Like many visitors you will most likely start your journey in the Galapagos Islands at Santa Cruz Island. After landing at Baltra airport, you will pass the Itabaca Channel by ferry and reach, through the highlands, Puerto Ayora. Santa Cruz is the second largest island of the archipelago, but is the real economical heart of the tourism industry. You will find many restaurants, hotels and souvenir shops. Santa Cruz has been inhabited for centuries, but real human development started at the beginning of the 20th century when settlers from the United States and Europe moved to the island. Wildlife can be spotted everywhere on Santa Cruz: from the sea lions napping on the benches in Puerto Ayora to the giant tortoises in the highlands and at the Charles Darwin Research Station; you can also see marine turtles and tropical fishes in the water or marine iguanas and different types of birds on the shore and beaches.
ITINERARIES
Day Tour Bartolomé
The day tour to Bartolomé departs from the Itabaca Canal, the sailing is about 2 hours and Bartolome is located north west of Santa Cruz. The best known feature of Bartolomé is the tuff cone known as Pinnacle Rock. This large eroded lava formation was created when magma expelled from the volcano reached the sea. In Bartolomé we find the Galapagos penguins, the only penguin found north of the Equator. The dry landing is the entrance to a 600 meter trail with 300 stairs up to the summit of Bartolomé, from where visitors can observe a variety of volcanic formations, spatter and tuff cones, lava flows and lava tubes. The moon like landscape provides the most scenic panorama in the archipelago. During the hike you won´t see any animals, the real focus is the geology of the island. During the snorkeling activity you will be able to see marine life. The snorkel will take place at the beach of Bartolome or at Sullivan Bay which is a bay located in Santiago Island just five minutes away from Bartolomé. Here you may expect to spot the Galapagos penguins, sea turtles, white tip sharks, rays and more marine wildlife swimming in shallow waters.
• From USD 290 - USD 425 p.p. (price may vary depending on which day tour yacht has availability)
• English speaking naturalist guide
• Lunch
• Snorkel equipment
• Towel
• Wetsuit
• Additional beverages
• Tips
• Personal expenses
• Any mention to specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.
• The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.
Day Tour North Seymour & Bachas
The day tour to North Seymour departs from the Itabaca Canal. The sailing is about 1 hour and North Seymour is located to the north of Santa Cruz. North Seymour was formed by uplift of a submarine lava formation. On this wonderful island you will be welcomed by sea lions in the dock and rocks. A little silver colored forest with Palo Santo trees is located very close to the disembark place. On this island it is possible to see sea lions and marine iguanas. The blue footed boobies’ nests are close to the trail; the males do their ritual dance to impress the females (depends on the season). Further along the trail we will find a rocky beach with white sand, here a big colony of pelicans will be waiting for you and we will see a colony of magnificent frigate birds. Additionally we will go snorkeling at Bachas, where you may spot sharks, variety of fishes and maybe flamingos in the beach lagoon.
• From USD 265 - USD 425 p.p. (price may vary depending on which day tour yacht has availability)
• English speaking naturalist guide
• Lunch
• Snorkel equipment
• Towel
• Wetsuit
• Additional beverages
• Tips
• Personal expenses
• Any mention to specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.
• The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.
Day Tour Santa Fe
The tour starts from the main pier of Puerto Ayora. The sailing to Santa Fe will take approx. 2 hours. Santa Fe is located south east of Santa Cruz Island and was formed from an uplift giving the island a relatively flat surface rather than the typical conical shape of the other islands. This island is considered to be one of the oldest islands. It has volcanic rock formations that are believed to have come into existence about 4 million years ago. Once there we will have a wet landing on a white sand beach, home to a large colony of sea lions. The visit to Santa Fe takes us along a trail with lush vegetation; one of the main attractions is the giant cactus trees named Opuntia. Santa Fe is home to endemic land iguanas. These iguanas are the largest in the islands and resemble small dinosaurs. Santa Fe is also home to the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, a variety of finches and the Galapagos mockingbird. After the walk we return to the yacht to go to the snorkeling place.
• From USD 240 - USD 425 p.p. (price may vary depending on which day tour yacht has availability)
• English speaking naturalist guide
• Lunch
• Snorkel equipment
• Towel
• Wetsuit
• Additional beverages
• Tips
• Personal expenses
• Any mention to specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.
• The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.
