Galapagos: Seaman Journey | 8 days

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

Sail across the clear waters of this stunning and unique ecosystem on this 8-day Galapagos cruise aboard M/C Seaman Journey.

This Galapagos small ship cruise takes you to some of our favourite visitor sites, from white sand beaches and secluded coves, to mist-covered forests, to volcanic outcrops. During this journey you will see all the curious and unique animals such as, large colonies of marine iguanas at Espinoza Point, snorkel among beautiful fish, perhaps the immense sunfish, and discover nesting turtles at Playa Espumilla and of course, get up close to the famous giant tortoises in the Santa Cruz Highlands. 

Throughout your Galapagos journey, you will be surrounded by unforgettable landscapes like the uplifted coastline and  “lapilli” or petrified rain formations on Isabela Island, incredible lava formations of Fernandina Island and the otherworldly red landscape of Rabida Island.

Enjoy all the sites by dinghy excursion, on hikes, kayaking or swimming and snorkelling. Relax in comfort onboard the Seaman Journey as we navigate between islands and learn more about the fascinating natural world of the Galapagos National Park from our expert guide. 

Viva's Best Bits...

"A great itinerary to spot whales, manta rays and dolphins. Keep your eyes open when you sail the chancel between Isabela and Fernandina. Best time Jun - Nov." Pia, Team Viva

Walk on the ropy texture of the thousand year old pahoehoe lava flow, watch out for lava lizards, birds and lava cactus.

Vicente Roca Point is one of the best places to snorkel and well know for its spectacular marine life.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Baltra Island Santa Cruz Island

YACHT SEAMAN JOURNEY 8 day itinerary

*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.

Arrival on Baltra Island.
Our guide will pick you up and carry your luggage to the bus that transports the tourists to the ferries to cross the Itabaca Channel. After this, you will be taken by another bus to the first visit to Ranch Manzanillo where visitors must wear comfortable walking shoes, light clothing and a waterproof jacket, sun-block lotion, a camera and repellent for the first activity. The visit to Ranch Manzanillo includes a picnic lunch and a short walk before boarding the Motor
Catamaran. It is important to follow these instructions in order to accomplish this itinerary properly. Please be aware that passenger ́s luggage will be sent directly to the Seaman Journey yacht. Santa Cruz offers excellent opportunities to observe the wild Galapagos Tortoises. Tracking tortoises is not the only exciting activity to be found in the highlands. There are also plenty of lava tubes, sinkholes and craters ready to be explored. After this visit they moved to the M / C Seaman Journey.

Day 2
Fernandina Island Isabela Island

Mangle Point
Off the eastern coast of Fernandina, Mangle Point can be found, a superior snorkeling site and a beautiful location for riding in a panga or zodiac through a grove of mangrove trees. A hike of about 1/2 miles is possible. While you are on your ride, you are likely to see sea lions, tortoises, pelicans, rays and birds too numerous to name them all.

Punta Moreno
Punta Moreno is located on the north coast of Isabela Island between the volcano Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcano. The trail runs along a lava flow Pahoehoe (solidified
lava in the form of corrugated or an accordion) into a complex of coastal lagoons, where several species of birds which can be found around this lakes and mangroves.

Day 3
Isabela Island

Urbina Bay
Urbina Bay is located at the base of Alcedo Volcano on the west coast, between Tagus Cove and Elizabeth Bay. This area experienced a major uplift in 1954, which caused the land to rise over 16 feet. The coast expanded half a mile out, leaving marine life stranded on the new shore. This area is also a great place to snorkel. Urbina Bay is a path that starts off with a wet landing. The course is approximately 3200m, and made up of sand, pumice, lava, coral and vegetation where one can observe iguana burrows. It is an ideal place to see red and blue lobster! In Bahia Urbina you can see Darwin's finches. Its main attraction is the land iguanas, which are larger than in places like South Plaza Island and Galapagos tortoises also in the
wild, sometimes even out of season they are on the bottom of the islands. A large amount of vegetation can be observed such as chamomile and Rosewood, but among all these plants, the beautiful flowers of cotton Darwin, endemic to the Galapagos Islands stand out.

Tagus Cove
Tagus Cove is located west of Darwin Volcano on Isabela Island. This was a favorite spot for pirates and whalers, and it was them who started the following tradition: the inscription of the names of boats. At the beginning of the trail, you will see a small cave where you will find inscriptions dating to the 1800s. Its name originated from a British warship that went across
the islands in 1814 looking for Galapagos Tortoise for food. Due to former eruptions, the substrate has a large amount of volcanic rocks of different sizes, among the most common
are little balls of nearly spherical shape known as the "lapilli" or petrified rain.

Day 4
Fernandina Island Isabela Island

Espinoza Point
Espinoza Point is a famous place known for its large colonies of marine iguanas and as the habitat of unique species like the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, Galapagos hawk, and Galapagos snake.

