M/C Monique

Thursday
AM – Baltra Airport
Upon landing, guests will be welcomed and assisted at the airport before being transferred to the M/C Monique.

PM – Las Bachas Beach
In the afternoon, you'll explore Las Bachas, a stunning white-sand beach along the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. It’s a great spot for a relaxing walk or gentle snorkeling. This beach is a nesting site for sea turtles, and you may spot a rusted pontoon—an old World War II remnant. The name "Bachas" is derived from a mispronunciation of "barges," referring to the two partially sunken vessels in the area.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling   
Difficulty: Easy   

(-, L, D) 

Friday
AM – Rábida Island
This morning's visit takes you to Rábida Island, which is renowned for its unique red sand beach. The island is home to striking cactus groves and dramatic rocky landscapes, along with native dry-zone vegetation and endemic species. A walk along the beach might reveal brown pelican nests and occasionally flamingos in a nearby saltwater lagoon.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy ride
Difficulty: Moderate 

PM – Punta Albemarle (Isabela Island)
Located on the northern tip of Isabela Island, Punta Albemarle is home to a large mangrove that is ideal for dinghy exploration, thanks to its mesmerizing network of channels and creeks. Nearby, you’ll find the remains of a WWII-era American radar base. The site offers excellent wildlife viewing, including marine birds, the largest marine iguanas in the Galapagos, and many flightless cormorants.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Dinghy ride, Snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy

(B, L, D) 

Saturday
AM – Vicente Roca Point (Isabela Island)
Only accessible by dinghy, this expansive bay on Isabela’s northwest coast features two coves that attract a variety of nesting birds, including blue-footed and Nazca boobies, storm petrels, and Brown Noddies. The nutrient-rich waters make this a premier snorkeling spot, where whales, dolphins, sea lions, and marine birds can often be seen feeding.

Activities and Excursions: Snorkeling, Dinghy ride 
Difficulty: Moderate 

PM – Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)
A dinghy ride along the cliffs of Tagus Cove offers a chance to observe Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, and other seabirds. After landing, a 30-minute hike leads to panoramic views of Darwin Lake—a large saltwater lagoon—and surrounding volcanic peaks.

Activities: Walking, Snorkeling

Difficulty: Easy  

(B, L, D)   

Sunday
AM – Espinoza Point (Fernandina Island)
Espinoza Point showcases Fernandina Island's stark lava fields dotted with Lava Cacti and mangroves that grow atop hardened lava flows. Highlights include colonies of sea lions, penguins, flightless cormorants (especially active in spring and summer), and one of the largest concentrations of marine iguanas in the archipelago.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling 
Difficulty: Moderate 

PM – Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)
In the afternoon, explore Urbina Bay, renowned for its upraised coral beds and vivid land iguanas. The area is rich in wildlife—giant tortoises, flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, penguins, and marine iguanas are all commonly seen.

 Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling 
Difficulty: Moderate 

 (B, L, D) 

Monday
AM – Puerto Egas (Santiago Island)
Once the site of a salt mine, this black-sand beach now serves as a prime location for spotting shorebirds, marine iguanas, and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Inland, a walk that takes visitors past tidal pools and beautiful volcanic formations may offer views of fur seals lounging in shaded grottoes.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, snorkeling  
Difficulty: Easy  

PM – Buccaneer Cove (Santiago Island)
Once a haven for pirates and whalers, Buccaneer Cove now attracts wildlife rather than ships. It's a key nesting area for sea turtles and frequented by sea lions. A dinghy ride reveals stunning eroded cliffs that host nesting boobies, pelicans, and gulls.

Activities and Excursions: Snorkeling, Dinghy ride
Difficulty: Moderate  

(B, L, D)  

Tuesday
AM – Bartholomew Island
Bartholomew is best known for Pinnacle Rock, a striking volcanic cone that soars out of the water. A trail leads to the island’s summit, where breathtaking views of the surrounding lava terrain and the iconic rock await. The northern beach, a sea turtle nesting site, is perfect for snorkeling with reef sharks, penguins, and eagle rays.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy ride 
Difficulty: Easy 

PM – Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)
Located next to Pinnacle Rock, the beaches at Sullivan Bay offer outstanding snorkeling, and lucky visitors might find themselves swimming alongside penguins. This northern beach is also a key nesting ground for green sea turtles.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy  

(B, L, D) 

Wednesday
AM – North Seymour Island
Named after British naval officer Lord Hugh Seymour, this small island is covered in low-lying vegetation and teems with birdlife.

