The final leg of your journey will see you exploring one of the world’s most iconic and unique wildlife destinations, with a seven-night cruise through the Galapagos Islands. Flying from Guayaquil to the island of Baltra, you’ll board your home for the next week, the
Ocean Spray.
The boat’s seven-day itineraries follow two different paths, one focusing on the central and western islands, and the other taking in the eastern, southern and northern ones. This is for conservation purposes, in order to give the wildlife a break from human interaction.
If you choose the first cruise, you’ll visit the large island of Isabela, where you’ll snorkel in a sheltered bay home to diverse sea life: watch out for seahorses, sea-turtles and sunfish. On land, you’ll spot marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs and sea lions. You’ll also head to Santa Cruz, where you’ll disembark to explore the highlands, home to the iconic giant tortoise, mockingbirds, and many other species. The western cruise also includes Espanola, one of the most wildlife-rich parts of the Galapagos, where you’ll spot red-billed tropicbirds, lava lizards, and Galapagos hawks, among many other creatures. You’ll finish up on San Cristobal, where you’ll spot sea lion colonies, marine iguanas, and endemic species such as lava lizards and blue- and red-footed boobies.
The eastern cruise begins on San Cristobal, before heading to Floreana, where you’ll observe a flamingo colony in a saltwater lagoon. It then proceeds to Santa Cruz, and Bartholomew, home to the volcanic formation of Pinnacle Rock. You’ll also stop at Genovesa, where seabird colonies live atop huge, jagged rocks. Santiago, flanked by black beaches, is home to marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and, in the past, British pirates. Whichever cruise you choose, you’ll experience an astonishing array of Galapagos wildlife. Both of them include visits to the habitats of giant tortoises, blue- and red-footed boobies, and marine iguanas, among many others.
The Ocean Spray is a luxurious catamaran with a stylish, modern design, and its design means it is well balanced to prevent seasickness. All the cabins have private balconies, and there are comfortable communal areas where you can relax and chat to your fellow guests.