Southern & Central Galapagos Islands cruise - SOLARIS M/Y

Arrival at San Cristobal Airport 

Meet and greet your naturalist guide upon arrival at San Cristobal Airport on San Cristobal Island, and be escorted onboard the Solaris Yacht. Before leaving the airport for a short bus ride to the harbor, you'll pass an inspection point where your Transit Control Card will be stamped. Be sure to store this with your travel documents as you'll need to show it again when you depart the Galapagos Islands. If you haven't already, you'll also pay the Galapagos National Park entrance fee of 100 USD here.

Interpretation Centre and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno 

Reach the easternmost island of the Galapagos this afternoon and recount the history of the archipelago with your guide. With displays and exhibits in both Spanish and English, the Interpretation Center in San Cristobal Island's main port of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is an excellent source of information for visitors who are passionate about the natural and human history of the Galapagos. Discover the volcanic origins of the islands, the evolution and colonization of its species and the history of human settlement in the Galapagos.

Enjoy your first dinner and evening on board the Solaris.

Gardner Bay 

Following a wet landing at Gardner Bay this morning, go for a short walk along Española Island's pristine stretch of white sand beach, perfect for relaxing and swimming. Though Gardner Bay is an important breeding site for Pacific green turtles, the star of this morning'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, and perhaps observe sharks in the ocean's crystal clear waters. 

Punta Suarez 

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 bird watcher because of its impressive and varied colonies of sea birds, Suarez Point also 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 afternoon excursion to Suarez Point.

Enjoy dinner and evening onboard the Solaris.

Punta Cormorant and Champion Islet 

Situated on the western shores of Floreana Island, Cormorant Point is widely recognized for its olive green sands, due to a surplus of olivine crystals. Following a wet landing, join your naturalist guide on a short trek to observe sea lions, frigatebirds and pelicans in their natural habitat. Punta Cormorant also boasts Flamingo Lagoon, where various species of shorebirds besides flamingos reside. Continue to nearby Devil's Crown on the Solaris, aptly named for its ring-shaped assembly of jagged rocks that resemble a crown when seen from afar. Hop into its enticing waters for a swim among the colonies of small fish and sea lions. With excellent visibility and a diverse population of marine wildlife, Devil's Crown is highly regarded by many as the best snorkeling spot in the Galapagos.

Post Office Bay 

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. Climb 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, and view the ruins of what used to be her home. 

Enjoy dinner and evening on board the Solaris.

Sullivan Bay 

Sullivan Bay is a favorite stop on this five day Southern Central Galapagos Islands itinerary because of its unique geological characteristics. Situated on the southeastern end of Santiago Island, reach Sullivan Bay by wet landing this morning and embark on an easy 1.5 km hike across a wild terrain of volcanic features, observing black lava flow, collapsed craters, and volcanic hornitos. This stretch of Santiago Island was carpeted in flowing lava following an eruption in the early 1900s, formulating a relatively young landscape. Geologists and volcanologists will delight in experiencing hardened lava flow and pahoehoe - ropy lava, beneath your feet. Despite the island's barren landscape of tuff cones and eroded lava flow, you may be lucky enough to spot Pacific green turtles on the tiny white sand beach, along with stray herons and crabs.

Bartolome Island 

Situated across Sullivan Bay, this tiny 1.2 sq. km island has an altitude of 114 meters, from which you can observe a dramatic landscape of lava fields, volcanic cones and lunar like craters. Enjoy some leisurely time on this wild island by swimming or snorkeling at the base of Pinnacle Rock, or opt to go on a nature walk instead for an opportunity to spot the endangered Galapagos penguins.

Enjoy dinner and evening on board the Solaris.

Black Turtle Cove 

Discover Black Turtle Cove on your final morning aboard the Solaris. Situated on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island, land among a tranquil landscape of mangrove forests. Seemingly unscathed by human development, this bay is accessible by dinghy only, and the shallow cove acts as a refuge for a wealth of marine life, where you'll have the opportunity to encounter black-tip reef sharks, marine turtles and a variety of rays.

Following your visit to Black Turtle Cove, you'll be transferred to Seymour Airport on Baltra Island for your flight to Quito or Guayaquil.