Galapagos: Seaman Journey | 4 days

From Baltra to San Cristobal Island
  • Ecuador
  • Galapagos Islands
  • Small Ship Cruising
  • Wildlife and Nature
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Tour Description

Discover the Galapagos highlights on this perfect itinerary on the M/C Seaman, encompassing Genovesa, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe and San Cristobal Islands. You can hike, swim, paddle, snorkel and cruise among the incredible and abundant natural life of the Galapagos Islands. Known as a birder's paradise - your Galapagos Islands vacation will be dotted with bird watching opportunities. Frigate birds display proudly on North Seymour, Galapagos Hawks circle above Santa Fe and the most populated island of all, Genovesa, teems with thousands of birds. Joining them on lava outcrops, in azure blue waters and among secluded mangroves live sea lions, crabs, marine iguanas, sea turtles, giant tortoises and so much more.

Your Galapagos cruise takes you to Santa Fe where you may snorkel with playful sea lions and to Plazas where you might spot the curious cross between land and marine iguanas. Visit Galapagos on board the well-appointed M/C Galapagos Seaman and all your creature comforts will be cared for and our experienced crew will impress with their vast knowledge of the Galapagos National Park.

Viva's Best Bits...

Great itinerary for birdwatchers! Look out for the three different species of Bobbies; the Blue footed, Red footed and Nazca booby on Genovesa!

Walk along the volcanic rock trail where due to natural erosion two species of petrels have built their nesting sites.

"Snorkel with playful sea lions and tropical fish on Santa Fe. The sea lions are so curious and fun, it will alwaus be one of my favourite memories!" Tara, Team Viva

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Baltra Airport North Seymour Island

Itinerary A - please ask us about other itineraries on the Seaman Journey.

Arrive at Baltra Airport to meet your guide and embark upon the M/C Seaman Journey.

North Seymour
The first excursion will be in the afternoon as you land at North Seymour, a flat island compared to the archipelago’s mainly volcanic lands. Witness the large populations of frigate birds, blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls, while sea lions line the shore.

Day 2
Genovesa Island

AM: El Barranco
Genovesa Island is a horse-shoe shaped island formed from the eruption of a shield volcano. Also known as Prince Philip’s Steps, El Barranco has a steep rocky path leading up to a high cliff face. The cliffs are composed of very fragile lava and the natural erosion that has occurred in these lava flows has created the ideal nesting site for storm petrels. Red-footed, Nazca and masked boobies are all found here as are red-billed tropicbirds, short-eared owls and wedge-rumped storm petrels that are active during the daytime. During the panga rides along the cliffs, fur seals may be seen as well as several species of seabirds.

PM: Darwin Bay
The eventual collapse of one side of the caldera resulted in a submerged crater that formed Darwin Bay. The wet landing is on a beautiful white coral sandy beach. This is a favourite site for birdwatchers as red-footed boobies, masked boobies, wandering tattlers, lava gulls, whimbrels, yellow-crowned and black-crowned lava herons, swallow-tailed gulls and yellow warblers can be seen in the area.

The trail climbs gradually to the edge of the cliff where you may see red-footed boobies nesting in the mangrove trees below. Other birds to have been sighted here include sharp-beaked finches, large cactus finches, ground finches, Galapagos doves and Galapagos swallows. Reaching the end the trail at the cliff's edge offers an incredible view of the island and the many birds living there.

Day 3
Santa Cruz Island Santa Fe Island

AM: Plazas
Plazas 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 South Plaza land iguanas are the smallest in the archipelago. Marine iguanas are also abundant, as well as an occasional hybrid, a cross between a marine iguana and a land iguana. They are unique, recognizable at first glance by their black/grey colour, 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 sea birds such as Audubon’s shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and brown pelicans.

PM: Santa Fe
Santa Fe or Barrington Island is a small, relatively flat island in the centre of the Galapagos archipelago. It is one of the oldest volcanoes. Santa Fe is home to two species endemic to the island - the Santa Fe land iguana and the Santa Fe rice rat. The Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake and Galapagos mockingbird are also found here.

The visit begins with a wet landing at Barrington Bay. Sea lions are found on the beach here in large numbers. Along the trail many salt bushes can be seen as well as the giant Santa Fe Opuntia (prickly pear) cactus. Snorkelling is an option here, with great possibilities of snorkelling with playful sea lions and tropical fish.

Day 4
San Cristobal Island Depart

AM: Jacinto Gordillo Breeding Centre
In 2004 the Jacinto Gordillo Breeding Centre (named after the famous colonist) was inaugurated, located in the north east of San Cristobal Island, to care for the smallest tortoises on the island. The breeding program on the island began in 2008 with the hatching of the first tortoise in captivity.

After the morning excursion you will be taken to Baltra Airport for your flight to Quito or Guayaquil.

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 On board Galapagos Seaman in a standard twin cabin
  • Included Copy 31 Cabin upgrades available
Food
  • Included Copy 20 All meals, water, tea and coffee
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 Daily excursions
  • 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 to Galapagos Islands
  • Included Copy 20 Return transfers from Galapagos Airport to port (applies to selected flights only)
  • Included Copy 20 Professional English speaking guides
  • Included Copy 31 Wetsuit rental available
  • Included Copy 20 Snorkelling and kayak equipment
Transportation

Galapagos Seaman Journey

16 Passengers

Activities

  • Included Snorkelling and swimming
  • Included Excursions by dinghy
  • Included Kayaking
  • Included Bird watching - Red footed booby, Nazca booby and Blue footed booby and many more
  • Included Photography opportunities – photogenic large cactus, the Optunia Echios on Santa Fe
  • Included Visit the Giant Tortoise Breading center on San Cristobal
  • Included Walks in the Galapagos
Click here for dates & prices
Duration

4 days

Price from

$2,512 USD

Per person, twin share

Based on a twin ocean view

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