M/C Ocean Spray Galapagos Cruise
- Duration
- 5-8 Days
- Prices From:
- AU$ 8,297
DELUXE | CRUISE: Discover the natural playground of the Galapagos Islands and spot rare species such as blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, and frigate birds on a cruise throughout the archipelago. Stay aboard a 5-star catamaran and choose from 5 to 8 day itineraries to see the wonders of the islands.
The M/C Ocean Spray offers three comprehensive itineraries, ranging from 5-8 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 Ocean Spray.
Departing from Baltra Island, this 5-star ocean vessel offers excellent service and maximum comfort while exploring the islands. The itineraries are as follows:
5-Day Itinerary
Bartholomew – Genovesa – Santiago – North Seymour – Santa Cruz – Mosquera
Start on Bartholomew, a moon-like landscape of volcanic rocks to the east of Santiago. Walk the boardwalk and hike up to the viewpoint where you can gaze out over the golden beaches surrounding Pinnacle Rock. You’ll also see Galapagos Penguins. On Genovesa, discover a great spot for birdwatching, where you’ll find frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls, and blue-footed boobies. On Santiago, stop off at Buccaneer Cove, Espumilla Beach, and James Bay to see some of the diverse animals calling the island home, including marine iguanas, flamingos, sea turtles, Darwin finches, and fur sea lions. On North Seymour, you’ll spot frigate birds, with their puffed up red chests, and sea lions before continuing to Santa Cruz, the most popular island in the archipelago. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and spot the Giant Tortoises breeding in the highlands. On your final day, head to the tiny island of Mosquera to see one of the islands’ largest sea lion colonies before returning to the airport to depart.
6-Day Itinerary
Sombrero Chino – Isabela – Fernandina – Santa Cruz – North Seymour
First stop is Sombrero Chino or Chinese Hat, the aptly-named island to the southeast of Santiago that has a great population of sea lions at Puerto Egas. On Isabela, the largest of the islands, you’ll stop off at Vincente Roca Point to explore waters filled with seahorses, sea turtles, and fascinating sunfish. On Fernandina, discover the most pristine ecosystem in the islands, which no foreign species has ever invaded. Stop off at Espinosa Point to see the flightless cormorants that call the island home. The next day, visit Tagus Cove and Urbina Bay to explore the volcanic landscape of black rocks and the occasional smoking volcano. At Elizabeth Bay, ride through a waterway of red mangroves as well as blue-footed boobies, Galapagos penguins, and brown pelicans. Continue to Moreno Point to explore crystal tide pools teeming with sea life and pink flamingos crossing the landscape. On Santa Cruz Island, you’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the volcanic highlands. On your final day, explore North Seymour, with its frigate birds, before returning to the airport.
8-Day Itinerary
Sombrero Chino – Isabela – Fernandina – Santa Cruz – South Plaza – Santa Fe – Espanola – San Cristobal
The 8-Day Itinerary has many of the same stops as the 6-Day Itinerary, with a few notable inclusions. The first five days are the same as on the 6-Day Itinerary. After exploring Santa Cruz, head to South Plaza to pass through a landscape of prickly pear cactus and spot yellow and red land iguanas across the volcanic rocks. On Santa Fe, head on a hike along a trail through the cactus grove and spot some of the many seabirds that populate the waters, including shear-water petrels and swallow-tailed gulls. Continue to Espanola, the geographically oldest island in the archipelago, and see the world’s only nesting grounds for waved albatrosses. In addition to these massive birds, Espanola has Giant Tortoises, Darwin finches, blue-footed boobies, and other fascinating Galapagos species. On your final day, head to San Cristobal to visit the capital and the Interpretation Center before returning to the airport.
Click here for the Galapagos Nature Calendar. A complete listing of which species is doing what and when in the Galapagos!
- Duration
- 5-8 Days
- Prices From:
- AU$ 8,297
Itinerary View Trip Map
Mainland to Galapagos and Bartholomew
You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim you will be met by Ocean Spray staff and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.
Your afternoon visit includes the Bartholomew Island, home of the famous Pinnacle Rock. Bartholomew consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. We will take a trail of stairs to the summit of the volcano (about 30 or 40 minutes) where you will enjoy one of the best views of the islands! You will also visit a small, beautiful beach, surrounded by the only vegetation found on this barren island. The beach is perfect for snorkeling where you may even see the Galapagos penguins.
| Meal Plan | Lunch and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 Nights |
| Accommodation |
Ocean Spray |
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Ocean Spray
The new Mega-Catamaran Ocean Spray offers the best performance and comfort in Galapagos Cruising. The elegant design includes a huge sundeck, Jacuzzi and spacious cabins each with private balcony. Her speed, comfort, top guides and itinerary will make Ocean Spray perfect for your luxury Galapagos …
The new Mega-Catamaran Ocean Spray offers the best performance and comfort in Galapagos Cruising. The elegant design includes a huge sundeck, Jacuzzi and spacious cabins each with private balcony. Her speed, comfort, top guides and itinerary will make Ocean Spray perfect for your luxury Galapagos cruise. Kayaks are also available for use.
