Galápagos wildlife photography workshops

Arrive in Quito and transfer to a comfortable hotel near the airport, with a relaxed welcome gathering in the evening to meet the group and talk through the week ahead.

We fly to Baltra and board the yacht, then head out to Seymour North in the afternoon. A walk and panga ride bring nesting Magnificent Frigatebirds with inflated red throat pouches, Blue-footed Boobies displaying, sea lions and marine iguanas along the shoreline.

A morning on Espumilla Beach brings sea turtles nesting and shorebirds feeding along the tideline. In the afternoon we explore the dramatic cliffs and sea stacks of Buccaneer Cove from the water, watching for Galápagos Hawks, boobies and fur seals.

Tagus Cove offers a walk above a crater and a panga ride along the cliffs for Galápagos Penguins and Flightless Cormorants. The afternoon at Espinoza Point on Fernandina is one of the great wildlife spectacles of the archipelago — hundreds of marine iguanas piled on black lava, cormorants drying their stubby wings and the Galápagos Hawk overhead.

At Urbina Bay we walk over uplifted coral reef in search of large Land Iguanas and Giant Tortoises, with a snorkel afterwards. In the afternoon, a panga ride at Vicente Roca Point takes us beneath towering cliffs for penguins, Nazca Boobies, Brown Noddies and sea turtles in the water below. Mola mola are possible, but never promised.

A sunrise climb to the Bartolomé viewpoint over Pinnacle Rock, followed by a panga ride and snorkel with penguins and sea turtles. The afternoon at Sullivan Bay is a lesson in landscape and texture — vast fields of ropey pahoehoe lava, lava lizards and pioneer plants breaking through the black rock.

Chinese Hat brings turquoise shallows, sea lions, penguins and marine iguanas. In the afternoon, South Plaza is carpeted in red sesuvium, with Land Iguanas under prickly pear cactus and Swallow-tailed Gulls and Red-billed Tropicbirds along the cliff edge.

We start the day in the Santa Cruz Highlands, photographing wild Giant Tortoises roaming freely through the vegetation and farmland they call home. Back down in the town of Santa Cruz, we photograph the wildlife that shares the waterfront and streets with the locals, and there is time to pick up souvenirs. Back on board, there is a prize for one guest for a special type of photo captured during the week, which you will hear more about on board, before our farewell dinner.

A last morning at Las Bachas, a soft white-sand beach with flamingos in the brackish lagoons, shorebirds, Sally Lightfoot Crabs and sea turtle tracks. We then return to Baltra Airport for the flight to the mainland, with the crew assisting with luggage and check-in.

Arrive in Quito and transfer to a comfortable hotel near the airport. In the evening, we meet for a relaxed welcome gathering to get to know each other, answer questions and prepare for the adventure ahead.

Our team handles the check-ins and migration card, so you can enjoy the excitement of the journey. Once aboard the yacht, you will be shown to your room and we will cover everything you need to know for the week. Later, a peaceful panga ride through Black Turtle Cove brings opportunities for marine turtles, rays, herons, pelicans and Blue-footed Boobies, followed by a welcome cocktail and sunset on the water.

At Prince Philip’s Steps, we explore a seabird-rich plateau with Red-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, Frigatebirds and the elusive Short-eared Owl. Nesting birds offer natural moments of courtship, feeding and parent-and-chick behaviour. In the afternoon, Darwin Bay brings coral beach scenery, herons, mockingbirds, marine iguanas and Swallow-tailed Gulls.

We begin on Rábida’s red-sand beach, photographing relaxed sea lions, Brown Pelicans, flamingos and Blue-footed Boobies. There is an optional 90-minute snorkel in the sheltered bay; if you prefer to stay dry, you can relax on deck or enjoy the scenery. Later, at Dragon Hill, we look for Land Iguanas basking on warm rocks or feeding on prickly pear cactus.

In the Santa Cruz highlands, we photograph local birdlife and Giant Tortoises roaming freely through their natural environment. After time on land, we walk through Puerto Ayora, where marine iguanas, sea lions and pelicans are part of everyday life around the waterfront and docks. There is also time to browse the local shops or enjoy a coffee at your own pace.

A panga ride along the coast brings chances to see Galápagos Penguins, sea lions and rays. We visit Baroness Point, then the historic mail barrel at Post Office Bay, where Blue-footed Boobies and marine iguanas can be seen. After an optional snorkel or navigation around Champion Islet, we finish with Flamingo Lagoon and the beautiful La Picona Beach.

One of the most wildlife-filled mornings of the week begins among marine iguanas and sea lions at Punta Suárez. We follow the island’s rich trails for Blue-footed Boobies, Galápagos Hawks and Lava Lizards, with excellent opportunities for birds in flight along the cliff edge. An optional snorkel is followed by Gardner Bay, a white-sand beach with sea lions and Española Mockingbirds.

A scenic cruise around Kicker Rock brings Boobies and Frigatebirds soaring over dramatic cliffs and Blue-footed Boobies dive-bombing the water. We then land at Cerro Brujo, a white-sand beach with sea lions, pelicans, marine iguanas and Ghost Crabs. Back on board, there is a prize for one guest for a special type of photo captured during the week, which you will hear more about on board, before a farewell cocktail and our last dinner with the crew.

Our final stop is Mosquera Islet, a narrow white-sand island with sea lions, Blue-footed Boobies, pelicans and vividly coloured Sally Lightfoot Crabs. After a final opportunity to photograph, we return to Baltra Airport for the flight back to the mainland, with the crew assisting with luggage and check-in.