Hermes 8-Day Itinerary D+A

AM: Dragon Hill: Santa Cruz Island
Your morning will take you to Dragon Hill, a site named for its once-endangered population of Galapagos Land Iguanas. After a dry landing, you will embark on a fascinating hike through distinct coastal zones, passing a brackish lagoon where you will search for elegant Greater Flamingos and other wading birds.

As you ascend toward the dry forest, you will witness a remarkable conservation success, spotting the colorful, reintroduced land iguanas that now roam freely after being brought back from the brink of extinction. From the higher points of the hill, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the anchorage and surrounding islands. This visit offers an inspiring look at the recovery of Santa Cruz’s unique terrestrial species.

PM: Chinese Hat
Your afternoon will feature a memorable visit to the unique Chinese Hat Islet, a small cone named for its distinct shape. After a wet landing, you will embark on a short but fascinating circular trail. You will observe colonies of marine iguanas basking on the dark, rugged lava flows and search for the endemic Galapagos penguins, often seen resting on the rocks or zipping through the nearby waters.

The main highlight is the snorkeling experience in the crystal-clear turquoise channel between the islet and Santiago Island. As you enter the water, you will find yourself swimming alongside playful sea lions, schools of tropical fish, and white-tipped reef sharks. The striking submerged volcanic landscape, combined with the abundance of marine life, makes this snorkeling session a spectacular afternoon experience.

AM: Prince Philip’s Steps: Genovesa Island
You will spend the morning exploring the dramatic volcanic landscape of Genovesa Island at Prince Philip’s Steps. After scaling a steep, rocky path carved into the cliff face, you will reach a flat plateau and enter the heart of one of the largest nesting colonies in the Galapagos.

You will follow a well-maintained circular trail that winds through a dense colony of Red-footed Boobies, famous for nesting in low Palo Santo trees. Along the way, you will also observe thousands of Nazca Boobies and Storm Petrels performing astonishing aerial maneuvers over the lava fields. This island is truly a bird watcher’s paradise. After the hike, you will enjoy a thrilling dinghy ride along the caldera cliffs, spotting marine life and gaining a comprehensive view of this remarkable bird sanctuary.

Snorkeling takes place in the deep waters alongside the Genovesa cliffs, where you will enter a unique underwater environment in search of eagle rays, sharks, and large schools of pelagic fish. The ultimate spectacle is watching Red-footed and Nazca Boobies plunge from the sky at high speed, creating an unforgettable wildlife encounter.

PM: Darwin Bay: Genovesa Island
Your afternoon will continue on Genovesa Island with a visit to the crescent-shaped Darwin Bay. After a wet landing on the beautiful coral sand beach, you will embark on a fascinating coastal trail that immerses you in a massive seabird nesting colony. You will walk just meters away from Red-footed and Nazca Boobies, where the sheer volume of nesting activity is astounding. You will also observe Swallow-tailed Gulls, the only nocturnal gull in the world, as well as several species of Darwin’s Finches.

Following your terrestrial exploration, you will enjoy time to swim or snorkel in the calm, sheltered waters of the bay’s natural harbor. Here, you may find yourself swimming alongside playful sea lions and spotting colorful reef fish, providing a peaceful and scenic marine conclusion to your day in this bird watcher’s paradise.

AM: Black Turtle Cove: Santa Cruz Island
The morning will offer a uniquely peaceful and memorable conclusion as you explore the mangroves of Black Turtle Cove. This secluded inlet is accessed only by panga (dinghy), allowing for silent, non-invasive observation of this important marine nursery. You will glide through the mangroves, spotting juvenile whitetip reef sharks, rays, and young sea turtles seeking refuge in the calm, shallow waters.

PM: Bachas Beach: Santa Cruz Island
You will enjoy your first excursion at Bachas Beach, where the sand is composed of decomposed coral, creating a soft white shoreline that serves as a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Along the water’s edge, you will spot abundant Sally Lightfoot crabs clinging to the lava rocks, famous for eating almost anything they can grasp with their claws.

This visit also offers opportunities to observe frigatebirds, Blue-footed Boobies, and sea lions, making it an excellent introduction to the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands.

AM: Tagus Cove: Isabela Island
In the morning, you will visit Tagus Cove on Isabela Island, a historic anchorage once favored by whalers and pirates dating back to the 1800s. After a dry landing, you will follow a fascinating trail up the slopes of Darwin Volcano. The hike will reward you with stunning panoramic views and will lead you to the surprising Darwin Lake, a saltwater crater lake located above sea level.

Next, you will embark on a thrilling dinghy ride along the cliffs, where you will admire various seabirds, including Blue-footed Boobies, Brown Noddies, and the endemic Flightless Cormorant. Another highlight will be the snorkeling session in the cove: the cold, nutrient-rich currents attract incredible marine life. You will swim alongside playful Galapagos Penguins, large schools of fish, and possibly even sea turtles, making this spot an underwater paradise you will not soon forget.

