Discover Galapagos - A travel guide to Galapagos cruises, tours, boats and yacht charters

Galapagos Islands tours - fun for the whole family!



A travel guide to Galapagos tours, boats, cruises & yacht charters

Galapagos Cruises and Tours

Sagitta

The graceful and spacious three-masted sailing-ship SAGITTA is a 120-foot steel-hulled vessel of great sturdiness.

Rebuilt for 16 guests and crew, she offers ten double air-conditioned cabins with one double-lower and one single-upper berth each. Every cabin has its own en-suite bathroom with hot water showers.

Galapagos cruise and tour aboard the Sagitta

Smart Voyager Certification

As one of Ecuador’s leading conservation organizations, Conservación y Desarrollo developed the Smart Voyager sustainable tourism certification program, which awards its seal of approval to tour boat operators and hotels in Ecuador who meet a set of strict conservation standards for protecting the environment, wildlife and the well-being of workers and local communities.

This sailing ship boasts a homely salon/bar, a comfortable dining room, an isolated conference room with library/entertainment center, and an additional dining facility "al fresco." Flush and ample deck space makes her truly a great vessel for Island cruising.

Al fresco dining, Sagitta, Galapagos Islands cruise and tour

The vessel offers an upper deck salon with view, a spacious dining room with large windows, a library/video salon that doubles as a conference room and an on-deck settee/dinette.

Cabin aboard the Sagitta, Galapagos Islands cruise and tour

"The food was excellent, the ship was beautiful and incredibly well-kept, the crew was first class all of the way and we completely enjoyed our tour. Our naturalist guide was excellent.  Everything was incredible and we could not have enjoyed it more.  I am thinking of booking a return trip with my mother on the Sagitta for next year." - Cindy Williams, Peru

Rates

2010 Rates
All rates are per person, in US dollars and based on double occupancy
For Christmas & New Years dates add 10%

Sagitta All Year Children Under 12
Individuals $3400 DBL
$4400 SGL
$2400
 
Charter (16 people) $48,960  

* Fuel tax may apply at any time depending on Government of Ecuador policy

2011 Rates
All rates are per person, in US dollars and based on double occupancy
For single and children under 12 rates, please ask
For Christmas & New Years dates add 10%

Sagitta 8 days
Jan to May 2011
A or B
= 6 days
C
= 5 days
A+B
= 11 days
B+C or C+A
= 10 days
A+B+C
=15 days
FIT $3740 $2805 $2338 $5143 $4675 $7013
CHARTER $53,856 $40,392 $33,660 $74,052 $67,320 $100,980

* Fuel tax may apply at any time depending on Government of Ecuador policy

Galapagos Reservations

 
Itinerary (until June 7, 2011)

8 day Itinerary until June 7, 2011 (Wednesday to Wednesday):
Day 1 AM Baltra Island – Arrival, PM North Seymour Island
Day 2 AM Santa Cruz - Darwin Station, PM Santa Cruz - El Chato
Day 3 AM Espanola - Gardner Bay, PM Espanola - Punta Suarez
Day 4 AM Floreana - Punta Cormorant, PM Floreana - Post Office Bay
Day 5 Isabela - Punta Moreno, PM Isabela - Elizabeth Bay
Day 6 AM Isabela - Urvina Bay, PM Fernandina - Punta Espinoza
Day 7 AM Santiago - Puerto Egas, PM Bartolome
Day 8 AM Santa Cruz - Black Turtle Cove, PM Baltra Airport

* All itineraries are subject to change at any time for any reason

 
Itineraries (starting June 8, 2011)
ITINERARY “A” SOUTHERN ISLANDS (6 DAYS)

Walk along pristine beaches amidst Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas!

WEDNESDAY
Baltra Airport, Mosquera & Punta Carrion

PM: On arrival at Baltra airport your guide will help you transfer to your yacht. Sagitta will set course for Mosquera Islet, giving you the chance to become acquainted with the vessel and have lunch. At Mosquera your first wet landing onto a beautiful coralline white beach inhabited by the largest Galápagos sea lion colony in the archipelago. Mosquera Islet is a small, flat, sandy islet almost devoid of vegetation. Good area for lava gulls and coastal birds. Afterwards we will visit Punta Carrion to enjoy some snorkeling.

