Southern Galapagos Islands Cruise - ODYSSEY M/Y

Arrival at San Cristobal Airport

Fly from Quito or Guayaquil to San Cristobal Airport on San Cristobal Island this morning and meet and greet your naturalist guide and fellow passengers at the arrivals hall. Here, your luggage will be inspected and your Galapagos National Park entrance fee will be collected. By airport shuttle, reach our landing dock at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and transfer to our inflatable dinghy to board the Odyssey. Our crew will welcome you onboard for your check-in, briefing and safety drill before departing for a 45-minute bus journey to your first site on the cruise - Colorado Hill to see the breeding center of Galapagos giant tortoise.

Colorado Hill

On an unpaved road to reach the highlands of San Cristobal, you'll pass a sugarcane plantation and row of wind generators along a ridge. Officially, the breeding center on Colorado Hill is named Galapaguero Jacinto Gordillo, though locally, it has adopted the name of the red hill on which it's situated. With your naturalist guide, learn how these endangered species are cared for by the breeding center. Walk the botanical trail and discover the natural history of the Galapagos giant tortoises as you spot a collection of songbirds - Chatham mockingbird, large-billed flycatchers and yellow warblers.

Evening onboard Odyssey M/Y. 

Suarez Point

Reach Suarez Point by dry landing this morning and walk among the island's lava rocks to view its lava tubes. A must-see destination for any passionate birdwatcher, Suarez Point affords the exclusive opportunity for visitors to observe its endangered waved albatrosses in their natural habitat. Time your visit to their mating dances, which takes place primarily between May and November, when waved albatrosses engage in synchronized courtship dances by whistling and bowing. You'll also be able to witness these large birds take flight by using the rugged cliff of Suarez Point as a launching pad. Weighing up to four kilograms, these waved albatrosses are one of the largest birds in the Galapagos, with some 12,000 pairs nesting on Española Island. Enthusiastic birdwatchers will also appreciate sightings of Nazca and blue-footed boobies. With your naturalist guide, point out colonies of marine iguanas and hood lava lizards on your morning excursion to Suarez Point.

Gardner Bay

Following a wet landing at Gardner Bay this afternoon, go for a short walk along Española Island's pristine stretch of white sand beach. Though Gardner Bay is an important breeding site for Pacific green turtles, the star of this afternoon's stop is the colony of lazy sea lions napping in the sun. Hop in the shallow water along the shoreline's rocks for a chance to swim with these playful creatures, and enjoy an afternoon of snorkeling among tropical fish and sea turtles.

Evening onboard Odyssey M/V. 

Devil’s Crown

Reach Devil's Crown on the Odyssey this morning, situated just off the coast of Floreana Island. This site is aptly named for its ring-shaped assembly of jagged rocks that resemble a crown when seen from afar. Here, enjoy a panga ride around this tiny island, and hop into its enticing waters for a swim among thousands of small colorful fish, sea lions and perhaps even a Pacific green turtle. With excellent visibility and a diverse population of marine wildlife, Devil's Crown is highly regarded by many as the premiere snorkeling spot in the Galapagos. Above the sea, keep your eyes peeled for a variety of coastal birds in search of protected nesting areas, and spot brown pelicans, red-billed tropicbirds, and Nazca and blue-footed boobies.

Cormorant Point

Following Devil's Crown, reach Cormorant Point on the western shores of Floreana Island where you'll be greeted by a small colony of Galapagos sea lions. Cormorant Point is widely recognized for its glassy olive green sands, thanks to its surplus of olivine crystals. Following a wet landing, join your naturalist guide on a short trek to observe frigatebirds and pelicans in their natural habitat. Continue your walk to a saltwater lagoon, where if you're lucky, you'll have the opportunity to spot American flamingos. Conclude your visit to Cormorant Point by snorkeling.

