5 Day Itinerary B| Bonita Yacht | Galapagos Island

Bonita Yacht - Route B (Saturday - Wednesday)

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Overview

Completely refurbished in 2019, the Superior-Class Bonita yacht offers exciting small-ship cruises in the Galapagos Islands. Accommodating just 16 passengers, comfortable cabins and social areas are spread out over 3 spacious decks. A choice of accommodation is available, including triple, double and twin cabins. Each stateroom features ample storage space, charging ports, reading lights and private en-suite bathroom. Cabins located on the main and upper deck also come with sea-views. After a full day of adventure, guests can relax in the inviting social areas, which includes the indoor lounge, dining room, library and fully-stocked bar, or enjoy the sea-breeze on the outdoor terrace or the sundeck with comfortable loungers.

Itineraries aboard the Bonita Galapagos vary from 4 - 7-nights or can be combined for the ultimate Galapagos experience. Get up close with penguins, iguanas, sea lions and flamingos as you immerse yourself into the rich landscapes and fascinating history of the Galapagos Islands. The experienced and professional naturalist guides are on hand to help create a trip of a lifetime. Adventure gear and kayaks are included, and with 8 crew members plus 1 naturalist guide, attention to detail and service is of a high standard.

Islands you will visit:

Santa Cruz
Floreana
Española
San Cristobal

Itinerary

DAY 1

BALTRA ISLAND / SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

Saturday: Arrival in Baltra and Transfer to Santa Cruz

AM: BALTRA AIRPORT
Departure to the Galapagos Islands, arrival at Baltra airport, where our naturalist guide of the National Park will be waiting for you.
PM: HIGHLANDS
Either if you do this visit starting from Baltra or from Puerto Ayora, a bus will take you to the highlands stopping along the way at one of the reserves to visit the lush highland forests where you will look for Galapagos Giant tortoises in their natural environment. This is the best place in the Galapagos to see these gentle giants (reaching over 300 kg / 600 pounds!) casually grazing and resting in freshwater ponds. This is also home for a great diversity of birds rarely found at the lowlands, including finches (tree, woodpecker and vegetarian finches), flycatchers and several species of water birds. You will visit a lava tunnel (depending on the itinerary) and learn how these extraordinary formations were created by ancient volcanic eruptions.
Highlights: Giant tortoises, Darwin finches, barn owls, white-cheeked pintails, Galapagos flycatchers, Lava tunnels.
Trail: 1-1,5 km / 0,6-0,9 mi
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Yacht Bonita
Level: 1 Dry landing and hiking

DAY 2

FLOREANA ISLAND

Sunday: Floreana Island

AM: CORMORANT POINT / DEVIL'S CROWN
Punta Cormorant is located in the north of Floreana and it is known for its large coastal lagoon with American flamingos, white -cheeked pintails, black -necked stilts and other shorebirds. There is a beautiful white sand beach which is an important nesting ground for green sea turtles where we can also see rays and reef sharks. In recent years, a small group of blue footed boobies have started to breed right by the trail. This is also a great trail to look at endemic plants. Snorkel: It will be done at Devil’s Crown, a heavily eroded little volcano right by Floreana island. This is considered by many as one of the best snorkeling sites in the entire archipelago as the current funnels plankton through the Crown, attracting huge schools of snapper, Creole fish parrot fish, angelfish, reef sharks, sea turtles, rays and a phenomenal amount of marine life.
Highlights: American flamingo, blue -footed booby, frigatebirds, tropicbirds, Galapagos shearwaters, sea lions, sea turtle nesting site, finches, shorebirds, coral -sand beach. Trail: 1,6 km / 1 mi Level: 1 Wet landing and hiking
PM: POST OFFICE BAY
Floreana is famous for the tales of German settlers and the baroness during the late 1920’s and 30 ‘s. Assassinations, disappearances and other unsolved mysteries are the ingredients of this fascinating story. Post office bay was often used by whalers to anchor their ships and go up to the highlands to get freshwater and tortoises. Most boats visiting the Galapagos had to come to this place sooner or later, so a system of mail was established more than 200 years ago: a barrel near the beach became the way to leave messages to other ships and also to the outside world. This mail system is still in use and will allow you to send postcards from the Galapagos to the outside world. Aside from a small beautiful beach and a lava tunnel, the area is great for dinghy tours to look for sea lions, green sea turtles, shorebirds, small sharks and, with some luck, Galapagos penguins. Snorkel: There is great snorkel from the beach, as you can see lots of sea turtles, rays, great diversity of fish and, if you are really lucky, Galapagos penguin,
Highlights: Sea Lions, sea turtles, finches, shorebirds, marine iguanas, penguins.
Trail: 0,7 m / 0,4 mi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Yacht Bonita
Level: 1 Wet landing and hiking

