Galapagos Islands Voyage
Be awed by the natural beauty and wildlife riches of the Galapagos Islands on this seven-night cruise aboard the luxurious Ocean Spray catamaran. It explores the archipelago’s southern and western islands, from Fernandina to San Cristobal, and includes an action-packed itinerary of excursions, both above and below the water’s surface.
Throughout this week-long trip, you’ll get up close to blue-footed boobies, snorkel alongside playful sea lions and observe endemic Santa Fe iguanas in their natural habitat. The itinerary includes visits to the Charles Darwin Research Station and San Cristobal Interpretation Center, as well as walks led by highly experienced naturalist guides. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about the Galapagos’ unique wildlife and the geological forces that have shaped the archipelago.
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Itinerary
Day 1
Saturday
Fly into Baltra Airport where you will be met by one of our reps and transferred to the Ocean Spray. After lunch onboard, we’ll spend the afternoon exploring Chinese Hat, a volcanic rock formation named after its similarity to an Asian style of hat. It’s a great opportunity to spot a diverse array of Galapagos wildlife, including penguins, hawks, and sally lightfoot crabs
Day 2
Sunday
After breakfast, we’ll visit Vicente Roca Point, which is located on the northwest coast of Isabela Island. Its twin coves provide important nesting sites for blue-footed and Nazca boobies, as well as storm petrels and brown noddy terns. The cool waters of the Cromwell Current carry nutrients for large ocean mammals, such as whales, dolphins, and sea lions, with the chance to see some incredible feeding frenzies.
In the afternoon, we’ll visit one of the most pristine islands in the archipelago, Fernandina, which is yet to be invaded by foreign species. Espinoza Point is the only visitor site on the island and a wonderful spot for seeing marine iguanas and Galapagos hawks. In addition to snorkeling, you can enjoy a walk around one of the world’s most untouched natural islands.
Day 3
Monday
Today begins with a visit to Tagus Cove on Isabela Island, which was once a pit stop for 19th-century sailors and pirates. A walking trail offers magnificent views across the cove and its fringing mangrove forest that provides a home for around 35 pairs of mangrove finches.
This afternoon will see us in Urbina Bay, which lay on the ocean floor before volcanic uplifts resulted in it rising to where it is today. Sea lions and land iguanas can be observed during beach walks here, together with flightless cormorants, Galapagos hawks, and sally lightfoot crabs.
Day 4
Tuesday
Our day begins with a dinghy ride around Elizabeth Bay, which is only observable from the water to ensure its preservation. During the cruise, you can observe some of the marine life that inhabits the crystal clear waters, including a variety of tropical fish and Galapagos sharks.
In the afternoon, we will visit the rocky shores of Moreno Point, which is one of the archipelago’s top birding destinations. Great blue herons, flightless cormorants, and Galapagos hawks have all been observed here. We’ll search for white-tipped sharks in the coastal lagoons while enjoying stunning views of Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul.
Day 5
Wednesday
Start the day with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, a research facility that boasts an impressive collection of native plant specimens. It’s not only a biological research station but also an active breeding center for giant tortoises. Learn about the conservation efforts being spearheaded here to eliminate invasive and non-native species from the islands.
In the afternoon, we will travel into the highlands of Santa Cruz where the landscape is completely different from anything else seen on this trip. Its lushly vegetated hills and volcanic landscapes provide a habitat for giant tortoises and mockingbirds, as well as lava lizards and several species of Darwin’s finches.
Day 6
Thursday
Our destination this morning is South Plaza, a tiny island that boasts a diverse array of flora and fauna. It’s particularly renowned for its prickly pear cactus, which provides an important food source for the resident land iguanas. Their numbers have bounced back after the devastating impact of invasive mice, which were recently eradicated from the island. South Plaza is a photographer’s dream, with its black lava formations juxtaposed against the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean.
After lunch, there will be the opportunity to see endemic Santa Fe iguanas amidst the island’s forest of Opuntia and Palo Santo trees. Created by volcanic uplift, Santa Fe has two different hiking trails, one of which leads to a small beach and the other to a scenic viewpoint.
Day 7
Friday
After breakfast, we will visit Suarez Point to observe some of Española Island’s endemic species and see the only waved albatross breeding site in the Galapagos Islands. If you are lucky, you may see some of the young birds taking their first flight and older birds returning to mate and breed. In addition to Nazca and blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropic birds, and brightly colored marine iguanas can also be seen here.