PM: Urbina Bay: Isabela Island
You will visit the extraordinary Urbina Bay, formed by a dramatic geological event in 1954 when a large section of the shallow sea bottom uplifted, exposing a sprawling coral reef above sea level. This site, located west of Isabela, offers spectacular views of the towering Alcedo Volcano.

After a wet landing, you will walk through this unusual landscape, where impressive coral fossils are scattered across the plain, far from the water’s edge. This area is also prime territory for observing large Galapagos Land Iguanas, often seen munching on the vegetation.

The snorkeling here is exceptional: you can swim near a small resident Galapagos Penguin colony and may have the rare chance to see Galapagos Marine Iguanas feeding underwater on algae, offering a truly intimate wildlife encounter.

AM: Espinoza Point: Fernandina Island
The youngest and most volcanically active island in the Galapagos. After a dry landing, you will embark on a fascinating hike across black basaltic lava flows. The morning timing is ideal, as you will witness one of the largest and most concentrated colonies of marine iguanas on Earth, often basking en masse to warm up after their cold nightly dives.

Another highlight of the morning is observing the endemic Flightless Cormorant. You will have the chance to see these unique birds with their rudimentary wings drying in the sun or executing clumsy yet effective dives in search of food. Pay close attention to the natural tide pools carved into the lava rock, teeming with marine life, where vibrant Sally Lightfoot crabs add a splash of scarlet to the monochrome landscape. From this privileged location, you will enjoy spectacular views across the Bolívar Channel toward Isabela Island and Fernandina’s La Cumbre Volcano.

PM: Vicente Roca Point: Isabela Island
Your exploration will take you to the truly unique Vicente Roca Point, located on Isabela Island’s dramatic northwestern coast. This site, the remnant of a collapsed volcanic cone, offers an adventure entirely on the water, as there is no landing here. Instead, you will embark on a thrilling panga ride along towering cliffs, where you can spot seabirds such as Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, and the endemic Flightless Cormorants nesting on rocky ledges.

The site also offers a world-class snorkeling experience. Thanks to deep, nutrient-rich upwelling currents, the waters here are exceptionally vibrant. You will enter the ocean for an unforgettable swim, very likely gliding alongside dozens of graceful Green Sea Turtles. You may also have the chance to snorkel with playful Galapagos Penguins and search for rare marine life such as the peculiar Red-lipped Batfish and the immense Mola Mola (Ocean Sunfish), which occasionally frequent these rich feeding grounds. This extraordinary marine spectacle will truly solidify your Galapagos experience.

AM: Egas Port: Santiago Island
Your visit will take you to Egas Port on Santiago Island, a site characterized by dramatic black lava sand and striking volcanic rock formations. This location immediately immerses you in history, as you encounter the rusty remnants of a former salt mine that operated here in the 1960s.

You will embark on a captivating coastal hike that winds past intriguing grottos and natural lava pools. Along the way, you will observe charismatic Galapagos Fur Seals that are shyer than their sea lion cousins, basking and cooling off in the shade of the grottos. Large colonies of marine iguanas blend seamlessly with the dark rock, while vibrant Sally Lightfoot crabs scuttle across the shoreline. Later, you will don your snorkel gear for an incredible session right off the beach, swimming alongside playful sea lions, sea turtles, and schools of tropical fish in crystal clear waters, guaranteeing stunning photos both above and below the surface.

PM: Bucaneer Cove: Santiago Island
The adventure will lead you to historic Buccaneer Cove, a favorite hideout for pirates, whalers, and buccaneers in centuries past, where they once stocked up on food and water. This visit is entirely on the water, offering exceptional coastal exploration.

You will board a panga and cruise alongside magnificent cliffs and unique rock formations, observing dramatic erosion shaped by time and sea. Along the way, you will spot sea lions and fur seals relaxing on small beaches below the cliffs, as well as seabirds such as Brown Pelicans nesting in the rocky crevices of the cove. This stunning, sheltered bay provides excellent opportunities for photography, capturing dramatic geology and abundant wildlife in a place where outlaws once moored their ships.

AM: North Seymour and Baltra Airport
Your grand finale will be an unforgettable morning excursion to North Seymour Island, an uplifted ocean floor now teeming with life. Following a dry landing, you will enter one of the Galapagos’ most active nesting colonies. You will walk along a circular trail where you truly share the path with wildlife, stepping aside for passing sea lions and prehistoric looking marine iguanas.

The main highlight is observing the famous Blue-footed Boobies performing their high stepping courtship dance, often nesting just inches from the trail. Farther along, you will encounter a large nesting site of Magnificent Frigatebirds, where males perch with their enormous scarlet throat pouches fully inflated in an impressive display to attract a mate. This site offers an unmatched close up encounter with the Galapagos’ most iconic bird species, making it a truly fitting climax to your adventure.