Self-Launched Galápagos Central & East Islands – 8 Days

Fly into Seymour (Baltra) Airport — domestic flights from Quito or Guayaquil run daily with LATAM or Avianca (~£120–160 return from mainland). On arrival, pay your Transit Control Card ($20 USD) and Galápagos National Park fee ($200 USD) at the airport — bring cash USD. Take the free shuttle bus to the canal ferry ($1 USD), then a public bus or shared taxi to Puerto Ayora (~£1.50). Drop your bags at a budget guesthouse in Puerto Ayora, then head up to the Santa Cruz Highlands to walk among giant tortoises on local farms (free roaming, small entry fee ~£3). In the late afternoon, walk to the Charles Darwin Research Station (free entry) to see the tortoise breeding programme. If you've booked a budget liveaboard, board your vessel this evening; alternatively spend night 1 in a guesthouse and join a day-tour fleet the next morning.

🚌Domestic flight to Baltra; free shuttle + $1 canal ferry; public bus to Puerto Ayora

🛏Budget liveaboard berth booked in Puerto Ayora (e.g. via Moonrise Travel or Galápagos.com last-minute deals) OR guesthouse in Puerto Ayora (e.g. Hostal Los Amigos, ~£25–35/night)

• →Domestic flight to Baltra from Quito or Guayaquil (book via LATAM or Avianca)
• →Pay Transit Control Card ($20 USD) and Galápagos National Park fee ($200 USD) at airport
• →Public ferry + bus transfer to Puerto Ayora (~£2 total)
• →Santa Cruz Highlands giant tortoise walk (self-guided, ~£3 farm entry)
• →Charles Darwin Research Station visit (free)

Today your liveaboard sails southeast to Española, the oldest island in the archipelago. Morning wet landing at Gardner Bay — one of the finest white-sand beaches in the Galápagos, patrolled by sea lions. Snorkel the crystal-clear waters here (snorkel gear provided on most budget liveaboards, or rent in Puerto Ayora for ~£5/day). In the afternoon, visit Punta Suárez for guided walks past waved albatross colonies (seasonal), Nazca and blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas and the famous blowhole. All landings require a licensed Galápagos National Park guide — included with any reputable liveaboard. Free time for swimming before sailing back.

🚌Liveaboard sailing (included in liveaboard cost)

🛏Liveaboard cabin

• →Gardner Bay white-sand beach and sea lion colony (included with liveaboard)
• →Snorkelling at Gardner Bay
• →Punta Suárez wildlife walk — boobies, albatross, marine iguanas, blowhole

Early morning landing at Punta Pitt on San Cristóbal — the only site in the Galápagos where all three booby species (red-footed, blue-footed and Nazca) can be spotted together. Hike the trail for panoramic volcanic views and wildlife encounters. In the afternoon, visit Cerro Dragon or the beach at Puerto Chino for sea lion lounging. As the sun sets, sail past the dramatic twin towers of Kicker Rock (León Dormido) — a jaw-dropping sea stack rising 148m from the ocean, famous for snorkelling and hammerhead shark sightings. Some liveaboards permit a snorkel here; alternatively book a day-tour from San Cristóbal town (~£45) via GetYourGuide if not included.

🚌Liveaboard sailing between sites

🛏Liveaboard cabin

• →Punta Pitt hike — three booby species and volcanic scenery
• →Cerro Dragon or Puerto Chino sea lion beach
• →Sunset sail past Kicker Rock (León Dormido)
• →Optional: Kicker Rock snorkel tour (~£45 via GetYourGuide if not included in liveaboard)

Morning landing on Santa Fé to walk among the endemic land iguanas — larger and paler than their cousins elsewhere. The turquoise bay is outstanding for snorkelling with sea lions, reef fish and the occasional white-tipped reef shark. After lunch on board, sail to South Plaza — a tiny sliver of an island with one of the highest densities of wildlife in the archipelago. Walk the trail along the spectacular oceanside cliffs where swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropicbirds and Nazca boobies nest. The island's carpet of sesuvium plants turns brilliant red in the dry season.

