SEAMAN II 5 Day Galapagos Cruise Itinerary (Thursday - Monday)

Day 1 - Thursday / Galapagos Arrival & Darwin Station

We begin our morning with a flight to the Galapagos Islands. Our crew meets us at the airport and assists us with our luggage and transfers with us to the Seaman II. Once on board we have lunch and in the afternoon head off to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.

Located near the center of the archipelago, Santa Cruz is the center of tourism in the Galapagos. A ten minute walk from the center of town, the Charles Darwin Research Station is the working Galapagos based branch of the international, non-profit Charles Darwin Foundation, a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station is included in all cruises of the islands. Visitors learn about natural history, issues concerning the islands, and see the Tortoise breeding and rearing project at work

Day 2 - Friday / Punta Moreno & Elizabeth Bay, Isabela

A visit to Punta Moreno begins on the rocky shoreline surrounded by black and red mangrove lagoons. Here we are treated to excellent views of some of Isabela's volcanoes including Alcedo, Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. The area has an abundant bird population including Darwin finch, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds, penguins, flightless cormorants, brown pelicans and blue- footed boobies.

A marine visitor site, a visit to Elizabeth Bay is a panga ride around the Marielas islets home to the largest colony of penguin in the Galapagos. The nearby mangrove lined cove is home to sea turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, brown pelicans and sea lions.

Day 3 - Saturday / Urvina Bay, Isabela & Punta Espinosa, Fernandina

Lying at the foot of Alcedo Volcano, south of Tagus Cove, is Urvina Bay (Urbina Bay) one of the best and the most recent example of geological uplift in the Galapagos. Seasonally Urvina Bay provides a nesting area for many of the Galapagos creatures. Female tortoises journey down from Alcedo to lay their eggs in the sand. Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants and brown pelicans nest in the area as well.

The youngest of the Galapagos Islands, Fernandina is approximately 700,00 years old. It's location to the west and on the far side of Isabela makes it one of the least visited islands. Fernandina is home to the largest colony of marine iguanas. Flightless cormorants nest in along this rocky area near the high water line, and recently Galapagos penguins have been spotted nesting in the area.

Day 4 - Sunday / Bartolome & Plazas

Located just off Sullivan Bay east of Santiago, Bartolome, a desolate island with few plants is the most visited and most photographed island in the Galapagos. Bartolome's Pinnacle Rock has become one of the best recognized and most photographed sights in the islands and was the back drop for the movie Master and Commander.

Located off the east coast of Santa Cruz, South Plaza is a small island with an interesting collection of species. Home to a noisy colony of sea lions, South Plaza is known for its lazy land iguanas who can be seen waiting under the prickly pear cactus for some of the delicious fruit to drop. Swallow-tailed gulls can be seen nesting along the cliffs. While yellow-tailed mullets, Audubon shearwaters, frigatebirds and brown pelicans can all be seen flying past.

Day 5 - Monday Morning / Interpretation Center & Galapagos Departure

Returning to the island of San Cristobal, we visit the interpretation center to learn about the conservation efforts in the Galapagos. We then return to the airport for our flight back to the Ecuadorian mainland.

View the 8 day Cruise Itinerary (Monday - Monday)

View the 8 day Cruise Itinerary (Thursday - Thursday)

View the 5 day Cruise Itinerary (Monday - Friday)

View the 4 day Cruise Itinerary (Monday - Thursday)

*Please note the itinerary may vary due to changes in air schedules, weather, national park regulations, local conditions, safety or unforeseen emergencies.