In the afternoon, we will visit Gardner Bay, a stunning beach that is renowned for its resident sea lions. Several different finch species are regularly spotted here, alongside Española mockingbirds that are particularly tame. There will also be the option to go snorkeling around Gardner and Osborn islets where you can get up close to tropical fish, sea turtles, and playful young sea lions.
Day 8
Saturday
Begin your final day in the Galapagos Islands with a visit to the San Cristobal Interpretation Center, which has been open to the public since 1998. It offers a fascinating insight into the natural and human history of the islands, as well as the conservation work being conducted here. Not to miss is the exhibition dedicated to the volcanic birth of the archipelago and how this has impacted the landscape today.
It’s then time to head to San Cristobal Airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.
Dates & Rates
Supplementary Information
*Please Inquire for 2024 Dates
2024 Rates:
7 Night Cruise:
- Staterooms: $8250
- Chartered: $123,790
4 Night Cruise - Available upon request.
- Staterooms: $5190
- Chartered: $77,490
*Rates per person based on double occupancy. There is a 50% single supplement for single suites.
High Occupancy Dates and Policies
For Christmas and New Years’ Eve departures:
- A 10% surcharge applies
- Charter rates and availability do not apply
- 100% Single Supplement applies
*Rates per person based on double occupancy. There is a 50% single supplement for single suites.
High Occupancy Dates and Policies
For Christmas and New Years’ Eve departures:
- A 10% surcharge applies
- Charter rates and availability do not apply
- 100% Single Supplement applies
Included:
- Transfers from the airport to catamaran and back to airport.
- Double or single accommodations on the Elite.
- Guided expeditions as noted on itinerary.
- Top bilingual National Park guide (English and Spanish speaking).
- Cruise Service Officer
- Daily briefings of activities on board.
- All meals and snacks as indicated on the itinerary.
- Soft drinks and juices.
- Captain’s welcome and farewell cocktails.
- Gear for activities such as sea kayaking, snorkeling, etc.
- Use of yoga mats.
Not Included:
- Round trip airfare to the Galapagos.
- Galapagos National Park Entrance fee ($100 – subject to change). From August 1, 2024 this will be $200 for Adults and $100 for children 11years and under
- Transit Control Card ($20 – subject to change).
- Alcoholic and bottled beverages.
- Gratuities for guides and crew members.
- Travel and health insurance.
Ship Details
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FAQ & More
Will the boat crew and guides speak english?
While Spanish is the official language of Ecuador, the boat crew will speak some or fluent English while you’re guides will be bilingual in both Spanish and English.
Whats the currency in Ecuador?
The official currency in Ecuador is the dollar.
Should I carry cash?
We always recommend having some cash on hand to pay for things like tips, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, gratuities, and any additional meals you may want that are not included in the itinerary. If you do carry cash, be sure to only have smaller billed on hand ($1-$10) and bigger bills such as $50 or $100 are not usually accepted in most places throughout Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
Can I use my credit card in Ecuador?
Most retail stores and restaurants in Guayaquil and Quito accept Visa and Mastercard. There are also ATMs available in ship ports only throughout the Galapagos islands.
Whats the weather like?
Visit this page for a month-to-month detail on weather. Because the Galapagos Islands are on the equator, it’s warm most of the year. The warmest season is usually January to April and average temperatures range from a low of 70F/22C to around of 84F/31C. This is also the “wet season” and there may be afternoon thundershowers. During a severe El Nino year, it’s more likely to rain at any time of day. April to December is considered the “dry season” and is cooler, with average temperatures ranging from around 68F/19C to 82F/27C. At this time of year it is not uncommon to have the "garua" (misty rain) early in the morning and in the highlands of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal. Our experience is that the time of year doesn’t make a lot of difference in terms of the amount of rain as there isn’t enough to impact your trip too much.
Do you arrange international air to Ecuador?
We do not arrange international air travel but we do have a great air travel specialist we refer you to if you’d like.
What is the best way to get to the Galapagos Islands?
From the U.S. and Canada there are daily flights via Houston, Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York and Miami to Quito and Guayaquil, Ecuador.
What should I pack?
We always recommend traveling light! Our experience tells us that the lighter you pack, the happier you will be. Dress code onboard is strictly casual, and camping-style attire is best.
It’s best to prepare for the unlikely scenario of delayed or lost luggage by packing a spare set of clothes, rain gear, and essential items (including travel-sized toiletries compliant with TSA regulations) in your carry-on bag.
What are the electrical currents onboard the Ocean Spray?
On board the Ocean Spray, there are 110 and 220 volts available in all staterooms and 110 volts available in social areas.
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