Ocean Spray Galapagos Luxury Cruise 6 Days Route B

Ocean Spray - Route B (Thursday - Tuesday)

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Overview

Highlights

Mega-catamaran with luxury interiors
All cabins with sea-views and private balconies
Abundant social areas for relaxation
Quality control manager and bi-lingual naturalist guide onboard

The Ocean Spray Mega-Catamaran offers year-round exciting cruises to the Galapagos Islands. Built for comfort and performance, the 34m/113ft catamaran caters to just 16 guests in 9 tasteful cabins. Each cabin has ample storage and living space, en-suite bathroom, AC, twin or double beds and private balcony to enjoy the stunning Galapagos views. Social areas include the indoor lounge and dining area, spacious sun deck with loungers and hot tub and al-fresco deck with bar and dining area. Guests will receive a champagne reception, and all meals, soft drinks and juices are included throughout the cruise.

Island you will visit:

Santa Fe
Española
San Cristobal
Floreana
Santa Cruz

Itinerary

DAY 1

BALTRA ISLAND / SANTA FE ISLAND

Thursday, Arrival to Baltra Airport and transfer Santa Fe Island

AM: Upon arrival, reception and assistance at the airport, transfer from Baltra Airport to the M/C Ocean Spray.
PM: Santa Fe Island
Santa Fe is home to the endemic Santa Fe iguana. The island was created by a volcanic uplift that now hosts a forest of Opuntia and Palo Santo trees. It is a picturesque island with two different trails, one leading to a scenic viewpoint and the other leading to a small beach. Giant tortoises were once native here but went extinct after pirates and sailors took them aboard as a source of food.
Activities: Hike
Difficulty: Moderate
Landing: Dry
Possible Wildlife: Santa Fe land iguanas, frigatebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, sea lions, finches, various shorebirds.
(-, L, D)

DAY 2

BALTRA ISLAND

Friday: Española Island

AM: Española - Suarez Point
This is a phenomenal site where you will get to see many of Española Island's endemic species. The trail will pass by the only Waved Albatross breeding site in all of Galapagos. If you are lucky you might see a young albatross take off for its first flight for up to five years at sea. Older birds stay at sea for months at a time, only coming back to breed. They have the same mate for life and will meet each other each year, only here to reproduce. Other species that can be seen are marine iguanas that stay brightly colored year-round, Galapagos doves, Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropic birds, and Darwin finches.
Activities: Hike
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Landing: Dry
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, marine iguanas, Galapagos hawk, waved albatross, red-billed tropic birds, various shorebirds, nazca boobies, swallow tailed gulls, finches and sally lightfoot crabs.
PM: Española - Gardner Bay / Osborn Islet
This white sandy beach is home to a large colony of sea lions and incredibly blue and turquoise waters. Three different finches can be seen, as well as the Española mockingbird. Over time, the mockingbird must have been offered water or food from tourists and now they have no fear of walking on your things or landing very close to you. It is so important not to feed or touch the animals. It can disrupt their normal behaviors and threaten their future.
Activities: Walking on the beach and swimming.
Difficulty: Easy
Landing: Wet landing
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shorebirds, mockingbirds, stingrays, sea turtles.
(B, L, D)

DAY 3

SAN CRISTOBAL

Saturday: San Cristobal Island

AM: San Cristobal - Interpretation Center and Galapaguera
The Interpretation Center has been open to the public since 1998, offering extensive knowledge about the history of Galapagos. San Cristobal is also the island where Charles Darwin first landed on. It is now home to the capital of Galapagos and houses many government offices, as well as part of the Ecuadorian Navy. Giant tortoises are bred at the Galapaguera and roam in a semi-natural habitat created by the center.
Activities: Introduction and walk in center
Difficulty: Easy
Landing: Dry Landing
Possible Wildlife: Giant tortoises in various stages of their life.
PM: San Cristobal - Lobos Island/Kicker Rock
Lobos Island is aptly named after the many sea lions that reside here resting and playing along the rocky shores. It is also home to many different birds like pelicans, frigate birds and their nests, yellow warblers and more. Within the small channel the waters are very clear, making it easy to find sea turtles, sea lions, stingrays and perhaps even white-tipped sharks.
Activities: Short hiking, swimming and snorkeling.
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Landing: Dry landing
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shorebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, frigate birds, Galapagos sharks, schools of tropical fish, stingrays.
Kicker rock is one of the most extraordinary sites in the Galapagos Islands, made of two eroded volcanic cones that tower over the sea at about 104 meters in the middle of the open water. It is a nesting place of sea birds and a nice spot to take pictures while the vessels circumnavigate around the rock.
Activities: Circumnavigation
Type of landing: No landing
Difficulty: ------
(B, L, D)

