Day 1 Santa Cruz Isl./Galapagos Islands
On arrival at Santa Cruz airport, you will be met and transferred to the AQUA MARE. You will be shown to your cabin, where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.
There are two types of landings throughout your Galapagos tour:
Dry landing: guests step from the dinghy onto rocks or a dock.
Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.
Please remember that the exact route and program may vary according to weather and ocean conditions and the wildlife we encounter.
PM: Bahia Borrero – head out for your first excursion to the beautiful white beach of Bahia Borrero on the northern part of Santa Cruz. You might be able to spot Darwin’s finches, Cactus finches, and Small Ground finches nestled in the coastal vegetation. For those who prefer to snorkel, you will encounter sea turtles at the beach — one of their primary nesting sites.
Afterwards, head back to the yacht and indulge in a sumptuous Nikkei-inspired dinner curated by Aqua Expeditions’ world-renowned consultant chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino. Share stories of your excursion with other guests, marking the perfect start to your Galapagos Islands adventure.
Day 2 Genovesa Isl./Galapagos Islands
AM: El Barranco (Prince Phillip’s Steps)- rocky paths lead to a high cliff face here with marvellous views. This site is also home to palo santo vegetation, red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, Galapagos swallows, and Galapagos doves.
PM: Darwin Bay- Your afternoon excursion will take you to this white sand coral beach, which heads a half-mile trail (0.75km) that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Here, you can see Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls. Further down the path are tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end is a spectacular view of a cliff. Possibility to see Red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, short-eared lava owls, storm-petrels, Galapagos doves, swallow-tailed gulls, mangroves, coral pebble beach, snorkelling: rays, colourful reef fish and hammerhead sharks.
Day 3 Santiago Isl./Galapagos Islands
AM: Sullivan Bay- start the morning early with a workout or a guided meditation on our sun deck, followed by a refreshing breakfast. Our first excursion of the day will take us to Santiago Island with a dry landing at Bahía Sullivan; a coral beach landing leads you towards a lava field as far as the eye can see. Hunt and peck over the two distinguished types of lava, pahoehoe and ‘a’a, for signs of plant life that have emerged over the past 100 years since the most recent volcanic explosion. A genuinely unique volcanic experience… up close and personal!
PM: Chinese Hat- after a sumptuous lunch and lecture from one of the expert naturalist guides onboard Aqua Mare, leave for Sombrero Chino Island, named after the small crater, that forms the islet. You can observe sea lions and penguins from above in the surrounding crystal-clear waters. In addition, there will be time for snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding, and kayaking. After working up an appetite, return to the yacht for evening sun downers and a signature dining experience.
Day 4 Bartolome Isl./Galapagos Islands
AM: Bartolome Island -with an early morning anchor at Bartolomé Island, you will embark upon a mild climb up to the summit of a spatter cone for a spectacular view of the island’s iconic Pinnacle Rock. Cool down afterwards with a snorkel, where you may encounter sea turtles and Galapagos penguins, before heading back to the yacht for lunch as we sail towards Santa Cruz Island.
PM: Dragon Hill – one of the only places in Santa Cruz Island where scientists could still find a healthy population of land iguanas.
Back onboard, swap tales of your magnificent excursion while enjoying the best of the region’s flavours through seafood specialities like pan-seared scallops and grilled squid.
* Morning rendezvous diving option available.
Day 5 Santa Cruz Isl./Galapagos Islands
AM: Giant Tortoise Reserve – this morning, you will see these wild Galapagos Islands creatures up close in their natural habitat. The area is also great for observing Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers, flycatchers, cattle egrets, and, if lucky, Galapagos Rails.
PM: Darwin Station and National Park headquarters – observe tortoises in captivity at the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center and the different age hatchlings categorised by islands. In addition, there will be free time to enjoy the town of Puerto Ayora before returning to the ship.
Refreshing super-fruit juices await at our Beach Club or enjoy the scenic sunset views from the upper deck. For divers, there is the option of a full day of diving instead of joining the day excursions.
* Morning rendezvous diving option available.
Day 6 Española Isl./Galapagos Islands
AM: Punta Surez- rise and shine to a guided meditation on the upper deck before this morning’s excursion. This visitor site is one of the most exciting landing sites in the Galapagos Islands due to the high percentage of unique endemism in its fauna, such as Española mockingbirds, lava lizards, marine iguanas, and the special waved albatross.
PM: Bahía Gardner – take a tender ride to the beautiful array of islets where you can snorkel alongside playful sea lions, sea turtles, sharks, rays, and many different species of reef fishes. The last visit of the day will be Bahía Gardner, an outstanding coral-line sand beach that boasts one of the most extensive colonies of sea lions in the Galapagos. Back at the yacht, head to the bar to socialise over Happy Hour with a glass of the special Aqua Bloody Mary as the crew prepares for departure to our next anchorage.
Day 7 South Plazas Isl./Galapagos Islands
AM: Santa Fe – after a night of sailing, you will visit Santa Fé Island for your penultimate day. It is one of the oldest in the Galapagos Islands (around 3.6 million years old), with the island being characterised to some degree by its vegetation of palo santo trees, a pear cactus, and many other native bushes. Here we will spot land iguanas, lava lizards, mockingbirds, and Darwin’s finches. After the visit, we can take advantage of the last full day in the Galapagos Islands by snorkelling, kayaking, or stand-up paddle boarding.
PM: South Plaza – is a small but diverse little islet. Head out on a two-hour hiking excursion led by your guide to discover the island’s unique land-forms. Swap notes on everything you’ve seen today at your final recap briefing once back aboard and toast farewell under the fantastic starlit skies of the Archipelago to your newfound friends over a glass of wine.
* Morning rendezvous diving option available.
Day 7 Depart Santa Cruz Isl.
AM: Highlands of Santa Cruz – begin your last day with a luxurious breakfast before bidding farewell to the Aqua Mare crew. Your last visit before leaving paradise is a final short excursion to drive up the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to the twin craters of Los Gemelos en route to the airport. It is a remarkable location surrounded by lush vegetation.
After this final visit, you will be transferred to Baltra airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.
