Evolution Expedition Yacht

Today you'll fly out to the Galapagos Islands from mainland Ecuador (either Quito or Guayaquil). On arrival you will be met by your ship's guide and you'll make your way to the vessel to begin your activities in the islands. On board, the crew will welcome you and you'll be briefed on your adventure for the upcoming days.
 

Afternoon Activities

This afternoon you'll visit Daphne Major Islet. Circumnavigate Daphne Major which is home to a variety of birds including Galapagos martins, blue footed boobies, nazca boobies, short eared owls and red billed tropic birds amongst others.

Morning Activities | Punta Vicente Roca - Isabela Island

At Punta Vicente Roca you will get to explore the coast by dinghy, all while your naturalist guides explain the dramatic geology of the surrounding area. This site is also a nesting place for numerous, iconic Galapagos species, such as: flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, fur seals, and boobies. Weather permitting, you will get the chance to snorkel alongside the cliffs of this area that are rich in marine life, oftentimes visited by green sea turtles and oceanic sun fish (Mola mola).

Afternoon Activities | Punta Espinoza - Fernandina Island

Fernandina is the third largest island in the archipelago and has a single visitor site: Punta Espinoza, located at the northeastern tip of the island. Fernandina is know for being the most "untouched" island in the Galapagos. Here, marine iguanas conglomerate in larger groups than in any other island. They bask around in the sand, swim near the shore and sometimes block the way at the landing dock. Among the unique species found here, we can find the flightless cormorant.

Morning Activities | Urbina Bay - Isabela Island

Urbina Bay is located at the base of Alcedo Volcano on the west coast between Tagus Cove and Elizabeth Bay. This area experienced a major uplift in 1954 causing the land to rise over 16 feet. The coast expanded half a mile out leaving marine life stranded on the new shore. As you explore inland, look for Galapagos Tortoises and land iguanas, among other wildlife. This is one of the few areas of the Galapagos to see tortoises truly in the wild. This area is also a great place for snorkeling.

Afternoon Activities | Tagus Cove- Isabela Island

Tagus Cove, a tour along the cliffs will give the visitors a good chance to see the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant and other seabirds. From the landing dock, it is about a 30-minute hike along the trail up to the top of the cliff from where you can view Darwin Lake, an uplifted lakes higher than the sea. You can also see several volcanoes from this location. Look carefully at the graffiti on the surrounding cliffs of the cove, done by pirates, whalers and buccaneers in past centuries!

Morning Activities | Bartolome Island

Today’s activities begin with a wet landing on the golden beach of this famous island, dominated by the imposing Pinnacle Rock. You will head to Bartholomew Island where the famous Pinnacle Rock is found. Bartholomew consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. We will take a trail of stairs to the summit of the volcano (about 30 or 40 minutes) where you will enjoy one of the best views of the islands! You will also visit a small, beautiful beach surrounded by the only vegetation found on this barren island. The beach is perfect for snorkeling where you may even see and swim with Galapagos penguins.

Afternoon Activities | Location - Island

Located at the south-east side of the Santiago Island, the landing here can be made both in the rocky shore (dry landing) and in the white sand beach (wet landing). There's a wonderful path here leading through a variety of wildlife like Sally Lightfoot Crabs and geological features like wave shaped lava floes. Sullivan Bay’s famous lava is known as Panoehoe, which is Hawaiian for string. It gets this name due to the fact that when the lava cools down after an eruption over the surfaces materials, it causes them to join creating the shape of a string or a rope.

Morning Activities | Bachas Beach - Santa Cruz Island

These two small beaches are found to the west of Turtle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, and a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small lagoon, where it is occasionally possible to observeflamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked whimbrels. The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during World War II, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Canal.

Afternoon Activities | Rabida Island

Disembark on Rabida Island’s red-colored beach, caused by the unusually high content of iron in the volcanic material. Our walk brings us close to a colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin’s finches. Very close to the beach, a salt pond occasionally hosts American flamingos. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, both for beginners as well as for experienced snorkelers, due to the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes. During navigation to our next island, we can sometimes spot dolphins!

Morning Activities | Highlands - Santa Cruz Island

The highlands of Santa Cruz have incredible zones of vegetation. There you will visit the private finca “Las Primicias”. This reserve offers you one of the best possibilities to see the huge tortoises of Santa Cruz Island in their natural habitat.

Afternoon Activities | Darwin Research Station - Santa Cruz Island

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. The main attractions are the National Park information centre, the Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Centre for young tortoises, and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity.

Morning Activities | Punta Suarez - Espanola Island

Arrival to Española Island, in the morning Punta Suarez, found on the western tip of Española. Punta Suarez offers great wildlife such as Sea Lions, sea birds and the largest Marine Iguanas of Galapagos. This is one of the best sites in the Galapagos, and the amount of wildlife is overwhelming. Along the beach there are many Sea Lions and large, colorful Lava Lizards and Marine Iguanas. As you follow the trail to the cliff's edge Masked Boobies can be found nesting among the rock formations.

Afternoon Activities | Gardner Bay - Espanola Island

Gardner Bay is a 45‐minute boat ride from Punta Suarez. It has a white sand beach and there is a small colony of sea lions. The possibilities for swimming or scuba diving are excellent here. Visitors find migrant, resident, and endemic wildlife including brightly colored Marine Iguanas, Española Lava Lizards, Hood Mockingbirds, Swallow Tailed Gulls, Blue Footed and Masked Boobies, Galapagos Hawks, a selection of Finch, and the Waved Albatross. Snorkel and go on a panga ride at Gardner Islet, and at Osborn Islet snorkel once more.

You'll depart today and head back to the mainland to head home or continue your trip.