DAY 3

ESPAñOLA ISLAND

Monday: Española Island

AM: SUAREZ POINT
This rocky trail is one the most amazing nature walks you can do in the Galapagos islands. From the moment you set foot on the island and all the way along the trail the amount and diversity of fauna is truly amazing. Sea lions and marine iguanas will be the first ones welcoming us, followed by large colonies of sea birds, including Nazca and Blue -footed boobies, gulls and tropicbirds. At the end of the trail we will visit a colony of waved albatross (April to January), the largest bird in the islands and one of the most interesting because of its powerful flight and elaborate courtship. Waved albatross only nest at Española, so this is the only place where you will see them at close range.
Highlights: Sea lions, Waved Albatross, Galapagos hawks, Española mockingbirds, Darwin finches, marine iguanas, Nazca & Blue -footed Boobies, Red -billed Tropicbirds, Swallow -tailed gulls, herons, lava lizards, herons.
Trail: 1,7 km / 1,1 mi
Level: 3 Dry landing and hiking
PM: GARDNER BAY
Gardner beach is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and interesting beaches to visit in the Galapagos. It's fine coral sand and turquoise water give it a totally tropical appearance, which contrasts with the presence of sea lions basking on the beach. You will have the opportunity to walk along the beach and learn about the biology of sea lions and other endemic species, such as the Española mockingbird, marine iguanas and Galapagos hawks. Snorkel: There are several great snorkeling places at Gardner bay. It is a fantastic site to swim with sea lions, reef sharks, rays and many species of fish, including; Angelfish, Parrotfish, Damselfish, Surgeonfish and many others.
Highlights: Coral sand beach, sea lions, Galapagos hawks, Española mockingbirds, Darwin finches, marine iguanas.
Trail: 0,8 km / 0,5 mi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Yacht Bonita
Level: 1 Wet landing and hiking

DAY 4

SAN CRISTOBAL

Tuesday: San Cristobal Island

AM: INTERPRETATION CENTER / KICKER ROCK
Located in the outskirts of Puerto Baquerizo, this center is dedicated to the history of human presence in the Galapagos. Since the times of the early Spanish explorers to the present times, including illustrious visitors such as Charles Darwin, this permanent exhibition will take you through the dangers and struggles of the first settlers trying to survive the harsh Galapagos environment. Highlights: Endemic plants, exhibition on human history Trail: 0,2 km / 650 ft Rising up vertically to more than 460 ft. high, Kicker Rock is an imposing volcanic formation a couple of miles off the coast of San Cristobal. Its vertical cliffs are a breeding ground to boobies and tropicbirds, while the slopes in the northern side host breeding colonies of frigatebirds. No landing allowed but a circumnavigation will give spectacular views of the rock while you look for birds from the sundeck. Snorkel: Depending on the itinerary, snorkel is allowed around Kicker Rick. Very good place to see sharks, sea turtles, rays and a lot of different species of fish. Great diversity of invertebrates growing in the vertical walls.
Highlights: Scenery, Boobies, frigatebirds, pelicans, tropicbirds.
Level: 1 Ship Ride
PM: LOBOS ISLAND
Lobos island is a small islet separated from San Cristobal by a narrow channel, forming a sheltered bay where sea lion pups play in tidal pools. Despite its small size, the island is surprisingly packed with wildlife, especially with “lobos marinos”, the Spanish name for sea lions. Groups of sea lions will welcome you at the landing spot, but as you walk a few steps inland, male frigatebirds displaying their inflated red balloons will be perched on the bushes and trees. A small colony of blue footed boobies, which often nest right on the trail, will give you the opportunity to observe their famous courtship dance. Snorkel: This is a great snorkeling location as the water is usually calm and the sea lions often play with divers to show off their swimming skills. Sea turtles and rays are often seen resting in the sandy bottoms.
Highlights: Galapagos sea lions, marine Iguanas, magnificent & great frigatebirds, blue -footed Boobies, San Cristobal Lava Lizards.
Trail: 0,6 km / 0,4 mi Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Yacht Bonita
Level: 3 Dry landing and hiking