THURSDAY
Plaza Sur & Santa Fe

AM: Plaza Sur: this tiny island captivates visitors with its vibrant colours: the green prickly pears, the reddish sesuvium, and the copper-orange Galapagos land iguanas. Dry landing onto one of the oldest docks built by the Galapagos National Park Service for at least 1 ½ hours on shore. The island is well known for its Galapagos sea lion colony, swallow-tailed gulls, Audubon shearwaters and red-billed tropicbirds.

PM: Santa Fe: wet landing onto a white beach where Galapagos sea lions doze. Here we find the largest specimens of prickly pear cactus in Galapagos. This island has its own species of land iguana: the Santa Fe land iguana. Watch out for land birds such as Darwin’s finches and yellow warblers.

FRIDAY
Cerro Brujo & Punta Pitt

AM: Cerro Brujo (San Cristóbal): one of the most scenic beaches in Galapagos. A salt-water lagoon right behind the beach reveals birds like the black-necked common stilt and white-cheeked pintail duck. Wet landing onto a white sandy beach. An ideal place to swim, snorkel, or stroll in the company of Galapagos sea lions. Cerro Brujo is a contrasting landscape with its salt-water lagoon and geological features that tell us about a time when San Cristóbal was an active volcano.

PM: Punta Pitt (San Cristóbal): wet landing onto a sandy beach. Long hike to a view point to watch seabirds riding the thermals. Red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, great frigatebirds. The north-easternmost point in Galapagos, Punta Pitt’s arid beauty is caused by strong trade winds eroding the volcanic cones.

SATURDAY
Gardener Bay & Punta Suarez

AM: Gardner Bay (Española): always a special visit! Gardner has one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos Islands. Galapagos sea lions, marine iguanas, Darwin’s finches, and Española mockingbirds. Wet landing.

PM: Punta Suárez (Española): dry landing at the start of a spectacular walk. Watch your step, because the trail is dotted with unafraid marine iguanas, bluefooted boobies, and Galapagos sea lions. Nesting site of the Galapagos albatross from April to December. Good place to observe endemic land birds: Darwin’s finches, Galapagos doves, and Galapagos hawks. Also we will get to watch an impressive blowhole from our position high on the cliffs.

SUNDAY
Punta Cormorant & Post Office Bay

AM: Punta Cormorant (Floreana): wet landing onto a sandy beach, locally called “Green Beach” because of its volcanic olivine crystals. A salt-water lagoon with greater flamingos and other waders. The trail ends at “Flour Beach”, an extremely fine white-sand beach where sea turtles nest. This will be followed by a short panga ride to Devil’s Crown for some snorkeling.

PM: Post Office Bay (Floreana): short visit with a wet landing. A short walk to visit a memorable site in Galapagos history, where centuries ago whalers used to drop their mail in the barrel for other passing sailors to deliver back home.

MONDAY
Highlands of Santa Cruz & Baltra Airport

AM: Highlands (Santa Cruz): dry landing at the pier of Puerto Ayora plus a bus ride to Baltra airport during which, along the way, vegetation changes as we drive through different vegetation zones. Short stop in the highlands to see giant tortoises. Santa Cruz Island is the home of the dome-shaped Galapagos giant tortoises.

NOTE: Passengers ending their trip on this day will be transported by bus to the airport at Baltra. We offer additional touristic packages for passengers who want to spend more time at Puerto Ayora. Passengers starting their trip on this day will be transported from Baltra to Puerto Ayora also by bus. A certified guide will accompany passengers at all times.

In addition to the land visits we offer a good balance of other activities such as snorkeling, panga rides and kayaking.

ITINERARY “B” WEST AND BEYOND (6 DAYS)

Mythical reptiles: Giant Tortoises, Marine Iguanas, Land Iguanas against an outstanding volcanic background

MONDAY
Baltra Airport & Charles Darwin Research Station

PM: Arrival at Baltra airport and bus transfer to Puerto Ayora. After getting acquainted with the Sagitta, you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz): home of Lonesome George, the most famous tortoise of Galapagos, last survivor of the Pinta Island tortoise population. Learn about the conservation efforts to restore giant tortoise populations to their original islands. Afterwards, stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora, the largest settlement in the Galapagos.