DAY 4

SAN CRISTOBAL

Sunday: San Cristobal Island

AM: San Cristobal - Pitt Point
When arriving at Pitt Point, it will feel as if you’ve landed on an extraterrestrial planet. You can see the many different developments over time of how volcanic activity formed this island. A hike up to the top beholds amazing views of the surrounding waters. Watch out for blue-footed boobie nests on the ground and keep an eye out for the red-footed boobies nesting in the trees once you reach the top of the island.
Activities: Hiking and kayaking.
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Landing: Wet landing
Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shorebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, red-footed boobies.
PM: San Cristobal - Witch Hill
Witch hill has awesome crevices and eroding rocks along the shoreline where you will first pass in panga. Afterwards be prepared to visit a powdery white sand beach with teal and turquoise waters.
Activities: Panga ride, swimming, snorkel
Difficulty: Easy
Landing: Wet landing
Possible Wildlife: sea lions, various shore birds, finches, mockingbirds, tropical fish, and different crabs from the Sally lightfoot.
(B, L, D)

DAY 5

FLOREANA ISLAND

Monday: Floreana Island

AM: Floreana - Post Office Bay
Ask the Cruise Manager for one of our complimentary postcards to write a message and address it home. Leave it in the barrel used before by pirates and sailors. While your there, see if there are any other postcards you can take home with you to send for fellow travelers who have already left their messages!
Activities: Post office barrel, relaxing on the beach, swimming or snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy
Landing: Wet landing
Possible Wildlife: frigatebirds, sea lions, sea turtles, various shorebirds and seabirds, marine life.
PM: Floreana - Cormorant Point / Devil’s Crown
Cormorant is an interesting visitor site. Two beaches can be visited here, just beyond the first beach is a saltwater lagoon with flamingos. One of the beaches look green because of the olivine crystals, and the other is appropriately called Flour Beach because of the powdery white sand, made from fine, pulverized coral. Watch your feet if wading in the water, stingrays love to hang out here as well.
Devil’s Crown boasts one of the finest snorkeling opportunities. Below the surface are amazing volcanic structures that have submerged over time. Hundreds of colorful fish species can be seen along the reef, along with sharks, rays, sea turtles, sea lions, and rays. It’s a beautiful underwater spectacle that cannot be missed.
Activities: Snorkeling and hiking
Difficulty: Snorkeling - Moderate to difficult / Hike - easy
Landing: Wet landing
Possible Wildlife: frigatebirds, sea lions, sea turtles, Galapagos sharks, white-tipped sharks, tropical fish, various shorebirds and seabirds, varied marine life.
(B, L, D)

DAY 6

BALTRA ISLAND / SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

Tuesday: Santa Cruz and transfer to Baltra Airport

AM: Santa Cruz - Black Turtle Cove
Black Turtle Cove is located on the north side of Santa Cruz Island. This shallow inlet is surrounded by mangroves and provides a natural protection for a variety of marine life, attracting the vulnerable juveniles of many species. Below the surface of the water, you can see both black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, golden cow-nose rays, and spotted eagle rays. Pelicans and blue-footed boobies hunt here, diving gracefully into the water.
Activities: Panga ride
Difficulty: Easy
Landing: No Landing
Possible Wildlife: White-tipped sharks, rays, sea turtles, sea lions and various shorebirds.
Depart from Baltra airport.
After this last visit, transfer to Baltra airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.
Assistance and farewell at the airport.
(B, -, - )

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Terms & Conditions

**Payment Policy*:**

At the time of booking a deposit of 20% of the total tour price
The remaining balance is due a minimum of 65 calendar days prior to departure date

To issue final confirmation Palace tours requires 60 days prior to departure (or at time of reservation for last minute bookings) the following information for all passengers:

Complete passenger names
Passport numbers (& passport copy in case of children)
Nationality
Date of birth
Marital Status
Dietary or medical restrictions

Failure to provide the above information on time may result in delays and possibly passengers missing the tour completely. Palace tours will not accept responsibility or provide refunds if the above information is not provided in its entirety and on time.

