AM: Upon arrival at Baltra Island, guides will meet you, collect your luggage, and escort you to the harbor for a short ferry ride to the ship, where the crew will welcome you aboard. After a welcome cocktail and an orientation and safety briefing, the cruise begins.

PM: Pinnacle Rock: Bartolomé is a barren islet in Sullivan Bay to the east of Santiago Island, and is home to one of the most distinctive and recognizable sites of the archipelago: Pinnacle Rock. Pinnacle Rock, a volcanic cone, was formed when magma was expelled from an underwater volcano; the sea cooled the hot lava, which then exploded, only to come together and form this huge rock made up of many thin layers of basalt. Bartolomé is the most visited and most photographed island in Galapagos. Visitors have access to two sites: one that involves a climb to an incredible viewpoint and the other at the beach where snorkeling and swimming can be enjoyed. Birdwatchers should be on the lookout for Galapagos penguins, herons, and Galapagos hawks.

(Lunch, Dinner & Accommodations, Ocean Spray)

AM: Darwin Bay: This white-sand coral beach heads a half-mile trail that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca Boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls can be spotted here. Further down the path are tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end of the trail ther is a spectacular view off a cliff.

PM: Prince Phillip's Steps:Also known as El Barranco, Prince Phillip's Steps' steep, rocky paths lead up to a high cliff-face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to Palo Santo trees as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, Galapagos swallows, and Galapagos doves.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Accommodations, Ocean Spray)

AM: Espumilla Beach: Espumilla Beach is a popular place for marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot crabs. The crabs attract the hunting herons, performing the dance of predator and prey. With an abundance of marine life including octopi, moray eels, and sharks, snorkeling is highly recommended.

Next, head to Buccaneer Cove, a former safe haven for pirates, who in the 1600 and 1700's would stake out on the Northwestern side of Santiago Island. Sea turtles now take the pirates' place and dig nests for their eggs near the mangrove trees. It is a great location for snorkeling and many marine birds and sea lions can be found here.

PM: Puerto Egas: Also known as James Bay, Puerto Egas is home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to a coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos fur seals bathe in the sun. This is also a great snorkeling site.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Accommodations, Ocean Spray)

AM: North Seymour Island: Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds are abundant on North Seymour Island. The island was formed by a series of submarine lava flows containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity.

PM: Santa Cruz - Los Gemelos We'll visit the highlands of Santa Cruz, where you can walk along a path, observing the hills, ferns, volcanoes, and rich wildlife. This area is home to giant tortoises, mockingbirds, Bahama ducklings, white-cheeked pintail ducklings, Darwin finches, and many other species. You will come upon the underground lava tubes, which are more than one kilometer (half a mile) long. Local guides will provide information and flashlights. Walking through the lava tubes is a unique and surreal experience.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Accommodations, Ocean Spray)

After this visit, we will head back to the airport for the return flight to the mainland.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Accommodations, Ocean Spray)