DAY 5

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

Wednesday: Santa Cruz Island and Transfer to the Airport

AM: BACHAS
Bachas gets its name from the remains of two large barges (mispronounced by locals as “bachas' ') left by the Americans during WWII. At low tide you can still see the iron skeletons of the barges buried in the white sand. From November till May, this place is also one of the most important sea turtle nesting grounds in the entire Galapagos islands. There are also several small saltwater lagoons where we often see flamingos, herons and other aquatic birds. Snorkel: After the walk, you will have the option to swim or snorkel from the beach. The area is rich in some of the most common fish species of the Galapagos, but you can also find white-tipped reef sharks and rays.
Highlights: American flamingos, white cheeked pintails, sandpipers, lava gulls, blue footed boobies.
Trail: 1,6 km / 1 mi
Then, transfer to the airport to take your flight back to continental Ecuador.
Meals: Breakfast
Level: 1 Wet landing and hiking

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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

Included:

Airport assistance Transfers in Galapagos
Accommodation in double cabin
All meals during the cruise
Naturalist Bilingual Guide
All visits & excursions according to the itinerary
*Snorkel Gear (mask, tube and fins)
*Kayaks, paddle boards
*Wetsuits, beach towels
Unlimited purified water, coffee and tea
Soft drinks

*Restrictions apply. Please contact us for more information.

Not Included:

Local flight to/from Galapagos
Galapagos National Park Entrance fee
Galapagos Transit card
Alcoholic drinks
Tips
Local Taxes
Travel Insurance
Meals and Services do not specified as included

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.

12 What is the itinerary of the Bonita Yacht Route B cruise?

This 4-night cruise runs Saturday to Wednesday. It starts with the Santa Cruz highlands after arrival at Baltra, then visits Floreana on Sunday, Espanola on Monday, San Cristobal on Tuesday, and Bachas beach on Santa Cruz on Wednesday before the airport transfer.

13 What kind of boat is used for the Bonita Route B cruise?

The Bonita is a Superior-Class yacht fully refurbished in 2019 that carries just 16 passengers across three decks, looked after by 8 crew and 1 naturalist guide. Social areas include an indoor lounge, dining room, library, an outdoor terrace and a sundeck with loungers.

14 What cabins are available on the Bonita Yacht Route B cruise?

You can choose a King Size Cabin, a Twin Cabin or a Triple Cabin. Every cabin has a private en-suite bathroom, storage space, charging ports and reading lights, and cabins on the main and upper decks have sea views. The fare for each cabin type is shown with the departure on this page.

15 What is included in the Bonita Yacht Route B cruise fare?

The fare includes airport assistance and transfers in Galapagos, your cabin, all meals on board, a bilingual naturalist guide, all visits and excursions in the itinerary, snorkel gear, kayaks, paddle boards, wetsuits, beach towels, purified water, coffee, tea and soft drinks (some gear is subject to restrictions). Not included are the flight to and from Galapagos, the National Park entrance fee, the transit card, other beverages, tips, local taxes and travel insurance.

16 Will I see giant tortoises on the Bonita Route B cruise?

Yes. On the first afternoon a bus takes you into the Santa Cruz highlands to a reserve where Galapagos giant tortoises, which can exceed 300 kg, graze and rest in freshwater ponds in their natural environment. The highlands are also home to tree, woodpecker and vegetarian finches, flycatchers and water birds.

17 When can waved albatross be seen at Suarez Point on Espanola?

The waved albatross colony at the end of the Suarez Point trail is present from April to January, and Espanola is the only place in the islands where they nest. The rocky trail also passes sea lions, marine iguanas, Nazca and blue-footed boobies, gulls and tropicbirds.

18 Why is Devil's Crown on Floreana a highlight for snorkellers?

Devil's Crown is a heavily eroded little volcano just off Floreana that many consider one of the best snorkelling sites in the archipelago. The same morning you walk Cormorant Point, known for its coastal lagoon with American flamingos and a white sand beach where green sea turtles nest.

19 What deposit is needed to reserve the Bonita Yacht Route B cruise and when is the balance due?

A deposit of 20% of the cruise fare secures your cabin on the Bonita Yacht Route B cruise. The remaining balance is due 65 days before departure. Galapagos flights, park entrance fee and transit card are separate from the cruise fare, so plan for those costs as well.

20 How do I ask a question or book the Bonita Yacht Route B cruise?

You can email travel@palacetours.com, call 786-408-0610, or message us on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/17864080610, where a travel specialist or our AI assistant will reply. When departures for the Bonita Yacht Route B cruise are listed on this page they can be booked directly from the departure list, and the exact fare for each departure is shown there. If no date suits you yet, send us your preferred travel month and cabin type and we will check availability for you.