Vicente Roca Point
One of the most impressive and spectacular places of the enchanted Galapagos Islands; with high cliffs and tuffstone, ash and lava formations give this area a majestic touch, is Punta Vicente Roca. It is located in the north-western coast of the island; it comprises two distinct islets. This large bay has a spectacular marine life. Here, you can see seahorses, sea turtles and the strange yet fascinating Mola-mola or sunfish. This bay is a great place to practice Panga Ride and Snorkeling.

Day 5
Santiago Island

Playa Espumilla
Espumilla beach is located on the northern coast of Santiago Island in James Bay. During the last presence of the El Niño phenomenon, one of the two lagoons in this site underwent a process of sedimentation, thus causing the disappearance of a representative colony of flamingos. The main attractions are the palosanto forest and the nesting of baby turtles.

Puerto Egas
It's black beach is located on the west side of the island and is the main attraction of the island. Their volcanic tuff deposits have favored the formation of this special black sand beach. This site is called Puerto Egas, because there was an attempt to start the exploitation of salt, which failed because the price of salt in the continent was very cheap, and did not justify its exploitation in Galapagos. The project and the infrastructure was left abandoned.

Day 6
Rabida Island Chinese Hat

Rabida Island
Rábida Island is unique due to the red color that colours all rocks and sand. The volcanic material in this island is very porous and external factors as rain, salty water, and sea breeze have acted as an oxidizing agent. A short walk along a trail leads you to a coastal lagoon behind the beach which permits you to observe the land birds such as finches, doves, yellow
warblers, and mockingbirds. At the lagoon there is a colony of flamingos.

Chinese Hat
This is a small islet (1 sq km) located just off the southeastern tip of Santiago Island. It is a recent volcanic cone, shaped like a Chinese hat when seen from the north. On the west you can see lava formations, formed under the sea and raised upwards, this is why coral heads are found on the lava. This is an excellent visit for interpretation of geological features such as lava tubes and lava flows. The landscape is covered by sea lions colonies, marine iguanas, and Galapagos penguins.



Day 7
Santiago Island Bartolome Island

Sullivan Bay
Santiago, also called James, or San Salvador Island, is located in the west central part of the Galapagos archipelago. It is the fourth largest island in the archipelago (following Isabela, Fernandina and Santa Cruz). Along with some of the large western volcanoes of Isabela and Fernandina, Santiago is also volcanically active, with many young flows and cones to be seen, particularly along the south, west, and east coasts. These may even be seen from the summit of Darwin Volcano and from space. A number of historic eruptions have been reported over the last 2 centuries. Santiago actually consists of two coalesced volcanoes: a typical shield volcano on the northwest end and a low, linear fissure volcano on the southeast end.

Bartolome Island
Bartolome Island is situated across Sullivan Bay. It has an altitude of 114 meters , from where we can observe one of the most beautiful sceneries of the Galapagos Islands such as: Volcanic cones, lunar - like craters, lava fields, and the famous Toba formed pinnacle eroded by the sea. There is very little vegetation on this island. It has two breathtaking beaches where marine turtles exist and at the base of the pinnacle, as well as a very small colony
of Galapagos penguins.

Day 8
Santa Cruz Island Baltra Island Departure

Bachas Beach
These two small beaches are found to the West of Turtle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where it is occasionally possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black- necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategically
point to protect the Panama Channel.
After the morning excursion you will be taken to the airport for your flight to the mainland.

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 Cabin on board with ensuite
  • Included Copy 31 Cabin upgrades available
Food
  • Included Copy 20 All meals onboard
  • Included Copy 20 Unlimited purified water, coffee and tea
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 Island sightseeing
  • Included Copy 20 Bilingual National Park Guide
  • Included Copy 20 Snorkeling gear
  • Included Copy 20 Use of kayaks and dinghy rides
  • Included Copy 20 Transfers airport/yacht/airport in Galapagos
  • Included Copy 31 Optional wetsuit rental
  • Included Copy 7 Galapagos Islands National Park Entrance Fee & TCT USD$220 (Subject to change)
  • Included Copy 7 Return flights to Galapagos Islands
Transportation

Galapagos Seaman Journey

16 Passengers

Activities

  • Included Snorkelling and swimming at Punta Vicente Roca, Puerto Egas or many more amazing spots
  • Included Explore the unique landscapes, observe flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, and other wildlife
  • Included Walk along lava fields and hike to the top of Bartolome Island
  • Included Chances to see and snorkel with Galapagos penguins
  • Included Photography opportunities - Take shots of marine iguanas up close and personal at Espinoza Point
  • Included Enjoy dinghy rides through mangrove groves at Mangle Point
Click here for dates & prices
Duration

8 days

Price from

$5,863 USD

Per person, twin share

Based on a twin ocean view

Departs Select Fridays