Day Tour South Plazas & Punta Carrion
The tour starts from the Itabaca Canal. The sailing to South Plazas will take about 1 hour and 45 minutes and is located on the east of Santa Cruz Island. South Plaza is one of the smallest islands, but it has one of the largest populations of land iguanas. The iguanas seem to be everywhere once you land. South Plaza is also home to a large number of birds such as nesting red-billed tropicbirds and swallow-tailed gulls. Depending on the season, the Sesuvium ground vegetation changes its color. It changes from intense green in the rainy season to orange and purple in the dry season. The trail continues gradually to the highest part of the island where the swallow-tailed gulls have their nests. Red-billed tropicbirds, Nazca boobies and blue footed boobies follow the wind currents. The coast of Plazas is perfect for snorkeling with a colony of sea lions which reach almost thousand sea lions.
• From USD 250 - USD 425 p.p. (price may vary depending on which day tour yacht has availability)
• English speaking naturalist guide
• Lunch
• Snorkel equipment
• Towel
• Wetsuit
• Additional beverages
• Tips
• Personal expenses
• Any mention to specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.
• The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.
Snorkeling Day Tour Pinzon
We travel approx. 1 hour by speedboat departing from Puerto Ayora to Pinzon Island. Pinzon is the first snorkel stop of the tour. Penguin Bay is the name of the snorkel area with clear blue waters and a lot of marine life. This site gives you a great chance to see many sea lions, turtles, reef sharks, rays, fish and sometimes even the penguins the bay is named for. As the tour is run by fishermen there is a short fishing time (depending on weather conditions and national park regulations). Another 30 minute ride will bring you to La Fe o Palmitas, a beautiful white sand beach where you can disembark and swim from the beach or just relax in the sun. Here you can see sea lions, turtles, reef fish, rays and reef sharks.
• USD 180 p.p.
• English speaking guide
• Lunch
• Snorkel equipment
• Wetsuit
• Towels
• Additional beverages
• Tips
• Personal expenses
• Any mention to specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.
• The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.
Snorkeling Day Tour Santa Fe
We travel approx. 45 minutes by speed boat departing from Puerto Ayora to Santa Fe Island, where you will go snorkeling at two different snorkel sites, both giving you a great chance to snorkel with the large colony of sea lions; the babies and females are generally very curious and playful. You can also see many reef fish, some rays and maybe marine turtles and reef sharks. As the tour is run by fishermen there is a short fishing time (depending on weather conditions and national park regulations). Lunch is served on board and then a 30 minute boat ride will bring you back to the south coast of Santa Cruz to visit the beach Playa Escondida or Playa Garrapatero. Here you can disembark and swim and snorkel or just relax on the beach.
• USD 180 p.p.
• English speaking guide
• Lunch
• Snorkel equipment
• Wetsuit
• Towels
• Additional beverages
• Tips
• Personal expenses
• Any mention to specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.
• The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.
Highlands of Santa Cruz
Watch the famous Galapagos land tortoises in their natural environment and learn how the private ranches protect these special animals and their habitat. You can hear their sounds while they are eating the leaves of the trees. Tortoises of all different ages and sizes are gathering here. The well-known lava tunnels are another amazing experience! Formed by the lava floods of the volcanoes they range from the highlands down to the sea level. The track is collapsed on several spots. Nevertheless a part of the tunnel is intact and gives the observer an impression of their formation. Lastly a visit to Los Gemelos, the twin craters that are actually sink holes surrounded by Scalesia forest. Vermillion flycatchers are often seen here and sometimes you can also see the short eared owl.
- 4 persons: USD 140 p.p.
- 3 persons: USD 145 p.p.
- 2 persons: USD 150 p.p.
- 1 person: USD 195 p.p.
• Private transportation
• English speaking guide
• Lunch
• Entrance fee to the ranch
• Additional beverages
• Tips
• Personal expenses
• Any mention to specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.
• The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.
Bay Tour
The Bay Tour includes visiting 5 sites located near Puerto Ayora. La Loberia is a small island about 10 minutes into the bay where there is a large colony of sea lions. Here you have the opportunity to swim with the babies and playful youngsters. Canal del Amor and Canal Tiburones are other snorkeling sites where you sometimes can see sharks. It is also possible to see the blue footed boobies who are regularly seen resting on the cliffs close by. Playa de los Perros gives you the opportunity to get off the boat and walk through a cactus forest to a remote beach where you will encounter marine iguanas, red crabs and marine turtles. The last place to be visited is Las Grietas, a water filled crevice in the rocks. The water is cool and clear and great for snorkeling and swimming.
• USD 70 p.p.
• English speaking guide
• Snorkeling equipment
• Wetsuit
• Meals
• Beverages
• Tips
• Personal expenses
• Any mention to specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.
• The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.
Why book with Enjoying Ecuador Travel?
• 15 years experience in organizing tours in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
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