Galapagos Galaxy Sirius: Itinerary Southern Islands (A)

Upon arrival at San Cristóbal Airport, you’ll be greeted by a naturalist guide from the National Park.

Lobos Island
A small islet off the coast of San Cristóbal, Lobos Island is separated by a narrow channel, forming a tranquil bay where sea lion pups frolic in the tidal pools. Despite its size, the island is brimming with wildlife, especially its namesake, the “lobos marinos” (sea lions). At the landing site, playful sea lions will welcome you, while further inland, male frigatebirds can be seen puffing up their red throat pouches. Additionally, a small colony of blue-footed boobies nests along the trail, providing an opportunity to witness their signature courtship dance.

Gardner Bay

This stunning beach features pristine white sand and turquoise waters, offering a tropical paradise where sea lions bask in the sun. Walking along the shore, you’ll encounter endemic species such as the Española mockingbird, marine iguanas, and Galápagos hawks.

Suarez Point

One of the most breathtaking hikes in the Galápagos, this rocky trail is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife. As you step onto the island, you’ll be greeted by sea lions and marine iguanas, followed by colonies of Nazca and blue-footed boobies, gulls, and tropicbirds. The trail leads to a nesting site for the waved albatross (April–January), the largest bird in the archipelago, known for its impressive flight and elaborate mating rituals. Española Island is the only place in the world where you can see these birds up close.

Post Office Bay

Floreana Island is steeped in history, known for the intriguing tales of German settlers and mysterious disappearances in the early 20th century. Post Office Bay was historically used by whalers who set up a barrel mail system over 200 years ago. This tradition still continues, allowing visitors to leave postcards for others to hand-deliver. The area also features lava tunnels, a sandy beach, and excellent dinghy rides where you may spot sea lions, sea turtles, shorebirds, small sharks, and even Galápagos penguins.

Cormorant Point & Devil’s Crown

Located on the northern side of Floreana, Cormorant Point is famous for its coastal lagoon teeming with American flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, and black-necked stilts. The area is also home to a picturesque white sand beach, a key nesting site for green sea turtles. In recent years, blue-footed boobies have begun nesting along the trails, making this an excellent spot for observing wildlife.

Santa Fe Island

This beautiful bay, known for its turquoise waters and white sandy beaches, is home to a large colony of sea lions. The island’s landscape is characterized by towering prickly-pear cacti and volcanic rock formations, providing a habitat for the Santa Fe land iguana. Keep an eye out for Galápagos hawks perched atop cacti, as well as Darwin’s finches, Galápagos doves, mockingbirds, and lava lizards.

South Plaza Island

Of the two twin islands, only South Plaza is open to visitors, while North Plaza is reserved for scientific research. Despite its small size, South Plaza boasts an incredible concentration of wildlife. Upon arrival, you’ll see land iguanas gathering beneath cacti, waiting for fallen fruit. Along the coastline, a thriving sea lion colony can be observed, from playful pups in tidal pools to territorial males. The trail leads to a scenic cliffside where frigatebirds, tropicbirds, boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls soar overhead. The reddish succulent vegetation, dotted with cacti, creates a striking contrast against the rugged terrain.

The Charles Darwin Research Station is a non-profit organization working alongside the Galápagos National Park to conserve the unique biodiversity of the islands. During your visit, you’ll learn about ongoing conservation projects aimed at protecting native species and eradicating invasive ones. A major initiative includes breeding and reintroducing giant tortoises into the wild. The tour takes place in an open-air setting within a dry forest ecosystem, home to giant cacti, Darwin finches, flycatchers, and mockingbirds.