Monserrat Galapagos Yacht

Arrive in Baltra Island. After clearing immigration and customs. Our Monserrat Yacht naturalist guide will welcome you to the Archipelago and escort you to the vessel.

We will then sail to Dragon Hill where our first exploration of the Galapagos begins. Dragon Hill is a great introduction to the Galapagos Islands. Here you can relax, swim and snorkel on its crystalline waters.

Santiago Island has seen its share of human activity from whalers and pirates over the years, and despite the introduction of goats to the island many years ago, the wildlife of Santiago has otherwise flourished and provides outstanding viewing opportunities. The island boasts marine iguanas, sea lions, fur seals, land and sea turtles, among others. Enjoy great wildlife viewing both on land and in the water.

Head to Buccaneer Cove to witness the towering cliff wall rock formations. Afternoon excursion to Egas Port to see the salt crater as well as a dark sand beach and tidal pools. 

Today we will visit the most western site of the Galapagos Islands, Espinoza Point in Fernandina Island. This island is also one the most pristine on the archipelago as no foreign species have been introduced. We will visit Vicente Roca Point, on Isabela Island, famous for its rich underwater sea life thanks to its location on the Bolivar Channel.

After a long journey from the central part of the Galapagos, we will arrive to the pristine and remote West of the archipelago. Our visits today are Urbina Bay and Tagus Cove on the west of Isabela Island, where we will have our first encounters with flightless cormorants, penguins, giant tortoises and beautiful landscapes and amazing snorkeling opportunities.

Explore the mangroves by panga to find rich marine wildlife between the fresh and salt waters. Keep any eye out for manta rays and sea turtles in this tranquil ecosystem. Whitetip reef sharks can also be seen gliding by.

Disembark at Baltra for flight back to Ecuador mainland.

Arrive in Baltra Island. After clearing immigration and customs. Our Monserrat Yacht naturalist guide will welcome you to the Archipelago and escort you to the vessel.

In the afternoon, you will be transfer to the highlands of Santa Cruz. We will visit a tortoise ranch and see some of the amazing volcanic formations of this area.

Explore Chinese Hat’s beautiful landscape and spectacular white-coral sand beach. Keep an eye out for marine iguanas and penguins when snorkelling.

A hike through Sullivan Bay will take you across a perfectly preserved Pahoehoe lava flow, providing the opportunity to observe the delicate textures of this rare type of lava.

The morning starts with a visit to North Seymour Island, a spectacular showcase of the Galapagos Islands’ diverse wildlife. This fairly flat island is home to a thriving population of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds.

Enjoy an afternoon excursion to Santa Fe Island, going swimming, snorkelling while observing the large population of land iguanas unique to Santa Fe.

This day offers a combination of terrestrial and marine activities as you will also do kayaking and panga rides, showcasing the diverse landscapes and wildlife the Galapagos Islands are famous for.

Snorkel around Punta Pitt Island and spot schools of fish swimming below. On the shore admire the nesting birds and sun-bathing sea lions. Enjoy amazing wildlife watching and interesting geological formations on this fascinating expedition.

Cerro Brujo is a breathtaking white sand beach on San Cristobal Island’s northern coast. The clear waters also make it an ideal spot for snorkelling, where you can encounter rich marine life.

Visit Tijeretas Hill and enjoy the view of the islands from one of its most spectacular panoramic viewpoints. Observe one of the only nesting grounds shared by two different species of Frigate birds.

After this visit, out guides will escort you to the airport for your flight to the Ecuadorian mainland.

Catch an early flight to San Cristóbal Island. After clearing customs and immigration you will be met by our guide and transferred to the M/Y Monserrat. In the afternoon, you will be transfer to visit Isla Lobos and be greeted by sea lions frolicking in the waves. You will also have time to discover the marvellous marine wildlife inhabiting this site, including sea turtles and playful sea lions.

Enjoy the day on Española Island, one of the oldest in the archipelago. Visit the white sandy beach of Gardner Bay and the bird colonies of Punta Suárez.

Arriving in the morning, you will spend the day exploring on shore and snorkelling at Gardner Bay. After lunch, sail to the western side of the islands to Punta Suárez, known for its amazing bird colonies and home to the waved albatross (April and December).

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Land at Punta Cormorant on Floreana. Guided walks to observe the bird and wildlife and learn about the natural history. Snorkelling excursion at Champion Islet. Visit Post Office Bay to learn about its unique and engage in its letter-carrying traditions. 

Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center a great place to observe many species of tortoises and land iguanas in captivity. Brought back from the brink of extinction, see the famous Galápagos tortoise up close – a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery care for the young until around age three when their shells have hardened.

This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers.

Disembark in Puerto Ayora and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the giant Galápagos tortoises. Fly back to mainland from Baltra airport.

Transfer to the boat to meet the guide and get on board. In the afternoon enjoy the highlands, visit a tortoise ranch and see some of the amazing volcanic formations on Santa Cruz.

Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and see the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural surroundings.

Today we will be visiting the beautiful and remote Genovesa Island. This northern island, famous for its red-footed colony, is a paradise for bird lovers. It is estimated that about 200,000 Red-footed boobies live on this island.

At Darwin Bay, we will visit a tidal lagoon where sea lions swim playfully ending our path on a cliff with magnificent views of this remote part of the Galapagos.

Climb Price Phillip’s Steps (also known as El Barranco), to appreciate a stunning view. Once at the top of the stairway we will meet Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, mockingbirds, and finches along the way of a palo santo trail.

Hike to Bartolomé’s summit for a stronger perspective of the islands not-too-distant volcanic origins, and enjoy a spectacular panoramic view.

In the afternoon, you will visit Bowditch Point. This pristine site offers you a great snorkeling session with giant schools of black-striped salema, parrotfish, and Mexican hogfish, or you can enjoy kayaking or SUP if you prefer. Afterwards, you spend time on the beach relaxing or walking around it.

Head to Bachas Beach where the sand is made of decomposed coral, making it soft and white, and a favourite site for nesting sea turtles. Spot abundant Sally Lightfoot crabs on the lava rocks along the water's edge — these crabs will eat anything they can get their claws on! Trek to see a wide range of wildlife, including flamingos, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, and sea lions.

Disembark at Baltra for flight back to Ecuador mainland.