GALAXY DIVER ITINERARY

☑ Assitance and transfer IN.
☑ Welcome onboard Galaxy Diver.
☑ Welcome drink and lunch.

Day 1 – Wednesday / – Arrival at the Gateway to the Enchanting
Galapagos Islands

Welcome to the Galapagos Islands, where today marks the beginning of our adventure onboard the
Galaxy Diver liveaboard yacht. Our journey starts with our arrival at Seymour Airport, also known as
Baltra Airport, located on Baltra Island. As we step off the plane, we’ll be greeted by our guide and the
friendly staff of the Galaxy Diver, who will help us with our luggage and transfer us to the Galaxy Diver.
Then, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch and settle into our cabins. Bachas gets its name from the remains
of two large barges (mispronounced by locals as “bachas”) left by the Americans during WWII. At low
tide, you can still see the iron skeletons of the barges buried in the white sand. From November to
May, this place is also one of the most important sea turtle nesting grounds in the entire Galapagos islands. There are also several small saltwater lagoons where we often see flamingoes, herons, and
other aquatic birds.

Day 2 – Thursday / Sullivan Bay & Rabida

Embark on a journey of discovery as you hike amidst the volcanic islands, each step unveiling the
mysteries of their formation. Here, you’ll traverse an exceptionally preserved Pahoehoe lava flow—
Marvel at its intricate textures – a sight restricted to only a handful of global locations. Though the
landscape may initially seem devoid of life, a closer inspection will reveal nature’s resilience. Spot the
pioneer plants, the darting lava lizards, and the avian inhabitants, small yet full of life.
Next, exchange your hiking boots for flippers as the morning invites you to a snorkeling adventure.
Either plunge into the clear waters from the pristine coral sand beach or swim from the dinghies. As
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you submerge, transition into an aquatic wonderland teeming with biodiversity. Schools of vibrant
fish, playful Galapagos penguins, stealthy reef sharks, graceful turtles, and gliding rays welcome you
into their world.
We then go to Rábida, a petite island celebrated for its iron-rich reddish lava rocks, a distinct sight
unlike any other. The island’s crimson beach is home to a bustling colony of sea lions. We’ll also explore
a quaint saltwater lagoon frequented by ducks, stilts, and, occasionally, flamboyant flamingos. A trail
beckons inland, promising breathtaking views of the beach and lagoon. Stay on the lookout for Darwin
finches, flycatchers, and mockingbirds. As you approach the cliffs by the coast, anticipate encounters
with Nazca and blue-footed boobies, brown noddy, herons, and two species of sea lions: Galapagos
and fur seals.
As the afternoon sun shines, a second snorkeling expedition beckons. Starting from the beach, you’ll
delve into a sheltered rocky area, an aquatic paradise for fish, sea lions, and reef sharks—Marvel at
the intricate diversity of small invertebrates clinging to the vertical underwater walls.
This voyage isn’t merely a trip; it’s a plunge into an ecosystem that whispers the tales of our planet’s
past and present. With every step on land and flipper stroke underwater, you are not just a traveler
but a silent observer of nature’s unfathomable wonders. We encourage you to take this journey, to
live these stories, and to find your own amidst these volcanic islands.

Day 3 – Friday / Espinoza Point & Tagus Cove

Find yourself at the foot of an awe-inspiring, active volcano in the Galapagos National Park, a place
that houses the extraordinary. As you step ashore, you’ll be greeted by countless marine iguanas from
the largest known colony while sea lions and their young playfully cavort in nearby tide pools. Along
the coast, spot the flightless cormorants unique to the archipelago’s western parts. Home to a
multitude of species, from herons to sea turtles, Punta Espinosa thrives due to its plankton-rich
waters. Keep an eye on the mangroves for Galapagos hawks perched high, scouting for their next
meal.
Take advantage of the snorkeling around Punta Espinosa, a haven for diverse marine life thanks to the
nutrient-rich waters. You’ll marvel at the marine iguanas feeding underwater amidst the abundant
seaweeds. Following a cormorant on a high-speed fish chase through the reef makes for an
unforgettable snorkeling experience.
Next, venture to Tagus Cove, a historical site visited by Charles Darwin. A trail through the dry Palo
Santo forests introduces you to Darwin finches and mockingbirds while offering splendid views of
Darwin’s lake and northern Isabela’s massive volcanoes. A boat tour along the shoreline allows
sightings of penguins, cormorants, marine iguanas, and the unique Galapagos martin, an endemic bird
species that are among the island’s most endangered.
The snorkeling around Tagus Cove is just as captivating, with nutrient-rich waters teeming with sea
turtles, diverse fish, and penguins feasting on anchovies. Expect to see cormorants underwater as they
weave through the reefs chasing fish.

