a stop on Rabida Island this morning
Rabida Island
Rabida Island (Jervis) is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago and a great snorkeling site. Its famous maroon sandy beach and stunning lookouts provide wonderful landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as nine varieties of finches, large-billed flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans.

Highlights: Snorkeling: white-cheeked pintail ducks, colorful fish, sea lions, brackish water lagoon, penguins, Galapagos hawk
Possible Activities: Snorkeling, dinghy ride & short hike (0.6 miles /1 km)
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy / moderate

Later in the day, discover Bartholomew Island.
Home of the famous Pinnacle Rock, Bartholomew consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. A trail of stairs leads to the summit of the volcano, boasting one of the best views of the islands. The beach is perfect for snorkeling and possible sightings of the Galapagos penguin.

Highlights: Pinnacle rock, panoramic view, moonlike landscape, penguins, pioneer plants, lava cactus; snorkeling: penguins, reef sharks, rays, and great colorful fish.
Possible Activities: Dinghy ride, snorkeling & hiking (1.2 miles/ 2 km)
Type of Landing: Dry and wet landings
Difficulty: Moderate/difficult. Walk up to the top of volcano 114 meters, 375 wooden steps

Visit Sullivan Bay
A coral beach landing leads you towards a lava field as far as the eye can see. Hunt and peck over the two distinguished types of lava, pahoehoe and 'a'a, for signs of plant life that have managed to emerge over the past 100 years since the most recent volcanic explosion. A truly amazing volcanic experience…up close and personal!


Highlights: Variety of lava formations and landscapes, pahoehoe lava which is found primarily in Hawai'i and the Galapagos islands, 'a'a lava, and pristine coral sand beach
Possible Activities: Walk, snorkel, swim
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Be sure to wear good solid walking shoes or boots as the 'a'a lava is very sharp and pointy

In the afternoon, visit Dragon Hill
Situated on Santa Cruz Island, Dragon Hill is one of the newest visitor sites accessible to tourists in the Galapagos Islands. One of the lengthier Galapagos walking trails will lead visitors along a beach and up a trail to the lagoon lookout where bright flamingos, pintail ducks, and land iguanas can be spotted.


Highlights: Land iguana nesting spot, Galapagos flamingos, common stilts, palo santo trees and cacti forest
Possible Activities: Walking and hiking
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Easy to moderate: the trail may get muddy at times, and there is uneven rocky terrain.

On your last day, you will wander in the forest of the Twin Craters.
Los Gemelos (Twin Craters)
Los Gemelos, or the Twin Craters, are located opposite each other on both sides of the road leading from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is only figurative; not real craters, these formations were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. The view is breathtaking.

Highlights: Pit craters, Scalesia forest
Possible Activities: Short hiking
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Moderate

Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the continent.