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Punto Egas, Santiago Island, Galapagos

Western Islands

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Tip Top IV
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This Galapagos cruise takes you beyond the highlights of the Western Islands with 8 days of exciting activity. This cruise features some of the most sought after destinations in this region. Enjoy the company of friendly sea lions while snorkeling and make friends with the gentle giant tortoises at Isabela and Santa Cruz. These islands are rich with an abundance of wildlife both in and out of the ocean including flamingos, iguanas, sea turtles, rays, and reef sharks.
Sea lion on North SeymourKayak and snorkel in clear blue watersElizabeth Bay, Isabela Island, Galapagos, Sea LionFloreana IslandPunto Egas, Santiago Island, Galapagos
Highlights
  • Snorkel and swim on North Seymour, surrounded by the landscape of Palo Santo
  • Navigate around Buccaneer Cove an area of steep cliffs and dark beaches
  • Observe sea lions on Vicente Roca Point
  • Walk around Flamingos Lagoon on Point Cormorant
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Baltra | Embark | North Seymour

After arriving at the Baltra airport, a guide will be waiting to escort you to the bus, and after a short 5-kilometer ride to the pier; board the Yacht without delay. As the crew weighs anchor, they will greet you with the first orientation and offer a light snack.

In the afternoon, make a dry landing for a walk along the coast and the interior of North Seymour Island, a low, flat island that was uplifted from the sea by underground seismic activity. Observe blue-footed boobies (they nest from May to November), marine iguanas, pelicans, frigate birds, shore birds, sea lions, and endemic Palo Santo. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel, and/or kayak. Return to the Yacht for a welcome cocktail with the entire crew and dinner.
Activities: Snorkeling, Panga Ride, Walking

Day 2: Darwin Bay | Prince Phillip´s Steps

After breakfast, make a wet landing on Darwin Bay to walk and observe frigatebirds, herons, mockingbirds, boobies, shorebirds, turtles, marine iguanas, etc. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel or kayak. Prepare to come aboard for a delicious lunch.
Activities: Snorkeling, Panga Ride, Kayaking, Walking

Later in the afternoon, make a dry landing on Prince Phillips’s Steps (Barranco), walk, and observe the interesting lives of the birds here. Dinner on the Yacht, and then orientation about conservation efforts made to protect the Islands.
Activities: Snorkeling, Panga Ride, Kayaking, Walking

Day 3: James Bay | Espumilla Beach | Buccaneer Cove

After breakfast, make a wet landing on James Bay (Puerto Egas), to walk and observe sponges, snails, hermit crabs, a variety of shore birds, barnacles, and the endemic four-eyed blenny, marine iguanas, and sea lions. Optional: time for those who would like to swim or snorkel. Return to the boat for a delicious lunch.
Activities: Snorkeling, Walking

In the afternoon, make a wet landing on Espumilla Beach, a brown sand beach. This beach is an important site for nesting marine turtles. Here you also observe a lot of land birds like yellow warblers, darwin’s finches, and Galapagos flycatchers. A trail takes you through a Palo Santo forest. Walk behind the beach and arrive at a salt-water lagoon, occasionally flamingos are seen. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. Navigate around Buccaneer Cove (Caleta Bucanero), an area of steep cliffs and dark beaches. The cliffs and pinnacle are used as nesting areas by several species of seabirds. This was a popular place for 17th & 18th-century buccaneers to careen their vessels. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel or kayak. Dinner and nightly orientation.
Activities: Espumilla Beach (Walking, Snorkeling, Kayaking), Buccaneer Cove (Snorkeling, Panga Ride, Kayaking)

Day 4: Punta Vicente Roca | Punta Espinosa

After breakfast, make a panga ride on Punta Vicente Roca to observe plenty of sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed and masked boobies, and flightless cormorants. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. Come aboard for a delicious lunch.
Activities: Snorkeling, Panga Ride

In the afternoon, make a dry landing on Punta Espinoza to observe and see a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, and the flightless cormorants and clumps of lava cactus. Return to the Yacht for dinner and nightly orientation.
Activities: Snorkeling, Walking

Day 5: Tagus Cove | Elizabeth Bay

After breakfast, make a panga ride on Tagus Cove, a protected cove between the shoulders of two volcanic craters which protect it from the open sea; observe penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions and a variety of birds including flightless cormorants and blue-footed boobies. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel and/ or kayak. Return to the Yacht for lunch.
Activities: Snorkeling, Panga Ride, Kayaking, Walking

