Galapagos Ocean Spray: Itinerary Eastern Islands (B)

San Cristóbal is the fifth-largest island in the Galápagos and the farthest east. It was where Darwin first landed in 1835 and where the first permanent settlements were established. Today, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno serves as the capital of the Galápagos province, housing government offices, the Ecuadorian Navy, and an airport with daily flights to mainland Ecuador. The island faces conservation challenges due to invasive species like blackberry, guava, and blackflies.

Lobos Island, about an hour from San Cristóbal, is home to blue-footed boobies, nesting frigate birds, sea lions, and marine iguanas. It offers a peaceful atmosphere with stunning views, including Kicker Rock in the distance.

Kicker Rock, known as “León Dormido” in Spanish, is a towering rock formation made of two eroded volcanic cones rising 104 meters above the sea. It’s a famous Galápagos landmark and one of the best spots for observing incredible marine life.

Pitt Point, on the easternmost side of the Galápagos, is the only place where red-footed, blue-footed, and Nazca boobies coexist. The hike up its volcanic rock formations provides breathtaking panoramic views.

Witch Hill is famous for its white sandy beach and turquoise waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. You might spot tropical fish below the surface or even a sea lion joining you for a swim. A panga ride allows you to explore the eroded rock formations, showcasing the power of nature.

Floreana has a fascinating human history, being the first island in the Galápagos to have a resident in 1807 and home to a whalers’ post office from the 1700s. The island is surrounded by mystery, with disappearances in the 1930s linked to rivalries among its settlers.

Cormorant Point features two unique beaches: one with green sand due to olivine crystals and another called Flour Beach, with soft white coral sand. Its lagoons are home to flamingos feeding on shrimp, giving them their vibrant color.

Devil’s Crown is one of the top snorkeling spots, with submerged volcanic formations and a thriving coral reef. Here, you may encounter sharks, rays, sea turtles, hammerhead sharks, and colorful fish.

Post Office Bay continues a centuries-old tradition where visitors leave postcards in a wooden barrel for future travelers to hand-deliver, keeping alive an old maritime custom.

Black Turtle Cove, on Santa Cruz’s northern coast, is a protected inlet accessible only by boat with a guide. The calm waters provide a nursery for juvenile reef sharks, sea turtles, golden cow-nose rays, and spotted eagle rays. Birds such as pelicans and boobies dive gracefully into the water in search of fish.

Genovesa, known as “Bird Island,” was formed by a shield volcano and is home to an astonishing number of birds. It is one of the few places where large colonies of red-footed boobies can be seen.

Darwin Bay was created when part of the volcano’s caldera collapsed, allowing seawater to enter. Over 200,000 red-footed boobies nest in the trees and shrubs of this area.

El Barranco, also known as Prince Philip’s Steps, is a rocky trail leading up to a cliff with a spectacular view. A Palo Santo forest nearby is home to nesting red-footed boobies and other bird species.

Egas Port, also called James Bay, is a great place to see Galápagos fur seals lounging near tide pools, as well as fast-moving lava lizards.

Buccaneer Cove, once a refuge for British pirates, offers excellent snorkeling opportunities with stunning underwater rock formations and diverse marine species.

Espumilla Beach is a nesting site for marine iguanas, while Sally-Lightfoot crabs attract herons hunting for prey. Snorkeling here might bring you face-to-face with an octopus, moray eel, shark, or vibrant tropical fish.

North Seymour Island was formed by the uplift of submarine lava and is home to a massive colony of land iguanas, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and frigatebirds. Along the coast, both land and marine iguanas can be spotted. It also hosts the largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds in the Galápagos.

The Santa Cruz Highlands offer a lush contrast to the lowland coastal areas, with rolling hills, lava tunnels, and a variety of bird species. Exploring the lava tunnels is a surreal experience, while the agricultural zones showcase the different ecosystems within the Galápagos.

Mosquera Islet, located between Baltra and North Seymour, is a small reef with white sand beaches and a large sea lion colony.

After this final visit, it’s time to head back to Baltra Airport for your departure to mainland Ecuador.