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Puerto Ayora · Galapagos · Ecuador
Yacht Isabela II Seabird Sanctuary Expedition (Mon - Fri)
Starting From
From $7,062.77 per person
Current Project Expedition rate
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Project Expedition
The Experience
What your day looks like
Our journey begins in Santa Cruz Island, where we’ll get to meet one of the most fascinating inhabitants of the Galapagos archipelago: Giant Tortoises. After landing at Baltra airport, we will soon be face to face with these creatures in their natural habitat. The next day takes us to Santiago Island, where we’ll get the chance to snorkel alongside marine iguanas. During the afternoon, we’ll visit the sandy beach of Sombrero Chino (Chinese Hat Islet). The next day, we head off to Genovesa Island, a fascinating bird hub! Here, we’ll spend the entire day enjoying its colonies of nesting birds and exploring its cliffs, shoreline, and beaches. Returning to the central islands, Santa Fe offers you the chance to meet its endemic Land Iguana. During the afternoon, we hope to observe sea lions, rays, and sharks in South Plaza’s turquoise waters.
Highlights
Why travelers choose this experience
- Get the chance to snorkel alongside marine iguanas at Santiago Island
- Meet one of the most fascinating inhabitants of the Galapagos archipelago: Giant Tortoises
- Observe the wildlife of South Plaza and enjoy its turquoise waters
- Exploring Genovesa Island, which is a fascinating bird hub
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Puerto Ayora
Welcome to this trip! After landing at Baltra Airport, we drive to the Itabaca Channel to take a ferry across to Santa Cruz Island. A 30-minute bus ride takes us up to the fascinating, more humid Highlands of the island where we’ll learn about its unique ecosystems and biodiversity. Lunch is served at a local restaurant.
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Puerto Ayora
Eco Tour at Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos). Santa Cruz Island: After lunch, we drive to a nearby reserve that is one of the best places in the archipelago to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The tortoises are easy to spot, lumbering around, munching on grass and leaves and wallowing in small pools. There are several lava tunnels to explore in the reserve, too. A short bus ride takes us down to Puerto Ayora to board Yacht Isabela II.
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Puerto Ayora
Lunch included
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Puerto Ayora
Accommodation included
Day 2
Puerto Ayora
Eco Tour at Santiago Island (Galápagos). Santiago Island: Following a wet landing on a black, sandy beach, our trail takes us to enjoy close-up encounters with recently-reintroduced land iguanas, plus land and marine birds amid a landscape of tuff-stone layers, craggy rocks, and lava flows. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds. We can also observe a colony of fur seals, usually dozing in the shade of some rocks.
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Puerto Ayora
Nature Walks at Chinese Hat Island Galapagos. Chinese Hat Island: This islet, formed only fairly recently, makes a beautiful afternoon visit as we explore the wildlife along its 1,312 ft long (400 m long) trail, which begins at a crescent-shaped, white sandy beach. The cove offers excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities amid white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos penguins
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Puerto Ayora
Lunch included
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Puerto Ayora
Accommodation included
Day 3
Puerto Ayora
Boating at Genovesa Island. Genovesa Island: The day kicks off with a panga ride along the cliffs of “Bird Island”, as Genovesa is affectionately nicknamed, followed by a landing at a steep staircase which connects us with a flat plateau.
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Puerto Ayora
Leisure at Genovesa Island. Genovesa Island: From here the trail winds its way through large colonies of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, and storm petrels. With luck, we’ll be able to spot the short-eared owl. Those who do not wish to disembark can enjoy a longer panga (inflatable dinghy) ride along the cliffs, weather conditions permitting. Snorkeling and kayaking activities are available.
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Puerto Ayora
Nature Walks at Genovesa Island. Darwin Bay: We land after lunch at the beautiful white beach of Darwin Bay. Here we walk amid literally hundreds of birds, most of which are frigatebirds, red-footed and Nazca boobies, as well as gulls, herons, finches, and mockingbirds.
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Puerto Ayora
Lunch included
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Puerto Ayora
Accommodation included
Day 4
Santa Fe Island
Eco Tour at Santa Fe (Island). Santa Fe: We take the dinghy over to this idyllic sandy-white beach populated by colonies of sea lions. Galapagos hawks are often easily observed, perched atop salt bushes. The Santa Fe land iguana may be spotted during our exploration.
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Santa Fe Island
Boating at Santa Fe (Island). Santa Fe: Following the walk, we can snorkel and swim along a natural wave barrier or ride the glass-bottom boat.
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South Plaza Island
Leisure at South Plaza (Island). South Plaza: Following lunch and a rest, we disembark (dry landing) in this channel, whose turquoise waters contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. Beyond, a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus. Yellow-grey land iguanas sit beneath these, waiting patiently for pears to drop. Along the coastline we find sea lion colonies, while frigates, swallow-tailed gulls and shearwaters glide, playing with the thermals.
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Puerto Ayora
Lunch included
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Puerto Ayora
Accommodation included
Day 5
Puerto Ayora
Baltra Island Baltra IslandOur journey ends at Baltra Island where we transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.
Planning Details
Before you go
Included
Use of Snorkelling equipment Glass Bottom boat, Kayaks, Paddle boards Doctor onboard 24/7 Island Sightseeing with certified Naturalist Guides Landing and facility fees Bar – Lounge Boutique/Gift Shop Reading Room & Natural History Library Hot Tub Radio, telephone, E-mail, and Fax communications PA System Air-conditioned throughout Safety boxes Hairdryers Multimedia natural history lectures Stargazing Program Sea Kayaks Snorkeling Equipment Wet suits for snorkeling (available for rent)
Not Included
Tips and Gratuities Alcoholic beverages, available at an extra cost ( Over 18 years old) Airport transportation to/from Galapagos and aiport taxes Fuel surcharge Medical insurance Travel insurance Ingala Transit Control Card Galapagos National Park Fee
What to Bring
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing Money for personal expenses Baggage important notes: Guests can bring aboard the ship a reasonable amount of clothing and personal effects without charge. Baggage is handled in accordance with the airlines’ regulations and tariffs. Baggage exceeding these limitations is subject to the charges as set forth by the individual operators. Airlines are strict with baggage limitations. The current limits are 23 kg (50.6 pounds) for checked items, 8 kg (17 pounds) for hand luggage and 1 personal item (handbag, camera bag, laptop, etc.) All baggage must be securely packed, and properly and clearly labeled. Liquid, fragile, perishable and other articles not suitably packed are transported at guests’ own risk.
Restrictions
Not recommended for pregnant travelers. Not recommended for people with heart conditions.
Meeting & Pickup
Galápagos Ecologic Airport - Santa Cruz Seymour, Islas Galápagos.
Planning Notes
Minimum age: 6 Hotel pickup offered: Yes Confirmation: Manual By Business
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