Darwin's Discovery Dive. Never tried Scuba Diving before or would you just like a couple of days of diving? This is a great opportunity to see the other half of The Galapagos Islands!
AM-Mid-Day: Ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island (10 min-ride). Check-in Aventura Lodge.
PM
Lunch at Aventura Lodge
Tour to Garrapatero Beach
Depart to Garrapatero beach, a 25 minutes bus ride to the right spot were an easy trail start to lead you to the beach in only 15 more minutes.
This beautiful white sandy beach is known and finches and a place where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
This is one of Santa Cruz's most peaceful and tranquil settings, the 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) of sand that compose El Garrapatero Beach is a tropical paradise.
It is about 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) northeast of Puerto Ayora.
Surrounded by beautiful mangrove trees, the beach is home to an incredible array of birds and mockingbirds. You can also find marine iguanas, shrimp, Galapagos penguins, oystercatchers, and patillos amongst the white sands and clear blue water.
There's also a freshwater lake nearby that is home to even more tropical animals, such as herons, grebes, and many of shore birds.
Activity: Tortoise Quest/Highlands Tour/Charles Darwin Research Station
Route: Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz
Description:
AM
Tortoise Quest/Highlands Tour This tour begins with a trip to "Los Gemelos" (The Twins) - two enormous collapsed lava chambers, an awe-inspiring visual reminder of the power of nature. The short, easy hike to each of the twins is teeming with endemic flora and fauna, including the remaining Scalesia Forest draped in Liverwort, large and small tree finches, the adorable Vermillion flycatcher and more.
Afterwards, we will visit a 600 acre private reserve where the famous, giant Galapagos tortoises freely roam, graze and sleep. After visiting the tortoises, we'll take a 5 minute ride to the entrance of a 450 meter (1350 feet) illuminated lava tunnel. With a ceiling nearly 20 feet high in most places, this is an incredible opportunity to ramble through the remnants of one of the most powerful forces in nature...lava flows.
Stalagmites, stalactites, sulphur and mineral colored walls and more await you here.
PM
Lunch at Aventura Lodge
Charles Darwin Research Station Enjoy a fascinating guided tour of the Charles Darwin Research Station. Founded in 1964 with the purpose of studying and preserving the natural wonder that is Galapagos.
The station is supported by over 100 scientists and researchers from around the world, instrumental in the conservation efforts of the islands. The Charles Darwin Research Station is also home to Lonesome George, also known as the worlds rarest creature. He was discovered in 1971 on Pinta island and is the very last of his kind. Learn more about Lonesome George and much more fascinating natural history at this amazing center.
