Nemo III Sailing Tours In The Galapagos

8 Day Sailing A Overview

Cruise between the wildlife-filled northern islands of the Galapagos on this 8-day itinerary from Baltra. Witness red-billed tropicbirds, boobies and Galapagos storm petrels at El Barranco and the land iguanas of Cerro Dragon, then get up close to Galapagos tortoises in the Santa Cruz Highlands and go swimming with fur seals at Puerto Egas. 

Day 1 - Baltra & Las Bachas

Fly to Baltra Island Airport where you will be met by one of our local representatives and transferred to the Nemo III. After a short briefing and delicious lunch on board, embark on your first excursion to Bachas Beach at the northern end of Santa Cruz Island. It is named after the barges that were wrecked offshore during World War II and is a perfect spot for swimming, with a saltwater lagoon where great blue herons, sanderlings and plovers can all be spotted. Bachas also provides a nesting area for green sea turtles whose tracks can be seen in the sand between November and February. 

Day 2 - El Barranco and Darwin Bay

After breakfast on board, we’ll make a dry landing at the base of El Barranco (Prince Phillip’s Steps) on Genovesa or “Bird Island” and climb to the top of the cliffs where red-billed tropicbirds, boobies and Galapagos storm petrels can be seen nesting. Soak up the sweeping views, then follow the trail that leads through a palo santo forest to a Galapagos storm-petrel colony, passing boobies and great frigatebirds along the way. 

In the afternoon, we’ll explore the coral shores of Darwin Bay and embark on an easy walk or a more demanding hike over its lava fields. It’s one of the archipelago’s best birdwatching destinations, with swallow-tailed gulls, Nazca and red-footed boobies, as well as great frigatebird and large cactus finches spotted. Also keep your eyes peeled for small marine iguanas that can be seen basking in the sun. 

Day 3 - Cerro Dragon and Sullivan Bay

Begin the day with a visit to Cerro Dragon on the northwest of Santa Cruz, which is named because it was once the only site in the archipelago with a healthy population of land iguanas. Enjoy a short walk to spot these charismatic creatures, together with flamingos that can often be seen in the lagoons feeding on the abundant shrimp. 

After lunch on board, we’ll embark on an excursion to Sullivan Bay in the southeast of Santiago Island, which is renowned for its pahoehoe lava flows, tuff cones and miniature spatter cones. Learn about the pioneering plant species that have established themselves in this challenging environment while comparing the characteristics of the lava flows with the help of your guide. 

Day 4  - Santa Cruz Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station

After breakfast on board, we’ll travel into the lush highlands of Santa Cruz to the private Las Primicias Ranch. This is one of the best places to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat as they migrate between the fertile highlands and the arid coastline.

In the afternoon we’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, which is a fascinating place to learn about the conservation work being conducted throughout the archipelago. See a range of different sub-species from across the archipelago at the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, with the tortoises ranging in age from new hatchlings to fully grown adults.

Day 5  - Punta Moreno & Urbina Bay

Begin the day with an excursion to the largest island in the Galapagos, Isabela, and a panga ride along the shores of Punta Moreno where Galapagos penguins and shorebirds can all be spotted. After a dry landing, follow your guide along a trail that leads past spectacular pahoehoe lava flows, craters and crystal tide pools that are frequented by pink flamingos, blue herons and Bahama pintail ducks. Peer into the pools to see occasional green sea turtles and white-tipped sharks while keeping your eyes peeled for brown pelicans nesting in the mangroves.

After lunch on board, we’ll disembark on the sandy beach of Urbina Bay, which nestles at the base of Alcedo Volcano and is one of the most recent examples of geological uplift in the archipelago. It’s a popular nesting site for green sea turtles, as well as being visited by Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants and brown pelicans. Enjoy a short walk inland to see some of the largest land iguanas in the islands, together with Galapagos cotton that is believed to have been brought by the Incas. 

