Galapagos Sea Kayak Journey

Fly Guayaquil to San Cristobal – Sea Kayak to Darwin Bay 

In the morning, one member of our staff will assist you checking in with the airline. You will take a flight to San Cristobal Island. It is the fifth largest and easternmost island of the Galapagos. It is comprised of various fused volcanoes, all extinct. On San Cristobal, the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the capital of the Galapagos province. Upon arrival, you will meet  your leader and head to the hotel for check-in. Then, after a short briefing, you will begin your first paddle session towards Darwin Bay. This fun kayak activity is designed for all of our guests to have fun while learning about sea kayaking. No matter the level and experience of each person, we can all learn something new every day! You will start with a short theoretical approach to this activity with a demonstration of the equipment as well as its correct use, techniques and rescue procedures. The theoretical approach will be followed by a kayaking short route. You will start by using the paddling techniques while taking the kayaks around the bay of Puerto Baquerizo and continuing north to Darwin’s Bay, the precise bay where Charles Darwin first disembarked on Galapagos Island. You will slowly paddle around the bay to get an up-close look at the marine animals and shore birds. It will take us about 1.5 hours to cover 2.5 nautical miles. You’ll paddle close to the coast in some areas where it’s easy to approach the local fauna as they rest on the nearby rocks. This will be a perfect time to capture pictures of blue-footed boobies and brown pelicans up-close. It’s also a good opportunity to see how sea turtles take their heads out of the water to get some air. And, if you’re lucky, you’ll even find them mating in the water. 

Meals included: L,D 

Accommodation: Galapagos Sunset 

Sea Kayak Punta Basoa to Punta Finger – Snorkel Kicker Rock 

Today, we will take a 40-minute boat to Punta Basoa. Once we arrive, we will start paddling north along San Cristobal Island’s coast. After a short while, we will get closer to shore to admire blue-footed boobies diving to catch fish as well as sea turtles meandering around us. Once we arrive at Punta Finger, we will have some time to stretch our legs and enjoy the beautiful white-sanded beach. Then, we will sail for about twenty minutes to the spectacular Kicker Rock, also known as the Leon Dormido (Sleeping Lion). The history behind this formation is intriguing: the remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea to form two vertical rocks rising a staggering 500 feet from the ocean. That, plus the huge variety of vibrant-colored fish, makes this the best spot for snorkeling.  

Meals included: B,BL 

Accommodation: Galapagos Sunset 

Flight to Isabela Island – Tortoise Breeding Center + Kayak Bahia  

After a hearty breakfast, we will take a 35-minute flight from San Cristobal to Isabela Island. Today, you will go for a smooth paddle around Isabela’s beach front and bay, which is a great opportunity to see wildlife (specially penguins are common in this area). In the afternoon, you will visit the Tortoise Breeding Center, an initiative of the National Park for the conservation of Isabela’s tortoises. You will walk through the marshlands or humedales and along the beautiful white-sanded beach of Puerto Villamil in order to head back to our hotel.  

Meals included: B,L 

Accommodation: Casa de Marita 

Hike Sierra Negra – Surf Lesson 

In the morning, you will ride for about an hour to the highlands of Isabela where you will notice a big difference between this environment and the one on the beach as vegetation and weather vary significantly. Just as the environment changes, so does the animal species present. Consequently, you will spot varying species of animals. The path leads you to the edge of the Sierra Negra volcano, which is still active. Its most recent eruption in 2005 deposited a dramatic new layer of volcanic lava on the landscape. Currently, it has the second largest caldera in the world (spanning approximately six and a half miles). Afterwards, you will have some time to rest before heading back to the beach for an incredible surf lesson. Our tour leader will assist an expert surfer to teach how to stand up on the board. This is without a doubt a challenging but exciting activity. 

Meals included: B,L,D 

Accommodation: Casa de Marita 

Naviganle Tour to Bahia Ballena 

Today’s tour will not offer you an exciting nature experience but also a unique cultural encounter. Our crew will take you on a short ride to the sandy beaches of Bahia Ballena, an ocean inlet where Galapagos sea lions and marine iguanas bask on carpetweed and lava rocks. There, you will appreciate Darwin’s finches and snorkel through an underwater world of lava rocks and small reefs swarming with tropical marine life. Reaching depths of up to thirty feet, the sandy ocean floor is home to pacific green sea turtles and long tailed stingrays of different shapes and sizes. 

Meals included: B,BL,D 

Accommodation: Angermeyer Waterfront Inn

Flight Baltra to Guayaquil 

In the morning, we will be transferred to Baltra to catch a flight to Guayaquil, more commonly known as “The Pearl of the Pacific”. It is the largest city and main port of Ecuador, strategically situated on the coast and home to some 2.3 million inhabitants. Main attractions of the city include: the contemporary boardwalk Malecon 2000, one of the gems of the urban renewal project’s crown, the eye-catchingly colorful Las Peñas neighborhood, and Parque Seminario across from the Metropolitan Cathedral and home to an impressive horde of iguanas who share the park with locals and visitors alike. All these are within walking distance from our hotel in case we wish to explore the city in the afternoon. 

Meals included: B 

Accommodation: