Diving and Snorkel Galapagos Program

Once you arrive to the Baltra Airport you will take a bus to the Itabacca Channel, crossing on a
ferry. Once on the other side and on Santa Cruz Island, a Spanish speaking driver will be
waiting to meet you and drive you to the Highlands of Santa Cruz before continuing to Puerto
Ayora.
The highlands of Santa Cruz are lush and green, contrasting beautifully with much of the drier
landscapes of the lower areas of the island. The dominant vegetation in the highlands are the
Scalesia trees, providing an array of green tones.

When arriving to the highlands you will visit a Galapagos Tortoise ranch where you can see the
gentle giants roaming freely, as well as other highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, yellow
warblers, and finches. Walking among the tortoises in the wild will be one of the most
treasured moments of your trip.
After visiting these prehistoric creatures on their natural habitat and depending on the time,
you may have the opportunity to visit an illuminated lava tunnel. With a natural ceiling nearly
20 feet high in some places, this is an incredible opportunity see lava stalagmites, stalactites,
sulfur, mineral-colored walls, and the rippled floor formed from lava along this unique lava
formations.

Speedboat: Santa Cruz – Isabela
Travel Time: 2.5 hours Please be at the pier to check in on the speed boat. From Santa Cruz pier to the Speed boat you will have to pay the water taxi ($0.50pp). Once arriving in Isabela you will have to pay the water taxi ($1.00pp) from Speed boat to Isabela’s pier. At your arrival you will pay $10pp entrance fee (Isabela local tax). Finally you can take a taxi ($1pp) to get to your hotel.

Tintoreras

Las Tintoreras, is a chain of small islets full of cove and hidden beaches. The islet of Tintoreras is situates in thesouth of Puerto Villamil. It has a bay where it is possible to see sea lions, marine turtle, iguanas, manta rays, etc. Thisbay is connected by a superficial crack with crystalline water which is closed off during low tide. In this crack, it is possible to see the sharks from Blanca Point swimming with the rest of the tropical fish and sea lions. It is necessary to travel in a boat to get to Tintoreras, and the access and routes are easy. It takes about 10 minutes from the dock of Villamil Port to get to Las Tintoreras. There, you will find the local Galapagos penguin, as well asreef sharks, marine turtles and sea lions.

Punta Carrion and Gordon Rocks:
Punta Carrion is situated in the northeastern coast of Santa Cruz Island, one dive site is located about 15
minutes from Itabacca Channel.
Site Conditions: This dive site is considered for beginner divers and is a drift dive with an amazing
underwater landscape.
Punta Carrion is a beautiful dive site, where you can see schools of hammerhead sharks, White-tipped
reef sharks, green sea turtles, schools of barracudas, schools of golden rays, reef fish, and more.
Gordon Rocks is considered one of the best dive sites in the central islands, it is situated on the eastern
cost of Santa Cruz Island, there are two dives sites located 30 minutes from Itabaca Channel.
Site Conditions: This dive site is considered for intermediate and/or advance divers with at least 15
logged dives or those who have dived before with in other dive site due the strong currents and surge
present.

At 6h20 or 13h20 please be at the pier to check in on the public speed boat. From Santa Cruz pier to the
speedboat, you will have to pay the water taxi ($1).
Once arriving in San Cristobal Island, you will have to pay the water taxi ($1.00) from speedboat to pier.
Finally, you can take a taxi ($1) to get to your hotel or walk to it nearby.
Enjoy the town and the beautiful Island of San Cristobal.

Meals included:

Kicker Rock is a large rock formation, located on the eastern coast of San Cristobal Island. It is
in the middle of the sea, shaped like a giant sleeping lion, hence its name. The rocks are
remnants of a vertical tuff stone conformation and is a favorite place of shelter for several
species of sea birds. The main attraction is the activity of snorkeling or diving, where many
Galapagos sharks, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, octopus and an array of tropical fish can be
observed.

Meals included:

Junco Lagoon: This is the only freshwater lagoon in the Galapagos. This small lake, which is 650 meters
high, is a good place to watch the changes in vegetation that covers the islands. The lake is frequented
by dozens of frigates flying above, while other shore birds and ducks or finches may be present.
Galapaguera or Breeding center: Located near Cerro Colorado, which derives its name, it is one of the
few places where you can see Galapagos Tortoises endemic to San Cristobal and which are endangered.
This Galapaguera has been built to improve the state of the population of tortoises on the island,
Geochelone Chatamensis, within an environment with conditions similar to their natural state and thus
promote the development of tourism in San Cristobal.

Meals included:

At a coordinate time, please take a taxi to the airport to board your flight back to the continent.
We hope you enjoyed your time in Ecuador. Thank you for choosing Gulliver Expeditions.

Meals included: