GALAPAGOS CRUISE

On an Aqua Mare cruise itinerary, each day is an opportunity to explore a new island and discover its unique natural riches. Walking trails allow guests to venture deep into habitats and encounter endemic wildlife. 
 

Aqua Mare’s expert guides are incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to the region’s landscape, flora, and fauna. They’ve been handpicked by Aqua Expeditions to offer an enriching, entertaining, and highly educational experience. Whether it’s easy beach walks or on more challenging hikes, they will share the most valuable insights about the islands’ history, geology, and wildlife. Some of the best hiking or walking paths include:
 

• Sullivan Bay: one of the most geologically interesting sites due to its magnificent display of pahoehoe lava landscapes, a type of smooth basaltic lava flow solidified into an uneven terrain of swirling and rippling patterns.
   
• Bartolome Island: a challenging climb up 374 wooden steps to a viewpoint that offers a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the Galapagos Islands and the iconic Pinnacle Rock.
   
• Los Gemelos (Twin Craters): Two huge sinkholes formed by magma chambers where visitors have the chance to observe diverse birdlife and lush green vegetation.
   
• Egas Port: Offers a relaxing walk along its black sand beaches and lava shoreline as Sally Lightfoot crabs cross your path and fur seals are found resting peacefully in the rocky caves.
   
• Rabida Island: Known as the red island for its beautiful Mars-like landscapes of a peculiar reddish color, caused by the oxidation of iron oxide in its soil – a product of its volcanic origin.

More than 9,000 different species of flora and fauna populate the Galapagos Islands. Among these are remarkable creatures found nowhere else in the world – giant tortoises with life spans of 150 years, some of the only penguins found north of the equator, iguanas that have learned how to swim, and a bird that lost its ability to fly. It is no wonder these enchanting islands are famously referred to as a “living laboratory of evolution”.

Due to the lack of predators in the region, the animals and birds of the Galapagos do not feel threatened by humans. This lack of a defensive instinct makes it possible to approach and observe them up close – while still maintaining the safe distance required by the National Park, of course. Every island you visit on your Aqua Mare voyage will present magical encounters with exotic life forms. Here are a few visits to look forward to:

• Suarez Point: Chance to see a large colony of waved albatrosses, an extremely rare bird species only seen on Española Island. The trail also includes sightings of sea lions, nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies and Nazca boobies, and red- and green-colored marine iguanas.
   
• South Plaza: A small island where visitors can walk through colorful Galapagos carpetweed and giant Opuntia cacti, as well as spot beautiful seabirds such as the endemic swallow-tailed gull. This is the only place in the world where hybrid iguanas can be found – the result of crossbreeding between a male marine iguana and female land iguana.
   
• Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill): Home to a robust population of land iguanas, where guests will also come across arid zone vegetation such as cacti and Palo Santo trees and might be able to spot flamingoes at a hidden saltwater lagoon.
   
• El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve: Amazing encounters with giant tortoises in their natural habitat, as well as Darwin’s finches and short-eared owls in a beautiful area of pastures and Scalesia forests.

Snorkeling is a wonderful way to experience the incredible biodiversity found in the waters surrounding the Galapagos Islands. Many snorkeling sites in the archipelago feature shallow, gentle waters frequented by marine wildlife. As with land species in the Galapagos Islands, those underwater don’t shy away from humans either, making sea adventures delightful. Be prepared for playful sea lions and gentle sea turtles to swim harmoniously around you.

Aqua Mare provides each guest with their own snorkeling gear to keep throughout the entirety of their voyage, which includes a mask, snorkel, fins and a wetsuit. Our favorite snorkeling sites in the Galapagos Islands include:

• Las Bachas Beach: An important nesting site for the Pacific green turtle, this is a prime location to encounter these aquatic species while swimming in the beach’s calm, crystal-clear waters.
   
• Sombrero Chino: A hotspot where the unique Galapagos penguins and white-tipped reef sharks are frequent sightings.
   
• Espinoza Point: A spot for up-close encounters with epic marine iguanas, a rare reptile species only found in the Galapagos Islands.

Aqua Mare also offers guests the opportunity to explore the Galapagos Islands’ extraordinary marine habitats through world-class scuba diving sessions conducted by a local certified dive operator.

Aqua Mare is equipped with two military-grade black tenders that offer guests the most comfortable means of transport between the yacht and excursion sites scattered throughout the Galapagos Archipelago.

Tender rides are a fun and relaxing way to explore the islands, allowing guests to enjoy the sea breeze and admire the beautiful landscapes. Highlights on tender rides include:

• Black Turtle Cove: A pristine mangrove estuary that can only be explored with the tender engines turned off, as we look out for green sea turtles, pelicans, white-tipped reef sharks, and rays in a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
   
• Moreno Point: An entertaining tender ride that takes guests across the rocky shoreline to admire the stunning scenery and observe diverse shore bird species from penguins to blue-footed boobies and flightless cormorants.
   
