What to see on the Galapagos
Islands?
Santa
Cruz Island:
The Bachas Beaches:
These two small beaches are located on the West side of Turtle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, making it the favorite site to nest for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where occasionally is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, and has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra island as a strategical point to protect the Panama Channel. (The metal is rusty and sharp, so it is not a good place for swimming).
Caleta Tortuga:
An interesting point to visit. Here a panga ride will take us around a beautiful lagoon surrounded by green lush mangroves. We can expect to see manta rays, sharks, turtles, blue footed boobies, masked boobies, sea gals,etc.
Plazas Island:
These are two small islets that were uplifted a short distance from the east coast of Santa Cruz. The unusual vegetation and location of the island create an interesting landscape in which the fauna and flora of Galapagos are enhanced. Moreover despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the archipelago live here. It is possible to guarantee the observation of land iguanas, that often are in the shade of a cactus. Nesting on the rugged southern cliffs,the swallow–tailed gulls are usually seen along with various other sea birds. The protected rocky seashore is a prime habitat for a large colony of noisy sea lions. The principal attraction of Plazas are the land iguanas, the sea lions and the swallow – tailed gulls, Also we can see yellow – tailed mullets, Audubon’s shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds gliding past the cliff, brown pelicans gliding past the cliff.
Santa Fe (Barrington) Island: The small bay on Barrington’s northeast coast is an extremely picturesque anchorage. There are two different trails at this site One leads to a scenic viewpoint on top of a cliff where it is possible to find land iguanas, endemic to the island. The other trail is near the beach and is a short circular trail where it is possible to see land iguanas, but early in the morning or in the afternoon when the sun is low. A particular atracttion is the unusually tall forest of prickly cactus.
Española island:
Punta Suarez: This rocky point of land sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea affording the visitor spectacular views of soaring birds and of the blow whole, where water spouts up to 50-75 feet into the air according to the intensity of the surf.
Bahia Gardner: Located on the northereastern coast of Hood, Gardner Bay provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming and an opportunity to observe sea lions.
Floreana Island:
Post office bay: Historically, this site is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since this time by mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists.
Devil’s Crown: This islet consists of an eroded volcanic crater which owes its present form to the strong wave action. The interior is excellent for snorkelling and the exterior is considered one of the prime areas for SCUBA, especially when the current is strong. It is very important to note that only competent divers should dive in these conditions.
Santa Cruz Island:
Charles Darwin Interpretation Centre: Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands are carried out. Some of the principal attractions are: National Park information centre, Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, Breeding and Rearing Centre for young tortoises, Lonesome George (tortoise from Pinta), adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity.
Highlands of Santa Cruz island: The trail to the highlands leaves from Bellavista and passes through the agricultural zone, near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone and then goes to the Fern and Sedge zone. With clear weather (unpredictable) this area affords beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round.
Bartolome Island: A small barren island, located in Sullivan Bay off James Island, Bartholomew has two areas to visit. In one of them it is possible to climb to the summit of the island, from where visitors can observe a variety of volcanic formations, spatter and tuff cones, lava flows and lava tubes. The moon landscape provides the most scenic panorama in the archipelago. At the other site, the visitor may swim and snorkel from a beautiful beach or walk across the isthmus to another beach that faces south, where swimming is prohibited. Multi –colored fish and occasionally penguins may be seen at the base of the tall pinnacle rock which dominates Bartholomew’s landscape.
Sullivan Bay: This visitor site provides a unique opportunity to view a recent lava flow of approximately 100 years old. The east side of James Island is known to have barren volcanic landscapes, dominated by black pahoehoe (ropy) lava flows of very young age. On the surface of the lava is possible to observe some tree molds that were carried down by the flow of the fresh lava. It is also interesting to see how some Mollugo plants are starting to colonize the small lava fissures.
Santiago Island:
Egas Port: Is located at the West of James Island. This site has been seriously affected by the activities of the salt mining in the 1960’s and by the large quantities of introduced animals, especially the goats, which have caused great damage to the vegetation. Nevertheless, visitor sites are all of great beautyand scientific interest.
