Day Yacht Tour

Two Stunning Island Stops | Comfortable Local Yacht | Major Bird Nesting Site | Remote Sea Turtle Nesting Beach

🚤 Travel aboard one of two primary locally owned, first-class day-tour yachts we have chosen to represent the best of Santa Cruz day yacht tours. They each carry up to 16-20 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.

This tour 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 or bump along on a small speedboat.

Days of Week we can confirm if spaces available: Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays

**If you need another day of week, drop us a note at amy@GalapagosLocalTours.com with the number of passengers & date and we'll be happy to search among few other yachts that offer this destination.

🌋 Today’s Destinations

1. North Seymour Island – known for having one of the largest nesting colonies of Magnificent Frigatebirds and Blue-footed Boobies. This popular day-trip destination offers flat, easy hiking trails to see sea lions, marine iguanas, and land iguanas in close proximity to sharks, rays, near the coast.
   

2. Bachas Beach – stunning 1-km white coral sand beach on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. Famous as a major nesting site for Pacific green turtles, it features turquoise waters, coastal lagoons with flamingos, and remnants of WWII US barges (hence the name), offering excellent swimming, snorkeling, and wildlife spotting.

🗺️ Itinerary

• 07h50: Meeting point in Puerto Ayora

• 10h00: North Seymour Island walk

• 13h00: Lunch

• 14h00: “Las Bachas” Beach visit

• 16h00: Back in Puerto Ayora

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

📍 Island Highlights

MORNING

North Seymour Island was lifted from the ocean floor by a seismic event, reason why its low, flat profile. 

Swallow-tailed gulls sit perched in ledges of the cliffs only a few meters high form the shoreline. A forest of Palo Santo trees stands just above the landing site, usually without leaves, waiting for the rain to bring them into bloom. Amongst the emblematic fauna of the island, you will be able to see sea lions, land iguanas and blue footed boobies.  The trail turns inland where you will find active and dynamic colonies of both species of “magnificent” and “great” frigate birds.

Dry landing.

AFTERNOON

Las Bachas, a beautiful coralline beach located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, is the perfect place for practicing snorkeling, swimming or to simply enjoy the white soft sand & crystal clear ocean with very few fellow humans.

Several brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea are the feeding grounds of various large wading birds, from stilts to flamingos while taking care to watch out as you step for sea turtle nests.

Wet landing.

🌊 Onboard Experience — What’s Included

to be confirmed once particular yacht availability is confirmed

✔️ Round-trip transport to Itabaca Channel & yacht
✔️ Galápagos National Park–certified naturalist guide
✔️ Hot lunch, snacks, filtered water, coffee & tea
✔️ Snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins)
✔️ Towels
✔️ Indoor A/C lounge + outdoor viewing decks

Optional Add-Ons
• Wetsuit rental (request in advance)
• Beer, wine, and soft drinks (availability varies, advise any requested beverages)

-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:  ~7:50 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 or best of both worlds wear wet shoes heavy enough for a light hike for the pm wet landing)

-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 instead of, or under, wetsuit (Google this)

-camera--GoPro has been the go-to for snorkeling in Galapagos (note: cell phone covers don't work well in water to control touch screen & puts your phone at risk if fails)

-pre-loaded digital content on cell phone for boat ride if desired (internet/cell service can be spotty)