Galapagos Islands Small Boat Cruise Photography Workshop

April 23, 2028: Arrival and Evening Presentation in Quito

Arrive anytime this day in Quito, Ecuador. Take the hotel shuttle or a taxi to our hotel next to the airport. Relax and unwind. Your leaders will share a presentation on photography in the islands followed by dinner on this evening.

April 24, 2028: Flight to San Cristobal, Visit Breeding Center

After breakfast, we will head to the airport for our flight to the Galápagos. Our first stop is San Cristobal Island, where we will transfer to our boat and visit the “David Rodriguez” Breeding Center. In the Breeding Center, you can admire the hatchling turtles from their birth until they are 120 days old, when the grown turtles are taken to their natural habitat.

Highlights: Giant tortoises in captivity, snorkeling with sea lions, land and sea birds, blue-footed boobies, and hatchling turtles.

April 25, 2028: Explore North Seymour, Afternoon at Black Turtle Cove

This morning we will visit North Seymour Island, formed by a series of submarine lava layers of sediment uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone. Highlights: Land & marine iguanas, frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, sea lions; snorkeling: rays, reef sharks, fish, garden eels.

In the afternoon, we will head to Black Turtle Cove, situated in the northern part of Santa Cruz. The shallow cove is a haven for young marine life. Black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, baby hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, and various rays are often spotted here.

April 26, 2028: Morning at Bartholomew Island, Afternoon at Egas Port

In the morning, we visit Bartholomew Island, home of the famous Pinnacle Rock. Bartholomew consists of an extinct volcano with various red, orange, black, and even green volcanic formations. A trail of stairs leads to the volcano’s summit, boasting one of the best views of the islands. The beach is perfect for snorkeling. Highlights: Penguins, pioneer plants, lava cactus, reef sharks, rays, and great colorful fish.

In the afternoon, we visit Egas Port, also known as James Bay. Egas Port is home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to a coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos fur sea lions bathe in the sun. This is also a great snorkeling site.

April 27, 2028: Morning at Tagus Cove, Afternoon at Urbina Bay

In the morning, we visit Tagus Cove, located across from Fernandina Island near the Bolivar Channel dividing the two islands. Ships have frequented this spot since the 1800s, using the area as an anchorage site. Trails winding by Lake Darwin up to a ridge display incredible views. Punta Tortuga, just north of Tagus Cove, is another lovely beach surrounded by mangroves. Highlights: Penguins, flightless cormorants, Darwin Volcano & Lake Darwin.

In the afternoon, we visit Urbina Bay, located at the base of Alcedo Volcano on the west coast between Tagus Cove and Elizabeth Bay. This area experienced a major uplift in 1954, causing the land to rise over 16 feet. The coast expanded half a mile out, leaving marine life stranded on the new shore. This area is also an excellent place for snorkeling. Highlights: Land iguanas (the biggest in the Galapagos), hawks, coral reef, giant tortoises; snorkeling: turtles, rays, tropical fish

April 28, 2028: Visit Espinoza Point, Afternoon at Vicente Roca Point

In the morning, we visit Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island. No foreign species have ever invaded Fernandina Island; therefore, it is one of the world’s most pristine island ecosystems. The volcano “La Cumbre” dominates the landscape, with lava fields reaching the ocean. The island’s highlight features the flightless cormorant nesting site. This area provides an excellent opportunity to see the Galapagos hawk.

In the afternoon, we visit Vicente Roca Point. Located on the northwestern coast of Isabela Island and comprised of two separate coves, this site is a large bay with spectacular sea life. Seahorses, sea turtles, and the strange yet fascinating Mola mola (sunfish) may be spotted here. This bay is great for diving and snorkeling. Highlights: Penguins, blue-footed boobies, terns, Nazca boobies, sea lions; snorkeling: sea turtles, rays, and puffer fish.

April 29, 2028: Morning at Buccaneer Cove, Afternoon at Sullivan Bay

In the morning, we visit Buccaneer Cove on Santiago Island, once a refuge for British buccaneers. These pirates would anchor in the protected bay to make repairs and stock up on tortoise meat, among other things. The steep cliffs, where hundreds of seabirds perch in front of the dark red sand beach, are magnificent.

We’ll also visit Espumilla Beach, a popular place for marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot crabs. The crabs attract the hunting herons performing the dance of predator and prey. Snorkeling is highly recommended with the abundant marine life, including octopi, moray eels, and sharks.

In the afternoon, we visit Sullivan Bay, where a coral beach landing leads you towards a lava field as far as the eye can see. Hunt and peck over the two distinguished types of lava, pahoehoe and ‘a’a, for signs of plant life that have managed to emerge over the past 100 years since the most recent volcanic explosion. A truly unique volcanic experience—up close and personal!

April 30, 2028: Morning at Bachas Beach, Afternoon at Darwin Research Station

In the morning, we visit Bachas Beach, located on the north shore of Santa Cruz. One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galapagos, a floating pier, can be seen here. You may see flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black-necked stilts, and whimbrels. Sea turtles also nest off the beach.

In the afternoon, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, home to turtles ranging from 3 inches (new hatchlings) to 4 feet long. Subspecies of turtles interact with one another, and many of the older turtles are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years old and strong enough to survive on their own.

May 1, 2028: Morning at Kicker Rock, Afternoon Flight to Quito

In the morning, we visit Kicker Rock. This striking rock formation is located a couple of hours off the western shore of San Cristobal. Jutting out of the water, the rocks stand vertically hundreds of feet above the ocean, divided by a small channel. Although there are no landing areas, circumnavigation and dinghy rides allow visitors to spot a variety of marine life. Highlights: Sharks, tropical fish, turtles, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, spectacular rock formations; sea birds: blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies & frigatebirds.

In the afternoon, we’ll disembark our ship and transfer to San Cristobal airport for our flight back to Quito. We should be back in Quito by approximately 2:30 pm. This nights hotel is included in your tuition and will be at the same hotel we stay in on the first night. 

May 2, 2028: Departure Day

Fly home anytime!