Beaches and Bay Southern & Central Route

Upon arrival at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (SCY) on San Cristóbal Island, our guides will meet you and escort you to your designated vessel. After a short bus ride and a Zodiac transfer to the anchored yacht in the bay, you will be shown to your cabin and treated to a delightful buffet lunch. Following a brief safety demonstration, you'll have the opportunity to choose your snorkeling gear. As the yacht begins its journey, you can relax in the library with a selection of guidebooks or fiction, or head up to the sundeck for a cruise around "Kicker Rock" (Leon Dormido), an ancient volcanic formation sculpted by erosion over millennia, rising from the open ocean.

Later on, weather permitting, join your guide on deck for a stargazing session to explore the Southern skies. If you're aboard the Evolve, your adventure starts with a tasty buffet lunch followed by a visit to San Cristóbal's Breeding Center. Here, you'll discover the National Park's giant tortoise breeding program, aimed at conserving these endangered species. The visitor center offers insights into tortoise evolution and conservation challenges, emphasizing threats posed by invasive species and habitat loss. Along the trail, you may encounter unique species such as the San Cristóbal mockingbird and Calandrinia plant, found only on this island.

After returning to the yacht, join the captain and crew for a cocktail reception and briefing on the next day's activities. With a small number of passengers, you'll have the chance to dine with the captain later in the week. Tonight, socialize with fellow travelers and enjoy a delicious multi-course dinner prepared by our kitchen staff, accompanied by fine wines.

Today's adventure kicks off with a Zodiac trip to Cerro Brujo (Wizard Hill) to spot wildlife. Your guide will help you identify a diverse range of birds, such as brown pelicans, brown noddy terns, and blue-footed boobies diving for fish. You'll learn to recognize birds by their distinctive color patterns based on age, like the mature brown pelican's white neck. Colorful Sally light-foot crabs will be scuttling around the rocks, transitioning from black when young to vibrant hues as adults. Your guides will also point out interesting geological formations like the Cathedral, humorously nicknamed "Darwin’s Pants". After the Zodiac excursion, enjoy some relaxation on the beautiful coral sand beach. Take a leisurely stroll, swim alongside sea lions, or try beginner-friendly paddleboarding or kayaking. It's a great chance to get comfortable with snorkeling equipment before exploring deeper waters. Guides will share insights about the fish species you encounter and help identify fish in your photographs.

Return to the yacht for a barbecue lunch on the sun deck (weather permitting), then head to Punta Pitt for a hike. The trail, though rocky with some uphill sections, provides exceptional opportunities for birdwatching, showcasing all three species of boobies: blue-footed, red-footed, and Nazca. You'll also get to see baby blue-footed boobies, fluffy and white until their feathers fully develop over a few months. Guides will point out frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, storm petrels, and brown pelicans. At Pitt Rock, snorkel among sea lions and colorful marine life like King Angel and Surgeon fish. A Zodiac ride will bring you back to the yacht for a briefing and dinner. Later in the evening, unwind with guidebooks or fiction from the library, or head up to the top deck for a distant view of "Sleeping Lion". Weather permitting, join your guide for stargazing and explore the Southern skies.

This morning, you'll reach Punta Suarez on Española (Hood) Island, renowned for its unique endemic species, notably the waved albatross. These impressive birds spend their youth at sea before returning to land for breeding, an impressive sight best observed from April to December. While hiking, keep an eye out for marine iguanas sunbathing on the dark rocks, which turn vibrant red and green during mating season due to their algae-rich diet. Follow the trail to a striking ocean blowhole and spot colorful Sally light-foot crabs along the shoreline. Encounter various species including Darwin’s Finches, Hood mockingbirds, Galapagos Doves, red-billed tropicbirds, Galápagos Hawks, Nazca boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls, which are the world's only nocturnal gulls.

Enjoy a barbecue lunch served on deck (weather permitting) with a demonstration on preparing Ecuadorian ceviche. Later, snorkel at Tortuga Rock, exploring caves filled with invertebrates. Disembark at Gardner Bay, home to a magnificent white-sand beach dotted with sea lion colonies where dominant males protect their harems. Opt for snorkeling, kayaking, paddle-boarding, sunbathing, or birdwatching with Darwin Finches, Espanola mockingbirds, and Galápagos hawks. Return to the yacht for a briefing and dinner after an exhilarating day of activities.

Arrive at the olive-sand beach of Punta Cormorant on Floreana (Charles) Island, welcomed by the sounds of sea lions, lava herons, yellow-crowned night herons, and blue-footed boobies. The beach's green tint comes from iron and manganese in the basaltic lava, resembling formations seen in Hawaii. Walk to a brackish lagoon bustling with Bahama ducks, common stilts, Galápagos flycatchers, and vivid pink flamingos. Guides will showcase a variety of plant life, including morning glories, cut-leaf daisies, mangroves (black, red, and white), palo verde, and Scalesia. Continue to a beach where sea turtles nest among powdery sand dunes while stingrays glide in shallow waters. Snorkel at Devil’s Crown or Champion Islet, a sunken crater teeming with colorful fish, coral, white-tipped sharks, sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, and sea stars.

