Ocean Spray – 8 Day Cruise South West Galapagos

Overview:

The classic Mega-Catamaran Ocean Spray offers the best performance and comfort in Galapagos Cruising. The elegant design includes a huge sundeck, Jacuzzi and spacious cabins each with a private balcony. Her speed, comfort, top guides and itinerary will make Ocean Spray perfect for your luxury Galapagos cruise. Kayaks are South and Western islands. 

Ships that operate this itinerary:

Ocean Spray

Islands Visited:
- Santa Cruz
- Isabela
- Fernandina
- South Plaza
- Santa Fe
- Española
- San Cristobal 

Included:

• Accommodation onboard cruise
• All meals
• Airport transfers 
• All visitor site excursions
• Regular soft drinks and juices and a champagne reception
• Galapagos National Park bilingual Guide
• Use of snorkeling gear and wetsuits
• Use of Kayaks
• Carbon Offset for your Cruise

Exclusions:

• Airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Gratuities
• Alcoholic beverages
• Any additional transportation and personal services
• Galapagos Conservation Tax – $100 USD pp payable in cash only upon arrival to the Galapagos
• Isabella Island Arrival Tax – $10 USD pp payable in cash only upon arrival to the Island

Day 1: Arrival to Baltra and embark cruise

Welcome to the Galapagos Islands aboard the M/C Ocean Spray. The guide and crew will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your vessel. They will show you to your accommodations upon your arrival. Afterwards, the guide and cruise manager will hold a short briefing on all safety and emergency protocols, different areas of the vessel and the normal routine of the itinerary. 

PM: Chinese Hat 

This site offers rare, up close viewing of Galapagos wildlife and well-preserved remnants of fragile volcanic rock that can't be found in such a unique condition anywhere else. The island is named after the similarity of an Asian type of hat. Here you can see American Oystercatchers and Galapagos Penguins swimming along the shores. 

Activities: Hiking, snorkeling
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shorebirds, white-cheeked pintail ducks, penguins, Galapagos Hawks, various tropical fish, sally lightfoot crabs.

Note: Itineraries are subject to change due to many different elements such as weather, park authorities and regulations, airline operations, guide experience and safety concerns.

AM: Isabela - Vicente Roca Point 

Vicente Roca Point has outstanding geological formations and is a great place to see various bird species. Because this visitor site is located on the western area of the island, the Cromwell Current provides cold water that carries many nutrients for both land and aquatic species, offering the chance to see amazing feeding frenzies.

Activities: Panga ride, snorkeling
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shorebirds, blue-footed boobies, nazca boobies, fur seals, whales, sea turtles, various tropical fish, sally lightfoot crabs and other marine species. 

PM: Fernandina - Espinosa Point 

As one of the most pristine islands in the archipelago, Fernandina has never had a foreign species invade. It is also the most active island and farthest west. Espinosa point is the only visitor site on the entire island. Here you can see marine iguanas, Galapagos hawks and enjoy a hike and/or snorkeling activity at one of the most natural, unspoiled sites in the entire world. 

Activities: Hiking, snorkeling
Possible Wildlife: Flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, land iguanas, penguins, sea lions, various shorebirds, Galapagos Hawks, various tropical fish, sally lightfoot crabs, sea turtles.

AM: Isabela - Tagus Cove

If you like historic remnants, then you will enjoy finding what was left behind by pirates and sailors in the 1800s. This site was one of their preferred pit stops while traveling the seas. The hike here will provide incredible views of the cove and on the other side the mangrove forest where the last 35 pairs of Mangrove finches thrive. 

Activities: Hike, snorkeling and panga ride
 Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shorebirds, flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs, mangrove finches. 

PM: Isabela - Urbina Bay 

Millions of years ago, Urbina Bay was once laying on the ocean floor. Volcanic uplifts caused it to rise and now it is occupied by sea lions, land iguanas and flightless cormorants. It is a great place to enjoy some free time on the beach or the guide may suggest a hike. 

Activities: Hike, snorkeling and panga ride
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shorebirds, flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, sea turtles, land iguanas, Galapagos Hawk, sally lightfoot crabs, Galapagos tortoise.

AM: Isabela - Elizabeth Bay 

This visitor site is visited by panga only as the park authorities have no authorized landing in order to protect the island. While in the panga you can appreciate a large abundance of marine life that can be seen in the clear waters. It is great for snorkeling. 

Activities: Panga ride
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, frigate birds, sea turtles, various shorebirds, flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, pelicans, sally lightfoot crabs, tropical fish and marine life such as galapagos sharks. 

