Galapagos Vision Sailing Catamaran

Itinerary

Sunday Day 1 San Cristobal

AM: Arrival at San Cristobal, the first island visited by the H.M.S Beagle and where Charles Darwin disembarked. Arrive at Puerto Baquerizo, the political capital of the Galapagos province. In this small, tranquil town, you will have the chance to visit the interpretation center to learn more about the natural and human history of the Galapagos Islands.

PM: Sail along the western coastline of San Cristobal to Lobos islet, just off the coast of the main island and noted for having one the largest Galapagos sea lion colonies. Walk through scenery past nesting blue footed boobies and nursing sea lion pups. Enjoy a peaceful snorkeling session in the Lobos Canal where the curious sea lion pups are the main attraction.

Monday Day 2 Española

This is the oldest island in the Galapagos, created about 3 million years ago by uplifting and volcanism. Over the millennia the effects of erosion have changed the island to its current appearance.

AM: At Punta Suarez you will see a whole spectrum of bird life, including many of the twelve thousand pairs of waved albatross that nest here during the midyear months. A mighty spume blow hole will dazzle you as you enjoy the scenery.

PM: The white sand of Gardner Bay is perfect for an afternoon walk passing sea lions and marine birds. This is a great site for snorkeling.

Tuesday Day 3: Floreana

Tragedy and mystery give Floreana a unique touch complemented by its natural marvels. Considered one of the oldest islands, Floreana was once a safe haven for pirates and buccaneers and was the island where the first human settlement in the Galapagos was established.

AM: Disembark at Post Office Bay, with a short walk to the barrel in which whalers left mail for their families. The tradition still continues and you can post or deliver mail. Enter a lava tunnel to see dramatic evidence of the volcanic formation of this island.

Sail along the beautiful coastline to the Baroness´ Hideout, with a wonderful view of this island's mangrove coastline and arid zone. Enjoy an outstanding snorkeling session at the Devil's Crown, a sunken tuff crater where you will swim past coral formations with bright tropical fish, sea lions and even sharks!

PM: A wet landing at the beautiful olivine beach of Cormorant Point. A relatively short walk through the arid zone vegetation and past a pond of brackish water where flamingos feed and nest during the year. At the other side of the point, the walk ends at a beautiful fine sand beach.

Wednesday Day 4 Santa Cruz

AM: Visit los Gemelos volcanic craters due to a volcanic explosion or magna chambers inside earth, in the highland of Santa Cruz, on the road to Baltra island, sinkholes, Scalesia forest, bromeliads, orchids, vermillion flycatchers, warblers, darwin finches.

PM: Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) is the economic capital of the province. Visit the Fausto Llerena breeding center to appreciate the efforts made by the Galapagos National Park Service, in collaboration with the Charles Darwin Foundation, for the conservation of the Galapagos Islands ecosystems and ecology. See how giant tortoises are bred and hopefully meet the famous "Lonesome George".

Thursday Day 5 Rábida and Santiago

AM: The stark red landscape of Rábida Island makes a striking sight from the boat. Hundreds of sea lions bask on its dark red sand beaches. The unique geology, combined with Brown Pelican rookeries, and the chance to see Galapagos doves, Galapagos hawks and flamingoes makes this island a must-see.

PM: Santiago (or James, as the English called it) is the island where Charles Darwin spent most of his time during his visit to the Galapagos. Here he collected many samples of flora and fauna that later helped him to develop his theory on the origin of species. Visit Puerto Egas, a former salt mine settlement, with a mind-blowing coastline of lava flows and collapsed lava tubes. The main attractions of Santiago Island are the fur sea lions basking on the rocks.

Friday Day 6 Bartolomé and North Seymour

AM: When the Apollo 11 astronaut, Buzz Aldrin visited this island he exclaimed that Bartolomé is very similar to a lunar landscape. This island is famous for its volcanic formation such as lava tubes, spatter cones and the impressive view from the top of the volcano featuring the famous pinnacle rock. Snorkeling off the beach reveals shoals of tropical fish and if you are lucky even some Galapagos Penguins.

PM: Sail southeast of Bartolomé to North Seymour Island, an ideal site for observing the courtship, nesting and chick rearing of frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. Swallow tailed gulls also nest here.

Saturday Day 7 South Plaza and Santa Fe

AM: This is part of a pair of islands and one of the smallest to be visited. Located only a short distance from Santa Cruz , South Plaza has a unique sesuvium and opuntia landscape which provides some of the most interesting wildlife observation available in the Galapagos. swallow tailed gulls, yellow-tailed mullets, Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds and brown pelicans.

PM: As soon as you set foot on Santa Fe Island you will notice the huge and abundant "Prickly Pear Cactus" or Opuntias. If the conditions are right you may see land iguanas that are endemic to Santa Fe island, i.e. found nowhere else in the world. Enjoy the scenery around the bay area where you can spot many marine birds and sea lions as well as marine animals such as sting rays and pacific green sea turtles.

Enjoy a tranquil visit to beautiful beaches on the northern part of Santa Cruz. Incredible sites for snorkeling and a last view of one of the largest sea lion colonies in the Galapagos Islands.