Your Travel Experience with chilepro
Day 1
Transfer
After arrival at the airport in San Cristobal, you will transfer to the harbor to board the Galapagos Master.
Lobos Island, San Cristobal
Afternoon: You will visit Lobos Island, which is named after the colony of Galapagos Sea Lions that live here, but they aren't the only native Galapagos species that call this narrow island home. You can see Galapagos Fur Seals basking here, and there is a nesting colony of Blue-footed Boobies that come to Lobos each year to raise their chicks.
Swimming and snorkeling are wonderful, and thanks to the island's position close to the main shore of San Cristobal, the channel between them is sheltered and the turquoise water is crystal clear.
Day 2
Carrion Point
Morning: In the morning, your first stop is at Carrion Point. It is on the eastern coast of Santa Cruz which protrudes into the ocean, creating a sheltered cove which is a superb place to snorkel.
There's no landing here, you can simply dive into the water from your boat. The sheltered waters are crystal clear and you will see a wide range of marine wildlife, including Galapagos rays, sharks, and innumerable tropical fish.
North Seymour
Afternoon: You will take a walk on North Seymour Island, which was formed at the same time as neighboring Baltra Island, and by the same process - an uplifting of undersea lava. This small, flat island has hiking trails throughout, allowing you to explore the arid landscape and to meet the seabirds that call North Seymour home.
North Seymour was the site of one of the earliest conservation experiments in the Galapagos. In 1934 a group of Galapagos Land Iguanas was moved there by Captain Hancock. They have since thrived, and there are now well over 2,500 of them on the island and more than 3,000 on the neighboring Baltra island.
The biggest attraction of North Seymour is its large colony of Blue-Footed Boobies and its Frigatebirds. These popular Galapagos species are often found together because the Frigatebirds rely on the Boobies’ fishing prowess. The Frigatebirds actively steal the Boobies catch to feed themselves!
There is also a population of Marine Iguanas and Galapagos Sea Lions are frequently spotted. The snorkeling here is also very good, with plenty of marine life to see including rays and reef sharks.
Day 3 - 4
Darwin's Arch
You will spend 2 days exploring and diving at one of the best dive sites in the Galapagos Islands. Even more, for many Darwin is considered to have some of the best diving in the world.
Located just off the southeast tip of Darwin Island, the islet of Darwin's Arch is a fantastic marine wonderland. The main attractions are the whale sharks and hammerhead sharks that often gather here. But there are many other species you can find - green turtles, majestic manta rays, dolphins, large schools of fish, and other species of sharks are all frequent encounters.
You will usually enjoy two dives here, one before breakfast and one after lunch before returning to the cruise ship for dinner.
Tauchgang vor der Insel Darwin - El Arenal
Der zweite Tauchgang erfolgt nach dem Mittagessen im Tauchgebiet El Arenal. Auch hier können Sie Walhaie, Hammerhaie, Rochen, Delfine und viele verschiedene Fischarten entdecken. Seien Sie sich sicher, dass Ihr Diveguide Sie an die besten Plätze bringen wird und Sie die ganze Vielfalt an großen Fischen sicherlich erblicken werden.
Tiefe bis zu 40 Meter / Sicht zwischen 12 - 24 Meter / Strömungen sind mittel bis stark
Day 5
The Cave and The Landslide
You will spend two full days exploring the Cave and the Landslide.
Morning: You will spend your time exploring The Cave at Wolf island. The Cave is well-known as being among THE best diving sites in Galapagos to see Hammerheads and Galapagos Sharks. Whale sharks have also been encountered here, as well as a huge range of fish, rays, turtles and many more iconic Galapagos creatures here at the iconic Wolf Island. After your dive, you will return onboard for dinner.
Afternoon: You will dive at the famous landslide diving site at Wolf island. El Derrumbe is particularly well known as the best place in Galapagos to see Hammerheads and Galapagos Sharks. Whale sharks have also been encountered here, as well as a huge range of fish, rays, turtles, marine mammals, and many more iconic Galapagos creatures.
Tauchgang vor der Insel Wolf - Islote La Ventana / El Derrumbe
Nach dem Mittagessen und der Überwasserpause geht es wieder unter die Meeresoberfläche. Vorher können Sie jedoch Ausschau nach Buckelwalen halten, die hier gelegentlich vorbei schwimmen und sich zeigen. Sie erkunden hier die Gewässer der kleinen Insel La Ventana und den Tauchplatz El Derrube. Auch hier sehen Sie Hammerhaie, Rochen, Galapagos Haie und viele weitere Meeresbewohner. Des Weiteren werden Sie am Abend noch einen weiteren Tauchgang unternehmen.
