There are many exciting options for day excursion either on the weekends or after your Spanish classes whilst staying on the Galapagos Islands.
From Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island you can easily visit the following places in an afternoon:
Charles Darwin Research Centre- Santa Cruz
Come here to see Lonesome George, a 90+ year-old tortoise, the last of his kind on the Islands. Also at the station there is much to learn about the archipelago itself in the interactive museum as well as take a look at what conservation projects the Researchers are doing including the preservation of the giant tortoise in the wild.
Bachas Beach - Santa Cruz
A lovely beach made up of decomposed coral that has created the sensuous white soft sand covering it, Bachas beach is a favourite nesting site for sea turtles and chill out spot for tourists!
Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where occasionally it is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and wimbrels.
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Made up of at least four bio-diverse zones the Highlands are a nature lovers delight. On a clear day the area affords beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round. The Highlands are the place to go to check out the real diversity of fauna on the island. It is also occasionally possible to see giant tortoises here in their natural habitat.
Tortuga Bay - Santa Cruz
This is a spot with much to offer. Aptly named after the sea turtles that go there to lay their eggs, Tortuga Bay is a stunning area for snorkelling and swimming as well as relaxing. Here you will find a great path for bird watching; several finch species amongst other such as pelicans, flamingos and marine iguanas. The sunsets here are spectacular and a recommended viewing.
The following are some day excursions to other islands; they can be arranged through Insituto Superior before leaving the mainland or once on the Islands.
Please inquire about our offers at superior[at]ecnet.ec or fill in the contact form and receive a phone call from us about more information.
Bartolome Island
Bartolome is a diverse area only a short boat ride from Santa Cruz. Located in Sullivan's Bay off James Island it has three visitors' sites. The first is a well constructed wooden walk way to the summit of the island from where you can look out over the ocean and the islands observing a variety of volcanic formations, spatter, tuff cones, lava flows and lava tubes. The moon like landscape provides the most scenic panorama of the archipelago. The second site is a beautiful beach alongside the famous Pinnacle rock where you can swim and snorkel. Lucky visitors may see penguins, sea lions, multi coloured fish and the occasional sea turtle. On the other side of this beach, across the isthmus, you will encounter another beach where numerous reef sharks gather at the shore making it impossible to swim but an interesting observation site.
Plazas Island
These are two small islets that were uplifted a short distance from the East Coast of Santa Cruz. The great attractions to Plazas Island are the myriad land iguanas often found in the shade or knowing on a great cactus. Also off the cliffs of the island you will see sea lions, swallow tailed gulls, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds, and brown pelicans.
North Seymour
This is a low, flat island, formed as a result of submarine lava formation uplift. It is covered with low, bushy vegetation, which contains the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds on the Galapagos. There is also a large population of blue-footed boobies that perform an amusing courtship dance, when nesting conditions are right. This goofy stride, raising high their blue feet in slow motion, wing spreading, whistling and honking; is one of the highlight of this island.
Student COMMENTS
Estimado Eugenio,
Finalmente volví a Inglaterra. Le agradezco por haber organizado mis viajes y mis estudios con mucha paciencia. Las 6 semanas en Ecuador
fueron unas de las más interesantes de mi vida.
I can whole heartedly recommend your language school Instituto Superior de Español. The concept of learning Spanish while travelling
is superb and your organizational talent in working out individual itineraries is admirable! For some spoilt visitors from rich countries
it might be hard to fit in with an Ecuadorian family, but it gives a unique opportunity to learn more about the country than the superficial impressions usually granted to tourists.
Many thanks to you, your team and the host families for the courtesy, patience and good humor which made my trip so enjoyable!
I can also recommend the very friendly and comfortable jungle lodge and rafting or kayaking excursions who's safety standards were better
than some European organizations I have encountered.
Monika Lloyd-Burton
Poole England
monikarcadia[at]ntlworld.com
Further comments...
