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Royal Palm Hotel Excursions
Santa Cruz Island
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BARTOLOME ISLAND
This fantastic daylong tour offers spectacular volcanic landscapes and great snorkeling. The journey in the launch takes almost two hours but there is the chance of seeing dolphins and even whales during the crossing. And, the launch will stop at Daphne Island, a volcanic tuff cone formation to view the sea lions and various sea birds that inhabit it. Bartolome Island itself is famous for it's 'Pinnacle Rock' - probably the most photographed volcanic formation in the islands. Climb up a long wooden staircase comprising 360+ steps to the viewpoint on the summit that offers breathtaking views to nearly all the central islands in the archipelago. A short dinghy ride after the walk will allow you to photograph the Galapagos Penguins that live along the coastline. The orange beach and surrounding coastline is great for swimming and snorkeling and there is the opportunity of seeing penguins, sea lions, rays, reef fish and white-tipped reef sharks. Lunch will be served with one of the most amazing volcanic backdrops found anywhere in the archipelago. On this tour look out for: Penguins, Lava lizards, Snakes, Marine iguanas, Frigate birds, Blue footed boobies, Brown noddie terns, Brown pelicans, White tip sharks, Sting rays, Sea turtles. |
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NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND & BACHAS BEACH
Located slightly to the north of the airport island of Baltra, and a short boat ride from Santa Cruz Island, North Seymour is a low, flat island, formed as a result of the uplift caused by magma build up below. It is covered with low, bushy vegetation and contains the largest colony of Magnificent frigate birds in the Galapagos. Land iguanas are common here too. There is also a population of blue-footed boobies that perform an amusing courtship dance when nesting conditions are right, making this one of the highlights of the visit. On your return, the launch will make it's way back towards Santa Cruz Island, where it will anchor in calm water next to Bachas Beach so that you can enjoy your lunch. A walk along the beach after lunch promises sea turtle nests, shorebirds, diving boobies and even flamingos. Snorkeling and easy swimming from the beach follows the walk. On this tour look out for: Sea lions, Swallow-tailed gulls, Lava gulls, Migratory shore birds, Marine iguanas, Great & Magnificent frigate birds, Blue footed boobies, Brown noddie terns, Brown pelicans, Flamingos, White tip sharks, Sting rays, Sea turtles and various migratory shore birds. |
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SOUTH PLAZA & PUNTA CARRION
A small but in the winter season a very colorful uplifted island just off the east coast of Santa Cruz Island. South Plaza has a unique landscape of Sesuvium plants and Opuntia cacti and provides some of the most interesting plant and wildlife observation spots in Galapagos. Land iguanas are easily seen from the trail, normally lazing in the shade of the cacti. Swallow-tailed gulls and frigate birds use the rising air off the sea to glide effortlessly over the escarpment. Towards the far end of the island a 'bachelor colony' of male sea lions can be observed. You will eat lunch anchored close to the rocky seashore inhabitated by a large colony of playful sea lions. After lunch, a short boat ride to Punta Carrion offers the opportunity for easy snorkeling and swimming around a shallow and protected cove. On this tour look out for: Sea lions, Land iguanas, Lava lizards, Swallow-tailed gulls, Lava gulls, Shearwaters, Marine iguanas, Great & Magnificent frigate birds, Blue footed boobies, Brown noddie terns, Brown pelicans, White tip sharks, Sting rays, Sea turtles |
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SANTA FE
Located south of Santa Cruz Island, a walk around this dry, rugged island offers the chance of spotting the Santa Fe Land Iguana that is only found here. The turquoise water of the stunning bay where you will be anchored offers the opportunity to snorkel with sea lions. You will land on the sandy beach of a beautiful protected bay where you will be greeted by colonies of sea lions. A short circular trail takes you along the cliff edge where you can most likely spot the iguanas as well as many lava lizards and even the Galapagos Hawk. The trail brings you back round onto a second beach that is also inhabited by sea lions and blue footed boobies sit on the rocks. Snorkel in the bay with sea lions and admire the many species of reef fish and occasionally sea turtle and rays. Lunch will be served whilst still anchored in the bay. On this tour look out for: Sea lions, Land iguanas, Lava lizards, Swallow-tailed gulls, Lava gulls, Shearwaters, Storm petrels, Marine iguanas, Great frigate birds, Blue footed boobies, Brown noddie terns, Brown pelicans, White tip sharks, Sting rays, Sea turtles |
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