Galapagos Family Adventure
by Diana Saint James – August 2024
I have just returned from my family’s Lindblad Expeditions’ 10-day Galapagos cruise with my two adult children, brother and adult niece. The National Geographic Endeavor II was the ideal vessel for seeing the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands, one of the most strictly protected national parks in the world. There were many multi-generational family groups onboard like ours. If you ever want to bring your family together, offer them a Galapagos cruise. No one will say no!
Pre-Cruise Miami
West Coast travelers cannot make it all the way to the trip start in Ecuador in one day. We needed a night in Miami before flying to Guayaquil. I wanted a beach stay (@$300/night) that would be an experience. I checked out many South Beach Art Deco hotel websites and reviews along that little strip of Miami Beach. The Avalon Hotel stood out as the best. I booked 3 rooms and made dinner reservations at their restaurant A Fish Called Avalon. The boutique hotel was beautifully refurbished with soundproof windows and a friendly staff. Our room rate included one free drink at the bar, continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, beach chairs & towels. The food and service at the restaurant was outstanding. The hotel is located at the quiet end of Ocean Drive (A1A), but once you stepped out the front door and walk north, the next five blocks come alive with people, music, restaurants, bars, and hotels. Across the street from the hotel is a park-like promenade and a beautiful beach. After breakfast the next morning, we all went swimming and the ocean was warm and smooth. We showered, stored our bags and had a Mexican lunch nearby before heading back to the airport for our afternoon flight to Guayaquil. If anyone is looking for some easy South Beach fun before an MIA cruise or South America trip, the Avalon Hotel is ideal!
Pre-Cruise Guayaquil
We flew into Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city and the gateway to the Galapagos, and spent the night at the 4* Oro Verde Guayaquil Hotel. Next morning, we boarded our Avianca flight to Isla Baltra, first stop in the Galapagos.
Aboard the National Geographic Endeavor II
Lindblad Expedition’s National Geographic Endeavour II hosts 96 passengers in 52 outside staterooms, including nine solo staterooms and 14 connecting staterooms for families. Our family of five opted for five solo staterooms. The ship is outfitted with a range of expedition equipment—including kayaks, paddleboards, Zodiac landing craft, a glass-bottom Zodiac, and snorkeling gear. The ship is fully air-conditioned and includes a partially covered deck, a sun deck, and a lounge with a full-service bar and facilities for presentations. The atmosphere onboard is informal. Public areas also include a library, fitness center, spa, and global gallery. No elevator. A full-time doctor accompanies each voyage. Internet access, laundry service, and a morning yoga program are also available. Meals are served in a single seating with unassigned tables for easy mingling. The menu is international with an Ecuadorian flair. The Ecuadorian captain and officers welcome guests to the bridge in accordance with their “Open Bridge” policy.
Cruise Itinerary
Under the leadership of our Ecuadorean Captain and naturalist guides (local Galapaguenos), we…
July 27 – Flew to Baltra, embarked ship & visited Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz Island: First beach walk. Spotted flamingos and Sally Lightfoot crabs and Ghost crabs. All wildlife in the Galapagos are “ecologically naive”, meaning they don’t know to be afraid of humans.
July 28 – North Seymour and Rabida Islands: Walked through extensive colonies of (red puffy-chested) frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. At sea, encountered a female humpback whale and her calf. Snorkeled along the rocky walls lining Rabida’s iron oxide rich red beach. Saw so many colorful fish, a giant ray, and sea turtles.
July 29 – Fernandina Island and Isabela Island: Hiked on Fernandina Island across lava fields absolutely covered with land iguanas, sea lions, and land tortoises. Deep water snorkeled among marine iguanas snacking on algae, sea turtles and swimming penguins. Zodiac ride along the coast of Isabela Island (and inside caves!) and saw blue-footed boobies, pelicans, fur seals, and more iguanas. Ship crossed the Equator tonight and we did a crossing ceremony on the top deck with music, dancing, and wine.
July 30 – Urbina Bay and Tagus Cove (Isabela Island): Meandered on trails where every turn revealed giant tortoises, yellow land iguanas, mockingbirds, finches, or hawks. Zodiac driving lessons for the kids. Kayaked around Tagus Cove. Night was so clear Southern Hemisphere constellations and the Milky Way were visible.
July 31 – Playa Espumilla and Puerto Egas, Santiago Island: One of the few islands with a fresh water source. Visited historic and scenic Buccaneer Cove, renowned as a base for pirates. Photographers got up early for a slower photo walk. All hiked along black basalt lava cliffs and tide pools. Encountered sea lions, iguanas and diving pelicans. We also snorkeled, kayaked, swam (jumping from the Zodiacs!) and used the glass-bottom boats.
August 1 – Santa Cruz Island: Visited the Charles Darwin Research Center & Tortoise Breeding Centre. Saw Lonesome George (150-year old tortoise, now preserved). Broke into groups and could choose to visit a hydroponic farm, a K-12 school or rum distillery. Lunch served at Rancho El Manzanillo and walked among the giant land tortoises that roam freely.
August 2 – Punta Pitt & Cerro Brujo, San Cristobal Island: Final opportunity to hike, ride Zodiacs, swim, paddleboard and snorkel along Punta Pitt’s volcanic terrain. Spotted sea lions, boobies, frigate birds, shearwaters, petrels, and pelicans. Cerro Brujo offered up a beautiful white sandy beach for strolling and swimming. Farewell cruise cocktails served at sunset out on deck as we circled dramatic Kicker Rock. Packed our luggage.
August 3 – Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island: Disembarked the ship by Zodiac and explore the charming waterfront town. Enjoyed a buffet lunch at local hotel then transferred to the airport for our Avianca flight back to the mainland.
August 4 – Guayaquil: Flew back to Miami and home.
Post-Cruise Guayaquil
We flew from Isla San Cristobal back to Guayaquil and transferred by bus to the Oro Verde Guayaquil Hotel again. Dinner was a fun night at the hotel’s fondue restaurant. Very early the next morning, we caught our plane to Miami, then our final flight back home to San Francisco.
Back Home with Happy Memories
It’s hard to believe the cruise actually happened now. It seems like a wild dream that our family could come together, do so much, learn so much, see so much, all in the span of 10 days. It was an amazing, epic and adventurous cruise!
