8 days B Itinerary | Petrel Catamaran

San Cristobal Island, the fifth-largest island in the Galapagos, is located farthest East. This is also where Darwin landed in 1835, and where the first permanent settlements were established. The capital of Galapagos is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. It houses the Ecuadorian Navy and many government offices. There are also daily flights to Ecuador from the airport. The island is facing conservation challenges from invasive plants such as blackberry and the guayaba, and insects such as the blackfly.

Lobos Island can be found about an hour from San Cristobal. Seasonally, blue-footed boobies nest here. Recent years have seen frigate birds nesting here. There are many sea lions and marine iguanas. The site is peaceful and serene with stunning views of Kicker Rock in the distance.

Interpretation Center & La Galapaguera

La Galapaguera is an Interpretation Center that has been open to the public from 1998. It provides extensive information about Galapagos' history, ecosystems, geology and flora & fauna. The center also houses giant tortoises, which are bred in the semi-natural habitat that was created by its employees. The center has meeting rooms, interpretive panels, auditoriums and exhibits.

Espanola Island is the Galapagos' southernmost and oldest island. It is believed to be approximately four million years old. This is due to its isolation from other islands. This is a great place to take amazing photos of the endemic birds that only live on Espanola, and stunning landscapes created by millions years of erosion.

Gardner Bay

Gardner Bay is one the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos. A large colony playful and friendly sea lions lives on the white sandy beach. There are three types of finches to be found. The Espanola Mockingbird, although friendly, is probably searching for food. Tourists must have once given the Espanola Mockingbird water or food. This taught them bad habits. This is where the eggs of green sea turtles are laid between January and March.

Suarez Point

Suarez Point is an amazing spot where you can see many of Espanola Island’s endemic species. The only Waved Albatross breeding area will be passed by the trail. You might be able to see a young albatross fly for the first time in up to five years. Older birds spend months at sea and only return to breed. They share the same mate throughout their lives and will only meet up to reproduce each year. You can also see marine iguanas which are brightly colored all year, Galapagos doves and blue-footed bobies, Nazca boobies and Nazca boobies as well as swallow-tailed birds, red-billed tropical birds, Darwin finches, and Nazca boobies.