Mary Anne Sailing In The Galapagos

8 Day A Sailing (Western) Overview

Explore the wild western islands of the Galapagos on this fascinating 8-day itinerary from Baltra, visiting some of the archipelago’s most iconic destinations, as well as a few hidden secrets. Get up close to wild giant tortoises in the highlands of Santa Cruz, discover the human history of the islands at Post Office Bay and go snorkeling in the spectacular submerged crater of Devil’s Crown. The Mary Anne offers two 8-day/7-night itineraries that can be combined to create a comprehensive 15-day/14-night itinerary. 

Day 1 - Baltra & Santa Cruz Highlands

Fly to Baltra Island Airport where you will be met by one of our local representatives and embark on your first excursion to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center where different sub-species of tortoise from across the archipelago live side-by-side. They range in age from new hatchlings to fully grown adults and it’s a great place to learn about the conservation work being done to ensure their survival.

Day 2 - Punta Cormorant & Post Office Bay

Today will be spent on Floreana Island, beginning with a wet landing on the olivine beaches of Punta Cormorant. Follow your naturalist guide on a short trail that leads to a lagoon where greater flamingoes wade in the shallows before continuing on to an idyllic white sandy beach. Then embark on a short panga ride to the submerged crater of Devil’s Crown, which is one of the best snorkeling destinations in the Galapagos where you can come face-to-face with a variety of marine life. 

After lunch on board, discover the human history of the islands in Post Office Bay where a barrel was placed by whalers in the late 18th century to act as a makeshift post box. Leave your postcards for family and friends in the hope that they will (eventually) find their way to their destination through the help of other travelers. 

Day 3 - Floreana and Whale/Dolphin Observation

Begin the day with an excursion to Black Beach on Floreana, which was the first island in the archipelago to be inhabited. Visit its freshwater source known as Asilo de la Paz and the caves that once served as pirate hideouts, then hear the story of Baroness Eloise Wagner von Bousquet and the birth of the very first Galapegueño. 

We will spend the afternoon searching for whales and dolphins as we navigate from Floreana to Isabela Island. The Galapagos Islands form the second largest marine reserve in the world, with a staggering variety of species found here as three different marine currents converge. After spotting a range of fascinating creatures, soak up the rewarding views of Isabela Island and its shield volcanoes. 

Day 4 - Punta Moreno & Urbina Bay

This morning we will travel to the largest island in the Galapagos, Isabela, and step ashore at Punta Moreno. The impressive pahoehoe lava flow here is surrounded by giant shield volcanoes, some of which are still active. Follow your naturalist guide on a short hike to a lagoon where flamingoes can be seen wading in the shallows. 

In the afternoon we’ll disembark at Urbina Bay’s black sand beach, which is a popular nesting site for green sea turtles. Follow your naturalist guide on a short hike inland to spot land iguanas and giant tortoises as they that migrate to and from the highlands. Take advantage of the impressive snorkeling or opt to wander along the shores that are lined with coral heads and marine fossils. 

Day 5 - Tagus Cove & Punta Espinoza

After breakfast on board, we’ll make a dry landing near Tagus Cove where 18th and 19th-century pirate graffiti still decorates the cliff faces. Follow your naturalist guide on a hike to the salt-water filled crater lagoon of Darwin Lake to soak up the magnificent across Isabela Island.

In the afternoon, we’ll cruise across the marine species-rich waters of the Bolivar Channel to Fernandina Island, which is one of the most untouched destinations in the archipelago. After a dry landing at Punta Espinoza, enjoy a stroll along the shoreline while keeping an eye out for flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas and bright red-orange sally lightfoot crabs.

Day 6 - Puerto Egas, Buccaneer Cove and Espumilla Beach

After breakfast on board, we’ll make a wet landing on the dark volcanic sand beach of Puerto Egas, which was named after the salt mining industry that was established here in the 1920s. Galapagos fur seals can be seen lounging under the lava arches while a large variety of shorebirds fossick for food along the shores. 

In the afternoon we will continue to Buccaneer's Cove, which was once a popular spot for pirates to hunt giant tortoises. It’s home to two unusual rock formations named “The Monk” and “The Elephant”, together with sea lions and fur seals that bask in the sun. Explore the coast by panga while keeping an eye out for brown noddies, boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and pelicans or opt to snorkel in the marine species-rich waters. We’ll then make a wet landing at Espumilla Beach and follow a trail that leads through palo santo forest where yellow warblers, Galapagos flycatchers and Darwin’s finches can all be spotted. 

Day 7 - Sullivan Bay (Santiago) and North Seymour

Begin the day with an excursion to Sullivan Bay in the southeast of Santiago Island which exhibits a fascinating lava field with a geologically young flow. Spend time exploring this unique landscape with the help of your naturalist guide as they explain the pahoehoe lava flows, tuff cones and miniature spatter cones, together with the pioneering plant species that call Sullivan Bay home. 

In the afternoon we’ll make a dry landing on North Seymour Island where two species of frigatebirds can be spotted, together with blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. Keep an eye out for marine iguanas and sea lions that can often be seen on the rocky shores, together with land iguanas that were introduced here from Baltra Island as part of a scientific experiment during the 1930s. 

Day 8 - Mosquera Islet & Baltra

Begin your final day in the Galapagos exploring Mosquera Islet, which lies between North Seymour and Baltra. It’s home to one of the largest colonies of sea lions in the Galapagos, together with marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies and sally lightfoot crabs. Enjoy a snorkel on the surrounding coral reef before we sail back to Baltra Island and head to the airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.

