SEAMAN II 8 Day Galapagos Cruise Itinerary (Thursday - Thursday)

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 / Galapagos Arrival, Kicker Rock & Isla Lobos, San Cristobal

Arriving at the island of San Cristobal, we visit the interpretation center to learn about the conservation efforts in the Galapagos.

Located just up the coast to a small islet known as Isla Lobos for the many sea lions who live here.  The tranquil waters make it the perfect spot to snorkel with these fun loving animals.

Day 6 - Tuesday / Punta Suarez & Gardner Bay, Española

Española's two visitor sites offer an exceptional island visit. Gardner Bay is a favorite destination for swimming and snorkeling as well as offering a great beach. Punta Suarez is one of the highlights of the Galapagos Islands. The variety and quantity of wildlife assures a memorable visit. Visitors find migrant, resident, and endemic wildlife including brightly colored marine iguanas, Española lava lizards, Hood mockingbirds, swallow tailed gulls, blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, Galapagos hawks, a selection of finch, and the waved albatross.

Day 7 - Wednesday / Punta Cormorant, Devil's Crown & Post Office Bay, Floreana

Floreana is best known for its colorful history of buccaneers, whalers, convicts, and colonists. In 1793 British whalers established the Post Office Barrel to send letters to and from England. This tradition has continued over the years, and even today visitors may drop off and pick up letters, without stamps, to be carried to far destinations. Punta Cormorant offers two highly contrasting beaches. The landing beach is of volcanic origin and is composed of olivine crystals, giving it a greenish tinge. At the end of the short trail is a carbonate beach of extremely fine white sand. Formed by the erosion of coral skeletons, it is a nesting site for green sea turtles.

Day 8 - Thursday / Highlands, Santa Cruz & Galapagos Departure

A trip to the highlands offers an excellent opportunities for viewing wild tortoises. As you walk through the forest, listen carefully for the sound of heavy foot steps and the sound of shrubs being slowly crushed as the tortoises make their way through the brush to enjoy a meal. The Highlands also offers plenty of lava tubes, sinkholes and craters to explore. Theses eerie formations offer a fascinating hike into the belly of the island to view its volcanic make-up.  We continue from the highlands to Baltra for our return flight to the mainland of Ecuador.

View the 8 day Cruise Itinerary (Monday - Monday)

View the 5 day Cruise Itinerary (Thursday - Monday)

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.