Elite Catamaran Galapagos Islands luxury cruise 8 days west isles route

You will be taken to San Cristobal Airport.

El Junco Lagoon

North Seymour Island

North Seymour Island is named after Lord Hugh Seymour (a senior British Royal Navy officer). You can find a wide variety of birds as you walk among the bushy, low vegetation, including swallow-tailed gulls, blue-footed bobies, and frigate birds.

Keep an eye out for the bright red chests of male frigates that are used to attract a mate.

Santa Cruz Island: Dragon Hill

Dragon Hill is the name of the large number of Galapagos Land Iguanas who have made this their home.

These amazing creatures, which resemble miniature dragons, will be encountered as you stroll along the coast and through the Palo Santo forests.

This is a great place to snorkel, as coral attracts many colourful fish very close to the shoreline.

Tintoreras

Las Tintoreras, a group of islands off the coast from Isabela Island, is known for its dark lava formations. This unique habitat has provided a home for many species of wildlife. It is an ideal spot for water sports such as snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and panga rides. Visitors will also often see turtles, sharks and penguins.

Sierra Negra Volcano

Sierra Negra, one of the most active volcanoes on Galapagos, has the second-largest caldera in the entire world. You will find guava trees as you climb to the top. On clear days, you can also see the five other volcanoes of the island.

Breeding Center

The Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center, which houses two giant tortoises, is crucial in protecting the Galapagos' future.

You can also enjoy the stunning gardens as you stroll around the centre. They boast a variety of native plants.

Wetlands

You can also walk around the Isabela Wetlands, which are located just outside Puerto Villamil. These wetlands consist of lagoons swamps mangroves and mangroves that have been transformed into a refuge for migratory birds like stilts or flamingos.

Moreno Point

Moreno Point is located on Isabela Island's west coast. Although it looks barren and lava flows at first glance, a walk along the trails will reveal a number of beautiful green lagoons. It is also a great place to spot blue herons, penguins and flamingos.

A panga ride along the shoreline or snorkeling is an excellent way to spot white-tip sharks and green sea turtles.

Urbina Bay

Urbina bay is at the foot the Alcedo Volcano. It is the result a major volcanic eruption that occurred in 1954. This uplift resulted 6 km of coral reef being removed from the ocean. You can walk along the new shore and see the remains of marine life and corals that were stranded by this event.

It is home to giant land and tortoises, and you can often see Galapagos Hawks and flightless Cormorants. You can also snorkel here as there are many turtles, rays, and tropical fish.

Fernandina Island: Espinosa Point

Fernandina, the youngest of the Galapagos islands, is Espinosa Point. This area is full of natural beauty. You can see the marine iguanas underwater by snorkeling or swimming from the Zodiac.

You will find many Sally Lightfoot crabs on the rocks. The walking trails allow you to explore mangrove plants, lava rock cacti, and striking blacklava formations, where marine iguanas love basking in the sun.

Isabela Island: Vicente Roca Point

Vicente Roca Point, located on the west coast of Isabela Island, is accessible by panga. It's a large bay that provides nesting areas for Nazca and blue-footed boobies.

Snorkeling is another popular activity in the area. The cooler waters provide plenty of food for marine life and it is not uncommon to see large groups of dolphins, whales, sea lions, and other marine birds going hungry.

Rabida Island

Rabida Island is best known for its red sand beaches, surrounded by steep volcanic hills and Palo Santo trees.
Panga rides along the shoreline offer the opportunity to spot blue-footed and Naca boobies. Water activities like snorkeling, kayaking and paddle boarding are great for seeing white tipped Sharks and Rays.

A large colony, noisy sea lions can be found on the beach. The surrounding salt brush houses a nesting colony pelicans. Bird watchers who live in the interior will be delighted to see mockingbirds and yellow warblers. Rabida is home to all nine Darwin's Finches.

Bartolome Island

Bartolome Island, an island in Sullivan Bay, is home to the most prominent landmark of Sullivan Bay: Pinnacle Rock, a massive volcanic cone. There is a trail that leads to the top of the island. Here you can see Pinnacle Rock as well as the surrounding lava flows.

The northern beach is a nesting area for green sea turtles. It's a great spot for snorkeling, with sightings of penguins, spotted eagles, and reef sharks.

Witch Hill

Witch Hill has a beautiful white sand beach that can be reached by panga. This is an excellent vantage point from which to see Kicker Rock, the southernmost tip of the island. It is a eroded tuff cone with calm waters at its base. This makes it a great spot for snorkeling.

A walk on the beach or along one of the inland trails can provide opportunities to view a variety shorebirds, mockingbirds, and finches.

Lobos Island

Lobos Island can be accessed by panga. Its name comes from the many sea lions who have made this their home.

Snorkeling in calm, clear water is a great way to observe these playful and curious animals up close. It's also common for green turtles or rays to accompany you.

You can expect to find nesting areas for blue-footed frigates and boobies on the trail inland

The San Cristobal Interpretation Center is located just a short distance from San Cristobal's centre. This center provides an overview of the fascinating island history. There are three main areas of interest, which are covered in a variety of expositions: conservation for the future, natural history, and human history.

Another option is to take one of the trails that run behind the center, which offer great views of the ocean or the volcanic rocks below.

Take off from San Cristobal airport.