Rábida Island: This island has a striking dark red colour due to the high content of iron in the lava and its oxidation. Behind the beach there is a picturesque salt water lagoon. Where white–cheeked pintail provides a beautiful views from its southeastern cliffs.
North Seymour Island: This island is located to the North of Baltra. Its a flat and low-lying island, formed as a result of the uplift of a submarine lava formation. The vegetation is mainly low and bushy, and contains the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds in the Galapagos. There is also a large population of blue footed boobies nesting from may to November and by the coastline resides a colony of playful sea lions.
Genovesa island: The main attraction is the Prince Philip´s Steps. This site is part of the narrow arm of land which encircles the eastern section of Darwin Bay. It is an excellent place to observe various species of sea birds. After ascending 25 m up the cliff, the visitor arrives to a lava platform, where masked boobies, red footed boobies and frigate birds nest.The trail crosses a section of dry “palo santo” forest, typical of the island´s vegetation.
San Cristobal Island:
Cerro Brujo:
it is an impressive geological site, Is an eroded tuff cone that offers roosting sites for brown pelicans, boobies and gulls. The white coralline sand beach is beautiful and idyllic for sun bathing and swimming. Behind the beach there is a brackish water lagoon where common stilts, ducks, herons and other coastal birds feed.
Yachts Operation:
Arrival from Quito or Guayaquil in Galapagos normally occurs at 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. local time. After airport check out and payment of entrance fees and taxes, passengers will be transferred to the yacht (or to Pto Ayora) and welcomed by the crew , followed by guide explanations and first day tour. Next days normally boat start to sail at about 3 a.m. in it´s way to the next island. Arriving at about 6 a.m. Breakfast is served at about 7 a.m. followed by a disembark (wet or dry) in the shores of the island where tour will last for about 2 – 3 hours followed by swimming time. Return to the boat about 1 p.m. followed by lunch. in the afternoon navigation towards the next point of visit with swimming and snorkelling activities also. Snorkelling equipment can be rented on the boat at a cost of us$ 8.- for an 8 day tour, us$ 5 for a 5 day tour and us$ 4 for a 4 day tour. A deposit is required (us$ 80.-) to cover possible damages or equipment losses.
The Bachas Beaches:
These two small beaches are located on the West side of Turtle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, making it the favorite site to nest for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where occasionally is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, and has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra island as a strategical point to protect the Panama Channel. (The metal is rusty and sharp, so it is not a good place for swimming).
Caleta Tortuga:
An interesting point to visit. Here a panga ride will take us around a beautiful lagoon surrounded by green lush mangroves. We can expect to see manta rays, sharks, turtles, blue footed boobies, masked boobies, sea gals,etc.
Plazas Island:
These are two small islets that were uplifted a short distance from the east coast of Santa Cruz. The unusual vegetation and location of the island create an interesting landscape in which the fauna and flora of Galapagos are enhanced. Moreover despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the archipelago live here. It is possible to guarantee the observation of land iguanas, that often are in the shade of a cactus. Nesting on the rugged southern cliffs,the swallow–tailed gulls are usually seen along with various other sea birds. The protected rocky seashore is a prime habitat for a large colony of noisy sea lions. The principal attraction of Plazas are the land iguanas, the sea lions and the swallow – tailed gulls, Also we can see yellow – tailed mullets, Audubon’s shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds gliding past the cliff, brown pelicans gliding past the cliff.
Santa Fe (Barrington) Island: The small bay on Barrington’s northeast coast is an extremely picturesque anchorage. There are two different trails at this site One leads to a scenic viewpoint on top of a cliff where it is possible to find land iguanas, endemic to the island. The other trail is near the beach and is a short circular trail where it is possible to see land iguanas, but early in the morning or in the afternoon when the sun is low. A particular atracttion is the unusually tall forest of prickly cactus.
Española island:
Punta Suarez: This rocky point of land sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea affording the visitor spectacular views of soaring birds and of the blow whole, where water spouts up to 50-75 feet into the air according to the intensity of the surf.
Bahia Gardner: Located on the northereastern coast of Hood, Gardner Bay provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming and an opportunity to observe sea lions.
Floreana Island:
Post office bay: Historically, this site is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since this time by mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists.
