Hermes Galapagos 8 Day D + A Itinerary Cruise

Upon your arrival at the Baltra airport, a Hermes’ guide will welcome you to the Galapagos Islands and will escort you to the Seymour dock. There, you will board the superyacht and will enjoy a delicious lunch.

PM    Santa Cruz Island: Highlands

Your first afternoon will lead you from the coast to the lush, misty environment of the Santa Cruz Highlands. This journey will immediately showcase the dramatic climate change as you ascend into the wet zone. You will visit a private reserve where you will have an incredibly intimate and humbling encounter with the majestic Galapagos Giant Tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat. You will witness these iconic animals grazing, resting, and bathing in the mud—it’s truly a sight reserved for the Galapagos.
Beyond the tortoises, you will explore the volcanic history of the island. You will walk inside impressive lava tunnels—subterranean passages formed by ancient molten rock—and you will observe deep, large craters created by the collapse of volcanic chambers. This visit will provide a perfect blend of unique geology and the iconic wildlife that defines the islands.This is where you will truly understand the origins and conservation efforts of Galapagos!

AM    Santa Cruz Island: Dragon Hill  

Your morning will take you to Dragon Hill, a site named for its once-endangered population of Galapagos Land Iguanas. After a dry landing, you will embark on a fascinating hike through various coastal zones. You will walk past a brackish lagoon where you'll search for elegant Greater Flamingos and other wading birds.

As you ascend the trail toward the dry forest, you will witness a monumental conservation success: you’ll spot the colorful, reintroduced land iguanas that roam freely here, having been brought back from the brink of extinction. You will also be rewarded with breathtaking views of the anchorage and the surrounding islands from the higher points of the hill. This stop will provide an inspiring look at the recovery of Santa Cruz's unique terrestrial species.

PM     Chinese Hat 

Your afternoon will deliver a memorable visit to the unique Chinese Hat Islet, a small cone named for its distinct shape. After a wet landing, you will embark on a short, but fascinating circular trail. You will witness colonies of marine iguanas that bask on the dark, rugged lava flow, and you'll search for the endemic Galapagos penguins often seen resting on the rocks or zipping through the water nearby.

The main attraction will be the snorkeling experience in the crystal-clear turquoise channel between the islet and Santiago Island. You will jump into the water and immediately find yourself swimming alongside playful sea lions, tropical fish, and white-tipped reef sharks. The sheer beauty of the submerged volcanic landscape, combined with the density of marine life, will make this snorkeling session a spectacular afternoon highlight.

AM    Genovesa Island: Prince Philip’s Steps

You will spend the morning exploring the dramatic volcanic landscape of Genovesa Island at Prince Philip's Steps. After scaling a steep, rocky path carved into the cliff face, you will reach a flat plateau where you’ll enter the heart of one of the largest nesting colonies in the Galápagos.

You will follow a well-maintained circular trail that weaves through a dense colony of    Red-footed Boobies, famous for nesting in the low Palo Santo trees. You will also observe thousands of Nazca Boobies and Storm Petrels, performing astonishing aerial maneuvers over the lava fields. This island is truly a bird watcher's paradise! After the hike, you will take a thrilling dinghy ride along the cliffs of the Caldera, spotting marine life and ensuring a comprehensive view of this bird sanctuary.

The snorkeling will take place in the deep waters alongside the Genovesa cliffs. You will glide into a unique underwater landscape where you will look for Eagle Rays, Sharks and large schools of pelagic fish. The ultimate spectacle will be watching the Boobies (Red-footed and Nazca) plunge from the sky at high speed, offering an incredible wildlife interaction you will never forget.

PM     Genovesa Island: Darwin Bay

Your afternoon will continue on Genovesa Island with a visit to the crescent-shaped Darwin Bay. After a wet landing on the beautiful coral sand beach, you will embark on a fascinating coastal trail. It will immerse you in a massive nesting colony of seabirds. You will walk just meters away from Red-footed Boobies and Nazca Boobies—the sheer quantity of nesting activity is astounding! You’ll also observe Swallow-tailed Gulls, the only nocturnal gull in the world, and various species of Darwin's Finches.

Following your terrestrial exploration, you will have the chance for a relaxing swim or snorkel in the calm, sheltered waters of the bay's natural harbor. You will find yourself swimming alongside playful sea lions and looking for colorful reef fish, offering a peaceful and beautiful marine conclusion to your day on this bird-watcher's paradise.

AM    Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtle Cove

In thel morning will offer a uniquely peaceful and memorable conclusion as you explore the mangroves of Black Turtle Cove. This site is a secluded inlet accessed only by panga (dinghy), allowing for a silent, non-invasive observation of marine nursery life. You will glide through the mangroves, where you will spot juvenile Whitetip Reef Sharks, rays, and young sea turtles finding refuge in the calm, shallow waters.

PM    Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach

In the afternoon you will have your first excursion at Bachas Beach, where the sand is made of decomposed coral, making it soft and white, and a favorite site for nesting sea turtles. You will spot abundant Sally Lightfoot crabs on the lava rocks along the water's edge—these crabs will eat anything they can get their claws on!

The site will also give you the opportunity to see frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions.

AM    Isabela Island: Tagus Cove

In the morning, you visit Tagus Cove on Isabela Island, a historic anchorage once favored by whalers and pirates dating back to the 1800s. After a dry landing, you’ll follow a fascinating trail up the slopes of the Darwin Volcano. The hike will reward you with stunning panoramic views and will lead you to the surprising Darwin's Lake—a saltwater crater lake located above sea level!

