Cruising Galapagos: M/C Seaman
- Duration
- 4-8 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 6,036
Discover the natural wonders of the Galapagos Islands aboard the MC Seaman. Choose from three itineraries and follow in the footsteps of Darwin as you explore these islands and discover volcanic landscapes populated by giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, land iguanas, and Galapagos penguins.
The M/C Seaman offers three comprehensive itineraries, ranging from 4-8 days, which take you throughout the islands to see a variety of landscapes and wildlife. Explore the world’s greatest natural playground aboard the M/C Seaman.
Departing from Baltra Island, this 5-star ocean vessel offers excellent service and maximum comfort while exploring the islands. The itineraries are as follows:
4-Day Itinerary
North Seymour – Genovesa – Santa Cruz – South Plaza – Santa Fe – San Cristobal
Your journey begins by heading to North Seymour Island to see some of the most unique animals living in the islands, including blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and sea lions. On Genovesa, you’ll hike across a lava flow at El Barranco and spot storm petrels and red-footed boobies before continuing to Darwin Bay to spot even more fascinating birds, from Galapagos doves to lava herons. Spot the diminutive land iguanas of South Plaza before stopping on Santa Fe, where you’ll hike through prickly pear cactus groves and spot the land iguanas that feast on them. You’ll also have a good chance of spotting swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropic birds, and shear-water petrels. Close out your exploration of the islands on San Cristobal, home to the capital of the islands. Visit the Interpretation Center to learn about the islands’ history and have a chance of spotting some frigate birds, with their magnificent swollen red throats, before bidding farewell to the Galapagos and connecting back to the mainland.
5-Day Itinerary
San Cristobal – Lobos – Espanola – Floreana – Santa Cruz
Start your journey on San Cristobal, where you’ll admire the rock formation of Kicker Rock, which resembles a mighty lion, before connecting to nearby Lobos, to explore its hiking trails and spot blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. Take a planta ride and share the waters with brown pelicans, sea turtles, and manta rays. Then connect to San Cristobal and Cerro Brujo, where Charles Darwin first stepped foot on the islands. At nearby Punta Pitt, you’ll have the chance to spot rare red-footed boobies. On Espanola, explore the geologically-oldest island in the archipelago. At Punta Suarez, you’ll see the nesting grounds of the waved albatross, which can only be found on the island. Nearby Gardener Bay offers a great spot to snorkel and swim, sharing the water with sea lions and reef sharks. Continue to Floreana, where you’ll see the green beach at Cormorant Point, which is made from the abundance of olivine crystals in the sand. You’ll also stop by Post Office Bay, home to a barrel that has served as a post office since whaling times (you can even post a letter here!), and Baroness Lookout, for some beautiful views of the island. Close out your exploration of the islands on Santa Cruz, where you’ll visit Charles Darwin Station, home to the giant tortoise breeding center that cares for the population of these massive reptiles. Then explore the twin craters of the highlands and hike across lava tunnels before connecting back to the mainland to close out your vacation.
8-Day Itinerary
Santa Cruz – Fernandina – Isabela – Santiago – Rabida – Chinese Hat – Bartolome – North Seymour
Start your journey through the Galapagos on Santa Cruz, hiking through the highlands to spot giant tortoises and Darwin finches. On Fernandina, stop by Mangle Point and snorkel through the waters and share the ocean with manta rays and sea lions. Continue to Moreno Point to explore the crystal tide pools and see what sea life they reveal. On nearby Isabela, explore the largest of the Galapagos Islands. You’ll have a good chance of spotting seahorses and sunfish in Urbina Bay and Tagus Cove, before heading to Espinoza Point, where you’ll discover Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, and the elusive flightless cormorants. Continue to Santiago, one of the most popular islands, where you’ll spend some time on the beaches of Espumilla or Bucanero, having a chance to spot marine turtles who nest on the sands. At Puerto Egas, you’ll discover a stunning black sand beach. Birdwatchers will love Rabida, with its red beaches and large population of birds ranging from Jervis finches to brown pelicans to Galapagos hawks. Continue to Chinese Hat, an islet to the southeast of Santiago that resembles a rice-picker hat. You’ll spot some of the large colonies of sea lions before returning to Santiago to explore Sullivan Bay, with its active lava flows and surplus of volcanoes. On the last leg of your exploration, explore the moon-like landscape of Bartolome and gaze upon Pinnacle Rock, which towers over the population of Galapagos penguins. Then pass by North Seymour to spot some blue-footed boobies before returning to the mainland.
- Duration
- 4-8 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 6,036
Itinerary View Trip Map
Mainland to Galapagos
The flight from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos is approximately 2.5 hours. Upon arrival at Baltra, you will pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands. Guides will meet you, collect your luggage, and escort you on the short bus ride to the harbor. Motorized rafts, called 'Pangas' will transport you to the Seaman Journey and your crew will welcome you onboard. After departure and lunch, the first island visit is made.