Tiefe bis zu 25 Meter / Sicht häufig 30 Meter / Strömung kann sehr stark sein
Day 6
Vicente Rock Point
Morning: There is no landing at Vincente Rock Point, and snorkeling is done directly from the boats. The scenery around the Point is stunning - the remains of two ancient volcanoes made this formation, and the cliffs and caves around the bay provide an amazing backdrop.
The bay is well sheltered from ocean swells, making it ideal for snorkelers of any experience. The cold-water currents bring a rich stock of food to these waters, and the bay around Vicente Rock Point is often home to feeding frenzies, with groups of whales, dolphins, Galapagos Sea Lions, tuna, Blue-footed Boobies, and other marine birds all feeding together, making for spectacular sights.
Many boats also take visitors on a panga ride along the shore, offering the chance to explore some of the caves and to encounter some of the other species such as Galapagos Flightless Cormorants and a small colony of Galapagos Fur Seals.
Cape Douglas
Afternoon: After lunch, you will visit Cape Douglas. A dive in Cape Douglas off the west coast of Isabela Island is a fantastic opportunity to see a wide array of marine life, both above and below the surface of the water. As you prepare for your dive you can see Galapagos Flightless Cormorants, Galapagos Penguins, and Galapagos Marine Iguanas - all species you cannot see anywhere else in the world except this archipelago. You will have the opportunity to admire the powerful swimming ability of the marine iguanas as the bigger males feed on the rocks deeper under the surface. Other species you may see in the water include Red-lipped Batfish, Horn Sharks and Mola Mola, and sometimes Baleen Whales are seen here gliding through the water.
Day 7
Cousin Rock
Morning: This is a famous site thanks to the wide variety of marine life you can encounter in just one dive, but it is for moderate to advanced divers only. Depths range from 10 to 90ft, with visibility between 30 and 60ft depending on the season. Currents here are moderate, and surges will be experienced in the shallows.
In the waters, you'll encounter sloping rock plate formations and a fantastic wall that drops far down out of sight. These rocky formations are home to seahorses, Galapagos black coral, octopus, a wide range of tropical fish and Galapagos sharks and hammerheads.
When you add to this the friendly sea lions who almost always come to play with divers and the elegant green turtles that cruise past, this dive site really does have it all.
Twin Craters
Afternoon: Los Gemelos (or the Twin Craters) are not, in fact, craters - although no less impressive for it! These two large pits were actually caused by the collapse of empty magma chambers after a volcanic uprising. They are easy to access from Puerto Ayora to Baltra road.
There is a lovely walking trail here that leads up to and then around the rim of both craters. The hike takes you through the wonderful Scalesia Forest, which is full of birdlife. It's likely you will see Galapagos Doves, Darwin's Finches, the stunning Vermilion Flycatcher, as well as short-eared owls and many other species.
As you climb up to the rim of the craters you are rewarded with a breathtaking view over the Scalesia canopy, it's lush green a real contrast to the arid vegetation on much of the other Galapagos Islands you can visit.
Day 8
Interpretation Center Gianny Arismendi
Morning: Your itinerary ends with a visit to The Gianny Arismendi Galapagos Interpretation Center in San Cristóbal. It aims to provide a complete history of the Galapagos and give visitors a more holistic understanding of these islands' unique habitats and wildlife.
There are also interesting exhibits covering the Galapagos' human history, and the conservation efforts in place to preserve the archipelago, and undo some of the damage human occupations have brought.
For those who are interested in the geology of the archipelago, there is a complete exhibit on the volcanic birth of the Galapagos and how this impacted on the habitats present here.
Your Galapatours expert guide will be able to answer any further questions raised by your visit to the Center and can help you to link what you will learn here to what you will see as your Galapagos journey continues.
Where does the name Gianny Arismendi come from? The Directorate of the Galapagos National Park recognized park ranger Gianni Arismendi Guerrero, one of the park rangers of San Cristóbal, for his 27 years of work dedicated to environmental education
Transfer to airport
Your time onboard the Galapagos Master diving cruise ends here and you will make your way to the airport to catch your flight back to the mainland or continue with your planned itinerary in the Galapagos Islands.