Facilities
- Bar
- Jacuzzi
- Lodge
- Restaurant
- Sundeck
- Water sports/ Equipment
Photo gallery
Photo 1 of 1
Genovesa Island
Your morning visit will take you to the beach at Darwin Bay. This white sand coral beach heads a 1/2mi (3/4km) trail that winds through mangroves that are filled with land birds. You may see Nazca Boobies, Red-footed Boobies, and Swallow-tailed Gulls. Further down the path, you may see sea lions playing in tidal pools. You will arrive cliff-side and can let the spectacular views soak in, while the Boobies and iguanas keep you company.
The afternoon takes you to El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip's Steps, whose steep, rocky path will lead you up 25 meters of cliff face. After marveling at the view you will have the opportunity to take a trek through Palo Santo vegetation. Here you will be dazzled by all the birds: Red footed Boobies, Short eared Lava Owls, Galapagos Swallows, and Galapagos Doves are abundant.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Santiago Island
Your morning visit is to Espumilla Beach where marine iguanas lounge and the Sally Lightfoot Crabs attract the hunting herons, performing the dance of predator and prey right before your eyes. Snorkeling is highly recommended as you could find yourself face to face with an octopus, moray eel, shark, or a variety of other species of tropical fish.
Buccaneer Cove is a testament to the fact that Santiago Island was once a refuge for British buccaneers. They would anchor in the protected bay to make repairs and stock up on tortoise meat among other things. It is an excellent opportunity to take in the steep cliffs, where hundreds of seabirds perch in front of the dark red sand beach. See if you can spot 'Monk' or 'Elephant' Rock before your guide points them out!
Later you will visit a site called Egas Port, also known as James Bay, on Santiago Island. Here, you will enjoy a hike over a dry trail known for being a hang out for curious Galapagos Hawks and Quick footed Galapagos Lava Lizards. The trail will then lead you to the coastline where you will visit the gorgeous tide pools and grottos which are full of fauna. You will be able to observe the shy Galapagos fur sea lions. You will also get to snorkel at Egas Port beach.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
North Seymour and Santa Cruz Island
In the morning you will head to North Seymour Island. Here you will be able to see Galapagos sea lions, blue footed-boobies and magnificent frigate birds.
In the afternoon you will visit the Highlands of Santa Cruz where you will walk along a path, observing the hills, ferns, volcanoes, and rich wildlife. This area is home to giant tortoises, the exclusive Galapagos Rail, the Paint-billed Crane and many other species. You will come upon the underground lava tubes, which are more than one kilometer (half a mile) long. Local guides are required and will provide information and flashlights. Walking through the lava tubes is a unique and surreal experience.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Mosquera and Departure
Mosquera Islet is located between the islands of Baltra and North Seymour. It is a reef of rocks and coral (the result of an uprising) and a great white sand beach. Its narrowest width reaches about 160 meters and has an estimated length of 600 meters. In most of the perimeter there is base of lava rocks, as evidence of the lava uprising, except in the southwest side where the landing occurs.
This island has one of the largest populations of sea lions. You can also observe several species of shorebirds. There have been occasional reports at this site of Orcas (Orcinus orca) feeding on sea lions.
After this final visit, you will be transferred to Baltra Island's airport in time to catch your flight back to the mainland.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Lunch |
|---|
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
2022 | |||
| 5 Day Cruise | Nov 1, 15, 29; Dec 13, 27 | ||
| 6 Day Cruise | Nov 5; Dec 3, 31 | ||
| 8 Day Cruise | Nov 19; Dec 17 | ||
2023 | |||
| 5 Day Cruise | Jan 10, 24; Feb 7, 21; Mar 7, 21; Apr 4, 18; May 2, 16, 30; Jun 13, 27; Jul 11, 25; Aug 8, 22; Sep 5, 19; Oct 3, 17, 31; Nov 14, 28; Dec 12, 26 | ||
| 6 Day Cruise | Jan 28; Feb 25; Mar 25; Apr 22; May 20; Jun 17; Jul 15; Aug 12; | ||
| 8 Day Cruise | Jan 14; Feb 11; Mar 11; Apr 8; May 6; Jun 3; Jul 1, 29; Aug 26; | ||
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Accommodatiom aboard the M/V Ocean Spray
- Island transfers
- Tours
- Local guides
- Meals as indicated
- Domestic airfare
- Park entrance fee and tourist ticket
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- International Airfare and taxes
- Travel Insurance,
- Gratuities unless otherwise stated
- Items of a personal nature,
- Optional excursions
- Beverages unless otherwise stated
- Visa fees if applicable
OTHER INFORMATION:
NOTE: 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.
Any promotional pricing is not reflected in the "from" pricing. Please contact your travel specialist for more information.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
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.
12 Dec 2023
