Quito & Galapagos Islands

From March 3rd to March 11th, 2023

The Galapagos cruise with Silver Seas was 8 days long. We cruised a total of 544 nautical miles, temperatures ranged from 77-80 degrees, about 100 passengers were on the boat, supported by almost 90 crew. We stopped on 7 different islands, sunrises were around 6am and sunsets were around 6pm.

Quito

• Flew in from Colombia and checked into the JW Marriott

• Geared up for a city walking tour provided by the cruise company, left around 5pm for a walking tour around the city. Sights we saw: Basilica Del Voto Nacional, Plaza de la Independencia, Plaza de San Francisco, and the Church and Convent of St. Francis.

• Took an early morning LATAM flight from to Guayaquil to San Cristobal, approximately 3-4 hours of flying time.

San Cristobal Island

• Arrived on the Silver Origin cruise boat 

Genovesa Island, Darwin Bay, Prince Phillip’s Step

• Highlights: Great Frigatebirds, Red-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, Darwin Finches, Galapagos Fur Seals and White-tipped Sharks 

• Activities: Adventure hikes, nature walks, deep water snorkeling, kayaking, lectures & leisure time at the beach

Seymour Norte, Sullivan Bay, Santiago Island

• Highlights: Frigatebirds, Galapagos Land Iguanas, Marine Iguanas, Swallow-tailed Gulls, Blue-footed Boobies and Galapagos Penguins

• Activities: Nature walks, zodiac tours, lectures, deep water snorkeling & leisure time at the beach

Fernandina Island, Isabela Island, Punta Mangle, Punta Moreno

• Highlights: Marine Iguanas, Darwin Finches, Galapagos Sea Lions, Flightless Cormorants and Galapagos Penguins

• Activities: Zodiac tour, lectures & deep water snorkeling

Montemar, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Fe Island

• Highlights: Giant Tortoises, Darwin Finches, Galapagos Mockingbirds, Santa Fe Land Iguanas, Galapagos Sea Lions and Blue-footed Boobies

• Activities: Nature walks, lectures, kayaking & deep water snorkeling 

Espanola Island, Gardner Bay, Punta Suarez

• Highlights: Galapagos Sea Lions, Galapagos Mockingbirds, Marine Iguanas, Waved Albatross and Nazca Boobies

• Activities: Nature walks, kayaking, deep water snorkeling, lectures & leisure time at the beach 

San Cristóbal Island Galapaguera & Cerro Bruno

• Highlights: Shorebirds, Giant Tortoises, Galapagos Sea Lions, Darwin Finches and San Cristobal Mockingbirds

• Activites: Nature walks, lectures, & leisure time at the beach 

San Christobal Island, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno 

• Departed Silver Origin cruise boat for Panama

• Took LATAM flight from San Cristobal to Guayaquil

Next time we visit:

• We’d love to experience the Galapagos on our own private boat with a few other couples to share the experience.