Aqua Mare Galapagos Cruises

For the second morning in the Galapagos Islands, the ship anchors in the southern part of the Archipelago at Floreana Island. After breakfast, the morning wet landing excursion takes all to a big brackish water lagoon to observe greater flamingos, ducks, black-necked stilts and other shorebirds at Punta Cormorant. Observe where sea turtles nest at night, and spot stingrays and sharks swimming very close to the shore.

Later, return to the boat to prepare for kayaking or take a short tender ride to Devil’s Crown for snorkeling. Enjoy a splendid lunch consisting of fresh Ecuadorian recipes with an Andean twist before heading back out to Floreana to pay tribute to an old island tradition at Bahía Post Office. The visit will follow another quick tour of what once was a fishing enterprise in the 1920s before continuing on board the tenders to visit Mirador de la Baronesa. Another delicious feast showcasing Japanese technique combined with Peruvian seasoning using only the freshest local fish and seafood awaits back on board Aqua Mare. Stay out on the Upper Deck with a cocktail to admire the northern and southern hemispheres’ starlit skies tonight.

Diving: this optional, added-cost activity is available today. For details read Aqua Mare FAQ’s for scuba diving.

After a night of sailing, wake up anchored on the western side of Isabela Island. As the biggest and youngest island in the Archipelago, Isabela was formed by five relatively young volcanoes and is characterized by giant tortoises and marine iguanas. For the morning excursion, hike Punta Moreno to the mangroves and gas-rich basaltic lava rocks resulting from a large basaltic lava flow which came from the Cerro Azul volcano on Isabela hundreds of years ago. There are mangrove lagoons along the shore and small saltwater lagoons inland, where one can observe ducks, shorebirds, stilts, blue-winged teals, flamingos and gallinules. After the visit consider the opportunity to go snorkeling near the shore or return to the yacht to rest and enjoy the majestic landscapes Isabela has to offer.

In the afternoon, the boat will sail north to Bahía Urbina, a roughly 4-mile point, once underwater and uplifted in 1954 up to about 2 miles above sea level. Here one can see tortoises, land iguanas and the biggest marine iguanas roaming free in the Archipelago. End the day with an unforgettable view of Isabela’s five volcanoes while dining on impressive cuisine.

Start the morning early with a workout on the Upper Deck at the next anchorage point of Punta Espinoza, part of a huge lava flow formed from one of the many eruptions of the La Cumbre volcano, known to be one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Spend the morning on shore of this place famous for its large colonies of marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, lizards and snakes. Consider snorkeling before returning to the yacht for a sumptuous lunch and lecture on the geology of the Galapagos Islands from one of the onboard expert guides.

As Aqua Mare crosses the Bolivar Channel back towards Isabela Island, prepare to channel your inner pirate for the afternoon excursion visiting Caleta Tagus, once a favorite anchorage spot for pirates and whalers. Here, hike to see Darwin Lake, a saltwater lake trapped inside a tuff cone. Alternately, go kayaking, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, or a ride in a tender to explore the cove and its surroundings. Return to the yacht for evening sundowners and head to the Bridge after dinner for a chat with the captain as the ship crosses the equatorial line twice while rounding the top of Isabela Island en route to the next anchorage point.

For those who missed the equatorial crossing the night before, ask the crew for an equator crossing certificate. This morning, disembark on the black-sand beaches of Puerto Egas, northwest of Santiago Island. Once the location of a salt mine (1967), today it offers a 2.5-hour hike to find the abandoned mine turned into a shallow saltwater lake. For those who prefer to stay by the beach, walk the intertidal zone to the fur seal grottos or snorkel to watch sea turtles, sea lions and white-tipped sharks.

Head back to the yacht for lunch encompassing flavors of the South American Pacific coast and Peruvian Nikkei style crafted by Pedro Miguel Schiaffino. Then the tenders will continue the adventure to Playa Espumilla, where a wet landing on a golden sandy beach reveals a well-known breeding ground for sea turtles. Also visit Caleta Bucanero, a 17th-century pirate rest stop where pirates used to stock up on fresh tortoise meat and fresh water. The day will end with a choice of snorkeling, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding before winding down back on board with Happy Hour over a glass of Bloody Mary as the crew prepares for departure to the next adventure.

Awake to the sounds of nature and a fresh breakfast before departing by tender to Rábida Island, also known as the red island. The color is the result of oxidation of very old porous lava. Choose to hike, kayak, stand-up paddleboard or snorkel, as well as observe hundreds of sea lions who have made their home on the beach.

After a delicious lunch, listen to an afternoon lecture on the evolution of Darwin’s finches presented by the onboard expert guides in the Panoramic Lounge. The Aqua Mare will sail towards the north of Santa Cruz Island, to Caleta Tortuga Negra, a mangrove estuary that is home to sea turtles. This is a tender ride excursion as there is no landing site, but watch for green sea turtles, as well as three different types of sharks: the black tip, the Galapagos and the famous blue shark. End this glorious day discovering more signature Ecuadorian cuisine with an Andean twist courtesy of Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.

Diving: this optional, added-cost activity is available today. For details read Aqua Mare FAQ’s for scuba diving.

The penultimate day in the Archipelago begins with a refreshing breakfast before heading out to North Seymour Island, formed by uprisings of underwater volcanic lavas some 3.1 million years ago. The island is mostly known for its healthy population of land iguanas, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and great frigatebirds. After a morning full of fun activities, head back to the yacht for a delicious lunch aboard Aqua Mare.

For the afternoon excursion, hop on to a tender for a wet landing onto Mosquera Island. While the rock pile is one of the smallest in the Archipelago, it is home to one of the largest colonies of sea lions in the Galapagos Islands, and with luck one may even spot migratory orcas. Around sunset, return to the sleek comfort of Aqua Mare for the last evening aboard. Swap notes on all the experiences from this most incredible adventure with friends on board and toast farewell with something special from the ship’s curated wine list.

Diving: this optional, added-cost activity is available today. For details read Aqua Mare FAQ’s for scuba diving.

The last day begins with a luxurious breakfast set against the morning sunrise before setting out for one final excursion by tender. Enjoy the views of the fragile visitor site of Daphne Island, a scientific use zone for scientists studying Darwin’s finches. Observe Nazca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds and blue-footed boobies nesting at Daphne Major terraces, which is also the site of a 40-year study on the evolution in Darwin’s finches, demonstrating evolution occurring over short periods of time. Return to the ship for a refreshing juice and to pack up the last of your belongings as the ship sails to Baltra Island. Bid farewell to the crew and ship, then be escorted to the airport for your flight back to the mainland and onward journey home, with wonderful memories to cherish forever.