MY Coral Cruises
Baltra To Baltra
The Coral graciously accommodates 20 passengers. Custom designed to fulfill the expectations of the most demanding guest. All cabins have private bath with shower, sink and toilet, generous hot and cold fresh water supplies. The dining room and lounge demonstrate a refined taste and the yacht has three sun decks. Equipped with all the standards you would expect from a high-class yacht.
Day 1 - Sunday
Baltra Airport - Santa Cruz Island
Baltra: Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra airport in Galápagos (aprox. 2 and a half hours flight). Passengers are greeted by guides at the airport and transferred to the Itabaca canal, cross to the Island of Santa Cruz and travel to Puerto Ayora.
Santa Cruz Island (Charles Darwin station): Travellers have the chance to investigate the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, staffed with international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here you can also admire Giant Tortoises, that are part of the breeding program.LD
Day 2 - Monday
Españla Island (Suarez Point) - Españla Island (Gardner Bay)
Españla Island (Suarez Point): Travellers enjoy a dry landing at Suarez Point. Upon landing visitors will learn more about the lava terrain while crossing the inactive lava fields. Aside from the Sea Lion colonies, this is one of the most important sites for bird watching. As soon as visitors put foot on this island many species can be spotted and observed closely. Among the many species, the Hooded Mocking bird and Red Billed Tropic After crossing the nesting grounds you will reach the world's largest colony of Waved Albatross (15000 approx.) Their mating rituals are a highlight of the visit. Nearing the end of this excursion passengers will visit the famous blowhole, where water shoots into the air at almost 23 mts. ( 75 ft .)
Españla Island (Gardner Bay): In the afternoon the passengers visit Gardner Bay . This is a wet landing on a white coral beach amidst a large colony of Sea Lions. This site has no trails, therefore hiking, is not possible. But it is considered as open area where you can spot Galápagos Hawks, American Oyster Catchers, Galápagos Doves, Hood Mockingbirds, 3 species of Darwin Finches and Yellow Warblers, Lava Lizards, Marine Iguanas and a great place for swimming and snorkeling, the best place for this spot is by the rock outcropping that looks like a turtle. Often snorkelers see many of the Galápagos marine species such as King Angelfish, Creole Fish, Damsel Fish, Parrot Fish, Manta Rays, White Tipped Reef Sharks, and many more. Cocktail of the day on the Sun Deck. Briefing by guides on next days activities.LD
Day 3 - Tuesday
Floreana Island (Cormorant Point)
Wet landing on a greenish colored sand beach. Passengers will hike a well marked trail beginning in the Black Mangrove beds heading towards the back of the lagoon. The large, brackish lagoon holds one of the biggest populations of flamingos in the Galápagos. This island is best known for its endemic plant life, such as the Galápagos millwork, Passion flower, and unique button mangrove. Novice snorkelers can practice back on the main beach where the sea lions are playful, while experienced snorkelers can roam the waters around Devils Crown.
Floreana (Post office): Located on the north side of Floreana Island, the bay is so-named because it's probable that in 1793, Captain James Colnett installed an empty barrel of rum which works as an informal post box for the sailors who periodically passed through the Galápagos, taking with them letters for their next ports of call or final destinations. Today, our visitors continue the tradition by placing postcards without stamps inside the barrels which reach their destinations free of charge. Sometimes it takes weeks, sometimes months, and sometimes the cards never get there at all! A short walk from the famous barrel, across typical vegetation of the island,we come to a tunnel formed by lava flows. It's quite a tricky way down to a path where we can observe land birds such as mocking bird of Galápagos, some species of Darwin's finches, yellow wardle and lava lizards. After a short hop in the panga, we'll make a further dry landing to visit the Lookout Point where we can enjoy great views swooped by marine birds.BLD
Day 4 - Wednesday
North Seymour Island - Santa Cruz Island (Dragon Hill)
After a dry landing guests will encounter Swallow Tailed Gulls and Sea Lions. This site is also known of being a major nesting colony of Blue Footed Boobies, and the largest colony of the Magnificent Frigate Bird. (a different species from the Great Frigate Bird). Travellers will also spot both endemic species of iguanas, the Marine Iguanas and Land Iguanas. Passengers will enjoy this relaxed hike around the nesting sites. We then head for Dragon Hill. After a wet landing, passengers walk to a hypersalinic lagoon behind the beach. Observers report a high number of Pink Flamingos. The trail then leads up to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay,. This area is a nesting site for a big number of reintroduced Land Iguanas, again thanks to the Charles Darwin Research Station. There is also a bizarre Scalesia tree forest.BLD
Day 5 - Thursday
Rábida Island / Jervis - Santiago Island (Egas Port)
Rábida Island / Jervis: Dry landing at the dark red colored beach of volcanic origin, frequented by sea lions. It is often considered the geographic center of Galápagos because it has the most diversified volcanic rocks of all the Islands . Here a short trail leads to a salt water lagoon, where we find small colonies of Flamingos feeding. The brown pelican nests in the mangrovesan be found at the far side of the lagoon. Also to be observed are boobies and 9 species of Darwin ‘s finches. Dinghie ride by the reefs with an excellent snorkeling opportunity.