🚌Liveaboard sailing between islands

🛏Liveaboard cabin

• →Santa Fé land iguana trail and snorkelling in turquoise bay
• →South Plaza cliff trail — swallow-tailed gulls, tropicbirds, Nazca boobies
• →South Plaza sesuvium cactus landscape walk

A full day at Genovesa, often called 'Bird Island' — an overnight sail north brings you to one of the most remote and rewarding islands in the archipelago. Darwin Bay is a flooded caldera with a coral beach surrounded by thousands of nesting seabirds: great frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and masked boobies. The snorkelling in the bay is excellent. In the afternoon, climb El Barranco (Prince Philip's Steps) — a steep path up the cliff that rewards with incredible bird density and panoramic views. Keep an eye out for the Galápagos short-eared owl hunting storm petrels.

🚌Overnight liveaboard sail from South Plaza to Genovesa (~8 hrs)

🛏Liveaboard cabin

• →Darwin Bay beach walk — frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, coral beach
• →Snorkelling in Darwin Bay
• →El Barranco (Prince Philip's Steps) cliff hike — short-eared owls, storm petrels

Morning at Sullivan Bay on Santiago — a vast moonscape of pahoehoe lava, one of the youngest lava flows in the Galápagos, rippling across the island floor with white coral sand at the shoreline. Marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs and fur seals fill the rocky shores. After lunch, sail to Bartolomé — the most photographed island in the Galápagos. Hike the 372 wooden steps to the summit viewpoint for the iconic vista over Pinnacle Rock (a volcanic spire rising from turquoise shallows). Snorkel around Pinnacle Rock for Galápagos penguins, sea turtles and tropical fish — one of the finest snorkel sites in the islands.

🚌Liveaboard sailing between Santiago and Bartolomé

🛏Liveaboard cabin

• →Sullivan Bay pahoehoe lava field walk — marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs
• →Santiago Island fur seal grotto exploration
• →Bartolomé summit hike — iconic Pinnacle Rock panorama
• →Snorkelling at Pinnacle Rock — penguins, sea turtles, tropical fish

Morning at Rábida — one of the most visually striking islands with its deep red volcanic sand beaches. Walk the trail along the saltwater lagoon watching wading flamingos, white-cheeked pintails and pelicans nesting in the salt bush above the beach. Snorkel in the cove for sea lions and rays. After lunch, sail to Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino) — a tiny islet named for its shape when viewed from afar. Explore the lava flows and lava tunnels on a short trail, then snorkel the protected bay between Chinese Hat and Santiago for reef fish, sea turtles and Galápagos penguins in the clear shallows. A truly magical afternoon.

🚌Liveaboard sailing between Rábida and Chinese Hat

🛏Liveaboard cabin

• →Rábida red-sand beach and saltwater lagoon walk — flamingos and nesting pelicans
• →Snorkelling at Rábida cove — sea lions, rays
• →Chinese Hat lava field and lava tunnel trail
• →Snorkelling in Chinese Hat protected bay — sea turtles, penguins, reef fish

Rise early for breakfast on board as the boat returns to Baltra. Disembark after breakfast and take the free shuttle bus to the canal, then the $1 ferry across to Baltra Island for your onward transfer to Seymour Airport. Domestic flights back to Quito or Guayaquil depart throughout the day — aim for 11:30am or later to allow comfortable time. Consider spending one or two nights in Quito on the way home to explore the historic old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Allow £10–15 for transfers between ferry and airport.

🚌Liveaboard to Baltra; free shuttle + $1 canal ferry; domestic flight to mainland

🛏N/A (departure day) — optional 1–2 nights in Quito (~£20–30/night at a hostel)

• →Final breakfast on board and disembarkation
• →Ferry and shuttle transfer to Baltra airport (~£2)
• →Domestic flight back to Quito or Guayaquil