Itinerary A4 - Eastern/Central Islands (San Cristobal - Baltra)
Archipel I · Galápagos · 3 nights
About this route
This 3-night liveaboard journey explores the eastern and central Galápagos Islands, focusing on three inhabited islands and their unique colonization history. Guests will visit key sites like Santa Fe with its endemic species, South Plaza known for land iguanas and sea lions, and North Seymour, a significant seabird colony. The itinerary also includes the volcanic landscapes of Chinese Hat and the highlands of Santa Cruz, offering diverse wildlife encounters and geological formations.
Regions on this route
Highlights
Chinese Hat
Chinese Hat, or Sombrero Chino, is a small volcanic islet characterized by its distinctive cone-shaped lava formations. The surrounding waters provide calm bays ideal for snorkeling, often revealing penguins, rays, and various reef sharks.
- Volcanic cone formations
- Snorkeling with penguins
- Reef sharks and rays
Floreana Island
Floreana Island is known for its intriguing human history and diverse landscapes, including a unique post office barrel. While not detailed in this itinerary, it's a significant stop for its endemic flora and historical sites.
- Historical sites
- Endemic flora
- Unique landscapes
North Seymour
North Seymour Island is a crucial nesting site for various seabirds, including blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds, and is home to land iguanas. The island offers opportunities for coastal walks through nesting areas and snorkeling with vibrant marine life.
- Seabird nesting colonies
- Blue-footed boobies
- Land iguanas
- Snorkeling with sea lions
San Cristobal
San Cristóbal Island serves as a primary entry point to the Galápagos, offering an introduction to the archipelago's natural and cultural history. Visitors can explore conservation efforts and observe initial coastal wildlife.
- Interpretation Centre
- Frigatebird Hill
- Coastal wildlife viewing
Santa Fe Island
Santa Fe Island is recognized as one of the oldest islands in the Galápagos archipelago. It is distinguished by its unique ecosystem, featuring endemic land iguanas and a dense forest of giant prickly pear cacti.
- Endemic land iguanas
- Giant prickly pear cactus
- Ancient island geology
Shore excursions
- Visit the Interpretation Centre and Frigatebird Hill for a historical and wildlife introduction.
- Light walking and initial coastal wildlife viewing on San Cristóbal Island.
- Land on Santa Fe Island to encounter endemic land iguanas and giant prickly pear cactus forest.
- Walk among land iguanas and sea lions on South Plaza Island.
- Explore large colonies of seabirds on South Plaza Island.
- Snorkel along the rocky shoreline of South Plaza Island.
- Observe seabirds like blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds on North Seymour Island.
- Take a flat coastal walk through nesting areas on North Seymour Island.
- Snorkel with reef fish, rays, and sea lions on North Seymour Island.
- Discover young volcanic landscapes with lava formations at Chinese Hat.
- Snorkel in calm bays with penguins, rays, and reef sharks at Chinese Hat.
- Enjoy optional kayak and panga rides at Chinese Hat to observe marine iguanas and coastal birdlife.
- Visit the Twin Craters (Los Gemelos) in the Santa Cruz Island highlands.
- Explore the El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve to observe Galápagos giant tortoises.
- Walk through lava tunnels and humid highland forest on Santa Cruz Island.
Day-by-day plan
Day 1: San Cristóbal Island – Arrival and Introduction
Guests arrive at San Cristóbal Airport (SCY) and transfer to the yacht for embarkation. The afternoon includes a visit to the Interpretation Centre and Frigatebird Hill, providing an introduction to Galápagos history, conservation, and local wildlife, followed by light walking and initial coastal wildlife viewing, often featuring frigatebirds and other seabirds.
Day 2: Santa Fe & South Plaza Islands – Endemic Life
The day begins with a landing on Santa Fe Island, one of the oldest in the Galápagos, known for its endemic land iguanas and giant prickly pear cactus forests. The afternoon is spent at South Plaza Island, characterized by dramatic cliffs and striking red/green vegetation. This area is known for large colonies of seabirds like frigatebirds and tropicbirds, and guests can walk among land iguanas and sea lions, with snorkeling along the rocky shoreline often revealing reef fish and turtles.
Day 3: North Seymour & Chinese Hat – Volcanic Wildlife
North Seymour Island is visited in the morning, renowned as one of the largest seabird colonies in the Galápagos, where blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and land iguanas are commonly sighted, along with opportunities for snorkeling with reef fish, rays, and sea lions. The afternoon proceeds to Chinese Hat (Santiago Islet), a younger volcanic landscape featuring distinct lava formations. Snorkeling in calm bays often reveals penguins, rays, and reef sharks, with optional kayaking and panga rides available to observe marine iguanas and coastal birdlife.
Day 4: Santa Cruz Highlands – Giant Tortoises & Departure
The final morning includes a landing on Santa Cruz Island to explore its highlands. Guests visit the Twin Craters (Los Gemelos) and the El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve, where they can observe Galápagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The itinerary includes walks through lava tunnels and humid highland forests before transferring to Baltra Airport (GPS) for departure.
Upcoming departures
- 2026-11-02 – 2026-11-05from 2,156 USDBook
- 2026-11-09 – 2026-11-12from 2,395 USDBook
- 2026-11-16 – 2026-11-19from 2,395 USDBook
- 2026-11-23 – 2026-11-26from 2,395 USDBook
- 2026-11-30 – 2026-12-03from 2,156 USDBook
- 2026-12-07 – 2026-12-10from 2,395 USDBook
- 2026-12-14 – 2026-12-17from 2,036 USDBook
- 2026-12-21 – 2026-12-24from 2,754 USDBook
- 2026-12-28 – 2026-12-31from 2,754 USDBook
- 2027-01-04 – 2027-01-07from 2,450 USDBook
- 2027-01-11 – 2027-01-14from 2,450 USDBook
- 2027-01-18 – 2027-01-21from 2,205 USDBook
All routes of this liveaboard
About the vessel
Archipel IGalápagos