Galapagos Ocean Spray: Itinerary North and Central Islands (B)

Upon landing at Baltra Airport, you will immediately feel the warm breeze of the archipelago. Your guide and the Ocean Spray crew will be waiting to welcome you. After boarding the catamaran, enjoy a welcome drink and lunch while sailing towards Bartolomé Island, your first excursion.

Bartolomé is a small islet known for its iconic Pinnacle Rock, one of the most photographed landmarks in the Galápagos. You’ll take a short zodiac ride over a submerged crater before disembarking at a rustic dock. A trail with 372 wooden steps will lead you to the island’s summit, offering breathtaking views of surrounding islands, volcanic formations, and the deep blue ocean. Along the way, you may spot lava lizards basking in the sun.

After admiring the lunar-like landscape, you’ll embark on a zodiac tour along the cliffs, where you may see a small colony of Galápagos penguins. The day ends with a snorkeling session in the bay, where you can swim alongside playful sea lions, manta rays, sea turtles, and vibrant reef fish.

Located in the northern region of the archipelago, Genovesa Island has a unique horseshoe shape, formed by lava flows from an ancient shield volcano.

Your first stop is Darwin Bay, a stunning white coral beach surrounded by mangroves that serve as nesting grounds for red-footed boobies, gulls, and night herons. You’ll have the chance to snorkel in its calm waters and, if you’re a confident swimmer, explore the rocky coastline, where you may spot white-tip reef sharks and moray eels.

After a gourmet lunch on board, the afternoon excursion takes you to El Barranco (Prince Philip’s Steps). A short but steep stair climb leads to a nesting site for masked boobies and red-footed boobies. As you follow the inland trail, keep an eye out for Galápagos hawks and short-eared owls. The island’s dramatic cliffs host thousands of seabirds in flight, earning Genovesa the nickname “Bird Island”.

The day begins at Egas Port, once the site of a Norwegian fishing settlement. A coastal trail leads to “Darwin’s Toilet”, a rock formation where Galápagos fur seals play in the natural tidal pools. Along the way, you’ll encounter marine iguanas, herons, warblers, and bright-red Sally Lightfoot crabs contrasting against the dark lava rocks.

In the afternoon, you’ll explore Bucanero Cove and Espumilla Beach, both rich in birdlife and prime snorkeling spots. Here, you’ll swim among sea lions, sea turtles, reef sharks, moray eels, and, if lucky, an octopus or two.

North Seymour Island is named after British nobleman Lord Hugh Seymour and was formed by volcanic uplift. The terrain is flat and easy to explore, home to around 2,500 land iguanas, as well as sea lions, blue-footed boobies, noddy terns, and magnificent frigatebirds—the largest nesting colony in the archipelago.

In the afternoon, you’ll venture into the Santa Cruz Highlands, a lush contrast to the arid coastline. This region is a favorite habitat for Galápagos giant tortoises, which roam freely between cloud forests and natural mud pools. You’ll visit a local tortoise reserve, where these gentle giants can be observed up close. The area is also home to endemic plants, lava tunnels, and excellent birdwatching opportunities for species such as Darwin’s finches and flycatchers.

Your final stop is Mosquera Islet, a tiny sandbar between Baltra and North Seymour, formed by a coral reef uplift. This site features a beautiful white sand beach, a lively sea lion colony, and a diverse array of shorebirds.

During your walk, you’ll take in the last breathtaking views of the enchanted isles before heading back to Baltra Airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.