Day 6 - Punta Espinoza & Tagus Cove

Begin the day with a dry landing at Punta Espinoza on the northeast of Fernandina Island where hundreds of marine iguanas can be seen gathering in large groups. Embark on a short stroll to spot flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins and hawks, as well as lava cacti growing on the young flows, then soak up the impressive views of one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

In the afternoon we’ll visit the west coast of Isabela Island and Tagus Cove, a sheltered bay that’s been used as an anchorage for more than 300 years. Follow the nature trail through dry vegetation to the salt-water filled crater lagoon of Darwin Lake, which is renowned for its exceptional views of Darwin and Wolf Volcanoes, as well as the opportunity to see flightless cormorants and pelicans. 

Day 7 -  Puerto Egas and Buccaneer’s Cove

After breakfast on board, we’ll make a wet landing on the dark sand beach of Santiago Island’s Puerto Egas and walk along the rocky coast to explore the tidal pools that are filled with hermit crabs, barnacles and endemic four-eyed blenny, together with marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Visit the rusted remains of the salt mining industry that was established here in the 1920s while keeping your eyes peeled for Darwin’s finches, vermillion flycatchers and endemic Galapagos hawk, then soak up the spectacular views of the surrounding lava fields and palo santo forest from the crater rim. You’ll also have time to visit a fur seal grotto where you can swim with these playful creatures in the rocky lava-ringed pools. 

In the afternoon we will continue to Buccaneer's Cove, which once served as a haven for pirates, sailors and whalers who would anchor in the protected bay to make repairs to their ship and stock up on fresh water and tortoise meat. It’s home to two unusual rock formations - “The Monk” and “The Elephant” - as well as dramatic tuff formations and a dark reddish-purple beach. 

Day 8 - Daphne & Departure

Begin your final day in the Galapagos Islands with a visit to the twin volcanic islands of Daphne - Daphne Major and Daphne Minor -  which are a hub for scientific research. They play an important role in the study of Darwin’s finches, as well as being home to blue-footed and Nazca boobies, Galapagos martins, red-billed tropicbirds and short-eared owls. 

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

8 Day Sailing B Overview (South)

Experience the exceptional wildlife and unique landscapes of the Galapagos Islands on this 8-day itinerary through the south of the archipelago. Witness playful sea lions at Lobos Island and go snorkeling in the marine species-rich waters of Gardner Bay before discovering the human history of the islands at Post Office Bay and getting up close to giant Galapagos tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station. 

Day 1 - Baltra & North Seymour

Fly to Baltra Island Airport where you will be met by our local representative and transferred to the Nemo III. After a short briefing and delicious lunch on board, embark on your first excursion to North Seymour Island. Follow your naturalist guide along a trail that passes colonies of blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds, with the latter known for their long wingspan, hooked beaks and red neck pouch.  The two species share the same nesting area, with blue-footed boobies nesting on the ground while the frigatebirds nest above in the saltbushes. 

Day 2 - San Cristobal, Lobos Island, Kicker Rock & Cerro Brujo

Begin the day with a visit to Lobos Island, which is named after the large number of sea lions and fur seals that inhabit the island, as well as being home to blue-footed boobies and great frigatebirds. Visit the breeding center on San Cristobal to learn about the natural forces that created the Galapagos Islands, including volcanic eruptions and global marine currents. 

We’ll then head to Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido) off the coast of San Cristobal, which comprises two vertical rocks rising abruptly from the ocean to create a small channel that’s navigable by boat. Keep your eyes peeled for tropicbirds, frigates and boobies that soar above, together with colorful tropical fish and invertebrates in the waters below.

End the day with a visit to Cerro Brujo (Witch Hill) on the north coast of San Cristobal Island, which was one of the first sites visited by Charles Darwin. It’s home to  brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas, together with sea lions that can be seen basking on the white sands. 