You’ll encounter blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and a substantial colony of magnificent frigatebirds, with males displaying their vibrant red throat pouches to attract mates.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling

Difficulty: Easy

PM – Mosquera Islet
Positioned between Baltra and North Seymour, Mosquera is a flat, sandy islet without a designated trail, allowing for free exploration.

It’s known for its thriving sea lion colony, shorebirds, and colorful Sally Lightfoot crabs.

The surrounding reefs make for excellent snorkeling, with chances to spot rays, turtles, and reef sharks.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling  
Difficulty: Moderate  

 (B, L, D)  

Thursday
AM - Charles Darwin Research Station

Visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, also known as the Charles Darwin Research Station. The center hosts an interpretation center, museum, library, and tortoise breeding facility, home to various tortoise subspecies being prepared for reintroduction.

Activities and Excursions: Walking

Difficulty: Easy

(B, -, - )  

After your last visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.  

Assistance and farewell at the airport.    

***End of cruise***  

* Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions, National Park regulations, emergencies on board or any unforeseen circumstances.

Thursday

AM: Baltra Airport Arrival & Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and assisted at the airport, then transferred from Baltra Airport to the M/C Monique.

PM: Charles Darwin Research Station and Highlands

In the afternoon, visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, also known as the Charles Darwin Research Station. The center hosts an interpretation center, museum, library, and tortoise breeding facility, home to various tortoise subspecies being prepared for reintroduction.

After the visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, we continue to highlands of Santa Cruz, you’ll have the opportunity to see the famous giant tortoises in the wild. So renowned are these endemic animals that they gave the archipelago its name. Birdwatching is also one of the activities do to in the Santa Cruz highlands, since this area is home of finches and other Galapagos birds

Activities: Walking 

Difficulty: Easy   

(-, L, D) 

Friday – Post Office Bay & Cormorant Point (Floreana Island)
AM: Post Office Bay
Experience an island tradition that dates back to the 18th century when whalers used a wooden barrel to exchange mail—a custom you can still participate in today.

Enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, or walking and swimming through a lava tunnel.

Activities and Excursions: Walking
Difficulty: Easy  

PM: Cormorant Point
Visit two contrasting beaches—one with olivine-rich green sand, and the other a white coral “Flour Beach” created by parrot fish over thousands of years.

A saltwater lagoon nearby is frequented by one of the archipelago’s largest populations of Galapagos flamingos, and is home to stilts, pintails, and flycatchers.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling.
Difficulty: Moderate   

( B, L, D)  

Saturday – Punta Suarez & Gardner Bay (Española Island)
AM: Punta Suarez
Begin your day at Punta Suarez, one of the most biologically diverse sites in the Galapagos. As you follow a rugged trail along dramatic sea cliffs, you’ll pass by large colonies of Nazca and blue-footed boobies, boldly curious mockingbirds, vibrantly colored marine iguanas, and — during the right season — the world’s only population of waved albatrosses. Watch as these majestic birds court, nest, or launch themselves gracefully into the ocean air.

Activities and Excursions: Walking  
Difficulty: Moderate 

PM: Gardner Bay
Spend the afternoon on the soft white sands of Gardner Bay, a pristine beach where sea lions lounge and the ocean invites you in. Whether you choose to swim, snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard, the surrounding turquoise waters offer a perfect opportunity to observe marine life. Just offshore, Gardner and Osborn Islets are home to coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, rays, and playful juvenile sea lions — ideal for a vibrant snorkeling adventure.

Activities and Excursions: Snorkeling

Difficulty: Moderate 

(B, L, D)  

Sunday – Kicker Rock & San Cristobal Interpretation Center (San Cristobal Island)
AM: Witch Hill & Kicker Rock
Start your morning with breathtaking views of Kicker Rock — a towering, twin-peaked volcanic formation rising from the sea. This iconic landmark is a haven for seabirds such as blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds, often seen perched on its narrow ledges. Then head to Witch Hill, a secluded bay with fine white sand and crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming or snorkeling. Its shallow saltwater lagoon offers a peaceful setting ideal for spotting marine life and enjoying views of Kicker Rock from a unique vantage point.

