Discover the islands, birds, sea lions and fascinating plants that won Charles Darwin's heart on our North Galapagos Islands 8 Day Cruise. If you love nature, then this is the perfect activity for you!
North Galapagos Islands 8 Day Cruise
Day 1: Baltra & Santa Cruz Islands
Welcome to the Galapagos Islands! We'll pick you up from the Seymour Ecological Galapagos Airport on Baltra Island and take you to the boat to start our 8-day catamaran cruise around the northern Galapagos Islands. After a welcome drink, we'll first go to the island of Santa Cruz to disembark and visit Bachas beach, where we'll find blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds. We'll learn all about these species and their habitat and then return to the boat for a delicious lunch on board.
In the afternoon, we'll go on a hiking route and go snorkeling at Bachas beach. Afterward, we'll hop back on the boat for dinner on board and sail to Genovesa Island.
Day 2: Genovesa Island
After breakfast, we'll disembark in Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island and head to the El Barranco trail, a demanding hike along a steep cliff. Along the way, we'll enjoy the company of red-footed boobies. In addition, we'll get lost in a dense Palo Santo forest. After spending a day learning lots of fun facts, we'll have a delicious dinner aboard the boat while we cruise through the Pacific Ocean toward Isabela Island.
After lunch, we'll continue exploring El Barranco on the famous Prince Phillip's Steps. These steps are named after Prince Phillip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II of England, who visited the island in 1964.
We'll end the day with a tasty dinner on board the ship as we sail towards Santiago Island.
Day 3: Santiago & Rábida Islands
We'll visit Sullivan Bay, and take a panoramic boat tour to see the magmatic flows: pahoehoe or rope flows, an ideal place to compare the different types of lava. We'll also have the chance to snorkel in this amazing environment.
After lunch, we'll go down to Rábida Island to see its strange reddish color. Do you know why? The oxidized iron of the lava is the reason behind its interesting color. There we'll walk in search of the nine varieties of finches, large-billed flycatchers, and brown pelicans, an amazing route for bird lovers!
Finally, we'll return to the boat for dinner and cruise to Santa Cruz.
Day 4: Santa Cruz Island
We'll get off in Santa Cruz to learn all about the famous Galapagos tortoises and how they are cared for.
In the afternoon, we'll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and its Improvement Center. There, we'll discover lots about the biology and geology of the islands. Do you know who Jorge was?
After a day full of knowledge, we'll have a delicious dinner on board as we sail the Pacific towards Isabela Island.
Day 5: Isabela Island
We'll visit Elizabeth Bay from the boat, and you'll be able to swim in its waters before lunch.
After lunch, we'll visit another part of Isabela Island: Urbina Bay. This place was created by an uplift of molten materials below the surface. It's said that skeletons of sharks and lobsters that did not find the ocean due to the rapidity of the uplift were discovered here. In this area, we'll see flightless cormorants and brown pelicans, as well as Galapagos cotton.
Finally, we'll enjoy dinner on board as we set sail for the other side of Isabela Island, where Tagus Cove is located.
Day 6: Isabela & Fernandina Islands
After breakfast, we'll first visit Tagus Cove on Isabela Island, a cove sheltered by two volcanic craters with a wide range of biodiversity.
In the afternoon after lunch, we'll go to nearby Fernandina Island for a walk around Espinosa Point. There we'll find flat lava, cormorants, sea lions, and different types of iguanas.
We'll conclude the day with dinner on board and sail to Santiago Island.
Day 7: Santiago Island
On Santiago Island, we'll first take in the amazing natural scenery of Espumilla Beach.
In the afternoon, we'll take a boat ride to Buccaneer's Cove, a place of refuge and landing for pirates, buccaneers and whalers. There we'll see the huge cliffs that occupy part of the landscape and we'll see the monk and elephant rock formations. It's possible to see a large population of wild goats.
We'll then visit Egas Port, one of the most picturesque places on Santiago Island. The next stop will be at the island's salt mines, which are sure to surprise you.
Afterward, we'll return to the boat for dinner and sail to Santa Cruz Island.
Day 8: Santa Cruz & Baltra Islands
It's our final day of sailing! We'll take a sightseeing tour of Black Turtle Cove, a natural estuary where for one last time we'll be able to admire the fascinating marine fauna of the Galapagos, including manta rays, turtles, and sharks with their young.
We'll then say our goodbyes at the Galapagos Islands Airport and end our unforgettable eight-day adventure around 8:30 am.
What's the boat like?
This 8-day cruise will take place on a luxury catamaran with a maximum capacity of 14 guests plus crew.
You'll enjoy full-board accommodation including all breakfasts, lunches and dinners. When making your reservation, you'll be able to choose from the following:
- Superior cabin (double bed)
- Standard cabin (double bed and single bed)
- Cabin with a bunk bed
All rooms have a private bathroom.
Snorkeling
If we have good weather and sea conditions, we'll go snorkeling in some strategic points around the different islands.
Note on prices
The indicated price is per person in a double cabin. Those who are traveling alone can reserve a double cabin but may need to share with either men or women.
See more of the Galapagos Islands
If you'd like, you can also book our South Galapagos Islands 8 Day Cruise. If you've got less time to spend on the archipelago, why not book our South Galapagos Islands 4 Day Cruise or North Galapagos Islands 4 Day Cruise.
Cancellation deposit
If you cancel this activity after booking, a deposit of 150USD to 250USD depending on the season will be withheld. The rest of the price of the cruise will be refunded. Find further details in the cancellation policy section.