PM: Santa Cruz Highlands
Journeying across Santa Cruz into the highlands visitors are delighted by the island's variety of life and geology. Beginning at the coast and traveling across Santa Cruz the road departs from Puerto Ayora climbing through the agricultural lands and into the mist covered forests. Santa Cruz possesses all of the various life zones present in the archipelago. As you travel through these zones birders are enchanted. Whether it is the bright red feathers of a vermillion flycatcher or one of Darwin's Finch almost every bird present in the islands can be found here. Santa Cruz offers excellent opportunities for viewing wild Galapagos Tortoises. There are also plenty of lava tubes, sinkholes and craters to explore. Theses eerie formations offer a fascinating hike into the belly of the island to view its volcanic make-up.
| Meal Plan | Lunch and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 Nights |
| Accommodation |
M/C Galapagos Seaman Journey |
| Location | View map |
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M/C Galapagos Seaman Journey
M/C Galapagos Seaman Journey is a first class catamaran that began sailing the Galapagos Islands in January 2008. It is a Boutique Yacht Catamaran offering superior comfort, size, style, and stability. The Galapagos Seaman Journey makes it possible to enjoy several cruises in the Galapagos …
M/C Galapagos Seaman Journey is a first class catamaran that began sailing the Galapagos Islands in January 2008. It is a Boutique Yacht Catamaran offering superior comfort, size, style, and stability. The Galapagos Seaman Journey makes it possible to enjoy several cruises in the Galapagos with different itineraries that include amazing land tours on most of the Galapagos Islands. During these Galapagos Cruises, guests encounter many endemic species like Galapagos Giant Tortoises, Penguins, Land and Marine Iguana's, Frigate Birds, Blue Footed Boobies, and much more!
Facilities
- Bar/Lounge
- Dining Room
- Sundeck
Photo gallery
Photo 1 of 1
Fernandina
AM: Mangle Point
Off the eastern coast of Fernandina is Mangle Point a superior snorkeling site and a beautiful location for riding in a panga or zodiac through a grove of mangrove trees. A hike of about 1/2 miles is possible. Whether you hike, snorkel, or stay in your panga for a ride through the red mangrove trees, this second site of Fernandina Island is equally memorable. While you are on your ride, you are likely to see sea lions, tortoises, pelicans, rays and birds too numerous to name them all.
PM: Punta Moreno
Punta Moreno is located on the north coast of Isabela Island between the volcano Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcano. The trail runs along a lava flow Pahohoe (solidified lava in the form of corrugated or an accordion) into a complex of coastal lagoons, its main attraction are several species of birds which can be found around this lakes and mangroves
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Isabela
AM: Urbina Bay
Urbina Bay is located at the base of Alcedo Volcano on the west coast, between Tagus Cove and Elizabeth Bay. This area experienced a major uplift in 1954, causing the land to rise over 16 feet. The coast expanded half a mile out, leaving marine life stranded on the new shore. This area is also a great place for snorkeling. Urbina Bay is a path that starts at the beach where a landing is made wet, the course is approximately 3200m, and substrates through the sand, pumice, lava, coral and vegetation in a coastal area suffered an uprising and the listener can appreciate iguana burrows. It is an ideal place to see red and blue lobster.
In Bahia Urbina you can see a lot of Darwin's finches. Its main attraction is the land iguanas, larger than in places like South Plaza Island, Galapagos tortoises also in the wild, sometimes even out of season they are on the bottom of the islands.
Also in this area stands a large amount of vegetation, chamomile and Rosewood, but among all these plants stand out the beautiful flowers of cotton Darwin, endemic to the Galapagos Islands.
PM: Tagus Cove
Tagus Cove is located west of Darwin Volcano on Isabela Island. This was a favorite spot for pirates and whalers, a tradition is still observed that has continued since that time: the inscription of the names of boats. At the start of the walk, going up and passing the staircase, is a small cave where you will find inscriptions dating to the 1800s.
Its name originated from a British warship that went through the islands in 1814 looking for Galapagos Tortoise for food.
Due to explosive eruptions must have occurred at the site, the substrate has a large amount of volcanic rocks of different sizes, among the most common are little balls of nearly spherical shape known as the "lapilli" or petrified rain.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Isabela
AM: Espinoza Point
Espinoza Point is a place famous for its large colonies of marine iguanas and as the habitat of unique species like the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, Galapagos hawk, and Galapagos snake.
PM: Urbina Bay
Navigate along the cliffs in a zodiac where you a good chance to see the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant and other sea birds. From the landing dock it is about a 30 minute hike along the trail up to the top of the cliff from where you can view Darwin Lake, an uplifted ultra saline lake saltier than the sea. You can also see several volcanoes from this location. Look carefully at the graffiti on the surrounding cliffs of the cove. It has been written by pirates, whalers and buccaneers and dates back centuries.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Santiago
AM: Playa Espumilla/Bucanero
Espumilla beach is located in northern coast of Santiago Island in James Bay. During the last presence the El Nino phenomenon, one of the two lagoons in this site, underwent a process of sedimentation, thus causing the disappearance of a representative colony of flamingos. The main attractions are the palo santo forest and the marvelous. The beach is an important site for nesting marine turtles.