Santiago Island (Egas Port): Visit the dark sand beach at Puerto Egas during a wet landing. Most of the landscape are tuff-stone layers and lava flows, the surrounding area is prime for spotting and observing Hunting Herons, Great Blue Herons, Lava Herons, Oyster Catchers, and the Yellow Crowned Night Heron. Passengers enjoy the sight of Marine Iguanas grazing upon algae beds at low tide and sharing space with Red Sally Light-Foot Crabs. There is a colony of Fur-Seal swimming in deep pools of cool water called “grottos”. This is an excellent spot for swimming and snorkeling in search of Octopuses, Sea Horses, Star Fish and other sea life caught in the small tidal pools. From a safe distance travelers can admire Moray Eels, Hammerhead Sharks, White Tip and Galápagos Sharks, Golden and White Spotted Eagle Rays, Jacks, Wahoo, Tuna, Groupers, Red-Tailed and Dog Snappers, Sea Lions, and Sea Turtles. All located in the back drop of cold water and warm water corals, fans, and sponge. Cocktail of the day at the Sun Deck. Briefing by guides on next days activities.
Fernandina Island (Espinosa Point): After a dry landing at Espinosa Point, passengers will see the largest colony of Marine Iguanas mingling with Sally-light Foot Crabs. They also will enjoy the Flightless Cormorants nesting sites, the Galápagos Penguins, Galápagos Hawks, and Sea lions. Among the flora and volcanic formations observers will note Brachycereus Cactus, “pa-hoe-hoe” lava, and other unusual lava formations. Travelers will see recent lava flows from a safe distance. Also numerous mangrove beds extend into the sea, depicting a healthy and thriving eco-system. Isabela Island (Point Vicente Roca): Another possible excursion is at Point Vicente Roca, on Isabela Island . There are no landings for this excursion. Only open for dinghy sightseeing, snorkeling, and scuba. Travelers will enjoy high cliffs with tuff stone, ash, and other lava formations. Caves and plenty of nesting sites for Brown Noddies and Blue Footed Boobies. Up close encounters with the occasional Dolphin, followed by Sea Cocktail of the day at the Sun Deck. Briefing by guides on next days activities.BLD
Day 7 - Saturday
Bartolomé Island - Santa Cruz Island (Black Turtle Cove)
Bartolomé Island: Dry landing. Arriving on this island, passengers will see volcanic formations including lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After a hike to the summit visitors will have an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. During the ascent travelers will often see a large colony of Marine Iguanas and Lava Lizards. Red Mangroves, Tiquilla, and various cacti all add to the experience. Visitors also enjoy a chance to cool off while snorkeling. Here travelers often see the Galápagos Penguin, Sea Turtles, and White Tipped Sharks from a safe distance.
Santa Cruz Island (Black Turtle Cove): Arrive at Black Turtle Cove located near Las Bachas beach in the north of Santa Cruz Island . This excursion provides passengers with a “panga” ride though the mangrove, during which the outboard motor of the small boat is turned off. This allows the close observation of Sea Turtles, White Tipped Reef Sharks, Spotted Eagle Rays, and Yellow Rays.BLD
Day 8 - Sunday
Santa Cruz Island (Charles Darwin Station) - Baltra
On another visit, travellers have the chance to investigate the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, staffed with international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here you can also admire Giant Tortoises, that are part of the breeding program. Travellers can also admire the impressive Giant Prickly-Pear Cactus forest and many land birds. The visit to the station takes around 40 minutes. After this visit passengers have some free time to walk around town and shop for souvenirs.