TUESDAY
Punta Moreno & Elizabeth Bay

AM: Punta Moreno (Isabela): dry landing onto a superb pahoehoe lava flow, surrounded by giant shield volcanoes –some still active! Flamingos, gallinules, and ducks in brackish water ponds and lagoons, flanked by pioneer and endemic vegetation. Good opportunity to spot our first cormorants and penguins. This will be followed by a short panga ride or snorkelling at Punta Vicente Roca.

PM: Elizabeth Bay (Isabela): enjoy a panga ride in a salt-water mangrove lagoon, where the largest red mangrove trees in Galapagos grow. Green sea turtles’ heads will pop up here and there, and Galapagos penguins will “fly” right next to you chasing fish.

WEDNESDAY
Urbina Bay & Punta Espinosa

AM: Urbina Bay (Isabela): wet landing onto a dark sandy beach often used by green sea turtles as a nesting site. We will walk over different terrains observing large land iguanas, a variety of native and endemic plants, and sometimes giant tortoises in their natural habitat. There are also the remains of a 50-year old uplift, exposing coral heads and other marine fossils.

PM: Punta Espinosa (Fernandina): one of the most unspoiled islands in the world! A true highlight. Dry landing to stroll the shoreline where you have to decide whether you are looking at lava or marine iguanas… flightless cormorants, Galapagos sea lions, and colourful Sally Lightfoot crabs will keep you company during your walk.

THURSDAY
Tagus Cove & Punta Albemarle

AM: Tagus Cove (Isabela): long walk through a beautiful Galapagos landscape. Dry landing next to a cove where early visitors carved graffiti of their boats’ names. Darwin Lake, a salt-water crater lake, surrounded by tuff stone. At the end of the trail, observe the vast lava flows that connect the volcanoes of Northern Isabela.

PM: Punta Albemarle (Isabela): one of the most pristine visitor sites within the Galapagos National Park. Dry landing onto a pahoehoe lava flow, where huge marine iguanas and flightless cormorants wait to greet you.

FRIDAY
Espumilla Bay & Sombrero Chino

AM: Espumilla (Santiago): wet landing onto golden-coloured sand, where green sea turtles nest. A trail will take you through a Palo Santo forest containing the largest specimens in the islands. Lots of land birds: yellow warblers, Darwin’s finches, Galapagos flycatchers…

PM: Sombrero Chino: “Chinaman’s Hat” is the most scenic islet in the Galapagos! This volcanic cone is separated from nearby Santiago Island by a turquoise water strait, where Galapagos sea lions swim. Wet landing on a sandy coralline beach.

SATURDAY
North Seymour & Baltra Airport

AM: North Seymour: prior leaving for the airport at Baltra, you will visit this small uplifted island, which hosts the largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds, one of the two species that nest in Galapagos. Male frigatebirds display their large red throat pouch to attract a female, while on the ground, blue-footed boobies step out in their courtship dance. Dry landing.

NOTE: On the final day the yacht sails to the airport on Baltra to disembark passengers ending their trip and to pick up new passengers.

In addition to the land visits we offer a good balance of other activities such as snorkeling, panga rides and kayaking.

ITINERARY “C” CENTRAL AND NORTHERN ISLANDS (5 DAYS)

Sea lions, boobies and volcanic features, while enjoying the most scenic islands in Galapagos!

SATURDAY
Baltra Airport & Black Turtle Cove (Caleta Tortuga Negra)

PM: Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz): after leaving Baltra airport, the Mary Anne navigates the short passage to Black Turtle Cove, a large mangrove lagoon on the north coast of Santa Cruz, the second largest island in the Galapagos Archipelago. Pelicans and herons roost on the mangrove branches, while green sea turtles cruise right next to you as the panga smoothly make its way through the lagoon.

SUNDAY
Darwin Bay & Prince Phillips Steps

AM: Darwin Bay (Genovesa): wet landing onto a coralline beach, one of the highlights of any trip in the Galapagos Islands. Red mangroves and soft-haired prickly pear cacti used as perching sites by red-footed boobies and great frigatebirds. And under the salt bush, the elegant swallow-tailed gulls.

