Galapagos Southern Loop

More than 560 miles from the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands are renowned for their extraordinary biodiversity. Discover some of the world’s rarest flora and fauna on a cruise here.

North Seymour Island is just north of Baltra and was formed through a series of sporadic uplifts. It took about a million years for the island to reach its current level. Now above the sea, the layers of lava that originally erupted underwater have created a low-lying island packed with wildlife. The island is home to the largest nesting colony of frigatebirds in the Galapagos along with blue-footed boobies, finches, land iguanas, marine iguanas, and sea lions. A hike along shore and into the island’s interior brings you up close and personal to just about everything the island has to offer. You can also choose to go on a short Zodiac ride along the coast to search for fur seals, sea lions, and red-billed tropic birds. And for the more adventurous and experienced, jump in for a deep-water snorkel.

A small uplifted island just off the northeast coast of Santa Cruz. The island’s low-lying landscape is covered with colorful saltbush, scrub, and giant prickly pear cactus. A subspecies of land iguana is found on the island in plentiful abundance and sometimes can be seen munching on the cactus. The southern cliffs are steep and rocky, and home to numerous seabirds as well as a bachelor colony of sea lions. Looking down into the clear blue waters, schools of surgeonfish swim by as birds shoot in and out of the holes in the cliff. A short hike and Zodiac ride provide ample opportunity to observe the beauty and wildlife of the island.

Santa Fe Island lies to the southeast of Santa Cruz Island; located at the center of the Galapagos archipelago. It is also called Barrington Island, after British Admiral Samuel Barrington. Geologically, it one of the oldest of the volcanic islands, with rock formations beneath the surface of the water dating back almost four million years. Santa Fe Island is home to the Santa Fe land iguana and the Santa Fe rice rat, an invasive species. Large numbers of sea lions reside here as well, and can often be seen “surfing” in the waves along the coast or sunning on the beaches. The island is also home to the longest running research project on marine iguanas, begun in the late 1970’s. There is a single visitor site on the island, and three marine sites. The vegetation here is characterized by a dense forest of the giant Santa Fe cactus. Two trails can be found on Sante Fe Island. One is a short loop that provides an up-close look at the massive Santa Fe cacti. Santa Fe land iguanas and Galapagos hawks can be observed from this trail as well. The second trail climbs a steep cliff, providing a dramatic view of the inland section of the island. Underneath the surface of the waves below, sea lions are the main attraction along with sea turtles, rays and Galapagos sharks.

Pitt Point is located on the northeastern tip of San Cristobal Island. After disembarking onto the small greensand beach, you'll hike up to a plateau, where the view and landscape are so spectacular it is well worth the effort. A steep gully leads up the cliff to a breeding ground for all three varieties of boobies: red-footed, blue-footed, and Nazca. It’s one of the few places in the Galapagos where you can see all three species nesting together.

Here we have the opportunity to visit the small waterfront town of Puerto Baquerizo, the administrative capital of the islands. Excursion options include a tour of a local interpretation center and time for shopping or a fast-paced long walk to view scenic vistas, followed by a visit to the interpretation center.

Bahia Post Office, Floreana

More than 560 miles from the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands are renowned for their extraordinary biodiversity. Discover some of the world’s rarest flora and fauna on a cruise here.

A prized stop along Isabela’s coastline. It is a sheltered inlet and one of the westernmost points in the Galapagos. A scenic zodiac ride offers excellent wildlife viewing and access to a rich mangrove ecosystem. Blue-footed boobies, pelicans, and nesting flightless cormorants perch on small rocky islands in the Bay. Penguins often pop up when you least expect it and nearby blue-footed boobies dive into the sea like missiles. The Zodiacs carefully cruise into the shallower reaches of the ecosystem to look for rays, sea turtles, and schools of fish. Great blue herons and Galapagos hawks can also be seen within the branches of the mangroves.

Punta Moreno is one of the least visited sites on Isabela due to its remote location and difficult access. Stark black volcanic rocks cover the landscape and when juxtaposed with the brilliant green of lush plant growth around ponds, it makes for a spectacular sight. Add a mix of coastal wildlife and it’s a visitor’s delight. Here, you can go on an extended Zodiac ride to view blue-footed boobies, pelicans, and the flightless cormorant while searching in the water for fast swimming penguins, rays, and maybe even a shark or two. Another option is a hike over the black lava rock to observe coastal ponds where sea turtles and sharks often reside and then head inland to what seems like an oasis—an interior lake where flamingos are often found.

Santa Cruz is the second-largest island in the Galapagos and home to Puerto Ayora (the largest town in the islands). In 1959, the Ecuadorian government declared all the islands, except areas already colonized, as a national park. In the same year, the Charles Darwin Foundation was founded to promote scientific research and ensure the conservation of the Galapagos. In 1992, the waters surrounding the Galapagos were declared a marine reserve. Here, you have the opportunity to visit a giant tortoise reserve in the lushly vegetated highlands, where the animals roam free in their natural habitat. On another excursion, a short drive through town brings you to the Galapagos Park Service giant tortoise breeding station and the Charles Darwin Research Station. Afterwards there is time to wander through the lovely streets of Puerto Ayora for some shopping.

Gardner Bay on Espanola’s northern side hosts one of the longest beaches in the Galapagos, and a beautiful way to start the day. During a morning walk along a soft white sand beach, you’ll visit a sea lion colony, look for pups playing in shallow water pools, and search for the startlingly red Sally Lightfoot crabs, shorebirds, and marine iguanas. Afterwards, go for a swim, snorkel or just relax on the sparkling white sand.

More than 560 miles from the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands are renowned for their extraordinary biodiversity. Discover some of the world’s rarest flora and fauna on a cruise here.

More than 560 miles from the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands are renowned for their extraordinary biodiversity. Discover some of the world’s rarest flora and fauna on a cruise here.