PM: Puerto Egas
The black beach is located on the west side of the island and is the main attraction of the island. The volcanic tuff deposits have favored the formation of this special black sand beach. This site was named after a failed attempt by Hector Egas to mine salt from the area. Although the project failed, the last vestiges of the infrastructure remain.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Rabida and Chinese Hat
AM: Rabida
Rabida Island is unique because the red color of the rocks and sand. The volcanic material in this island is very porous and external factors as rain, salt water, and sea breeze have acted as an oxidizing agent. A short walk along a trail lead you to a coastal lagoon behind the beach which permits you to observe the land birds such as finches, doves, yellow warblers, and mocking birds. At the lagoon there is a colony of flamingos.
PM: Chinese hat
This is a small islet (1 sq km) located just off the southeastern tip of Santiago Island. It is a recent volcanic cone, shaped like a Chinese hat when seen from north side. On the west you can see lava formations, formed under the sea and raised upward, this is why coral heads are found on the lava. This is an excellent visit for interpretation of geological features such as lava tubes and lava flows. The landscape is covered by sea lions colonies, marine iguanas, and Galapagos penguins.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Santiago
AM: Sullivan Bay
Santiago, also called James, or San Salvador Island, is located in the western part of the Galapagos archipelago. It is the fourth largest island in the archipelago (following Isabela, Fernandina and Santa Cruz). Along with some of the large western volcanoes of Isabela and Fernandina, Santiago is also volcanically active, with many young flows and cones to be seen, particularly along the south, west, and east coasts. These may even be seen from space. A number of historic eruptions have been reported over the last 2 centuries. Santiago actually consists of two coalesced volcanoes, a typical shield volcano on the northwest end and a low, linear fissure volcano on the southeast end.
PM: Bartolome
Bartolome Island is situated across Sullivan Bay. It has an altitude of 114 meters, from where you can observe one of the most beautiful sceneries of the Galapagos Islands including volcanic cones, lunar-like craters, lava fields, and the famous Toba formed pinnacle eroded by the sea. There is very little vegetation on this island. It has two breathtaking beaches where marine turtles exist and at the base of the pinnacle, as well as a very small colony of Galapagos penguins.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Galapagos to Mainland
AM: North Seymour
An uplifted (as opposed to volcanic) island and so is generally flat and strewn with boulders. There are good nesting sites here for a large population of magnificent frigate birds. Blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance in the more open areas and swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges. Despite the tremendous surf that can pound the outer shore, sea lions haul out onto the beach and can be found bodysurfing.
After the morning excursion you will be taken to the airport for your flight to the mainland.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
2022 | |||
| 4 Day Cruise | To Be Advised | ||
| 5 Day Cruise | To Be Advised | ||
| 8 Day Cruise | To Be Advised | ||
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Nightly on board accommodation
- All meals as indicated in itinerary
- Local guides
- Activities as per itinerary
- Galapagos National Park entrance fee
- Visitors ticket
- Domestic flights
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- International Airfare and taxes
- Travel Insurance
- Gratuities unless otherwise stated
- Items of a personal nature
- Optional excursions
- Meals and beverages not listed
- Quito transfers
- Passport and visa costs
- Vaccination costs
- Airport departure taxes
- Border taxes or fees
OTHER INFORMATION:
M/C Galapagos Seaman Journey is a first class expeditionary catamaran offering superior comfort, size, style, and stability. The Galapagos Seaman Journey’s different itineraries include amazing land tours on most of the Galapagos Islands where guests encounter the many endemic species like Galapagos Giant Tortoises, Penguins, Land and Marine Iguana’s, Frigate Birds, Blue Footed Boobies, and much more!
With a maximum capacity of 16 passengers, spacious sun decks, mini library, bar and lounge and air conditioned cabins with private facilities Make the Seaman the perfect choice for your intimate Galapagos Cruise.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
The domestic flights Quito - Galapagos - Quito (approx. $550 USD), Galapagos Park entrance fee of $100 USD and visitors ticket of $20 USD are included in the trip price. (Subject to change).
Itineraries: Due to government regulations designed to control and protect the impact of tourism, each vessel, based on length of cruise has its own distinct itinerary. The itineraries are designed to allow visitors to visit all regions of the islands and we suggest you request the advice of Goway's Latin specialists as to which itinerary would suit you best.
Prices are “from” per person and based on twin share based on current exchange rates and subject to change. Single rates available on request. Subject to availability, limited seats available, seasonal surcharges may apply.
10 Dec 2021