• Buccaneer Point: A fascinating journey to learn about the swashbuckling history of the islands, along the coastline of a former anchorage point used by British pirates.

The Galapagos Islands’ feature areas designated for kayaking and paddle boarding activities. These calm waters offer the perfect scenario to explore the shore landscapes and marine life from a unique perspective. Aqua Mare is equipped with eight top of the line double-kayaks and two paddle boards for guests of all ages to venture out on their own and at their own pace.

The main locations for kayak and paddle adventures in the Galapagos Islands include:

• Tagus Cove: Kayaking in this deep-water bay will take you close to the shore, where flightless cormorants and Galapagos penguins hang out on the cliff ledge. As a former pirate hideout, you will be able to see their graffiti left on rock walls as evidence of their presence.
   
• Espumilla Beach: Take your pick between a kayak or paddleboard to catch a glimpse of octopi, moray eels, and even sharks, while Galapagos hawks circle overhead.
   
• Darwin Bay: A beautiful coral beach for excellent chance encounters with sea lions, boobies, frigate birds, and hundreds of colored reef fish.

The weather in the Galapagos Islands is fairly moderate with average temperatures ranging between 69°- 84°F (21°- 30°C). This is because of the influence of ocean currents which are responsible for creating its two distinctive seasons: the wet season and dry season. Overall rainfall levels in the Galapagos Islands are quite low, resulting in predominantly arid zones in the lowlands near the shore. On the other hand, mist enables lush green vegetation to flourish in the highlands of larger islands.

Wet/Warm season

December to May marks the hottest season in the Galapagos archipelago, characterized by clear blue skies and plenty of sunshine. The predominant current during this period is the Panama Current, which brings warm waters to the archipelago, making it ideal for snorkeling. Heavy but short rain showers are frequent during the afternoons, transforming the landscapes with lush green vegetation.

Dry/Cooler season

June to November marks the cooler season in the Galapagos Islands, characterized by cloudier skies. During this period, southern trade winds are stronger, powering the effects of the colder Humboldt Current and Cromwell Current. The cold waters of the Humboldt current are responsible for the mist present during this season, particularly in the highlands. In fact, this season is locally known as ‘garua’, which is the Spanish word for mist. Although visibility is not as clear as the wet season, the waters are a lot more active and flushed with life as sea animals feed on the nutrients brought in by the cold currents.

There are opportunities to encounter endemic wildlife in the Galapagos Islands all-year-round. Here are the creatures you’re likely to run into depending on when you visit:

• In January, land birds begin nesting so we will be on the lookout for rare species such as red boobies, Nazca boobies, flightless cormorants, and frigate-birds. It’s also prime time to witness sea turtles start laying their eggs on the beach.  
• February’s the time to spot greater flamingos on Floreana Island and nesting marine iguanas on Santa Cruz Island. Frigatebirds on North Seymour Island can also be seen partaking in courtship rituals during this time.  
• In March and April, waved albatrosses, the largest bird species in the Galapagos, start to migrate back to Española Island for the courtship season where pairs mate for life.  
• April also marks the time when sea turtle and land iguana eggs start to hatch.  
• May is the best time to catch the vibrant blue-footed booby mating dance, as well as other endemic birds such as penguins, flightless cormorants, and flamingoes.  
• In June, marine life thrives and magical sightings of the humpback whale are possible.  
• July brings in even more marine life such as bottlenose dolphins, orcas, hammerhead sharks, Bryde’s whales, and the beloved gentle whale sharks.  
• In August, giant tortoises start to lay their eggs on Santa Cruz Island.  
• September ushers in the breeding season for California sea lions and fur seal pups.  
• October is when the endemic lava herons start building their nests close to the ocean.  
• November is an exciting month – it’s one of the last chances to encounter hammerhead sharks before they migrate as the dry season comes to an end. Curious sea lion pups that were born a few months ago are now old enough to come out and play in the sea too.  
• December is a month of clear, sunny skies – time for the Galapagos giant tortoise eggs to hatch. It’s also possible to witness male marine iguanas fighting each other during their mating season.  

Depending on when you visit the Galapagos Islands, there are different opportunities for  activities such as hiking, snorkeling, and diving. Here’s a look at the top highlights for each month:

• Between December to March, there is excellent visibility underwater, perfect for swimming with penguins, snorkeling, and diving.  
• In February, sunny skies allow for excellent kayaking and paddle boarding adventures too.  
• May has great weather with lower temperatures paired with lower rainfall and humidity. This is perfect for aquatic activities.  
• In June and July, cooler temperatures are perfect to swim with sea lions as their breeding season begins.  
• The continuing Humboldt Current in August reduces some visibility but in return it attracts a variety of marine life courtesy of its rich nutrients.  
• September is a fantastic time to swim with penguins too as they are active on Bartolome Island.  
• October and November feature cooler weather, ideal for hiking expeditions along Galapagos’ volcanic terrain.