Central Galapagos Islands
4 Days - Monserrat
Roam across island trails, explore peaceful lagoons, swim and snorkel in crystalline waters, bask in the sun on white sand beaches, soak in extraordinary volcanic vistas, and get up close and personal with fascinating wildlife throughout your Galapagos adventure. Observe some of the Galapagos' most fascinating creatures in their natural habitats, such as giant tortoises, marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, sally lightfoot crabs, green sea turtles, and resting white tip reef sharks.
from NZD $3707pp
Home » 4 Day Monserrat: Central Galapagos Islands (D)
Itinerary Highlights
- Visit the Highlands of Santa Cruz and see the giant tortoise in its natural habitat
- Snorkel through spectacular sights of tropical fish and clear blue waters
- Wildlife spotting opportunities including Sally Lightfoot Crabs, flamingos, sea lions, iguana and much more
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Baltra Island / Santa Cruz Island
- Day 2: Dragon Hill / Chinese Hat
- Day 3: El Barranco / Darwin Bay
- Day 4: Black Turtle Cove / Baltra Island
Day 1: Baltra Island / Santa Cruz Island
Baltra
Transfer to the boat to meet the guide and get on board. In the afternoon enjoy the highlands, visit a tortoise ranch and see some of the amazing volcanic
formations on Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz Highlands Excursion (PM) (2h-3h)
Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and see the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural surroundings. Explore the area and its incredible underground lava
tunnels – some are more than 1km (.6 mi) long! Wander along the volcanic tubes and keep an eye out for the (mainly) nocturnal barn owls that sometimes roost here.
Day 2: Dragon Hill / Chinese Hat
This morning we visit Dragon Hill on the west coast of Santa Cruz to see land Iguanas and a saltwater lagoon frequented by flamingos and other species of birds. In the afternoon, the boat arrives at a small uniquely shaped island off the southern tip of santiago called Chinese Hat. Here it is often possible to see galápagos penguins, and the marine life is fantastic for snorkelling. There is also a large sea lion colony as well as many marine iguanas that can be seen while walking amongst the volcanic scenery. Trek to see good views of the island's volcano.
Dragon Hill (AM) (1h-3h)
Visit Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill) for some prime birdwatching. Take a short walk from the beach to a hypersalinic (saltier than the ocean) lagoon frequented by pink flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks, and other species of birds. Pass through a Scalesia tree forest; endemic to the area, there are only 400 specimens of Scalesia trees left in the world.
Chinese Hat Visit (PM) (1h-2h)
Explore Chinese Hat’s beautiful landscape and spectacular white-coral sand beach followed by snorkeling with sea lions and penguins and swimming
opportunities in the cove.
Snorkelling (Chinese Hat) (PM)
Chinese Hat (45m-1h)
Snorkel right from the white-coral sand beach and come face to face with playful sea lions and large schools of tropical fish. Keep an eye out for marine
iguanas and penguins too!
Day 3: El Barranco / Darwin Bay
Today we will be visiting the beautiful and remote Genovesa Island. This northern island, famous for its red-footed colony, is a paradise for bird lovers. It
is estimated that about 200,00 Red-footed boobies live on this island.
Prince Phillips’s Steps (AM) (2h)
El Barranco or Prince Phillips’s Steps as otherwise known, was named after a visit by the British Monarch in 1964. El Barranco's steep 81-foot stairway leads up to a high cliff-face that opens out onto the plateau surrounding Darwin Bay. Here an amazing view can be appreciated. Once at the top of the stairway we will meet Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, mockingbirds, and finches along the way of a palo santo trail. It will also be possible to see wedge-rumped storm petrels swarm and short-eared owls.
Darwin Bay (PM) (1 1⁄2h)
Darwin bay was formed by the collapse of the flooded caldera of Tower Island, another name used for Genovesa. After landing at a small sand and coral
beach, it easy to realize why this island is a bird lover paradise. Among the bird species found here, the most common are swallow-tailed and lava gulls,
mockingbirds, yellow-crowned night herons, lava herons, Galapagos doves and yellow warblers. We will continue on a short and flat trail to encounter red-
footed booby and great frigatebird nests. We will visit a tidal lagoon where sea lions swim playfully ending our path on a cliff with magnificent views of this remote part of the Galapagos.
Day 4: Black Turtle Cove / Baltra Island
Baltra
Take a morning panga ride and look for marine life in Black Turtle Cove. Disembark at Baltra and fly back to Ecuador mainland.