Cancellation Policy*

All cancellations must be done in writing. If a cancellation is received more than 125 days prior to tour departure date a Cancellation fee of 10% of the total price will be retained as cancellation fee.

If a cancellation is received between 124 days and 65 days prior to tour departure date, 20% of the total price will be forfeited.

In the case of a cancellation received less than 65 days prior to the boat departure the full amount will be retained.

*Specific Payment and Cancellation/Reschedule policies for Christmas and New Years´ Eve cruise dates

Inclusions & Exclusions

Rates Include:

Transfers airport/yacht/airport in Galapagos
Airport reception and assistance
Double or single accommodation
Guided expeditions according to the itinerary
Top bilingual National Park guide (English / Spanish)
Cruise Service Officer
Activity daily briefing
All meals and snacks
Soft drinks and juices
Captain’s welcome and farewell cocktail
Use of sea kayaks and paddle-boards
Expedition Gear

Not Included:

Round trip to Galapagos
Galapagos National Park Entrance fee ($100 - subject to change)
Transit Control Card ($20 - subject to change)
Alcoholic beverages
Gratuities for guide and crew
Travel and health insurance
Micro SD Card Mask and snorkel (personal use)

Frequently Asked Questions & Tips

1 When is the best time to visit Galapagos?

Galapagos is a place that can be visited at any time. There are two season, and the warmest is between December and May. It is the time of year when the sky is always clear, and the sun shines strongly. If you love to dive in amazing places, the best time to visit Galapagos is from June to November. During this season the weather is a little cooler, but it gives you the chance to enjoy the best from Galapagos' famous marine reserve.

2 What should we bring?

Since the islands are situated very near the Equator, we recommend that you bring lightweight clothing and of course, don't forget your swimsuits, sun lotion, and good footwear.

3 How long is the flight from Ecuador to the Galapagos?

It depends from where you depart. Flights to the Galapagos leave from Quito and Guayaquil. It takes about half an hour to get from Quito to Guayaquil and roughly one and a half hours from Guayaquil to the islands.

4 Are there any immunizations required/recommended?

For the Galapagos Islands there are no required or recommended immunizations. If you, however, intend to spend more time in Ecuador, especially in the jungle, immunization is highly recommended. As this changes from time to time please check with your local health office (or the Institute for Tropical Diseases) a few weeks in advance of your trip.

5 Are single or triple suites available?

Most of our cruises will assign double cabins to all passengers unless you want to pay the single supplement if traveling alone. Triple cabins can also be arranged on request, depending on availability and the vessel you choose.

6 What is the time zone of the Galapagos Islands?

The Galapagos Islands are 6 hours behind GMT (equivalent to USA Central Standard Time)

7 Does the equatorial line cross the Galapagos Islands?

The equatorial line does pass through the Galapagos, just north of Isla Santiago. Please refer to our Itinerary page to see which itinerary passes through the equatorial line.

8 What are marine currents like the Galapagos?

The Galapagos Islands waters have the Humboldt Current's influence that brings cold waters especially during the mist rainy season (cool weather) from July to December. The warm season is during the months of January to June. The southeast trade winds become weaker and the water from the Panama Basin remains warm. During this season there is more of a tropical climate with some occasional rains. "El Niño" current may cause a much greater flow of warm waters, making the surface warmer and rainfall increase.

9 What is the water temperature in the Islands?

Average water temperatures in Galapagos:
January - June: 70°F - 80°F (20°C - 26°C)
July - December: 65°F - 75°F (18°C- 23°C)

10 Can you snorkel in the Galapagos?

Snorkeling equipment is available on-board and is an activity on all of our Galapagos Cruises. All water sports convey a certain risk. Passengers participating in these activities do so under their own responsibility.

*Restrictions and fees might apply, please contact us for more information.

11 Special Diets:

Passengers with special dietary needs are asked to request the latest menu offered and in such cases that stated menu does not meet their needs to clearly convey their specific dietary needs. It is the responsibility of passengers with specific dietary needs to addressed additional requirements at least 30 days prior to the start of the cruise. Those general and specific needs not clearly conveyed cannot be met. Every reasonable effort will be made to cater to such requests within reason, subject to availability of products in Ecuador retains the right to refuse to cater such special needs.