Return to the yacht for lunch and a brief overview of Galápagos' human history, including why Floreana is dubbed the Island of Mysteries. In the afternoon, partake in a Galápagos tradition at Post Office Bay, where English whalers established a post barrel in the late 18th century. Leave a postcard in the barrel without postage—future visitors may hand-deliver it if it's near their home. Join a Zodiac excursion at Baroness Point to spot sea turtles and rays, capturing vibrant fish and sea stars with an underwater camera. Back on the yacht, enjoy a briefing followed by dinner and an optional pirate-themed party for lively entertainment.

In the morning, awaken to the lively harbor scene of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, home to a population of 24,000. Take a bus ride to higher elevations to explore fascinating geological features, including the lava tunnels at El Mirador and Los Gemelos (The Twins), massive craters formed by volcanic activity. The highlight of the morning will be a visit to a privately-owned ranch where giant tortoises roam freely, some weighing over 500 pounds! Lunch will be served on board the yacht.

In the afternoon, learn about Galapagos history and conservation efforts at the Centro de Crianza Fausto Llerena and Charles Darwin Research Station. Explore exhibits dedicated to Lonesome George, the last Pinta Island tortoise whose species became extinct upon his death, and celebrate Diego, a tortoise from the San Diego Zoo who revitalized his species by fathering hundreds of offspring. Enjoy free time to wander Puerto Ayora as you stroll back to the main dock, approximately a mile away. Shop for souvenirs at artisan shops, such as a chocolate truffle store offering dozens of flavors, or visit an art gallery showcasing unique paintings or ceramics. Along the way, stop at cafes for coffee, ice cream, and internet access. Choose to stay ashore for dinner with provided Zodiac transfers, or return to the yacht for a delightful multi-course dinner. Today's daily briefing will take place in the afternoon to allow for extra evening leisure time.

When you wake up this morning, you’ll once again find yourself in peaceful solitude, with no other boats in sight. You’ll have two options for your morning activity. The first option is a challenging hike with about 400 wooden steps winding around Bartolomé Island, culminating in a stunning panoramic view of Pinnacle Rock. Along the way, your guide will pause to explain the geological features of the landscape, including mini lava cones and bombs formed by flowing magma from past volcanic eruptions. If you prefer to skip the hike, you can enjoy a Zodiac ride around the island to look for penguins. You’ll spot these charming creatures - the second smallest type of penguin - swimming and diving playfully or perched on rocks grooming themselves. The inviting crystal-clear waters beckon you to wade in from the beach and snorkel alongside schools of tropical fish, white-tipped reef sharks, and Galapagos Penguins.

Return to the vessel for a barbecue lunch served on the sundeck (weather permitting). The rest of your day's itinerary will vary depending on your yacht, but all visitors will be treated to scenic views and encounters with some of the Galápagos’ famous wildlife. Guests aboard the Evolve will disembark at Sombrero Chino (Chinese Hat), a small island off the southern tip of Santiago named for its distinctive shape. Sea lions await you on the beach, and as you explore, you’ll encounter marine iguanas and oystercatchers. Along the trail, you’ll witness remnants of the island’s geological history, with volcanic debris and cracked lava formations. Guests aboard the Evolve will visit Playa Las Bachas, on the northern side of Santa Cruz, and have an opportunity for snorkeling after exploring interior lagoons where vivid flamingos reside. Guests aboard the Evolve will embark on a Zodiac excursion at Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove) through a network of coves and inlets surrounded by mangroves. Glide slowly along the shoreline, listening for the deep inhale of a sea turtle and watching for the wings of a school of golden rays. Tonight, after dinner, your guide will offer an enriching lecture.

This morning, your day begins at South Plazas, a small islet known for its towering cliffs and a trail brimming with diverse flora and fauna. Young Opuntia cacti are shielded with nets to protect them from invasive species. Keep an eye out for nests of various birds such as swallow-tailed gulls and red-billed tropicbirds. Encounter bachelor sea lions and learn about land iguanas along the way. After lunch, sail to North Seymour Island to witness magnificent frigate birds displaying their inflated red sacs in search of mates. Enjoy one last snorkeling adventure with sharks, sea lions, and tropical fish. In the evening, join a champagne toast with the captain and crew, attend a farewell party, and listen to a presentation from your guides as you bid farewell to your unforgettable week in paradise.

This morning, following breakfast, you'll disembark from the yacht to visit the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal. Discover the rich human history of the Galapagos Islands along a paved trail before strolling into town. Take advantage of some free time to capture last-minute photos before your transfer to the airport. Although the flight back to the mainland is brief, the memories you'll carry with you will endure a lifetime!