8 Day Cruise on the Grand Majestic
The Grand Majestic is the fastest and most modern vessel cruising in the Galapagos Archipelago The ship is specifically designed for exclusive private charters. It has the capacity for 16 passengers with 1 master suite and 7 storerooms. The guide, captain and crew of 9, are dedicated to providing the highest quality service. The Grand Majestic offers excellent itineraries led by a certified bilingual naturalist guide and a dedicated crew.
DAY ONE
San Cristobal Island: Jacinto Gordillo
This is a new visitor site in the northeast part of San Cristobal Island and can now be reached in roughly one hour by road from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. In the Breeding Center, you will be able to admire the hatchling turtles from their birth until they are 120 days old when the grown turtles are taken to their natural habit.
Highlights: Giant Tortoises, Snorkeling with Sea Lions, Land and Sea Birds, Blue-Footed Boobies, Hatchling Turtles
DAY TWO
North Seymour Island
Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds are abundant on North Seymour Island. The island was formed by a series of submarine lava containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone.
Possible Activities: Dinghy Ride & Hiking
Highlights: Land & Marine Iguanas, Frigate Birds, Blue-Footed Boobies, Sea Lions, Rays, Reef Shark, Fish, Garden Eels.
Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtle Cove
Black Turtle Cove is situated in the northern part of Santa Cruz. This inlet is surrounded by mangroves and is only accessible by dinghy. The shallow cove is a safe haven for young marine life. Black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of rays are often spotted here.
Possible Activities: Dinghy Ride
Highlights: Baby Hammerhead Shark, Rays, Sea Turtles, Sea Birds
DAY THREE
Bartholomew Island: Bartholomew
Home of the famous Pinnacle Rock, Bartholomew consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. A trail of stairs leads to the summit of the volcano, boasting one of the best views of the islands. The beach is perfect for snorkeling and possible sightings of the Galapagos penguin.
Possible Activities: Dinghy Ride, Snorkeling & Hiking
Highlights: Pinnacle Rock, Panoramic View, Moonlike Landscape, Penguins, Pioneer Plants, Lava Cactus, Reef Sharks, Rays, and Great Colorful Fish.
Santiago: 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.
Possible Activities: Snorkeling & Hiking
Highlights: Fur sea lions, Galapagos Sea Lions, Tidal Pools and “grottos”, Galapagos Hawk, Oyster Catchers, Marine Iguanas, Finches, Reef Sharks, Turtles, Rays, Underwater Formations.
DAY FOUR
Isabela: Tagus Cove
Tagus Cove is located across from Fernandina Island near the Bolivar Channel dividing the two islands. This spot has been frequented by ships since the 1800s using the area as an anchorage site. Trails winding by Lake Darwin up to a ridge display wonderful views. Punta Tortuga, just north of Tagus Cove, is another lovely beach surrounded by mangroves.
Possible Activities: Hike, Snorkeling & Dinghy Ride
Highlights: Penguins, Flightless Cormorants, Darwin Volcano & Lake Darwin
Isabela: Urbina Bay
Urbina Bay is 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 a great place for snorkeling.
Possible Activities: Snorkeling, Dinghy Ride & Hike
Highlights: Land Iguanas (the biggest in the Galapagos), Hawks, Coral Reef, Giant Tortoises, Turtles, Rays, Tropical Fish
DAY FIVE
Fernandina: Espinosa Point
No foreign species have ever invaded Fernandina Island, and therefore it is one of the world's most pristine island ecosystems. The volcano “La Cumbre” dominates the landspace with lava fields reaching the ocean. The island's highlight features the flightless cormorant nesting site. This area provides a great opportunity to see the Galapagos hawk.
Possible Activities: Hike
Highlights: Flightless Cormorant, Marine Iguanas, 'a'a Lava, Sea Lions, Penguins, Active Volcano “La Cumbre”
Isabela: Vicente Roca Point
Located on the northwestern coast of the 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.
Possible Activities: Snorkeling & Dinghy Ride
Highlights: Penguins, Blue-Footed Boobies, Terns, Nazca Boobies, Sea Lions, Sea Turtles, Rays and Puffer Fish.
DAY SIX
Santiago: Buccaneer Cove
Buccaneer Cove is a testament to the fact that Santiago Island was 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 a magnificent site.
Highlights: Sea birds, historical site, rock formations
Santiago: Espumilla Beach
Espumilla Beach is a popular place for marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot crabs. The crabs attract the hunting herons performing the dance of predator and prey. With an abundance of marine life including octopi, moray eels, and sharks, snorkeling is highly recommended.
Possible Activities: Snorkeling
Santiago: Sullivan Bay
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 amazing volcanic experience…up close and personal!
Possible Activities: Walk, Snorkel & Swim
Highlights: Variety of lava formations and landscapes, pahoehoe lava which is found primarily in Hawai'i and the Galapagos islands, 'a'a lava, and pristine coral sand beach
DAY SEVEN
Santa Cruz: Bachas Beach
Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz, Las Bachas is a swimming beach. 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.
Highlights: Sally Lightfoot Crabs, Hermit Crabs, Black Necked Stilts, Whimbrels, Sea Turtles
Santa Cruz: Tortoise Breeding Center
The Charles Darwin Research Station is 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.
DAY EIGHT
San Cristobal: Kicker Rock
This striking rock formation is located a couple hours off the western shore of San Cristobal. Jutting out of the water, the rocks stand vertically at hundreds of feet above the ocean divided by a small channel. Although there are no landing areas, kayaking and scuba diving allow visitors to spot a variety of marine life.
Highlights: Great Snorkeling: Sharks, Tropical Fish, Turtles, Manta Rays, Hammerhead Sharks, Spectacular Rock Formations; Sea Birds: Blue-Footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies & Frigate Birds.