Day 4 – Saturday / Urbina Bay & Elizabeth Bay

Venture into the past as you explore the site renowned for its dramatic uplifting in the 1950s, where
a large part of the coast was thrust upwards, revealing a vast area once submerged underwater. Trace
the history embedded in the trail as you discover small shells and corals, evidence of an aquatic past
over sixty years old. The area is a hub of life, home to land iguanas and, seasonally, giant tortoises.
Look to the skies or treetops to spot Galapagos hawks.
Don your snorkeling gear and head to the beach to encounter sea turtles, cormorants, and penguins.
Abundant fish life thrives in these waters, making your underwater exploration all the more exciting.
Next, experience the serene beauty of Elizabeth Bay, a protected bay framed by towering mangroves
and stark lava fields. As there’s no trail here, explore the area on a dinghy tour, navigating through
life-teeming channels, pools, and coves. This spot is among the best to see Galapagos penguins, albeit
in smaller numbers due to the overall population of only about 3,000. The area also hosts flightless
cormorants, blue-footed boobies, and pelicans, especially seen fishing in these nutrient-rich waters.
Sea turtles and rays are also plentiful here.

Day 5 – Sunday / Tintoreras & Isabela Wetlands

Located near Puerto Villamil, the primary settlement in Isabela, occupying merely 3% of the island’s
total landmass, is a remarkable little islet brimming with wildlife. Isabela, the largest island in the
Galapagos archipelago, exhibits a unique seahorse shape and hosts an array of natural wonders.
Tintoreras, the islet near Puerto Villamil, is home to expansive colonies of marine iguanas and sea
lions. You can observe rays and sea turtles gracefully maneuvering through the shallow channels and
get an up-close look at the local ‘Tintoreras,’ or reef sharks. The island also hosts a diverse bird
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population, including common herons and gulls. With some luck, you might even spot a Galapagos
penguin, a species represented by a few individuals in the area.
Continuing the adventure, you will reach the wetlands of Villamil, a vast network of lagoons, channels,
and coves neighboring the town. Surrounded by mangroves, these saltwater lagoons serve as
sanctuaries for various bird species, such as American flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, gallinules,
stilts, and other shorebirds. The main trail begins in the town and concludes at the Tortoise Breeding
Center, offering a rewarding trek for nature lovers.

Day 6 – Monday / Post Office Bay & Cormorant Point

Floreana Island, renowned for its intriguing tales of German settlers and a baroness in the late 1920s
and 1930s, is steeped in mystery, with stories of unsolved assassinations and disappearances.
In the morning, head to Post Office Bay, a popular anchoring spot for whalers in the past who visited
the highlands for fresh water and tortoises. This site was part of a unique mailing system established
over 200 years ago, where sailors would leave messages for other ships in a barrel near the beach.
This historic mail system remains active, allowing you to send postcards from the Galapagos. Apart
from a stunning beach and a lava tunnel, you can enjoy a dinghy tour to spot sea lions, green sea
turtles, shorebirds, small sharks, and if lucky, Galapagos penguins. Snorkeling offers encounters with
sea turtles, rays, a variety of fish, and possibly even a Galapagos penguin.
In the afternoon, venture to Cormorant Point, located in Floreana’s north, famous for its large
coastal lagoon housing American flamingoes, white-cheeked pintails, black-necked stilts, and other
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shorebirds. Admire the pristine white sand beach, a significant nesting ground for green sea turtles,
and keep an eye out for rays and reef sharks. Recent years have seen the arrival of blue-footed
boobies, now breeding by the trail. It’s also an excellent trail for exploring endemic plants.

Day 7 – Tuesday / Highlands & Charles Darwin Station

Embark on a morning bus journey to the lush highland forests of the Galapagos. This region is home
to the iconic Galapagos Giant Tortoises and a variety of unique bird species that favor the highlands
over the lowlands. You might also explore an intriguing lava tunnel, learning about the volcanic origins
of these islands.
In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Station, a hub of conservation efforts working tirelessly to
protect the Galapagos’ biodiversity. Learn about their ambitious projects, such as the captive breeding
program for giant tortoises, while walking through a scenic dry native forest, home to an array of
native plants and numerous endemic bird species.

Day 8 – Wednesday / Seymour & Return to Ecuador Mainland

Start your final day with a visit to Seymour Island. This vibrant hub of wildlife boasts impressive
colonies of magnificent and great frigatebirds, often spotted displaying their distinct red gular
pouches. Blue-footed boobies are no strangers to performing their famed dance amidst open areas,
while swallow-tailed gulls can be seen resting on cliff edges. Inland, you’ll encounter land iguanas
while their marine counterparts bask near the sea, often alongside body-surfing sea lions.
Following your morning excursion, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight back to mainland
Ecuador.