Devil’s Crown: This islet consists of an eroded volcanic crater which owes its present form to the strong wave action. The interior is excellent for snorkelling and the exterior is considered one of the prime areas for SCUBA, especially when the current is strong. It is very important to note that only competent divers should dive in these conditions.
Santa Cruz Island:
Charles Darwin Interpretation Centre: Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands are carried out. Some of the principal attractions are: National Park information centre, Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, Breeding and Rearing Centre for young tortoises, Lonesome George (tortoise from Pinta), adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity.
Highlands of Santa Cruz island: The trail to the highlands leaves from Bellavista and passes through the agricultural zone, near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone and then goes to the Fern and Sedge zone. With clear weather (unpredictable) this area affords beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round.
Bartolome Island: A small barren island, located in Sullivan Bay off James Island, Bartholomew has two areas to visit. In one of them it is possible to climb to the summit of the island, from where visitors can observe a variety of volcanic formations, spatter and tuff cones, lava flows and lava tubes. The moon landscape provides the most scenic panorama in the archipelago. At the other site, the visitor may swim and snorkel from a beautiful beach or walk across the isthmus to another beach that faces south, where swimming is prohibited. Multi –colored fish and occasionally penguins may be seen at the base of the tall pinnacle rock which dominates Bartholomew’s landscape.
Sullivan Bay: This visitor site provides a unique opportunity to view a recent lava flow of approximately 100 years old. The east side of James Island is known to have barren volcanic landscapes, dominated by black pahoehoe (ropy) lava flows of very young age. On the surface of the lava is possible to observe some tree molds that were carried down by the flow of the fresh lava. It is also interesting to see how some Mollugo plants are starting to colonize the small lava fissures.
Santiago Island:
Egas Port: Is located at the West of James Island. This site has been seriously affected by the activities of the salt mining in the 1960’s and by the large quantities of introduced animals, especially the goats, which have caused great damage to the vegetation. Nevertheless, visitor sites are all of great beautyand scientific interest.
Rábida Island: This island has a striking dark red colour due to the high content of iron in the lava and its oxidation. Behind the beach there is a picturesque salt water lagoon. Where white–cheeked pintail provides a beautiful views from its southeastern cliffs.
North Seymour Island: This island is located to the North of Baltra. Its a flat and low-lying island, formed as a result of the uplift of a submarine lava formation. The vegetation is mainly low and bushy, and contains the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds in the Galapagos. There is also a large population of blue footed boobies nesting from may to November and by the coastline resides a colony of playful sea lions.
Genovesa island: The main attraction is the Prince Philip´s Steps. This site is part of the narrow arm of land which encircles the eastern section of Darwin Bay. It is an excellent place to observe various species of sea birds. After ascending 25 m up the cliff, the visitor arrives to a lava platform, where masked boobies, red footed boobies and frigate birds nest.The trail crosses a section of dry “palo santo” forest, typical of the island´s vegetation.
San Cristobal Island:
Cerro Brujo:
it is an impressive geological site, Is an eroded tuff cone that offers roosting sites for brown pelicans, boobies and gulls. The white coralline sand beach is beautiful and idyllic for sun bathing and swimming. Behind the beach there is a brackish water lagoon where common stilts, ducks, herons and other coastal birds feed.
Yachts Operation:
Arrival from Quito or Guayaquil in Galapagos normally occurs at 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. local time. After airport check out and payment of entrance fees and taxes, passengers will be transferred to the yacht (or to Pto Ayora) and welcomed by the crew , followed by guide explanations and first day tour. Next days normally boat start to sail at about 3 a.m. in it´s way to the next island. Arriving at about 6 a.m. Breakfast is served at about 7 a.m. followed by a disembark (wet or dry) in the shores of the island where tour will last for about 2 – 3 hours followed by swimming time. Return to the boat about 1 p.m. followed by lunch. in the afternoon navigation towards the next point of visit with swimming and snorkelling activities also. Snorkelling equipment can be rented on the boat at a cost of us$ 8.- for an 8 day tour, us$ 5 for a 5 day tour and us$ 4 for a 4 day tour. A deposit is required (us$ 80.-) to cover possible damages or equipment losses.