Good Birding Galapagos

Today, you’ll fly from Quito or Guayaquil to the Galapagos. Upon arrival in San Cristóbal Island, the archipelago’s capital, you’ll undergo a health and environmental inspection to help protect the sensitive ecosystems. Your naturalist guide will welcome you and escort you to Baquerizo Moreno Port, where you’ll board the yacht. 

After a briefing and cabin check-in, we will set sail for Lobos Islet, located in the northern part oof the island. Here, you’ll encounter Opuntia Cactus forests, the endemic San Cristobal Mockingbirds, differents species of Darwin’s finches, Frigatebirds, and the very special marine iguanas. The day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay on board.

Today, we’ll visit Española, the archipelago’s oldest and southernmost island, home to a wealth of endemic species. At Punta Suárez, we’ll marvel at vividly coloured marine iguanas and the iconic Waved Albatross. Later, we will snorkel in Gardner Bay alongside colourful fish and playful sea lions. While walking along the white-sand beaches, we’ll try to spot the endemic Española Mockingbird and the elusive Large Cactus Finch.

On Day 3, we will explore Floreana, one of the four inhabited islands, and home to two endangered endemic species. At Asilo de la Paz, we’ll search for the critically endangered Medium Tree Finch and observe giant tortoises. Then, we’ll set sail for Champion Islet, a key refuge for the Floreana Mockingbird. As we sail north, we’ll also watch out for pelagic seabirds and cetaceans.

From Pelican Bay in Puerto Ayora, we will take a private bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz, where we’ll look for the elusive endemic Galapagos Rail in the Miconia vegetation zone. At Rancho Primicias, we will try to spot the Woodpecker Finch and endemic Galapagos Barn Owl in the Scalesia forests. Later, we’ll return to Puerto Ayora to observe additional lowland species before reboarding the yacht.

Today, we’ll wake up near Puerto Villamil and hike to Sierra Negra, one of the world’s largest volcanic calderas, where we’ll search for the Galapagos Rail and Galapagos Flycatcher, two rare endemics. In the afternoon, we’ll take some time to explore the brackish lagoons behind the village, a haven for shorebirds and waterfowl.

Isabela, the largest island of the archipelago, is home to six volcanos and some of Galapagos’ most iconic species. At Punta Moreno, we will walk along lava flows and through mangroves, spotting Flightless Cormorants – one of the world’s rarest birds - marine iguanas, and penguins. Later, a dinghy ride across Elizabeth Bay will provide close encounters with Galapagos Penguins and Fur Seals. We’ll finish our day with some snorkelling, then an overnight sail to Fernandina Island.

Today, we’ll take a dinghy ride through the mangroves at Mangle Point, where you can snorkel with sea lions, green sea turtles, and marine iguanas. In the afternoon, we’ll head to Urbina Bay at the base of Alcedo Volcano, a prime location for observing Flightless Cormorants and unique coastal habitats.

We’ll start the day by exploring historic Tagus Cove, a former pirate anchorage. Then, a hike to Darwin’s Lagoon offers views of finches and seabirds. Later, at Punta Espinoza, we can observe Galapagos Penguins, Flightless Cormorants, and numerous seabirds. We may also visit Tortuga Negra Beach to search for the rare Mangrove Finch.

At Puerto Egas, we’ll explore black sand beaches and brackish lagoons, home to American Flamingos, Black-necked Stilts, White-cheeked Pintails, and Galapagos Hawks. In the afternoon, we will hike through a coastal forest to saltwater lagoons at Playa Espumilla, followed by a dinghy tour along Bucanero Cove’s bird-rich cliffs and red sand beaches.

Genovesa, or "Bird Island," is a volcanic crater teeming with seabirds. At Darwin Bay, we can explore coral beaches where Red-footed Boobies, Swallow-tailed Gulls, and four species of Darwin’s Finches species nest. Then, a hike across the pāhoehoe lava fields of El Barranco provides breathtaking crater views and prime birdwatching.

On our final day, we’ll visit North Seymour Island, home to Blue-footed Boobies, Brown Noddies, Galapagos Shearwaters, and Magnificent Frigatebirds. The island also hosts a large sea lion colony and the unique Swallow-tailed Gull, the only nocturnal gull in the world.

After a final morning excursion, we return to the yacht and transfer to Baltra Airport for our flight back to the mainland.