Port information & tips for Sullivan Bay (Santiago, Galapagos)
Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island is a fascinating highlight of the Galápagos Islands and impresses visitors with its surreal-looking volcanic landscape. The bay is characterized by vast, solidified pahoehoe lava fields which, thanks to their undulating structures, look like a frozen ocean and simultaneously offer a deep insight into the geological formation of the archipelago. Unforgettable highlights include hikes across the shimmering lava as well as observing lava lizards and the bright red Sally Lightfoot crabs along the shoreline. Expedition ships anchor safely in the bay, and shore excursions take place by Zodiac via the official Bahía Sullivan landing site. From this natural landing spot on the sandy beach, marked trails lead directly into the untouched wilderness of the national park, far away from any urban civilization.
Sullivan Bay on the uninhabited island of Santiago is a fascinating destination for expedition cruises and is typically accessed via the logistical gateways of the Galapagos Archipelago. Since the bay itself is located within a strictly protected national park, arrival for guests from the DACH region is via the region's main airports followed by embarkation by tender.
Airplane
The journey begins with a long-haul flight to Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE) on the Ecuadorian mainland and continues from there with a two-hour domestic flight to Seymour Airport (GPS) on the island of Baltra. This route is regularly served by airlines such as LATAM or Avianca and, thanks to modern infrastructure, offers a comfortable transition to your cruise adventure.
Transfer & Shuttle
Directly after landing on Baltra, passengers are usually met by representatives of their cruise line and accompanied by the ship's own shuttles to the harbor or the Itabaca Canal. From there, you can easily reach your cruise ship, which is ready for the expedition towards Santiago, by motorized inflatable boats known as Zodiacs.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Due to the time difference and the early flight departure times to the islands, we recommend an overnight stay in Quito or Guayaquil before the start of the cruise. Many cruise lines also offer attractive pre-programs in city hotels, which include the transfer to the airport as well as the handling of national park formalities, thus enabling an all-around relaxed start.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will generally receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Please plan sufficient time for the journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination area - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the journey: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