Activities and Excursions: Sailing, Walking, Snorkeling
Difficulty: Moderate 

PM: Interpretation Center
In the afternoon, broaden your understanding of the archipelago at the San Cristobal Interpretation Center. This modern facility offers engaging exhibits that trace the Galapagos’ geological beginnings, ecological richness, and complex human history over time. Learn about the unique species that call these islands home and the ongoing conservation initiatives working to protect their fragile ecosystems for generations to come.

Activities and Excursions: Walking 
Difficulty: Easy 

(B, L, D ) 

Monday – Santa Fe & South Plaza Islands
AM: Santa Fe Island
Begin your morning by landing on Santa Fe, one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos, known for its towering forests of Opuntia cacti and distinctive pale-yellow land iguanas. Hike along scenic trails that lead you across the island’s arid landscape or into the highlands where these endemic iguanas bask under the sun. After your walk, cool off in the calm, crystal-clear waters of the bay — ideal for swimming or snorkeling alongside playful sea lions, rays, and colorful reef fish.

Activities: Walking, Snorkeling   

Difficulty: Moderate

PM: South Plaza Island
In the afternoon, explore the compact yet incredibly diverse South Plaza Island. Its vivid red and green Sesuvium ground cover contrasts dramatically with the island’s black lava and towering prickly pear cacti. Here, you can often see swallow-tailed gulls, tropicbirds, and other seabirds nesting or riding the thermals above the crashing waves.

Activities:  Walking  

Difficulty: Easy  

(B, L, D)

Tuesday – Darwin Bay & El Barranco (Genovesa Island)
AM: Darwin Bay
Disembark on the white coral beach of Darwin Bay, the only sandy landing site within Genovesa’s volcanic caldera. During breeding season, male frigatebirds inflate their striking red throat pouches in elaborate mating displays while red-footed boobies perch on the mangrove branches.

Activities and Excursions: Walking
Difficulty: Moderate  

PM: El Barranco (Prince Philip’s Steps)
In the afternoon visit, El Barranco, also known as Prince Philip’s Steps, a rocky stairway that leads past a colony of Nazca and red-footed boobies up to a plateau of dried lava. Continuing through the thin Palo Santo Forest and looking out over the plain, visitors are often treated to sites of storm petrels launching out over the ocean.   

A dinghy ride or kayaking along the edge of the cliffs provides a good chance to see the elusive Galapagos fur seals nestled on the rocks, and snorkeling is a great activity if you fancy a dip with a variety of shark species.  

Activities and Excursions: Snorkeling
Difficulty: Moderate  

(B, L, D)   

Wednesday – Chinese Hat & Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island)
AM: Chinese Hat
This scenic islet off the coast of Santiago Island is known for its striking lava formations.

With a maximum elevation of just 160 feet (52 meters) and within easy reach of Santa Cruz, Chinese Hat is typically only visited by those aboard a Galapagos Cruise, and is renowned as one of the best snorkeling spots in the archipelago. 

Activities: walking, Snorkeling, Kayaking

Difficulty: Easy  

PM: Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island)
In the afternoon you'll head to Dragon Hill, located in the northwestern region of Santa Cruz Island. This visit offers guests the chance to explore the island on foot and observe the remarkable land iguanas—once nearly extinct, now thriving once again.

You’ll also encounter a saltwater lagoon home to flamingos, pintail ducks, and a variety of endemic bird species such as flycatchers and warblers. A brief hike leads to a stunning viewpoint at the top of the hill. Before returning to the yacht, enjoy some offshore snorkeling in the surrounding waters.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling 
Difficulty: Moderate 

(B, L, D) 

Thursday – Black Turtle Cove & Departure
AM: Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz Island)
After breakfast, you'll explore Black Turtle Cove, located along the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. This site vividly demonstrates how mangroves shape the marine ecosystem, forming a vibrant and unique habitat. Three different species of mangroves extend from the shore deep into the water, stretching nearly a mile inland.

