You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Baltra Island, Galapagos.
Arrive Baltra Island. Upon arrival to the Galapagos Islands from mainland Ecuador, you are met by members of your vessel's expedition team at the airport. You will be transferred to your awaiting vessel for embarkation and commencement of your 7-night Galapagos Islands cruise.
Note: The cruise itinerary is subject to change without notice for various factors including but not limited to: safety, weather, mechanical breakdown, unforeseen emergencies, and the discretion of the Captain, Guide, and the Galapagos National Park. The Galápagos is a natural ecosystem, making animal encounters there ultimately unpredictable and therefore exceptional in the way they typically occur. Though Galápagos species seem to have little fear of humans, they are wild animals subject to environmental factors, including their own instincts that can affect sightings, which means these encounters cannot be guaranteed. Accepting all these factors, including adhering to the rules of the Galápagos National Park, is a condition of participation on this trip.
Types of Landings: Wet and Dry
Wet Landing: Pangas (Zodiac-type boats) cannot always make it all the way to an island’s shore because of conditions that could damage a propeller, so wet landings are sometimes necessary. A wet landing is made from as close to the beach as possible, where you will have to step out into a foot or so of water. You’ll do this by swinging your feet out over the side of the panga and then stepping into the water. You’ll reverse the procedure when you get back in the boat; sit down facing outwards and swing your feet in. You can go barefoot or wear water-sports sandals for wet landings.
Dry Landing: For a dry landing, the panga will make its way up against a natural dock of lava rocks or a man-made dock. You may wear your shoes or hiking boots. These landings may be a bit tricky because the panga is moving with the waves, and the rocks you step on are often slippery. They usually, however, have intermittent, flat portions. Your guide will offer you a hand as you disembark. When accepting a hand, grasp the guide’s wrist. The guide, in turn, will grasp yours in a “sailor’s grip” or wristlock. Once on the shore, place your feet carefully on the first few feet of rocks, which could be wet, depending on the tide level.
There will be a briefing on board about the boat and the island.
Your excursion today is at Daphne Major.
The Daphnes
The Daphnes include two islands, Daphne Major and Daphne Minor, just north of Santa Cruz Island and west of the Baltra airport. Both are eroded tuff cones, and two dive sites encircle the smaller islands of Daphne Major and Daphne Minor.
Daphne Major: Access is restricted by the Galapagos National Park, and a special permit is needed to visit. Is primarily the hub of scientific research, such as an extensive study done on Darwin’s finches. It is also the stomping grounds for other characteristic Galapagos birds, such as the blue-footed and Nazca boobies, Galapagos martins, short-eared owls, red-billed tropicbird and frigate birds. Divers can observe sea lions, sea turtles, Eagle Rays, various species of sharks, and other pelagic species here. Landing: None.
Daphne Minor: No visitor site. Divers can observe a large quantity of benthic organisms home to the island’s underwater walls. Sea horses can be spotted around the black corals, and Galapagos Sharks and sometimes rays and sea turtles are present. Landing: None.