Mary Anne
* Effective 12 June 2023 the Mary Anne will go in for extensive maintenance. Watch this space for when she will be ready to go back into service.
The Mary Anne is the perfect ship for those who love to travel by sail. This magnificent vessel has 1,000 m2 of canvas sails with which she majestically takes to the waves. This beautiful 3-masted barquentine, the only one of its kind in the islands, can accommodate up to 16 guests in her 4 double and 8 single cabins.
All cabins have private bathrooms and are designed with 1 double lower berth and a single upper berth. She also features 2 double cabins with lower berths. All guest accommodations are located on the cabin deck.
The main deck is complete with the dining room, kitchen, library and entertainment center.On the sun deck you will find open-air seating, kayaks, storage, the bridge and plenty of space for taking in the beautiful sights. The vessel features a wood-paneled, comfortable lounge area with a cozy bar and ample sun decks as well as deck seating. The nine crew members and naturalist guide are on board assure you a high-end experience.
EAST ITINERARY
DAY 1 – SATURDAY- A first impression
PM: After arriving at Baltra airport we will be greeted by an Angermeyer Cruises representant to then board the Mary Anne and have lunch. After lunch, we will navigate a short distance to Black Turtle Cove, a large mangrove lagoon on the north coast of Santa Cruz Island. Pelicans and herons roost on the branches, while marine dwellers such as Green Sea Turtle or Golden Ray may cruise right next to the panga as it makes its way through the mangroves.
DAY 2 - SUNDAY- Up north
AM: We travel to Genovesa Island and reach Darwin Bay (wet landing), a unique site lined with red mangrove and soft-haired prickly pear cacti where Red-footed Boobies and Great Frigatebirds perch tamely.
PM: At Prince Philip Steps (dry landing), we climb the edge of a cliff where Frigatebirds, Nazca Boobies, and Red-footed Boobies nest. We will be seeking out the impressive Redbilled Tropicbird amidst Galapagos Storm Petrels.
DAY 3 – MONDAY- Contours of Sullivan Bay
AM: Dry landing at Bartholomew to climb up the wooden steps and reach the summit of this spatter cone for a most breathtaking panorama of the islands’ well photographed Pinnacle Rock, views of neighbouring Santiago and many other central islands in the distance.
PM: We head across to Sullivan Bay (dry landing) in Santiago to walk over a recent lava flow, including very fresh pahoehoe lava formations, lava bubbles containing crystallized minerals, and pioneer plants. Along the shoreline, we may find Galapagos penguins and herons going after small fish.
DAY 4 - TUESDAY- Mars on Earth
AM: Wet landing onto Rábida’s deep-red beaches to explore the red island’s fascinating interior and saltwater lagoon. Darwin’s finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, and yellow warblers feed off the vegetation; given the right time of the year brown pelicans nesting on salt bushes that fringe the beach.
PM: We head across to Cerro Dragón on Santa Cruz’s north-west shore (dry landing); we visit a saltwater lagoon, home to Greater Flamingos, Black-necked Stilts, and White-cheeked Pintails. Further inland we find a fantastic land iguana nesting site.
DAY 5 – WEDNESDAY- Hidden treasures
AM: We will spend this day visiting Santa Cruz Island´s most famous highlights. We will have a dry landing in the dock of Puerto Ayora to then board our transportation and head to the Islands highlands. This are, in contrast to the coastal region, has lush vegetation and forest, due to the humidity that gathers in the higher regions. We will visit one of the ranches of the area, where it´s possible to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. As these animals migrate from the coastal area to the highlands and back, the chosen ranch will depend on the presence of the tortoises, as they roam free and change their locations. This is also a good place to see the Galapagos hawk and barn owl of this island and the surrounding forests are filled of birds such as the vermilion flycatcher or the yellow warbler.
PM: We will enjoy lunch in the ranch to then head back to Puerto Ayora for our second visit of the day, the Charles Darwin research station and the Fausto Llerena breeding center. Here, we will see tortoises from different islands. The animals are found in large semi natural pens for their protection, but also to ensure an easy view for the tourists. The pens are divided according to four different stages: eggs, neonates, juveniles (held here until they are mature enough to be "repatriated"), and adults. After this visit, we will have some time to explore the town of Puerto Ayora and its many souvenir shops, before boarding the S/S Mary Anne for dinner and the usual briefing.