In the afternoon, make a panga ride around the islets of Elizabeth Bay to see marine iguanas, penguins, marine turtles, seabirds and shorebirds, herons and blue-footed boobies. Return to the Yacht for dinner and nightly orientation.
Activities: Panga Ride, Kayaking

Day 6: Urbina Bay | Punta Moreno

After breakfast, make a wet landing on Urbina Bay to take a walk and observe a coral area, land iguanas, flightless cormorants and giant tortoises. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel, and/ or kayak.
Activities: Snorkeling, Walking

Sail to Punta Moreno, again make a wet landing. Make a walk along shore lagoons located among petrified lava flows where different types of birds can be seen. On top, have a panoramic view of the famous volcanoes Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul, as well as the highest part of Fernandina Island. Return to the yacht for dinner and night orientation.
Activities: Snorkeling, Panga Ride, Walking

Day 7: Punta Cormorant | Champion Islet | Post Office Bay | Baroness Viewpoint

After breakfast, make a wet landing on Point Cormorant for a short walk to the Flamingos Lagoon of this island. Then continue the walk until you reach the beach called "La Picona" to see marine turtles and their spawning grounds. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. Later, you make a panga ride on Champion Islet, a small island off the Coast of Floreana Island. The principal attraction of Champion Islet is the nearly-extinct Charles (Floreana) Mockingbird. Visitors can also observe bird species such as Swallow-tailed Gulls, Nazca Boobies, or Brown Noddies. It is a great place for snorkeling; you will see sea turtles, reef fishes, Galapagos Penguins, and white-tipped reef sharks. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. Return to the Yacht for lunch.
Activities: Punta Cormorant (Snorkeling, Panga Ride, Walking), Champion (Snorkeling, Panga Ride)

In the afternoon, make a wet landing on Post Office Bay, a historic site that recalls the days of the whalers, who presumably placed a wooden barrel in the 18th century to use it as a post office. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel, then, you make a wet landing, and you will continue to the Baroness Point view, named due to the presence of a particular character who lived on Floreana Island, it is the Baroness Eloisa von Wagner, you will enjoy of the beautiful landscape and the ruins of her house. Return to the Yacht for dinner and nightly orientation.
Activities: Post Office Bay (Walking), Asilo de la Paz / Baroness Viewpoint (Panga Ride, Kayaking, Walking)

Day 8: Twin Craters, Santa Cruz | Disembark | Baltra

  • 1 Breakfast
After breakfast, disembark and take a bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a visit to the native forests and twin craters.
Activities: Walking

Then the bus takes you directly to the airport (Baltra). Your guide accompanies you on this ride.

Ship/Hotel

Tip Top IV

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$5,600 2-3 travelers
Cruise the Galapagos on the Tip Top IV Ship
Lower Deck Cabin
6 lower deck with two twin beds that can be converted into king beds. Some rooms are interconnecting, which is a great option for families.
Cruise the Galapagos on the Tip Top IV Ship
Upper Deck Cabin
4 upper deck cabins with two twin beds that can be converted into king beds.

Notes

Please reserve your wetsuit in advance prior to trip.

Child Discount

50% discount for children under the age of 12 at time of Galapagos cruise. Child discounts are conditional and may not apply on certain departures. Please contact us for more information.

Children under 12 may receive discounts on Galapagos flight fares and entrance fees. Contact us for details.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Bilingual Naturalist Guide 
  • Adventure Life Pre-departure Services and In-Country Assistance (Quito Representative)
  • Shore Excursions, Swimming and Snorkeling 
  • Transfers and Baggage Handling in the Galapagos
  • Use of all on-board water toys, such as snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddle boards, etc.
  • Internal Flights: Mainland Ecuador - Galapagos - Mainland Ecuador
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Galapagos Park Entrance Fee: $200 per adult, $100 per child under 12. Payable upon arrival to the Galapagos, only in cash dollars. Subject to increase by Galapagos Park Service.
  • Wetsuits are not included but are available to rent on board - $35 short and $40 long size for 4-day tours; $40 short and $45 long size for 5-day tours; $45 short and $55 long size for 8-day tours; $70 short and $80 long size for 11-day tours; and $80 short and $90 long size for 15-day tours.

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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