8 Day B Sailing (Eastern) Overview

Explore the unique islands and fascinating wildlife of the Eastern Galapagos on this 8-day itinerary from Baltra. Experience the incredible birdlife at Prince Phillip’s Steps, snorkeling with sea lions in beautiful Gardner Bay and encounter the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Bartolome as you hike to the island’s summit. The Mary Anne offers two 8-day/7-night itineraries that can easily be combined to create a comprehensive 15-day/14-night itinerary. 

Day 1 - Baltra to Black Turtle Cove

Fly to the Baltra Island Airport where you will be met by your crew and transferred to the Mary Anne for lunch. Then head to Black Turtle Cove on the north coast of Santa Cruz Island to explore its mangrove-lined lagoon by panga. Keep an eye out for pelicans and herons roosting in the trees above, together with green sea turtles and golden rays in the waters below. 

Day 2 - Genovesa Island

Begin the day with a wet landing at Genovesa Island’s Darwin Bay, which is lined with red mangroves and prickly-pear cactus. It’s considered one of the archipelago’s best birdwatching destinations, with Nazca and red-footed boobies, yellow-crowned herons, sharp-beaked finches and Galapagos doves all frequently spotted here. 

After lunch on board, we’ll land at the base of El Barranco (Prince Phillip’s Steps) and climb to the lava field that lies at the top of the cliffs. Your naturalist guide will help you spot red-billed tropicbirds, boobies and Galapagos storm petrels, together with frigatebirds and marine iguanas. Soak up the magnificent views, then continue on the trail that leads through a palo santo forest before returning to the coast to spot Galapagos fur seals basking on the rocks during a panga ride. 

Day 3 - Bartolome & Chinese Hat (Santiago)

After breakfast on board, we’ll make a dry landing on Bartolome Island and embark on a hike to the summit of this spatter cone for sweeping views across its spectacular lava formations. Witness the iconic Pinnacle Rock in the distance, together with the neighboring island of Santiago.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore the small islet of Sombrero Chino that nestles off the southeast coast of Santiago Island. It’s named after its resemblance to a Chinese hat and features submarine created lava tubes and pillow-type lava formations. Your naturalist guide will lead you along a short trail from its white sandy beach to explore the dramatic lava fields before getting up close to sea lions on the islet’s white sands. 

Day 4 - Rabida & Cerro Dragon
This morning begins with an excursion to Rabida Island and its red sand beach where you can walk to a salt water lagoon that’s frequented by pink flamingoes, Bahama pintail ducks and common stilts. Keep an eye out for brown pelicans nesting in the salt bushes that fringe the beach, together with Galapagos mockingbirds and numerous species of Darwin’s finches. 

After lunch on board, we’ll cruise through a series of mangrove-lined islets to reach the base of Cerro Dragon, then follow a short walking trail that leads to a brackish lagoon where greater flamingos, common stilts and pintail ducks can be seen wading in the shallows. The trail eventually arrives at Cerro Dragon itself, which is renowned as a natural nesting site for a large number of land iguanas.

Day 5 - Santa Cruz Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station

After breakfast on board, we’ll travel into the lush highlands of Santa Cruz, which include vast tracts of scalesia and miconia forests. Witness giant Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat as they migrate between the fertile highlands and the arid coastline, together with sightings of vermillion flycatchers and short-eared owls. 

In the afternoon we’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center to see different sub-species of tortoise from across the archipelago. It was here that Lonesome George lived out his final years, with the tortoises ranging in age from new hatchlings to fully grown adults. It’s a fascinating place to learn about the conservation work being done to ensure their survival, as well as the scientific research being conducted in the archipelago. 

Day 6 - Plaza Sur & Santa Fe

After breakfast on board, we’ll embark on an excursion to Plaza Sur, which is home to one of the Galapagos’ oldest docks. Wander along the shores that are lined with green prickly-pear cactus and deep red sesuvium while keeping an eye out for shorebirds and land iguanas along the towering cliffs. 

In the afternoon we’ll continue to Santa Fe Island in search of its endemic land iguanas, which are larger and yellower than those found on other Galapagos islands. Santa Fe also boasts the largest prickly-pear cactus to be found in the archipelago. 

Day 7 - Punta Suarez & Gardner Bay (Española)

As you enjoy breakfast on board, we’ll sail to Punta Suarez on the western tip of Española Island to get up close to blue-footed and Nazca boobies. If you’re visiting between April and December, you might also be lucky enough to witness the fascinating breeding rituals of waved albatross. A short walk offers spectacular views of the island’s famous “blow hole” as it spurts water high into the air while neon-colored marine iguanas and Galapagos sea lions can be seen basking in the sunshine. 

In the afternoon we’ll make a wet landing on the white sands Gardner Bay where you’ll be greeted by a colony of boisterous sea lions, as well as the Española mockingbird. Spot marine iguanas and sally lightfoot crabs scuttling along the rocks, then go snorkeling in the marine species-rich waters that surround Gardner Islet and Osborn Islet. Come face-to-face with garden eels, pufferfish and red-lipped batfish, as well as king angelfish and colorful parrot fish. 

Day 8 - Twin Craters (Santa Cruz) & Departure

Begin your final day in the Galapagos Islands with an excursion to the Twin Craters (Los Gemelos) on Santa Cruz which were formed by lava domes that collapsed with the passing of time. Resembling two pit craters, they are surrounded by lush vegetation and scalesia plants, with the trail that leads around their rim offering one of the best opportunities to see endemic short-eared owls in the Galapagos. 

It’s then time to head to the Baltra Airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador.