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The 5-day Legend South-East Galapagos Cruise focuses on the remote islands of Floreana and Espanola starting in San Cristobal and ending in Baltra. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island. Suarez Point on Espanola is considered one of the richest places in the Galapagos in terms of species diversity. Floreana Island was the first to be inhabited by people and offers a rich human history of the Galapagos. Land on the green olivine beach at Cormorant Point to find flamingos, migratory birds and possibly nesting sea turtles.

The Legend South-East Islands Cruise can be combined with the Western or Central-East Islands Cruise to create an 8-day/7-night itinerary. View the South-East Islands Cruise details below or click on the links to view details of other Legend Galapagos cruises.

Central-East Galapagos Islands 4 days/3 nights

Western Galapagos Islands 5 days/4 nights

North-Central Galapagos Islands 4 Days/3 days

Legend Main Page

Day 1 - THR - San Cristobal to Cerro Colorado & Tijeretas Hill

Arrive to San Cristobal Island, transfer by bus to Puerto Ayora and board the M/V Legend. Receive a warm welcome and introductory briefing from the crew and enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternon, make a dry landing in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, capital of the Galapagos Islands. Visit the Cerro Colorado Interpretation Center, an excellent place to learn about natural history in the Galapagos. The Museum of Natural History displays information on the volcanic origins of the islands, their remoteness from the continent, ocean currents, climate, the arrival of the different species and their colonization, among other points of interest. The human history is also showcased, chronologically narrating the most significant events related to the discovery and colonization of the islands. Also visit Tijeretas Hill, which gets its name because tijeretas is the name commonly known for the frigates. It is one of the only places where you can watch the two species of frigate birds nesting in the same colony. Enjoy a high-intensity walk amid beautiful landscapes and a magnificent view.

Accommodations: Legend
Included Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 2 - FRI - Gardner Bay & Suarez Point

In the morning make a wet landing on a beautiful white coral sand beach guarded by a colony of sea lions at Gardner Bay on Española Island. There are no trails, so you'll stay along the shore to spot Galapagos hawks, American oystercatchers, Galapagos ground doves, Hood mockingbirds, yellow warblers, lava lizards, marine iguanas and three species of Darwin’s finches: a subspecies (Geospiza fuliginosa) of the large cactus finch, which is similar to the large ground finch, the small ground finch (Geospiza fuliginosa) and the warbler finch (Certhidea olivacea), another endemic subspecies. Swimming and snorkeling offer a great variety of Galapagos marine wildlife: king angelfish, Creole fish, damsel fish, parrotfish, manta rays and white-tipped reef sharks.

Española is an island of geological interest, so in the afternoon at Suarez Point you'll explore volcanic formations and a riveting wildlife: large sea lion colonies and seabirds including Española mockingbird, Nazca boobies and the spectacular red-billed tropicbird. You will also encounter marine iguanas, lava lizards, and the colorful Sally lightfoot crabs. A somewhat lengthy hike will bring you among Nazca and blue-footed boobies, right up to nesting grounds that sometimes overlap the trail. Other birding favorites include Galapagos dove, Galapagos hawk, swallow-tailed gulls and the world’s largest colony of waved albatross, an unequivocal highlight during mating season (May-December). Admire the island’s dramatic backdrop, featuring the famous Soplador, a seaward blowhole that shoots water some 23 m. (75 ft.) in the air.

Accommodations: Legend
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - SAT - Post Office Bay & Cormorant Point

Located on the north side of Floreana Island, Post Office Bay is so-named because in 1793 Captain James Colnett installed a wooden barrel that served as an informal post office for sailors passing through, who would take letters with them to their destinations. Today, the Legend's visitors continue the tradition by placing unstamped postcards inside the barrel that should reach their destinations for free. It can take weeks, months, even years, not arrive at all or even arrive before you! Look here for Darwin’s finches, yellow warbler and lava lizards, and enjoy great snorkeling opportunities with green Pacific sea turtles. This island is best known for its endemic vegetation: Scalesia villosa, Lecocarpus pinnatifidus, and Galapagos milkwort. Snorkelers can practice on the main beach among playful sea lions.

In the afternoon, make a wet landing on an olivine green sand beach at Cormorant Point. Hike from the black mangrove beds to a brackish lagoon, which usually holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. This island features some endemic plants such as Scalesia villosa, white and black mangrove and holy stick. The trail continues to a beautiful white-sand beach, one of the most important nesting sites of green Pacific sea turtles. It is important to avoid walking in the water here due to the sting rays that may be hiding in the sand, which can be dangerous if accidentally stepped on. From the beach one can spot sea turtles, blue-footed boobies plunging into the water and small reef sharks floating along the shoreline in search of food. This coral-sand beach marks the end of the trail, so head back to the olivine beach you landed on to swim or snorkel amongst sea turtles, reef fish, sea lions and, on a good day, white-tipped reef sharks. A small colony of penguins resides on Floreana and can sometimes be observed as well.

Accommodations: Legend
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - SUN - Highlands, Breeding Center & Darwin Station

This morning a dry landing on Santa Cruz Island and a 45-minute bus ride takes you to the Santa Cruz highlands, located to the northwest of Puerto Ayora, where you will find a natural reserve with giant tortoises. These enormous and slow-moving reptiles are responsible for the island’s name and therefore approaching them in their humid and forested abode is always an inspiring adventure. They can weigh between 250 and 300 kg and can live up to 150-200 years. Additionally, you can walk inside surprising lava tubes here. Spend the afternoon at the Charles Darwin Research Station to observe the giant tortoises that are part of the reproduction program. This is the former home of the world’s most famous tortoise, Lonesome George, the last of his species who died in 2012. Admire a prickly-pear cactus forest and variety Darwin’s finches and other land birds. The Darwin Station also works providing environmental education to communities and schools within the islands, and to tourists visiting the Galapagos Islands. You will also have some free time to visit the town and shop for souvenirs.

Accommodations: Legend
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - MON - Daphne & Baltra Airport

Spend the morning exploring the islet of Daphne - a volcanic tuff cone, formed by successive explosions produced by the mixture of lava and water. Spot Darwin’s finches, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, swallow-tailed gulls and brown noddies. After the morning's tour, head to the Baltra Airport for flights back to the mainland.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

GALAPAGOS CRUISE INCLUSIVE PACKAGE: For your convenience we offer an Inclusive Package with three nights hotel accommodations in Quito or Guayaquil, all airport/hotel transfers, Galapagos flights, Galapagos National Park entrance fees and taxes, Galapagos migration card and your Galapagos cruise. View details of our Galapagos Cruise Inclusive Package.

Travelers not interested in our inclusive package must purchase Galapagos flights in conjunction with their Galapagos cruise.

GALAPAGOS CRUISE CUSTOM PACKAGE: If you are booking a cruise-only program our experts can assist with hotels, transfers, flights and tours. Contact AdventureSmith Explorations about customizing your tour or the possibilities of combining this trip with our Mainland Ecuador and Peru: Machu Picchu extensions. We are Galapagos cruise and Ecuador travel experts and our staff can help you customize the perfect Galapagos cruise or Ecuador tour package.

Itinerary Notes: Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itinerary may be altered due to weather, wildlife, National Park regulation or at the captain's discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of Galapagos cruising unique.

Included: Double accommodation in cabins with air conditioning, private facilities, meals scheduled on board, welcome and farewell cocktails, water, 24-hour tea/coffee station, two daily visits to Galapagos Islands with multilingual (English/Spanish) naturalist guide, snorkeling (gear included) and kayaking opportunities, briefings/lectures and activities on board, baggage handling, transfers and dinghy rides to/from ports, shuttle service in Quito and Guayaquil to/from designated hotels to select Galapagos flights, and airport check-in assistance.

Exclusions: International airfare; airfare from mainland Ecuador; Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee (US $100 per adult, $50 for children under 12 years old. This can be paid directly by passengers [cash only] or it is included in our INCLUSIVE PACKAGE TOURS); Galapagos National Institute Migration Control Card (US $10 per person); departure tax ($40.80); gratuities for guides, crew, drivers or local staff; alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages; other personal expenses; medical services or insurance of any kind. 2013 cruise fuel surcharge is an additional $90 (4-5 Day), $180 (8-12 Day) or $360 (15 Day) per person.

Wet suit rental available for US $25 per person per each 4-5 day cruise, $50 for longer cruises. Kayak rental $30 per person. Internet available at extra cost.

Room Configurations: The Legend offers limited single occupancy cabins at a 50% supplement (75% during 2013 holidays/high season). 50% discount for the third guest sharing the cabin with 2 full-fare paying guests, Junior and higher cabin categories only. One child sharing double with 1 full-fare paying guest receives a 25% discount. Double shared accommodation may be available in Standard Plus cabins.

Families & Children: Children under 12 years old at the time of sailing receive 25% off when sharing the cabin with an adult, or a 50% discount if sharing a cabin with two full-fare paying guests. Junior and higher cabin categories only. Minimum child age is 7 years old. Kids will enjoy different activities offered on board like stargazing, a special kids menu, a visit to the bridge to meet the Captain, T-shirt dye, Wii, handcrafts and much more. There are special family departure dates when more children will be on board.

Arrival & Departure: Most flights to the Galapagos will depart Quito or Guayaquil between 7:00am-9:00am on day 1 and return between 2:00pm-5:00pm on the final day. We highly recommend travelers arrive Ecuador 2 days prior to their Galapagos cruise.

Payment & Cancellation: A cruise deposit of $700 per person is required at the time of booking. For land packages a deposit of $300 per person is required at the time of booking. A Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following per-person fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 121 days - no penalty
120 to 61 days - $300 fee
60 to 0 days - 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.


Activities: Daily hikes/walks range from 30 minutes to 2.5 hours, over sometimes rocky or muddy terrain (depeding on season). Snorkeling is available most days. The underwater snorkeling experience is an integral part of any Galapagos cruise. We encourage all travelers to try snorkeling. Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins, floating vest and net bag) is available for the duration of the cruise. Shortie wet suits are also available for rent and are recommended from June to December. Kayaks are available to rent.

Qualifications: The 5-day Galapagos Legend South-East Islands itinerary will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Daily excursions from the boat to the islands will be made in pangas (dinghies). Trip members will hike from the landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours round trip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet," requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. There are numerous opportunities to swim and snorkel.


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