Experience The Southern Galapagos Adventure

After lunch on board, begin cruising to your first visitor site, Isla Lobos. Isla Lobos, translated as Sea Lion Island, lives up to its name due its noisy population of these rowdy barking beasts. Here is your first chance to go swimming with these playful creatures. You will end your first day with a visit to Kicker Rock, a spectacular formation that rises 152 meters (500 feet) out of the ocean. It resembles a sleeping lion, but from another angle you can see that the rock is split. Return on board for a welcome cocktail and dinner.

Overnight: M/Y Grace(L, D)

Española Island, also known as Hood, is the southernmost island of the Galapagos archipelago and is perhaps one of the most popular due to the huge diversity and number of fauna that reside here. After breakfast you have the opportunity to visit Punta Suarez where you will witness the largest variety of marine iguanas in the Galapagos. Other wildlife you may encounter includes Nazca and blue-footed boobies nesting along the cliff’s edge and the well-known waved albatross. In the afternoon you will visit Gardner Bay, a spectacular white sandy beach where colonies of sea lions lounge in the sun, sea turtles swim in the turquoise waters and curious mockingbirds bravely investigate new arrivals.

Overnight: M/Y Grace(B, L, D)

In the afternoon you will hike to the Asylum of Peace, the site of an artesian spring, one of the few year-round sources of fresh water in the Galapagos. In the afternoon, visit Punta Cormorant which offers two contrasting beaches; an olive green beach and an iron-red beach. Between the two is a salt lagoon frequented by numerous birds including flamingos, stilts and pintails. In the late afternoon we head to the tiny islet known as Champion, considered one of the top snorkelling sites the Galapagos which offers prime underwater sea lion interactions.

Overnight: M/Y Grace(B, L, D)

Keep your eyes peeled for the famous Darwin finches and land iguanas in the bushes. Lava flows that bisect the shore and pierce the water form black reefs where you will enjoy some excellent snorkelling late in the morning. In the afternoon you are off to the Fausto Llerena Centre. This centre receives about 7,800 visitors a month and currently houses 925 youth and 70 adult turtles. It has been the primary centre for the Galapagos Tortoise Breeding Project. This project, which began in the 1970s, has been an incredible success in aiding the repopulation of Galapagos giant tortoises.

Overnight: M/Y Grace(B, L, D)

In the afternoon head north to Chinese Hat Island, or ‘Sombrero Chino’. The reason behind the name will become apparent as soon as you see its unusual shape.   Your next site is off limits to larger groups and day boats, making it one of the least visited sites in the central islands: a tiny crescent shaped cove with a sandy white beach cradled between black lava rocks and the crystal turquoise waters of the channel. A sea lion colony usually likes to rest on the warm white sands, while the rockier sections of the coast are alive with fiery coloured sally lightfoot crabs. Marine iguanas sun themselves atop the rocks after foraging for algae in the channel.

Overnight: M/Y Grace(B, L, D)

A yellow saltwater lagoon is found behind the reddish beach, where vast numbers of brightly coloured pink flamingos can be seen lazing around male sea lions that have been ousted from their groups. A little later in the morning there is a snorkelling opportunity along the rocks among sea lions and tropical fish.   In the afternoon, visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island. It is one of the most outstanding volcanic sites in the Galapagos. Since the Sullivan Bay Flow over, only a few plants like Mollugo and Lava cacti have managed to take root in this harsh environment. Oystercatchers can often be seen fishing for crabs and molluscs in the tide pools of Sullivan Bay. After exploring the lava flow, there is an opportunity for swimming and snorkelling with playful sea lions off two small coraline beaches.

Overnight: M/Y Grace(B, L, D)

After lunch, visit North Seymour Island, a popular nesting site for frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. The island was lifted from the ocean floor by seismic activity, and its origins as a seabed give the island its low, flat profile. This island is teaming with life! You might have to give way to a passing sea lion or marine iguanas. Blue-footed booby nests rest beside the trail where mating pairs perform their quirky courtship dance. A tiny forest of silver-grey Palo Santo trees stand just above the landing, usually without leaves, waiting for the rain to bring them into bloom.

Overnight: M/Y Grace(B, L, D)

Today your Galapagos cruise comes to an end, but before you bid farewell to the M/Y Grace you may have the time to visit Mosquera Islet, located between North Seymour and Baltra. It is one of the smallest Islands resulting from an uplift of sand and is made up of coral reefs and rocks. It boasts one of the largest sea lion colonies in the Galapagos archipelago. There are occasional reports of orca whales seen praying on the sea lion colony. It is also home to numerous sea birds making it an excellent site for observing shorebirds. Finally, return to the airport for your flight back to the Ecuadorian mainland.