PM: Isabela - Moreno Point 

The beautiful rocky shores of Moreno Point offers a plethora of birds to be seen. It is truly a birders delight. The main attraction are the coast lagoons where white tipped sharks can be seen and the panoramic views of Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcanoes cannot be missed. 

Activities: Hike, snorkeling and panga ride
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, great blue herons, various shorebirds, flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs, sea turtles, land iguanas, Galápagos Hawk, Galapagos tortoise.

AM: Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Station 

The Charles Darwin Research Station is one of the Galapagos Island’s most important sites for visitors. It is a research facility that has an extensive collection of Galapagos plant life specimens carefully preserved and also acts as a biological research station and active breeding center operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation. Their biggest conservation efforts are to one day eliminate all invasive and non-native plants and animals destroying endemic species within the islands. 

Activities: Visit to the research station
Possible Wildlife: Galapagos tortoises in captivation and various stages of tortoises.

PM: Santa Cruz - Highlands 

The highlands are located in the northern part of Santa Cruz and can reach elevations up to 1500 meters. This area is rich with hills, ferns, volcanoes and wildlife. A great contrast to the molten lava hardened beaches and rocky areas of other islands already seen. It is home to giant tortoises, mockingbirds, finches and many other species. 

Activities: Hike
Possible Wildlife: Galapagos tortoises, finches, mockingbirds, lava lizards, pintail ducks, other shorebirds

AM: South Plaza Island 

South Plaza is one of the smallest islands with a visitor site, but is home to an incredible amount of diverse flora and fauna. It has a large population of Sesuvium plants like the prickly pear cactus tree that is an important source of food for the land iguana. Just a few years ago mice were finally eradicated from the island, helping the population of land iguanas grow healthily once more. The amazing colors of the turquoise waters against the black lava create a setting for amazing photography opportunities. 

Activities: Hike
Possible Wildlife: frigatebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, sea lions, land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, various shorebirds and seabirds. 

PM: Santa Fe Island 

Santa Fe is home to the endemic Santa Fe iguana. The island was created by a volcanic uplift that now hosts a forest of Opuntia and Palo Santo trees. It is a picturesque island with two different trails, one leading to a scenic viewpoint and the other leading to a small beach. Giant tortoises were once native here but went extinct after pirates and sailors took them aboard as a source of food. 

Activities: Hike
Possible Wildlife: Santa Fe land iguanas, frigatebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, sea lions, finches, various shorebirds.

AM: Española - Suarez Point 

This is a phenomenal site where you will get to see many of Española Island's endemic species. The trail will pass by the only Waved Albatross breeding site in all of Galapagos. If you are lucky you might see a young albatross take off for its first flight for up to five years at sea. Older birds stay at sea for months at a time, only coming back to breed. They have the same mate for life and will meet each other each year, only here to reproduce. Other species that can be seen are marine iguanas that stay brightly colored year round, Galapagos doves, Nazca boobies, bluefooted boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropic birds, and Darwin finches.

Activities: Hike
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, marine iguanas, Galapagos hawk, waved albatross, red-billed tropic birds, various shorebirds, nazca boobies, swallow tailed gulls, finches and sally lightfoot crabs. 

PM: Gardner Bay / Osborn Islet 

This white sandy beach is home to a large colony of sea lions and incredibly blue and turquoise waters. Three different finches can be seen, as well as the Española mockingbird. Over time, the mockingbird must have been offered water or food from tourists and now they have no fear of walking on your things or landing very close to you. It is so important not to feed or touch the animals. It can disrupt their normal behaviors and threaten their future. 

Activities: Walking on the beach and swimming.
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shorebirds, mockingbirds, stingrays, sea turtles.

AM: San Cristobal - Interpretation Center and Galapaguera 

The Interpretation Center has been open to the public since 1998, offering extensive knowledge about the history of Galapagos. San Cristobal is also the island where Charles Darwin first landed on. It is now home to the capital of Galapagos and houses many government offices, as well as part of the Ecuadorian Navy. Giant tortoises are bred at the Galapaguera and roam in a seminatural habitat created by the center. 

Activities: Introduction and walk in center
Possible Wildlife: Giant tortoises in various stages of their life. 

PM: Transfer to Airport 

The only visit you will have on this day is to the Interpretation Center. Afterwards, you will have time to gather your belongings and then the guide and cruise manager will thank you for your time and transfer you to the airport fot your onward flight.