Post Office Bay & Baroness Lookout

Arrive at Post Office Bay this afternoon, one of three visitor’s sites on Floreana’s northern shores. Mail home a postcard from the traditional barrel on this historic site, which pays homage to an improvised mail system that was set-up for communication between British whalers and poachers in the 16th century. Learn about the history of the whaling industry here and how this post box revealed the positions of the whaling vessels to the American frigate USS Essex during the Anglo-American War between 1812 and 1815.
Proceed by inflatable dinghy to Baroness Lookout by traveling along the graceful arm of the sheltered bay, and reach the entrance of a submerged tuff cone. Along the way, spot Galapagos sea lions, Pacific green turtles and maybe even a Galapagos penguin. Baroness Lookout is the only site along this six-day southeastern Galapagos itinerary for the opportunity to visit penguins. Climb the basaltic cone of Baroness Lookout for a striking panorama of the Galapagos, and admire the blue waters of the ocean against lush red mangroves below. From your guide, learn about the self-proclaimed Empress of the Galapagos, Baroness Eloisa von Wagner Bosquet, who was one of the early settlers of this island.

Evening onboard Odyssey M/Y. 

Barrington Bay

At an estimated four million years, Santa Fe Island is one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos archipelago. With a relatively small land area of 24 sq. km, this island situated between Santa Cruz and San Cristobal boasts a diversity of endemic species - the Santa Fe land iguana and rice rat, which makes this island a delicate ecosystem. Its landscape is unique for its population of the large prickly pear cactus, Opuntia Echios, which feeds Santa Fe's land iguanas. With thick trunks, these cacti can grow to over 10 meters in height. Following a wet landing at Barrington Bay, you'll be greeted by a colony of Galapagos sea lions on the sandy shores. Enjoy a swim or snorkel in the shimmering waters of this paradisiacal bay as hawks fly overhead, keeping your eyes peeled for spotted eagle rays, tropical fish and marine tortoises.

South Plaza

South Plaza Island is half a pair of the Plazas Island off the eastern shores of Santa Cruz. While the North Plaza Island is visited for research purposes only, you'll visit the South Plaza Island on the Odyssey this afternoon to see one of the largest sea lion colonies in the Galapagos, which is estimated to be at about 1000. On a hike with your naturalist guide, you'll notice that the land iguanas on South Plaza Island are smaller, largely due to fierce food competition and overpopulation. As you wind along a rugged cliff where brown noddies, swallow-tailed gulls and red-billed tropicbirds nest, you'll also have the opportunity to observe land iguanas as they feed on the fruit of the prickly pear cactus that carpet the island.

Evening onboard Odyssey M/Y. 

North Seymour

The island of North Seymour was formed by the uplifting of underwater volcanic lava, which resulted in a small flat island 1.9 sq. km in size. Following a dry landing, learn about the 72 land iguanas that were introduced to North Seymour in 1932 to colonize the island. Captain Alan Hancock and his crew transported these undernourished iguanas from Baltra Island in the hopes that they will thrive in better conditions on North Seymour. And in 1934 just two years later, the species was identified to have adapted without issues. Walk the arid boulder-strewn landscape with your guide, and follow along an easy circular path that takes you past the most extensive colonies of blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds in the archipelago.

Bachas Beach

Arrive at Santa Cruz Island on the Odyssey this afternoon and visit the dazzling white sand Bachas Beach on the northern shores of Santa Cruz. This beach earned its name after World War II when the American army abandoned their barges on the beach. Unable to pronounce "barge" in the English language, "bachas" is the result of a mispronunciation, resulting in the name of the beach. Stroll the pristine coastline where its sands meet the turquoise bay, and orange Sally Lightfoot crabs scurry between the rocks at your feet. Reach a brackish lagoon on your walk, where white-cheeked pintails and hunting herons wade in the water and catch a glimpse of the American flamingos that inhabit this island. From your naturalist guide, learn about the role Bachas Beach plays as one of the island's main sea turtle nesting sites.

Evening onboard Odyssey M/Y. 

Mosquera

Though close neighbors with North Seymour, the two offer distinct experiences. While North Seymour is a favorite attraction for its sizable breeding colonies of boobies and frigatebirds, Mosquera is recognized for its large colony of Galapagos sea lions, one of the largest in the entire archipelago that enjoys lolling on the islet's white coral sand beaches. Mosquera is also one of the few sites inside this pristine National Park where you can stroll freely off-trail. During your walk along the beach, your naturalist guide will also point out varieties of shorebirds and waders.

Transfer to Seymour Airport on Baltra Island

Your visit to Mosquera concludes these six-day Southeastern Galapagos Islands cruise on the Odyssey. Your guide and friendly crew members will transfer you by shuttle to Seymour Airport on Baltra island for your onward journey, and accompany you to the check-in counters and departure hall.