DAY 1: TUESDAY
AM: Baltra
Upon arrival at Seymour Ecological Airport, a check-up is carried out first, to ensure that no foreign plant or animal species are introduced on the islands. Furthermore, your TCC (Transit Control Card) is stamped; this must be kept safe during your trip, as it has to be presented again on your return flight. In addition, entrance to the Galapagos National Park is due for entry (the US $ 100), if this has not yet been paid. Your guide will meet you at the airport, assist you with the luggage and accompany you on the short bus ride to the harbor of Puerto Ayora. Here you will climb aboard the yacht Aqua. After greeting the crew and the captain, your cabins will be assigned to you and then you will enjoy your first lunch on board.
PM: Baltra North East
This is the perfect spot to start your adventure with moderate currents. This dive site is for adventurous divers looking to see fascinating lava and rock formations, as well as an incredible number of marine species. At the depth of around 20 m (60 ft), we might see white-tip reef sharks, pelagic fish, reef fish, rays, and turtles. Additionally, sea lions will be your companions upon entry and on the safety stops. Occasionally, hammerhead sharks can be spotted swimming nearby.
AM: Bartolome
Located east of Santiago Island, this small island is known for its unique spear-like pinnacle. Beneath the waves we dive over, we will go around a rocky platform and float around underwater cliffs that start at 15m and disappear into the sea bed, giving us a good chance to see pelagic animals.
You can expect to see some of the following marine life: seahorses, white tip reef sharks, reef fish (including large schools of hunting yellow-tailed surgeonfish), barracudas, turtles, Mobula rays, stingrays, scorpion stonefish, and various invertebrates.
PM: Cousin´s Rock
Cousin’s Rock is located northeast of Santiago island, near Bartolome. This site has a unique and stunning topography of jagged rocky shelves where animals, both big and small, can be found resting and feeding. It is one of the few places where you can see endemic black coral amongst the riot of colorful clams, algae, flora, and fauna that cover the rocks like splashes of paint. During our surface interval, look out for penguins that inhabit the surrounding area.
You can expect to see some of the following Marine Life: sea lions, Galapagos sharks, white tip reef sharks, turtles, seahorses, barracudas, stingrays, eagle rays, manta rays, and reef fish (including large schools of floating bullseye pufferfish).
AM / PM: Wolf IslandsNamed after the German geologist Theodor Wolf, this extinct volcano reaches 253m (780ft) above sea level and lies around 160km (100m) northwest of Isabela Island. Land visits are not permitted, however, birdlife such as red-footed boobies and vampire finches may be spotted from the boat.
For our dives, we choose from a selection of reefs and walls, most have medium to strong currents, where the use of gloves and reef hooks is advised. Schooling pelagics are the main attraction, but you can also see hammerheads, white tips, and Galapagos sharks in the sites (May-November).
AM / PM: Darwin Islands
A volcano that reaches 165m (490ft) above sea level was named in honor of naturalist Charles Darwin. It is amongst the smallest island within the Galapagos Archipelago and like Wolf Island, no land visits are permitted.
One of the most famed diving sites is “Darwin’s Arch”, which provides an amazing drift dive along the wall at an average depth of just 9m. Medium to strong currents are to be expected, but you bring with them many hammerheads, black tips, silky and Galapagos sharks! Schools of jacks are a common sight, along with turtles, angelfish, and moray eels. Occasional sightings of tiger sharks, manta rays, and bottlenose dolphins make for a thrilling time. Whale sharks may also be seen between May – November.
AM / PM: Wolf Islands
Named after the German geologist Theodor Wolf, this extinct volcano reaches 253m (780ft) above sea level and lies around 160km (100m) northwest of Isabela Island. Land visits are not permitted, however, birdlife such as red-footed boobies and vampire finches may be spotted from the boat.
For our dives, we choose from a selection of reefs and walls, most have medium to strong currents, where the use of gloves and reef hooks is advised. Schooling pelagics are the main attraction, but you can also see hammerheads, white tips, and Galapagos sharks in the sites (May-November).
DAY 6: SUNDAY
AM: Vicente Roca Point
We will cross the Bolivar Channel for the last time to Vicente Roca Point, just at the mouth of Isabela’s seahorse shape. While entering a dark cave below a spectacular arch, roaring echoes of the waves will accompany you. Just around the corner, the collapsed amphitheater of Volcan Ecuador offers another impressive view. The calmer waters of the coves are well-protected against the ocean swell and are a great place for snorkeling amongst various species of shark, penguins, pufferfish, and even seahorses!
PM: Cape Douglas
Cape Douglas is sure to provide you amazing opportunities to observe a large amount of marine life, above and under the water! As you prepare for your dive, you can see Galapagos Penguins, Galapagos Flightless Cormorants, and Galapagos Marine Iguanas- animals only found exclusively on the Islands. A sure sight is incredible marine iguanas swimming and feeding on the rocks under the surface. Some marine life you may see are Red-lipped Batfish, Horn Sharks, Mola Mola, and possibly Baleen Whales!
DAY 7: MONDAY
AM: Roca Blanca
For divers, Roca Blanca is a mecca for sea life. Located on the South East coast of Isabela Island, it’s one of the best diving sites the central islands offer. Due to the cooler and waters in the central islands, this increases the diversity of marine life. You will get to see amazing life here, such as: sharks, manta & eagle rays, sea lions, moray eels, lobsters, and a vast population of tropical fish.
PM: Pinzón
It is a small island located off the western coast of Santa Cruz, about 1 hour from Puerto Ayora. It is a great spot for beginners and experienced divers, offering many playful sea lions, turtles, and red-lipped batfish. The deep drop-off wall is for more experienced divers and is a great spot to see sea horses, rays, different species of sharks, and lobster. In the warmer months, Pinzon is a favorite site for the Manta Rays and pods of dolphins.
DAY 8: TUESDAY
AM: Highlands
The road to the highlands leaves from Bellavista, a small village located a 15-minute drive from Puerto Ayora, 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, this area boasts beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round. Here you will visit the Twin Craters, which are two pit craters, as well as a local ranch where we can observe the giant tortoise of Santa Cruz Island in its natural habitat.
PM: Baltra Airport
It’s time to say goodbye to Galapagos! It’s been a pleasure accompanying you on this unique trip and hope to see you again very soon!
Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to the Seymour Ecological Airport, where we will take the shuttle back to the airport.
In case you have booked your trip for a longer stay with us, we would be welcoming any potential new fellow passengers to the yacht, and continue our trip to the next visiting site!
Send us a text message by WhatsApp or send us a message info@tourguideecuador.com to make your reservations to know about availability and price for your chosen cruise with the Aqua.