While gliding silently through the calm waters aboard a dinghy, you may spot spotted eagle rays and mustard rays gracefully swimming in formation. Keep an eye out for white-tipped reef sharks gliding beneath the surface and Pacific green sea turtles surfacing to breathe or mate. The area is also a haven for waterfowl, such as pelicans, herons, and egrets, all drawn by the cove’s rich feeding grounds.

Activities and Excursions: Dinghy ride    
Difficulty: Easy  

After this last visit, transfer to Baltra airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.  

Assistance and farewell at the airport. 

(B,-,-)  

***End of cruise***  

* Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions, National Park regulations, emergencies on board or any unforeseen circumstances.  

Thursday

AM: Baltra Airport Arrival & Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and assisted at the airport, then transferred from Baltra Airport to the M/C Monique.

PM: Charles Darwin Research Station and Highlands

In the afternoon, visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, also known as the Charles Darwin Research Station. The center hosts an interpretation center, museum, library, and tortoise breeding facility, home to various tortoise subspecies being prepared for reintroduction.

After the visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, we continue to highlands of Santa Cruz, you’ll have the opportunity to see the famous giant tortoises in the wild. So renowned are these endemic animals that they gave the archipelago its name. Birdwatching is also one of the activities do to in the Santa Cruz highlands, since this area is home of finches and other Galapagos birds

Activities: Walking 

Difficulty: Easy   

(-, L, D) 

Friday – Post Office Bay & Cormorant Point (Floreana Island)
AM: Post Office Bay
Experience an island tradition that dates back to the 18th century when whalers used a wooden barrel to exchange mail—a custom you can still participate in today.

Enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, or walking and swimming through a lava tunnel.

Activities and Excursions: Walking
Difficulty: Easy  

PM: Cormorant Point
Visit two contrasting beaches—one with olivine-rich green sand, and the other a white coral “Flour Beach” created by parrot fish over thousands of years.

A saltwater lagoon nearby is frequented by one of the archipelago’s largest populations of Galapagos flamingos, and is home to stilts, pintails, and flycatchers.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling.
Difficulty: Moderate   

( B, L, D)  

Saturday – Punta Suarez & Gardner Bay (Española Island)
AM: Punta Suarez
Begin your day at Punta Suarez, one of the most biologically diverse sites in the Galapagos. As you follow a rugged trail along dramatic sea cliffs, you’ll pass by large colonies of Nazca and blue-footed boobies, boldly curious mockingbirds, vibrantly colored marine iguanas, and — during the right season — the world’s only population of waved albatrosses. Watch as these majestic birds court, nest, or launch themselves gracefully into the ocean air.

Activities and Excursions: Walking  
Difficulty: Moderate 

PM: Gardner Bay
Spend the afternoon on the soft white sands of Gardner Bay, a pristine beach where sea lions lounge and the ocean invites you in. Whether you choose to swim, snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard, the surrounding turquoise waters offer a perfect opportunity to observe marine life. Just offshore, Gardner and Osborn Islets are home to coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, rays, and playful juvenile sea lions — ideal for a vibrant snorkeling adventure.

Activities and Excursions: Snorkeling

Difficulty: Moderate 

(B, L, D)  

Sunday – Witch Hill & Kicker Rock (San Cristobal Island)
AM: Witch Hill & Kicker Rock
Start your morning with breathtaking views of Kicker Rock — a towering, twin-peaked volcanic formation rising from the sea. This iconic landmark is a haven for seabirds such as blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds, often seen perched on its narrow ledges. Then head to Witch Hill, a secluded bay with fine white sand and crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming or snorkeling. Its shallow saltwater lagoon offers a peaceful setting ideal for spotting marine life and enjoying views of Kicker Rock from a unique vantage point.

Activities and Excursions: Sailing, Walking, Snorkeling
Difficulty: Moderate 

After this last visit, transfer to San Cristobal airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.  
Assistance and farewell at the airport.   

(B, -, -)  

***End of cruise***   

* Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions, National Park regulations, emergencies on board or any unforeseen situation.  

Sunday

AM: San Cristobal Airport Arrival
Upon arrival, reception and assistance at the airport, transfer from San Cristobal Airport to the M/C Monique.

PM: Interpretation Center
In the afternoon, broaden your understanding of the archipelago at the San Cristobal Interpretation Center. This modern facility offers engaging exhibits that trace the Galapagos’ geological beginnings, ecological richness, and complex human history over time. Learn about the unique species that call these islands home and the ongoing conservation initiatives working to protect their fragile ecosystems for generations to come.