Black Turtle Cove Excursion (AM)
Black Turtle Cove
Explore the mangroves by panga to find rich marine wildlife between the fresh and salt waters. Keep any eye out for manta rays and sea turtles in this tranquil ecosystem. Whitetip reef sharks can also be seen gliding by.
Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|---|
14 Nov 2024 - 17 Nov 2024 | NZD $3707pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $3707pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $3966pp | Contact us | |
28 Nov 2024 - 01 Dec 2024 | NZD $3707pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $3707pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $3966pp | Contact us | |
12 Dec 2024 - 15 Dec 2024 | NZD $3707pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $3707pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $3966pp | Contact us | |
09 Jan 2025 - 12 Jan 2025 | NZD $4129pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $4129pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $4474pp | Contact us | |
23 Jan 2025 - 26 Jan 2025 | NZD $4129pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $4129pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $4474pp | Contact us | |
06 Feb 2025 - 09 Feb 2025 | NZD $4129pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $4129pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $4474pp | Contact us | |
20 Feb 2025 - 23 Feb 2025 | NZD $4129pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $4129pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $4474pp | Contact us | |
20 Mar 2025 - 23 Mar 2025 | NZD $4129pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $4129pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $4474pp | Contact us | |
03 Apr 2025 - 06 Apr 2025 | NZD $4129pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $4129pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $4474pp | Contact us | |
17 Apr 2025 - 20 Apr 2025 | NZD $4052pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $4052pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $4302pp | Contact us | |
01 May 2025 - 04 May 2025 | NZD $4129pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $4129pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $4474pp | Contact us | |
29 May 2025 - 01 Jun 2025 | NZD $4052pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $4052pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $4302pp | Contact us | |
12 Jun 2025 - 15 Jun 2025 | NZD $4052pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $4052pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $4302pp | Contact us | |
26 Jun 2025 - 29 Jun 2025 | NZD $4052pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $4052pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $4302pp | Contact us | |
10 Jul 2025 - 13 Jul 2025 | NZD $4129pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $4129pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $4474pp | Contact us | |
24 Jul 2025 - 27 Jul 2025 | NZD $4129pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $4129pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $4474pp | Contact us | |
07 Aug 2025 - 10 Aug 2025 | NZD $4129pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $4129pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $4474pp | Contact us | |
16 Oct 2025 - 19 Oct 2025 | NZD $4129pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $4129pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $4474pp | Contact us | |
30 Oct 2025 - 02 Nov 2025 | NZD $4129pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $4129pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $4474pp | Contact us | |
13 Nov 2025 - 16 Nov 2025 | NZD $4129pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $4129pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $4474pp | Contact us | |
27 Nov 2025 - 30 Nov 2025 | NZD $4052pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $4052pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $4302pp | Contact us | |
11 Dec 2025 - 14 Dec 2025 | NZD $4129pp | ||
Lower Deck Twin | NZD $4129pp | Contact us | |
Upper Deck Twin | NZD $4474pp | Contact us |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Upper Deck Twin
2 single beds, air conditioning, private bathroom with shower and hot water & hairdryer.
Lower Deck Twin
2 single beds, air conditioning, private bathroom with shower and hot water & hairdryer.
Lower Deck Triple
1 single bed and 1 bunk bed, air conditioning, private bathroom with shower and hot water & hairdryer.
Upper Deck Double
• With large windows overlooking the ocean
• Non – Shaded relaxing area (Observation deck)
Monserrat Deckplan
Specifications
- Year Built: 2005
- Year Refurbished: 2016
- Length: 30 metres
- Width: 9.5 metres
- Cruise Speed: 10 knots
- Max speed: 12 knots
- Voltage and Plugs: 110V with North American flat plugs
- Zodiacs: 2
Whats included?
- Accommodation in double cabin
- Fuel Surcharge.
- All meals on board.
- All activities and excursions as depicted in the itineraries in company of a bilingual naturalist guide.
- Snorkeling equipment.
- Purified water, tea, coffee
- Assistance at the airport for flight to Galapagos on departure dates
- Kayak
- Stand up Paddleboards
- Wetsuits
What’s not included?
- Air ticket to and from Galapagos (Subject to change).
- Galápagos National Park fee: US$200 per person
- Transit control card: US$20 per person
- Alcoholic and non - alcoholic beverages.
- Gratuities to guides and crew
- Personals expenses.
- Travel insurance.