La Pinta Cruises in the Galapagos

5 Day A Cruise Overview:

Experience the fascinating wildlife and volcanic landscapes of Santa Cruz, Santiago and Genovesa on this 5-day itinerary aboard La Pinta. See giant tortoises in their natural habitat in the highlands of Santa Cruz, spot marine iguanas and lava lizards on the tiny islet of Sombrero Chino and go hiking across the spectacular volcanic landscapes of Bartolome Island and Sullivan Bay. 

Day 1 - Baltra & El Chato

Fly into Baltra Island where you will be met by one of our representatives and transferred to the Itabaca Channel to take a small ferry to the northern shore of Santa Cruz Island. From here you’ll board a bus and travel into the highlands to explore its unique montane ecosystems and biodiversity before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. 

In the afternoon, we’ll continue to a reserve where giant tortoises can be seen in their natural habitat, lumbering around and wallowing in the small pools. Explore the lava tunnels in the reserve while keeping an eye out for cattle egrets, mockingbirds and flycatchers, then return to Puerto Ayora to board La Pinta for your welcome dinner.

Day 2 - Eden Islet & Sombrero Chino

After breakfast on board, we’ll take a panga to Eden Islet, which lies just off the coast of Santa Cruz and is a great spot for watching blue-footed boobies diving into the water. Admire the spectacular volcanic setting that includes cinder cones and semi-eroded lava flows and opt to go snorkeling or ride the glass-bottom boat. 

In the afternoon, we’ll visit the tiny island of Sombrero Chino, which nestles off the southeastern tip of San Salvador Island and resembles a Chinese hat. Follow your naturalist guide along the 400-meter-long trail to spot marine iguanas, lava lizards and Galapagos penguins, with plenty of time to go swimming or snorkeling amidst white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos penguins. 

Day 3 - Bartolomé Island & Sullivan Bay

Begin the day with a visit to Bartolome Island to make the steep climb up its wooden staircase and through spectacular volcanic landscapes to the summit. Take in the panoramic views before enjoying a panga ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, followed by time to go snorkeling or ride the glass-bottom boat off the coast. 

After lunch on board La Pinta, we’ll travel by panga to Sullivan Bay on the east coast of Santiago Island whose white coral sand beach is ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Then walk over its impressive lava flows while learning about the volcanic origins of the Galapagos Islands. 

Day 4 - Darwin Bay & Prince Philip's Steps

Begin the day with an excursion to Darwin Bay where frigatebirds, finches, mockingbirds, red-footed and masked boobies can all be spotted. Embark on a guided walk across the uneven volcanic terrain for dramatic views or enjoy a leisurely morning swimming and snorkeling in the beautiful natural harbor.

In the afternoon, we’ll embark on a panga ride beneath the towering cliffs of Genovesa Island before landing at the base of Prince Philip’s Steps. Climb the steep trail to the flat plateau at the top where large colonies of Nazca boobies, frigatebirds and storm petrels can be seen, together with the elusive short-eared owl.

Day 5 - Baltra & Return to Quito

After breakfast on board, you’ll be transferred to the Baltra Island airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador.

5 Day B Cruise Overview: 

Discover the magnificent eastern islands of the Galapagos on this action-packed 5-day itinerary from Baltra on board La Pinta. Get up close to giant tortoises at the Cerro Colorado Breeding Center, spot boobies, swallow-tail gulls and waved albatrosses at Punta Suarez, then witness the archipelago’s fascinating marine life while snorkeling or on a glass-bottom boat tour at Gardner Bay. 

Day 1 - Baltra Airport & South Plaza Island

Fly into Baltra Island where you will be met by one of our representatives and transferred to the La Pinta yacht. Enjoy lunch on board and an introductory briefing before setting sail for South Plaza Island. 

We’ll cruise through a channel between the North and South Plaza Islands whose turquoise waters contrast dramatically with the white sand and black lava along the shoreline. Then follow your naturalist guide through a carpet of scarlet succulents and green prickly-pear cactus while keeping an eye out for yellow-grey land iguanas, sea lions and seabirds playing on the thermals. 

Day 2 - Santa Fe Island & Cerro Colorado Tortoise Habitat

Begin the day with a dinghy ride to the white sands of Santa Fe Island, which is populated by a colony of sea lions. Keep an eye out for endemic Santa Fe land iguanas as we explore the island on a short hike, then go snorkeling from the beach or witness the underwater world aboard our glass-bottom boat. 

After lunch back on board, we’ll disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of San Cristobal Island, and drive to the island’s southern shores to visit the Cerro Colorado Giant Tortoise Breeding Center. Wander through the deciduous forest to get up close to giant tortoises, together with San Cristobal lava lizards and mockingbirds, both of which are endemic to the island. 

Day 3 - San Cristobal & Cerro Brujo

After breakfast on board, we’ll land on the eastern tip of San Cristobal Island where a trail ascends for spectacular views along the shores. Observe frigatebirds and the colony of bachelor sea lions before going swimming and snorkeling from the beach.

In the afternoon, we’ll take a dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers before landing at the white coral beach of Cerro Brujo.  There are excellent bird watching opportunities here, including sightings of both seabirds and shorebirds, as you follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin who landed on the beach in September 1835. 

