A Itinerary Petrel Catamaran trip in Galapagos


This route is a real treat for nature lovers. It includes visits to nesting areas of frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and explores the remote side islands of Isabela, Fernandina, and chances to spot giant tortoises and marine iguanas. You will reach the top of Sierra Negra volcano which is the largest crater on the islands. You will swim with sea lions and marine turtles as well as rays, eels, and other ocean animals. The Petrel provides luxury aboard and attentive crew. The facilities on board are top-notch, with private balconies in every cabin and a sundeck with hot tubs. The navigation is as smooth as any catamaran, and the itinerary is optimized to allow wildlife viewing.
Day 1: Baltra Island & North Seymour Island

North Seymour Island

North Seymour Island is named after Lord Hugh Seymour, an English nobleman. The island was formed by submarine lava uplifted. It is home to about 2,500 land and blue-footed sea lions. There are also large numbers of common noddies, frigatebirds, blue-footed bobies, and common iguanas. You can see both marine and land iguanas along the coast, as well as the largest colony Magnificent Frigatebirds.

Day 2: Isabela Island: Vicente Roca Point & Fernandina Island: Espinoza Point

Isabela Island, which measures 120km long and is uniquely shaped like an ocean-horse, is the largest Galapagos Islands island. It is the only island that is inhabited. According to the last census, there were approximately 2,200 residents living in the southern part of the island. Six different shield volcanoes, from North to South, formed the island. They erupted continuously and eventually joined together to create the entire land mass. Isabela, the archipelago's most active island, was the last to erupt from Wolf Volcano in May 2015. Isabela is home to a variety of wildlife, including the pink iguana and wild tortoises. There are 6 volcanoes nearby.

Isabela Island: Vicente Roca Point

Vicente Roca Point's geological formations are truly remarkable. It is a great spot to see many bird species, including Nazca boobies and blue-footed boobies. You can either snorkel or paddle a dinghy, panga or kayak on the water. The Cromwell Current is a source of cold water and nutrients in the western portion of the island. It is possible to witness a variety of animals, including whales, dolphins and sea lions, in their feeding frenzy. Sometimes, fur seals may be seen.

Fernandina Island: Espinoza Point

Fernandina Island is home to no foreign species. It is therefore one of the most beautiful island ecosystems in the world. It is the archipelago's westernmost island and one of its most active islands. With lava fields reaching to the ocean, the volcano "La Cumbre", dominates the landscape. Cromwell Current flows to the west, providing cold water and nutrients that are ideal for the Galapagos Penguins and Flightless Cormorants who nest here.

Day 3: Isabela Island: Tagus Cove & Urbina Bay

Tagus Cove

Tagus Cove, located in the upper west corner of the island, was named after an English warship that passed the islands in 1800. Many sailors and pirates made this a popular spot. Volcanic rock even has their names and those of their ships inscribed. The island has many characteristics that are a result of volcanic activity, including large volcanic rocks and small balls of petrified rainfall. The trail leads to Darwin Lake via a tuff cone.

Urbina Bay

Urbina Bay is located a little further south than Tagus Cove. Urbina Bay is a fascinating site because of the volcanic and tectonic activity that caused the island's uplift. The corals and reefs below the surface rose with it. They can still be seen, but they are starting to decline due to the air exposure. You may see giant tortoises and land iguanas near the coast.

Day 4: Isabela Island: Elizabeth Bay & Moreno Point

Elizabeth Bay

Elizabeth Bay is a visitor spot on the route to the southern part of Isabela Island. It is surrounded by mangroves and islets. Mangroves are a wonderful place to watch many birds, and you can see sea turtles feeding and resting at the lagoon.

Moreno Point

Moreno Point is located at the South Western tip of Isabela Island. It is home to rare species that are only found in the area's barren lava flows. There are many activities that can be done, including a hike, a trip on a panga to see different seabirds and geological features, or snorkeling to see the vibrant underwater world.

Day 5: Isabela Island: Sierra Negra Volcano, Wetlands & Breeding Center

Sierra Negra Volcano

Two volcanoes are located in Sierra Negra, which is the South of the Island. They are the oldest of Isabela's volcanoes. You will see different types of vegetation, geological zones, and even the possibility of being inside the caldera where petrifiedlava is present. It is easy to reach Volcano Chico, and you can walk on the lava flows that have been there since the 70's.

Center for Breeding

Isabela Breeding Center was named after Arnaldo Tupiza. This is an area where Galapagos Tortoises can be bred to release them into the wild.

Day 6: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Station & Twin Craters

Santa Cruz is a popular tourist destination. It is home to approximately 12,000 Galapagos residents and has the longest paved road throughout the archipelago. It is important to eradicate all non-native animals and plants that destroy native and endangered species. Although there is no evidence of volcanic activity, it does not mean that there is none. Santa Cruz is a Spanish word meaning holy cross. However, its English name comes directly from the British vessel Indefatigable.

Charles Darwin Station

Charles Darwin Research Station is involved in many research projects. It also provides assistance to researchers, governmental agencies, and institutions, including the Galapagos National Park. Many of the research results are published in popular scientific journals, magazines, and online. The research station plays an important role in education in Galapagos. The Giant Tortoise Restoration Program, which has been in operation for many years, includes all stages of the giant tortoise's life cycle: eggs, hatchlings, and adults.

Your cruise is officially over. We hope you enjoyed your Galapagos Cruise! We will transfer you to the Baltra Airport for your departure to mainland Ecuador. Enjoy safe travels

Twin Craters

Gemelos or the Twin Craters, which means "twins" in Spanish, is a pair of caves formed in the magma chambers from a former volcano. The once-full chambers have been destroyed by erosion over the years, leaving two similar craters. These craters can be viewed from a short hike through Scalesia forests.

Day 7: South Plaza Island & Santa Fe Island

South Plaza Island

South Plaza is the smallest island with a visitor center, but it is home to an amazing amount of diverse flora. It also has a large number of Sesuvium plants such as the prickly pear tree that is an important food source for the land Iguana. A few years back, mice were eradicated from the island. This helped the land iguana population grow again.

Santa Fe Island

Santa Fe Island is home of the Santa Fe land Iguana, which is unique in the world. It is also the only place where Opuntia Cactus can be found. The island was once home to giant tortoises, but they were driven extinct by pirates and other buccaneers who took the tortoises with them as food. Barrington Island is the island's name. It was named after British Admiral Samuel Barrington. On the landing beach, you can often see large numbers of sea lions and Galapagos Hawks.

Day 8: San Cristobal Island: Lobos Island & Departure

Lobos Island can be found about an hour from San Cristobal. Seasonally, blue-footed boobies nest here. Recent years have seen frigate birds nesting here. There are many sea lions and marine iguanas. The site is peaceful and serene with stunning views of Kicker Rock in the distance.

Your cruise is officially over. We hope you enjoyed your Galapagos Cruise! We will now take you to the airport in San Cristobal to get you to your departure to mainland Ecuador. Enjoy safe travels


Highlights

  • The best learning experience on every site with your licensed guide.
  • Blue-footed Boobies, Land Iguanas and more at North Seymour.
  • Encounter unique endemic species at Fernandina Island.
  • Amazing birdwatching at Elizabeth Bay by panga ride.
  • Hike in the largest volcano in the Archipelago, Sierra Negra.
  • A conscious visit to a natural Tortoise Breeding Center on Isabela.
  • A visit to Lobos Island to explore frigate bird and blue footed booby nesting sites
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