Activities and Excursions: Walking 
Difficulty: Easy 

 (B, L, D ) 

Monday – Santa Fe & South Plaza Islands
AM: Santa Fe Island
Begin your morning by landing on Santa Fe, one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos, known for its towering forests of Opuntia cacti and distinctive pale-yellow land iguanas. Hike along scenic trails that lead you across the island’s arid landscape or into the highlands where these endemic iguanas bask under the sun. After your walk, cool off in the calm, crystal-clear waters of the bay — ideal for swimming or snorkeling alongside playful sea lions, rays, and colorful reef fish.

Activities: Walking, Snorkeling   

Difficulty: Moderate

PM: South Plaza Island
In the afternoon, explore the compact yet incredibly diverse South Plaza Island. Its vivid red and green Sesuvium ground cover contrasts dramatically with the island’s black lava and towering prickly pear cacti. Here, you can often see swallow-tailed gulls, tropicbirds, and other seabirds nesting or riding the thermals above the crashing waves.

Activities:  Walking  

Difficulty: Easy  

(B, L, D)

Tuesday – Darwin Bay & El Barranco (Genovesa Island)
AM: Darwin Bay
Disembark on the white coral beach of Darwin Bay, the only sandy landing site within Genovesa’s volcanic caldera. During breeding season, male frigatebirds inflate their striking red throat pouches in elaborate mating displays while red-footed boobies perch on the mangrove branches.

Activities and Excursions: Walking
Difficulty: Moderate  

PM: El Barranco (Prince Philip’s Steps)
In the afternoon visit, El Barranco, also known as Prince Philip’s Steps, a rocky stairway that leads past a colony of Nazca and red-footed boobies up to a plateau of dried lava. Continuing through the thin Palo Santo Forest and looking out over the plain, visitors are often treated to sites of storm petrels launching out over the ocean.   

A dinghy ride or kayaking along the edge of the cliffs provides a good chance to see the elusive Galapagos fur seals nestled on the rocks, and snorkeling is a great activity if you fancy a dip with a variety of shark species.  

Activities and Excursions: Snorkeling
Difficulty: Moderate  

(B, L, D)   

Wednesday – Chinese Hat & Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island)
AM: Chinese Hat
This scenic islet off the coast of Santiago Island is known for its striking lava formations.

With a maximum elevation of just 160 feet (52 meters) and within easy reach of Santa Cruz, Chinese Hat is typically only visited by those aboard a Galapagos Cruise, and is renowned as one of the best snorkeling spots in the archipelago. 

Activities: walking, Snorkeling, Kayaking

Difficulty: Easy  

PM: Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island)
In the afternoon you'll head to Dragon Hill, located in the northwestern region of Santa Cruz Island. This visit offers guests the chance to explore the island on foot and observe the remarkable land iguanas—once nearly extinct, now thriving once again.

You’ll also encounter a saltwater lagoon home to flamingos, pintail ducks, and a variety of endemic bird species such as flycatchers and warblers. A brief hike leads to a stunning viewpoint at the top of the hill. Before returning to the yacht, enjoy some offshore snorkeling in the surrounding waters.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling 
Difficulty: Moderate 

(B, L, D) 

Thursday – Black Turtle Cove & Departure
AM: Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz Island)
After breakfast, you'll explore Black Turtle Cove, located along the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. This site vividly demonstrates how mangroves shape the marine ecosystem, forming a vibrant and unique habitat. Three different species of mangroves extend from the shore deep into the water, stretching nearly a mile inland.

While gliding silently through the calm waters aboard a dinghy, you may spot spotted eagle rays and mustard rays gracefully swimming in formation. Keep an eye out for white-tipped reef sharks gliding beneath the surface and Pacific green sea turtles surfacing to breathe or mate. The area is also a haven for waterfowl, such as pelicans, herons, and egrets, all drawn by the cove’s rich feeding grounds.

Activities and Excursions: Dinghy ride    
Difficulty: Easy  

After this last visit, transfer to Baltra airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.  

Assistance and farewell at the airport. 

(B,-,-)  

***End of cruise***  

* Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions, National Park regulations, emergencies on board or any unforeseen circumstances.