PM: Prince Philip Steps (Genovesa): dry landing and cliff-climbing to reach a plateau where Nazca Boobies and Great Frigatebirds nest. Red-footed Boobies perch at Palo Santos trees, and hundreds of Galapagos Storm Petrels fly around effortlessly. Tower Island – the birds’ island!

MONDAY
Bartolomew & Puerto Egas

AM: Bartholomew dry landing to enjoy the most well-known, always breathtaking panorama in the Galapagos Islands. After climbing some wooden steps, you reach the top of this spatter cone to look out onto the Islands’ most famous icon: Pinnacle Rock, with neighbouring Santiago Island and most of the central islands as well.

PM: Puerto Egas (Santiago): wet landing onto a dark sandy volcanic beach. Once inhabited, Puerto Egas offers you a magnificent stretch of coastline. Lava flows carved by the ocean have produced grottos and arches that shelter the shy Galapagos fur seal.

TUESDAY
Rabida & Cerro Dragon

AM: Rábida: the red island. Wet landing to explore its fascinating maroon-tinted interior and saltwater lagoon. Amazing scenery, lots of Darwin’s finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, and yellow warblers. Given the right time of the year, brown pelicans nest on the salt bush that fringes the beach.

PM: Cerro Dragón (Santa Cruz): dry landing onto the north-west shore of Santa Cruz. White sand with giant cacti and succulent sesuvium, and behind a saltwater lagoon inhabited by greater flamingos, black-necked common stilts, and whitecheeked pintail ducks. A walk inland leads to a nesting site of Galapagos land iguanas.

WEDNESDAY
Bachas Beach & Baltra Airport

AM: Bachas (Santa Cruz): wet landing on a white sandy beach. After climbing a sand dune, where green sea turtles nest, we will find a colourful salt water lagoon with greater flamingos. Marine iguanas and Darwin’s finches will escort your way. And then, to the airport.

NOTE: Passengers ending their trip will disembark for the airport on Baltra and passengers starting their trip will be welcomed on board.

In addition to the land visits we offer a good balance of other activities such as snorkeling, panga rides and kayaking.

Deck Plan

Sagitta Deck Plan

Specifications

Accommodation: Ten air conditioned double cabins, double lower and single upper berths, en suite bathroom with hot and cold fresh water showers. Deck salon, dining area, conference and video salon, deck cockpit

Crew: Captain, First Mate, Engineer, Two Sailors, Cook and Assistant, Cabin Attendant, and Naturalist Guide

Equipment: Two SCANIA main engines 185 HP each, two 40 KW generators 120V & 240V A/C 60 HZ and 12V & 24V D/C. Foruno radar, GPS, VHS & SSB radios. Two tenders with outboard motors. Two color TVs with video equipment and one computer.

Safety Equipment: Two 20 passengers life rafts with all safety equipment. Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), Smoke and fire detector, Overhead Sprinkler Fire System.

Specifications:
Speed: 8 knots
Range: 3.000 miles
Sails: Bark Rig
Water: 5,000 gallons and water maker with a capacity of 1,500 gallons per day

Galapagos Reservations

Galapagos Islands Boats, Cruises and Yacht Charters

 
GALAPAGOS CRUISES

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Reservations

PRE-TRIP PLANNING

Frequently Asked Questions
Galapagos Map
A Brief Introduction
What to Bring
Travel Insurance

Hotels in Quito & Guayaquil

GALAPAGOS GUIDED TOUR

The Galapagos Archipelago
Baltra (Arrival)
Santa Cruz - Caleta Tortuga Negra
San Salvador - Sullivan Bay
Bartolome
Tower
San Salvador - James Bay
Fernandina - Punta Espinoza
Isabela - Tagus Cove
Isabela - Urvina Bay
Isabela - Elizabeth Bay
Santa Cruz - CDRS and Highlands
Floreana
Hood Island - Punta Saurez
Hood Island - Gardner Bay
Santa Fe
Plazas
Baltra (Departure)

FAMILY TRAVEL

Family Travel Planner
Adventures of Little Miss Chievous
Evan's Ecuador, Peru & Bolivia 2000
Evan's Ecuador 1998

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Evan with Galapagos Tortoise

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