Day 4 - Punta Suarez & Gardner Bay

Begin the day with an excursion to Punta Suarez, following your naturalist guide on an exciting walk across its volcanic terrain to spot boobies, swallow-tail gulls and waved albatrosses (April to January). Keep your eyes peeled for red-green-black marine iguanas and witness the famous “blow hole” as it spurts water high into the air. 

In the afternoon, we’ll disembark on the beautiful white coral beach at Gardner Bay where you can relax on the sands or enjoy a short stroll to visit a sea lion colony. Spot mockingbirds and finches, then opt to go snorkeling, kayaking or on a glass-bottom boat trip to explore the surrounding waters. 

Day 5 - Charles Darwin Research Station & Baltra Airport

Your final morning in the Galapagos begins with a visit to the Charles Darwin Station to get up close to giant tortoises at all stages of development and explore the surrounding prickly-pear cactus forest. Learn about the ongoing conservation efforts to preserve the unique wildlife and landscapes of the Galapagos Islands, as well as studies being conducted in the name of science. 

Then it’s time to board the ferry that will transport you to Baltra Island for your flight back to mainland Ecuador.

7 Day Cruise Overiew: 

Gain a comprehensive insight into the natural landscapes and wildlife of the Galapagos on this action-packed 7-day itinerary. Spot marine iguanas, sea lions and flightless cormorants at Punta Espinoza, witness giant tortoises in the wild while trekking through the highlands of Santa Cruz and discover the fascinating marine life while snorkeling or aboard a glass-bottom boat at Tagus Cove and Rabida Island. 

Day 1 - Baltra Island & North Seymour

Fly into Baltra Island where you will be met by one of our representatives and transferred to La Pinta. Enjoy lunch on board and an introductory briefing before heading out on your first excursion to North Seymour Island. 

Enjoy a walk along the coast and interior of this flat island to witness its colonies of blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds and swallow-tailed gulls, as well as spot sea lions and marine iguanas basking in the sun. You’ll also have time to explore the coast on a dinghy ride before returning to La Pinta for a welcome cocktail and dinner.

Day 2 - Punta Roca & Punta Espinoza

Begin the day with a panga ride along the coast of Punta Roca while learning about the dramatic geology of the area as you explore its lava flows and tuff stone layers. Keep an eye out for flightless cormorants that can sometimes be seen diving into the waters, then opt to go snorkeling beneath the cliffs to (hopefully) spot green sea turtles. 

In the afternoon we’ll visit the youngest and most pristine island in the archipelago, Fernandina, which is always a visitors favorite. After landing at Punta Espinoza, we’ll embark on a short walk across its barren lava landscapes to spot the island’s high density of marine iguanas, together with flightless cormorants, hawks and Sally Lightfoot crabs. 

Day 3 - Urbina Bay & Tagus Cove

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board before disembarking at Urbina Bay, which is located on the western side of Isabela Island. Keep your eyes peeled for giant tortoises in the wild, as well as large numbers of colorful land iguanas, then return to La Pinta for lunch as we navigate the Bolivar Channel where whales can sometimes be spotted. 

In the afternoon we’ll land at secluded Tagus Cove on the northwest of Isabela where pirate and whaler graffiti dating to the late-18th century adorns the cave walls. An uphill trek takes us to the back of Darwin Crater from where there are spectacular views across the archipelago, followed by plenty of time for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking around Tagus Cove.

Day 4 - Rabida Island & Cerro Dragon

After breakfast on board, we’ll disembark on the red sand beach of Rabida Island to observe its marine iguanas, mockingbirds and several species of Darwin’s finches on a short walk. It’s also a great spot for snorkeling or you can opt to discover the island’s incredible marine life aboard our glass-bottom boat. 

After lunch on board, we’ll land on the northern shore of Santa Cruz Island and hike past a brackish lagoon that’s frequented by stilts, pintail ducks and sandpipers. Continue to the top of Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill), from where there are beautiful views across the western islands of the archipelago, together with a large number of land iguanas. 

Day 5 - Puerto Ayora & Santa Cruz Highlands

Begin the day with a visit to the Charles Darwin Station to see their resident giant tortoises and explore the impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest that surrounds. Learn about the National Park’s ongoing conservation efforts to preserve the unique wildlife and landscapes of the Galapagos Islands before enjoying a delicious lunch served poolside at the Finch Bay Eco Hotel. 

We’ll then travel into the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to see giant tortoises in wild as you explore an impressive Scalesia forest. Your naturalist guide will also help you spot Darwin’s finches and a myriad of other bird species in this lush environment. 

Day 6 - Post Office Bay & Punta Cormorant

Begin the day with a wet landing at Post Office Bay where a wooden barrel has served as the Galapagos Islands’ makeshift post office for more than two centuries. Enjoy a panga ride through the maze of channels on Floreana Island’s northern shores, then soak up the sweeping vistas from La Lobería and the Baroness Viewpoint. 

In the afternoon you may opt to either snorkel or ride our glass-bottom boat along the coast of an extinct cone known as Champion Islet before visiting the olivine-crystal beach of Punta Cormorant. Follow your naturalist guide to a brackish water lagoon where greater flamingoes can be seen feeding, then continue to the other side of the island and a white sandy beach where sea turtles come out at night to nest. 

Day 7 - Depart Baltra

After breakfast on board, you will be transferred to the Baltra Island airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador.