Galapagos 8 Day Eastern Islands Cruise | Monique

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and assisted at the airport, then transferred from Baltra Airport to the M/C Monique.

In the afternoon, visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, also known as the Charles Darwin Research Station. The center hosts an interpretation center, museum, library, and tortoise breeding facility, home to various tortoise subspecies being prepared for reintroduction.

After the visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, we continue to highlands of Santa Cruz, you’ll have the opportunity to see the famous giant tortoises in the wild. So renowned are these endemic animals that they gave the archipelago its name. Birdwatching is also one of the activities do to in the Santa Cruz highlands, since this area is home of finches and other Galapagos birds.

This morning, experience an island tradition that dates back to the 18th century when whalers used a wooden barrel to exchange mail—a custom you can still participate in today. Enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, or walking and swimming through a lava tunnel.

In the afternoon visit two contrasting beaches—one with olivine-rich green sand, and the other a white coral “Flour Beach” created by parrot fish over thousands of years. A saltwater lagoon nearby is frequented by one of the archipelago’s largest populations of Galapagos flamingos, and is home to stilts, pintails, and flycatchers.

Begin your day at Punta Suarez, one of the most biologically diverse sites in the Galapagos. As you follow a rugged trail along dramatic sea cliffs, you’ll pass by large colonies of Nazca and blue-footed boobies, boldly curious mockingbirds, vibrantly colored marine iguanas, and — during the right season — the world’s only population of waved albatrosses. Watch as these majestic birds court, nest, or launch themselves gracefully into the ocean air.

Spend the afternoon on the soft white sands of Gardner Bay, a pristine beach where sea lions lounge and the ocean invites you in. Whether you choose to swim, snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard, the surrounding turquoise waters offer a perfect opportunity to observe marine life. Just offshore, Gardner and Osborn Islets are home to coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, rays, and playful juvenile sea lions — ideal for a vibrant snorkeling adventure.

Start your morning with breathtaking views of Kicker Rock — a towering, twin-peaked volcanic formation rising from the sea. This iconic landmark is a haven for seabirds such as blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds, often seen perched on its narrow ledges. Then head to Witch Hill, a secluded bay with fine white sand and crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming or snorkeling. Its shallow saltwater lagoon offers a peaceful setting ideal for spotting marine life and enjoying views of Kicker Rock from a unique vantage point.

In the afternoon, broaden your understanding of the archipelago at the San Cristobal Interpretation Center. This modern facility offers engaging exhibits that trace the Galapagos’ geological beginnings, ecological richness, and complex human history over time. Learn about the unique species that call these islands home and the ongoing conservation initiatives working to protect their fragile ecosystems for generations to come.

Begin your morning by landing on Santa Fe, one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos, known for its towering forests of Opuntia cacti and distinctive pale-yellow land iguanas. Hike along scenic trails that lead you across the island’s arid landscape or into the highlands where these endemic iguanas bask under the sun. After your walk, cool off in the calm, crystal-clear waters of the bay — ideal for swimming or snorkeling alongside playful sea lions, rays, and colorful reef fish.

In the afternoon, explore the compact yet incredibly diverse South Plaza Island. Its vivid red and green Sesuvium ground cover contrasts dramatically with the island’s black lava and towering prickly pear cacti. Here, you can often see swallow-tailed gulls, tropicbirds, and other seabirds nesting or riding the thermals above the crashing waves.

This morning you will disembark on the white coral beach of Darwin Bay, the only sandy landing site within Genovesa’s volcanic caldera. During breeding season, male frigatebirds inflate their striking red throat pouches in elaborate mating displays while red-footed boobies perch on the mangrove branches.

In the afternoon visit, El Barranco, also known as Prince Philip’s Steps, a rocky stairway that leads past a colony of Nazca and red-footed boobies up to a plateau of dried lava. Continuing through the thin Palo Santo Forest and looking out over the plain, visitors are often treated to sites of storm petrels launching out over the ocean. A dinghy ride or kayaking along the edge of the cliffs provides a good chance to see the elusive Galapagos fur seals nestled on the rocks, and snorkeling is a great activity if you fancy a dip with a variety of shark species.

This morning visit Chinese Hat, a scenic islet off the coast of Santiago Island is known for its striking lava formations.
With a maximum elevation of just 160 feet (52 meters) and within easy reach of Santa Cruz, Chinese Hat is typically only visited by those aboard a Galapagos Cruise, and is renowned as one of the best snorkeling spots in the archipelago.

In the afternoon you'll head to Dragon Hill, located in the northwestern region of Santa Cruz Island. This visit offers guests the chance to explore the island on foot and observe the remarkable land iguanas—once nearly extinct, now thriving once again.

You’ll also encounter a saltwater lagoon home to flamingos, pintail ducks, and a variety of endemic bird species such as flycatchers and warblers. A brief hike leads to a stunning viewpoint at the top of the hill. Before returning to the yacht, enjoy some offshore snorkeling in the surrounding waters.

After breakfast, you'll explore Black Turtle Cove, located along the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. This site vividly demonstrates how mangroves shape the marine ecosystem, forming a vibrant and unique habitat. Three different species of mangroves extend from the shore deep into the water, stretching nearly a mile inland.
While gliding silently through the calm waters aboard a dinghy, you may spot spotted eagle rays and mustard rays gracefully swimming in formation. Keep an eye out for white-tipped reef sharks gliding beneath the surface and Pacific green sea turtles surfacing to breathe or mate. The area is also a haven for waterfowl, such as pelicans, herons, and egrets, all drawn by the cove’s rich feeding grounds.

After this last visit, transfer to Baltra airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.