Discovering the Galapagos Islands

San Cristobal combines extraordinary wildlife encounters with the convenience of being one of the Galapagos Islands' inhabited destinations. Giant Galapagos tortoises and abundant birdlife are among the island's highlights, while the surrounding waters offer excellent opportunities for diving and marine exploration. Inland, visitors can hike to El Junco, the archipelago's largest permanent freshwater lake, or discover the island through guided nature and 4WD excursions. After a day of adventure, return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno to experience the island's relaxed atmosphere and varied restaurants before heading back on board.

Remote Genovesa Island is renowned for its remarkable concentration of seabirds, earning it a reputation as one of the Galapagos' finest destinations for birdwatching. Explore Darwin Bay or climb Prince Philip's Steps to observe species nesting across this dramatic volcanic landscape. The surrounding waters are equally rewarding, with kayaking and snorkelling offering a different perspective on the island's rich marine environment.

Wild and uninhabited, Marchena Island offers a true sense of the remoteness that defines the Galapagos archipelago. With no permanent settlements or visitor facilities, the focus here is firmly on the surrounding marine environment. The waters around Punta Espejo provide exceptional opportunities for diving and snorkelling, with the possibility of encountering hammerhead and Galapagos sharks, dolphins, sea lions, rays, sea turtles, moray eels and an impressive variety of other marine species.

Fernandina is the youngest and westernmost of the Galapagos Islands, shaped by ongoing volcanic activity and home to some of the archipelago's most remarkable wildlife. Punta Espinosa provides access to a stark volcanic landscape where marine iguanas, flightless cormorants and Galapagos penguins can be observed alongside sea lions and coastal birdlife. Beneath the surface, experienced divers and snorkellers can discover an equally fascinating ecosystem inhabited by turtles, rays, sharks, seahorses and colourful fish. During the latter part of the year, the waters around Fernandina can also offer rewarding opportunities for whale watching.

The largest island in the Galapagos, Isabela is a spectacular landscape of active volcanoes, pristine coastline and extraordinary biodiversity. Wildlife encounters can include giant tortoises, marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, boobies and Darwin's finches, with whales and dolphins also present in the surrounding waters at certain times of year. Diving reveals another side of the island, with opportunities to encounter manta rays, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles and ocean sunfish. Ashore, guests can explore beaches, volcanic landscapes and historic sites such as the Wall of Tears before returning to the comfort of their yacht.

Floreana Island combines striking volcanic scenery, fascinating wildlife and some of the Galapagos' most intriguing human history. At Cormorant Point, contrasting beaches of olivine-rich green sand and pale sand frame a lagoon where flamingos and other birdlife can often be observed, while fragrant palo santo trees add another distinctive element to the landscape. Continue to Post Office Bay to discover a centuries-old maritime tradition, where sailors historically left letters in a wooden barrel for passing vessels to deliver. Visitors continue the tradition today, making this unusual postal system one of the archipelago's most memorable cultural experiences.

Small in size but extraordinary in scenery, Bartolome Island showcases the volcanic forces that created the Galapagos. Follow walking trails through dramatic lava landscapes to panoramic viewpoints overlooking Pinnacle Rock and the surrounding turquoise bays, keeping watch for lava lizards, hawks and other native species along the way. The waters below offer excellent snorkelling, with opportunities to encounter Galapagos penguins, reef sharks, sea turtles, colourful fish and starfish. Its combination of otherworldly landscapes and rich marine life makes Bartolome one of the archipelago's most memorable stops.

Conclude your Galapagos yacht charter at Baltra, also known as South Seymour Island and home to one of the archipelago's principal airports. Its location makes it an important gateway for journeys to and from the Galapagos. At the same time, its relatively flat, arid landscape offers a final opportunity to observe native birdlife and the islands' distinctive scenery. From here, disembark after eight days of extraordinary wildlife encounters, volcanic landscapes and unforgettable exploration across one of the world's most remarkable archipelagos.