You’ll embark on a thrilling dinghy ride along the cliffs where you will admire various seabirds, including Blue-footed Boobies, Brown Noddies, and the endemic Flightless Cormorant. Another highlight will be the snorkeling session in the cove: the cold, rich currents attract incredible life. You will swim alongside playful Galapagos Penguins, large schools of fish, and possibly even sea turtles, making this spot an underwater paradise you won't soon forget.

PM     Isabela Island: Urbina Bay

You will visit the extraordinary Urbina Bay, a place formed by a dramatic geological event in 1954 when a large section of the shallow sea bottom uplifted, exposing a sprawling coral reef above sea level. This site, located west of Isabela, will provide you with spectacular views of the towering Alcedo Volcano.

After a wet landing, you will walk through this unusual landscape, where you will witness the impressive coral fossils scattered across the plain, far from the water's edge. This area is also prime territory for observing large Galapagos Land Iguanas, often seen munching on vegetation. This area will be a fantastic spot for snorkeling: you can swim close to a small, resident Galapagos Penguin colony and you will have the rare chance to see the peculiar Galapagos Marine Iguanas feeding underwater on the algae, offering a truly intimate wildlife encounter.

AM    Fernandina Island: Espinoza Point

Your morning will deliver an unparalleled wildlife experience at Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island, the youngest and most volcanically active island in Galapagos. After a dry landing, you will embark on a fascinating hike across the black, basaltic lava flows. The morning timing is ideal, as you will witness one of the largest and most concentrated  colonies of marine iguanas on Earth, often basking en masse to warm up after their cold nightly dives.

Another highlight of the morning will be observing the endemic Flightless Cormorant. You will have the chance to see these unique birds with their rudimentary wings drying in the sun, or executing clumsy but effective dives in search of food. You must pay attention to the natural tide pools carved into the lava rock, teeming with marine life, where vibrant Sally Lightfoot crabs add a splash of scarlet color to the monochrome landscape. From this privileged location, you will enjoy spectacular views across the Bolivar Channel toward Isabela Island and Fernandina's La Cumbre Volcano.

PM     Isabela Island: Vicente Roca Point

Your exploration will take you to the truly unique Vicente Roca Point, located on Isabela’s dramatic northwestern coast. This site, the remnant of a collapsed volcanic cone, will offer an adventure entirely in the water, as there is no landing here. Instead, you will embark on a thrilling panga ride alongside the towering cliffs, where you will seek out seabirds like Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, and the endemic, Flightless Cormorants nesting on the rocky ledges.

This site also offer event will be the world-class snorkeling experience. Due to the deep,       nutrient-rich upwelling currents, the waters here are vibrant. You will jump into the ocean for an unforgettable swim, where you will very likely glide alongside dozens of graceful Green Sea Turtles. Moreover, you will have the chance to swim with playful Galapagos Penguins and look for exotic creatures like the peculiar Red-lipped Batfish and the immense Mola Mola (Ocean Sunfish) that sometimes frequent these rich feeding grounds. This marine spectacle will solidify your Galapagos experience!

AM    Santiago Island: Egas Port 

Your exploration will take you to Egas Port on Santiago Island, a site characterized by its dramatic, black lava sand and volcanic rock formations. This location will immediately immerse you in history, as you will see the rusty remnants of a former salt mine that operated here in the 1960s.

You will embark on a captivating coastal hike that winds past intriguing grottos and natural lava pools. You will witness the charismatic Galapagos Fur Seals—shyer than their sea lion cousins—basking and cooling off in the shade of the grottos. You will also observe large colonies of marine iguanas that blend seamlessly with the dark rock, alongside the vibrant, scuttling Sally Lightfoot crabs. Later, you will grab your snorkel gear for an incredible session right off the beach, where you will swim alongside playful sea lions, sea turtles, and schools of tropical fish in the crystal-clear waters, guaranteeing stunning photos both above and below the surface.

PM    Santiago Island: Bucaneer Cove

The adventure will lead you to the historic Buccaneer Cove, a favorite hideout for pirates, whalers, and buccaneers in centuries past, who used the area to stock up on food and water. This visit is entirely on the water, offering fantastic coastal exploration!

You will jump into the panga (dinghy) and cruise alongside magnificent high cliffs and unique rock formations, witnessing the erosion carved by time and sea. You will spot sea lions and fur seals relaxing on the small beaches below the high cliffs, and you'll see various sea birds like the Brown Pelican nesting in the crevices of the cove. This stunning, sheltered bay will give you fantastic opportunities for photography, capturing the dramatic geology and the abundant wildlife that now reigns supreme where outlaws once moored.

AM     North Seymour and Baltra Airport

Your grand finale will be an unforgettable morning excursion to North Seymour Island, an uplifted ocean floor that is now teeming with life. Following a dry landing, you will enter one of the Galapagos' most active nesting colonies. You'll walk along the circular trail, where  you'll literally share the path with the wildlife—you will step aside for passing sea lions and prehistoric-looking marine iguanas!

The main draw will be observing the famous Blue-footed Boobies performing their high-stepping courtship dance, often nesting just inches from the trail. Further along, you'll find the large nesting site of the Magnificent Frigatebirds. You will marvel at the males, who will sit perched with their huge, scarlet throat sacks spectacularly inflated to attract a mate. This site provides an unmatched, close-up encounter with Galapagos' most iconic bird species, making it a truly fitting climax to your adventure.

Itineraries are subject to change.