Day Yacht Tour

Two Stunning Islands | Comfortable Local Yacht | Wildlife & Volcanic Landscapes

🚤 Travel aboard a locally owned, first-class day-tour yacht carrying up to 16 guests with a warm captain & crew and a Galápagos National Park–certified naturalist guide.

Enjoy a stable ride, A/C indoor lounge, outdoor decks, and all the essentials for a perfect full-day adventure. Today gives you a taste of the small-cruise experience required to reach some of the most remote National Park sites — without having to sleep on a boat.

🌋 Destinations

1. Bartolomé Island – home to the postcard-perfect Pinnacle Rock, lunar volcanic landscapes, and panoramic viewpoints.
   

2. Sombrero Chino– famous for its dramatic young lava flows and excellent snorkeling.

📍 Island Highlights

Bartolomé Island

• Summit boardwalk (approx. 375 steps) with 360° views

• Pinnacle Rock — one of the most photographed spots in Galápagos

• Chance to spot marine birds, penguins, and unique geological formations

• Optional coastal dinghy ride as time and conditions allow

Sombrero Chino (Chinese Hat) Island

• After your walk in Bartolome, the yacht will lift its anchor and sail to Sombrero Chino.

• The yacht will anchor at a pristine channel between Santiago Island and Sombrero Chino, with turquoise water that contrasts with pioneer vegetation growing in rugged dark lava and a beautiful small coralline beach.

• This is a wonderful setting for snorkeling with tropical fish, star fish and with good possibilities of swimming with Galapagos penguins, white tip sharks, sea lions and turtles.

• Snorkeling / Wet landing

🌊 Onboard Experience

✔️ Indoor A/C lounge

✔️ Outdoor lower & upper viewing decks

✔️ On board prepared hot lunch

-Galapagos Penguin*

-Rays

-Sea Turtles

-Tropical Fish

-Seabirds

-Galapagos Marine Iguanas

*one of few land-based tours where you can see this species

🗺️ Itinerary

(exact timing may vary with conditions)

6:50 AM — Yacht Bus Pickup Point in Puerto Ayora
Yacht's private bus drives you to Itabaca Channel on N side of Santa Cruz Island to board the yacht.

8:15 AM — Board the yacht
Meet the crew, settle into the lounge, and receive your safety briefing.

8:40 AM — Navigate to Bartolomé Island
Relax on deck as we cross to one of the most iconic islands in the archipelago.

~10:00 AM — Bartolomé Island Hike
Climb the boardwalk stairs trail to the crater summit for world-class views of the volcanic cones and Pinnacle Rock. Learn about the island’s fascinating geological history from your naturalist guide.

Post-Hike — Snack & Snorkeling
After descending, enjoy a snack on board followed by snorkeling — depending on sea conditions. Look for reef fish, rays, sea turtles, and the occasional penguin.

~1:00 PM — Hot Lunch Onboard
Freshly prepared fish, salads, rice, and dessert. Dietary needs accommodated with advance notice.

Afternoon — Explore Sombrero Chino
Walk on an otherworldly, relatively young lava field with rope-like pahoehoe formations. Depending on conditions, additional snorkeling may be included.

~6 PM — Return to Puerto Ayora
Sail back toward Itabaca Channel and yacht's bus will transfer you across island back to Puerto Ayora.

(Schedule approximate & subject to change around GNP requirements & Captain's discretion given ocean conditions)

-Snorkeling

-Hike

-possible Panga Ride

-Wildlife Viewing on Boat Ride

-Day Yacht Transport

Starts:  6:50 am 

Ends:  ~4:30-6 pm 

All tour times subject to change, exact end times often vary.

WEAR:

-swimsuit under clothes to fit the weather (usually shorts/light pants, t-shirt)

-light hiking shoes (tennis shoes, Keen-type sandals for uneven lava rocks, sometimes wet landings)

-hat with chin strap, sunglasses

-sunscreen (reef-safe please)

-coverup for sun in/out of water (e.g. long-sleeved UV shirt, neck gaiter, sarong)

BRING: 

-water bottle

-sunscreen bottle to re-apply (reef-safe)

-other snacks/drinks you prefer

-another clothing layer for windy/cooler conditions

while sailing at higher speed or to change into after snorkeling

-rain jacket/windbreaker (just in case)

-optional rash guard especially under wetsuit (Google this)

-camera--GoPro is the go-to for snorkeling in Galapagos (note: cell phone covers don't work well in water to control touch screen)

-pre-loaded digital content on cell phone for boat ride if desired (no internet/cell service)