Day 3 - Gardner Bay & Punta Suarez

We’ll begin the day with a visit the idyllic white sands of Gardner Bay where you’ll be greeted by a colony of boisterous sea lions. It’s an excellent place for swimming and scuba diving, as well as being home to brightly colored marine iguanas, Española lava lizards and swallow-tailed gulls, together with blue-footed and masked boobies, Galapagos hawk and a variety of finches. 

In the afternoon we’ll visit Punta Suarez on the western tip of Española Island, which is home to sea lions and the largest marine iguanas in the Galapagos Islands. Follow a trail to the cliff’s edge where masked boobies can be seen nesting in the rock formations, then continue to a blue-footed booby nesting site on the other side of the beach. 

Day 4 - Punta Cormorant, Champion Islet & Post Office Bay

Begin the day with a visit to Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island, landing on a green olivine-crystal beach before following your naturalist guide on a short trail that leads to a flamingo-filled lagoon. It’s also a good spot for seeing finches and large-billed flycatchers before the trail continues to another beach made of fine white sand that’s known as Flour Beach where you’ll have time to swim. 

After lunch on board, discover the human history of the islands in Post Office Bay on Champion Islet where a barrel was placed by whalers in the late 18th century to act as a makeshift post box. Outbound ships would drop off letters after rounding the cape, with the ships returning home then mailing them. The tradition continues to this day and you can 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. You’ll also have time to explore the remains of a Norwegian fishing village that was established in the 1920s but abandoned a couple of years later. 

Day 5  - Santa Cruz Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station

After breakfast on board, we’ll travel into the lush highlands of Santa Cruz to the private Las Primicias Ranch. This is one of the best places to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat as they migrate between the fertile highlands and the arid coastline.

In the afternoon we’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, which is a fascinating place to learn about the conservation work being conducted throughout the archipelago. See a range of different sub-species from across the archipelago at the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, with the tortoises ranging in age from new hatchlings to fully grown adults.

Day 6 - Plazas Sur & Santa Fe

After breakfast on board, we’ll make a dry landing on the South Plazas and follow a rocky trail around the island through its arid and coastal vegetation to see the large population of land iguanas. They’re bigger than other Galapagos land iguanas and feed on the fruit of the green prickly-pear cactus. The island is also home to marine iguanas along the coast and hybrid iguanas that result from breeding between male marine iguanas and female land iguanas. Continue along the cliffs to spot brown pelicans, red-billed tropic birds, swallow-tailed gulls and frigatebirds, together with Nazca and blue-footed boobies. 

In the afternoon we’ll cruise towards Santa Fe Island, which was formed during an uplift that has resulted in its relatively flat surface. Begin with a panga ride across the turquoise lagoon before encountering bull sea lions vying for space on the beach, then follow a loop trail past salt bushes to the island’s summit. Santa Fe is home to endemic land iguanas that are yellower than their counterparts on other Galapagos Islands, together with lava lizards and Galapagos hawks. 

Day 7 - Sombrero Chino & Bartolome Island

After breakfast on board, begin the day with a visit to Bartolome Island, which is famed as the home of Pinnacle Rock - one of the most photographed landmarks in the Galapagos Islands. Beside the rock lies two half-moon shaped beaches and a popular snorkeling site where you can get up close to sea lions, Galapagos penguins and a variety of fish, together with spotted eagle rays and white-tipped sharks.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore the small islet of Sombrero Chino that nestles off the southeast coast of Santiago Island and is named after its resemblance to a Chinese hat. We’ll land on a beautiful, crescent-shaped beach that’s home to sea lions and Sally Lightfoot crabs before following a short trail across its impressive lava fields that feature pahoehoe flows and lava tubes. Soak up the spectacular views of the waves crashing below, then go snorkeling with playful Galapagos penguins and sea lions. 

Day 8 - Mosquera Islet & Departure

Begin your final day in the Galapagos Islands with a visit to Mosquera Islet, an uplift of rocks and coral that lies between Baltra and North Seymour. Its white sandy beach boasts one of the largest populations of sea lions in the Galapagos, as well as being known for the occasional sighting of orcas feeding. 

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