Galapagos 5 days cruise on board the Ocean Spray North and Central islands

As you exit your plane you will feel the warm air of the archipelago. Your guide and crew will be waiting with a sign that says Ocean Spray. Board the catamaran and enjoy a welcome drink, lunch is served upoon arrival to avoid any downtime as your boat sets sail to Bartolome isle for the first excursion.

Bartolome Island is a one of the smaller islets just off the shores of the larger Santiago Island. The pointy Pinnacle Rock rules the half moon bay, this iconic formation was baptized after James Sullivan one of the members of the HMS Beagle expedition and a friend of Charles Darwin. It is a camera magnet and appears in most Galapagos photos, indeed one of the most picturesque formations in the archiplelago.

To reach the trail that leads to the summit of the island you will be taken on a zodiac ride over an underwater sunken crater. You will then disembark on a rustic dock made of lava stone and concrete. From the begining of the trail the views of surrounding islands, the bay and the blue ocean start to unveil the geological wonders of the archipelago. To reach the hilltop of the island you need to climb the 372 wooden steps, along the way you will be able to view cindeer cones, lava tuffs and remnants of the volcanic activity that formed the island. Your path will be crossed by the ocassional lava lizard as it seems to be scouting out the new visitors. 

The hike to the top is moderate, but the rewards is well worth the effort, the views below are literally out of this world. Two half moon bays lead the eyesight towards the Sullivan Bay lava field on neighboring Santiago island and in the background you can spot the volcanoes on isabela island. After the breathtaking moonlike landscape has drained your camera memory, you will be back on the zodiac for a ride around the cliffs and rocks where you might spot a small colony of Galapagos penguins. Your visit will end with the opportunity to snorkel in the bay. Playful sea lions, manta rays, colorful reef fish, sea turtles and other marine creatures will keep you company as you swim over a coral reef and underwater lava rocks. 

Back on board your guide will offer an evening lecture (daily) and dinner will be served before the nightly sailing. 

(L, D)

Genovesa is one of the northern islands of the archipelago and has the shape of a giant letter C. Also the peak of a marine volcano, formed by constant yet subtle lava flows that emerged from a shield volcano. The first visit on Genovesa is Darwin bay, a white coral beach frequented by warblers, seagulls and night herons. The mangrove forest is a nesting site for red footed boobies. You will have the opportunity to snorkel in the calm waters of the bay and if you are a good swimmer you can venture out along the rocky shore to spot white tipped reef sharks, moray eels and enjoy the views of an underwater mountain.

Take a break, escape the midday sun and restore yourself on board your boat. Lunch time. Meals on board the Ocean Spray are a gastronomic delight with fresh seafood and organic ingredients from mainland Ecuador and the highland farms on the inhabitted islands. 

The afternoon visit takes you to "El Barranco", but first you must climb Prince Phillips steps. A short but steep walk (aprox. 20 steps) will put you in front of nesting masked and red footed booby birds. These colorful birds nest in the Palo Santo trees, there are about 100.000 pairs nesting on the island. The trail leads inland and to the other side of the island, along the crevaces you will be able to spot Galapagos hawks and owls. It is an easy walk to the other side of the island, you will reach the cliff that unveils thousands of sea birds circling above. You will understand why it is called "bird island".