Upon arrival to Baltra Island, our guide will be waiting for us. On our way to Puerto Ayora we will take an excursion to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. The Scenery will continuously change as we ascend through all seven vegetation zones of the Galapagos. We will be able to view the giant tortoises at a farm in the highlands. Then we will visit the twins (los Gemelos), a pair of large pit craters or sinkholes where we find the bright red male vermilion flycatcher. Then we visit "the tunnels", the largest lava tunnels found in Galapagos. Picture
South of Santa Cruz Island, Floreana is the least populated island of the archipelago, in terms of people. We have three dive site options; Punta Cormorant, Champion and Enderby. Largely comprised of reef, all three offer something a little different including an occasional current that provides a thrilling drift dive opportunity.
Marine Life of Floreana: Look out for the endemic red lipped batfish and unique (and strange) Galapagos Sea Robin that has fins, wings and legs! Also here are white tip reef sharks, turtles, young sea lions playing, Galapagos sharks, sting rays, eagle rays, marbled rays, barracudas, reef fish and invertebrates like octopus in amongst the reef. Picture
North-east of Santa Cruz island lie the famous Gordon Rocks. Sometimes called ‘The Washing Machine’ it is a popular site where intermediate and advanced divers go due to challenging currents and upwellings. It is these very currents that bring the plankton to the surface attracting large pelagics from across the sea in numbers.
Marine Life of Gordon Rocks: One of the best places to find Hammerhead sharks and the weird and wonderful Oceanic Sunfish (Mola Mola). Also here are Galapagos sharks, white tip reef sharks, lots of giant sea turtles, mobula rays, sting rays, eagle rays, panamic green morays, Galapagos eels, barracudas and various reef fish. Picture
Located east of Santiago Island, this small island is known for its unique spear-like pinnacle. Beneath the waves we dive over, through and around a rocky platform and float along underwater cliffs that start at 15m and disappear into the sea bed giving us a good chance to see pelagic animals.
Marine Life of Bartolome Island: Sea horses, white tip reef sharks, reef fish including large schools of hunting yellow tailed surgeon fish, barracudas, turtles, mobula rays, sting rays, scorpion stone fish, various invertebrates. Picture
To the North of Santa Cruz lies the Seymour Channel. The platform drops away at about 10 meters deep to a long sandy bottom and busy cleaning station offering plenty.
Marine Life of Seymour Channel
Different types of sharks love to stop here for a clean. You may be able to spot hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, White and Black tip reef sharks surrounded by busy reef fish. Sea lions take advantage of the action to hunt. Turtles, sting rays, eagle rays, mobula rays, Galapagos eels and barracudas also populate this area. Picture.
Leon Dormido or Kicker Rock is a rock formation located on the coast of San Cristobal Island in the Galápagos Archipelago. It is a magnificent islet in the middle of the sea, rising 500 feet from the ocean; it has the shape of a giant sleeping lion, hence its Spanish name. The rocks are remnants of a vertical tufa formation and is a place loved by various species of seabirds, sharks, fishes, turtles, sea lions, eagle rays, etc.
For the two dives, we will descend and ascend using the Kicker Rock wall as a reference since there are no buoys or lines that can be used.
At Kicker Rock it is possible to observe white tip sharks, black tip sharks, Galápagos sharks, eagle rays, sea turtles, sea lions, various fishes and, in good weather conditions, hammerhead sharks.
After the dives, we will go to a beach called Manglesito (time from Kicker Rock is 30 minutes). We will have lunch on the boat (according to a National Park law, no food is allowed on the beach) and then we will enjoy the beach for approximately 1.5 hours. During that time, you can also snorkel around the bay. Picture.
Our guide will pick us up from our hotel and drive to Baltra Island in order to take our flight to Quito. It departs at 12h30 and arrives in Quito at 16h30. Another guide will welcome us and take us to our hotel. Picture
Share Rooms (Best Rate)
ACCOMMODATION Double Single
First class US $ 2,050 US $ 2,825
Superior US $ 1,670 US $ 1,955
Standard US $ 1,440 US $ 1,480
Galapagos hotels
Galapagos Hotels Puerto Ayora Isabela
First Class Sol y Mar Casa Opuntia (Ocean Front)
Superior La Isla Casa Opuntia (Interior)
Standard Dejavu Pimampiro
Single supplement: Special recharge for guests that belong to a group but prefer a dedicated room during their travels. Prices may change without notice. Early booking is advised.
Solo Travellers
Galapagos Hotels Puerto Ayora
First Class US $ 4,064
Superior US $ 2,352
Standard D US $ 2,016
(*) Solo Traveller: These prices are for the guests that are traveling independently. Prices may change without notice.
All transfers Airport - Hotel - Airport in Galapagos
Transportation (Lobito) from the airport the pier of Baltra Island
4 nights accommodation in Puerto Ayora
3 nights accommodation in Puerto Ayora
Breakfast and Lunches
Tour to the Highlands of Santa Cruz and Charles Darwin Station
Dive to Floreana Island. (Two immersions)
Dive to Gordon Rocks (Two immersions)
Dive to Bartolome Island (Two immersions)
Full equipment (5-7mm wetsuit, regulator, BCD, mask, fins, boots, hoods, gloves (no neoprene), weight belt, 12 ltr tanks)
Ferry from Puerto Ayora to San Cristobal Island
Dive to Kicker Rock: (2 immersions)
English speaking guides
Does not include:
Round trip airfare to Galapagos
Galapagos National Park fee US $ 100.00pp (To be paid in cash in Galapagos)
Ingala Immigration card of US $ 20.00pp (To be paid in cash in the airport in Quito or Guayaquil)
Isabela Dock Tax of US $10.00
Water Taxi of US $1.00
Dinner and meals not mentioned on Itinerary
Tips
Alcoholic beverages
Special service not described above