DAY 6 – THURSDAY- Heading Eastward
AM: Dry landing on one of the oldest docks of the Archipelago, colourful Plaza Sur is home to vibrant green prickly pears, deep red Sesuvium and coppery-orange land iguanas; impressive seaward cliffs are excellent for a variety of coastal birds. This is also a great place to observe the adult and pup sea lions swimming along the shores.
PM: After a wet landing onto a white beach where sea lions are usually resting, on Santa Fe, we will be looking for the endemic species of land iguana, larger and yellower than land iguanas on other islands. The largest prickly pear cacti in the Galapagos are also found here.
DAY 7 – FRIDAY- From albatrosses to blowholes
AM: Punta Suárez (dry landing) is a spectacular walk into the intimacies of life at sea, with nesting sites of Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, as well as the fascinating breeding rituals (April to December) of Waved Albatross. Lined with neon-colored marine iguanas (January), and lazy Galapagos sea lions, we walk up to an amazing viewpoint of the famous blowhole.
PM: We will spend the day in fantastic Española, starting with Gardner Bay (wet landing), an outstanding beach with sea lions, marine iguanas, and the intrepid Española Mockingbird.
DAY 8 – SATURDAY- A last goodbye with the tortoises
AM: This is our last day on the islands. After breakfast we will disembark in Puerto Ayora to take our transport to Baltra Airport, doing a short stop to visit the Lava tunnels found in the highlands. These intriguing tunnels were formed b y a lava flow that hardened on the outside while still maintaining its fluid scolding state on the inside, leaving hollow tunnels where it passed. We will walk inside one of this tunnel (that are artificially illuminated to help visitors) to have a close look at the formations and learn more about the origin of these very volcanic archipelago. After this visit we will continue our ride to Baltra airport for the flight to mainland Ecuador.
WEST ITINERARY
DAY 1 – SATURDAY- First encounters
PM: After arriving at Baltra airport we will be greeted by an Angermeyer Cruises representant to then board a bus which will take us to Puerto Ayora, for the first visit on the islands: the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center Here, we will see tortoises from different islands. The animals are found in large semi natural pens for their protection, but also to ensure an easy view for the tourists. The pens are divided according to four different stages: eggs, neonates, juveniles (held here until they are mature enough to be "repatriated"), and adults. Afterwards we will head back to Puerto Ayora, where we will have some time to explore the town and shops by ourselves before boarding the S/S Mary Anne at around 17:00. Once on board, we will be welcomed by the crew and captain, have a short security drill and enjoy dinner and the briefing for the next day´s activities.
DAY 2 – SUNDAY- The Baroness’ domain
AM: We spend the day on Floreana, legendary homestead of infamous Baroness Eloise Von Wagner de Bousquet. Wet landing onto the olivine beaches of Punta Cormorant; we will be seeking Greater Flamingos on our way to another special beach with the finest sand you’ll set your foot on, a sea turtle nesting ground where sharks and rays also visit regularly. We end the outing on a short panga ride to Devil’s Crown, a key snorkeling site.
PM: After lunch we will visit Post Office Bay (wet landing), where you can drop your postcards in the barrel as the whalers did centuries ago.
DAY 3 MONDAY- Tortoises and a white sand beach
AM: This morning we will visit Floreana Island´s black beach, to learn about the intriguing human history of the island and it´s first inhabitants. Floreana was the first islands in the Archipelago to be inhabited, since it has one of the very few fresh water sources. We will visit this fresh water source known as “Asilo de La Paz”, as well as the caves that served as hideouts for pirates and where the first “Galapegueño” was born, according to Floreana stories, which involve the infamous Baroness Eloise Wagner von Bousquet and her lovers, which mysteriously began to disappear after settling in the island.
PM: After our visit, we will have the best opportunity for a not so usual but well beloved activity in the Archipelago, a full afternoon navigation to look for Whales and Dolphins. The waters of the Galapagos form the second largest marine reserve in the World, and this marine reserve have a very rich wildlife. The biggest representatives of the underwater Fauna are the different species of Whales and dolphins found here. We will navigate form Floreana to Isabela Island while looking for these fascinating creatures, which tend to show themselves in this area. This afternoon is completed by the impressive landscapes of Isabella and the Cerro Azul volcano.
DAY 4 – TUESDAY- An initiation to the western islands
AM: We arrive at Isabela, the largest island in the Galapagos. After breakfast, we step ashore at Punta Moreno (dry landing) onto a superb pahoehoe lava flow surrounded by giant shield volcanoes, some still active! From here we will do a short hike to a lagoon where flamingos are usually present.
PM: Panga ride in and around Elizabeth Bay, a salt-water lagoon surrounded by the largest red mangroves of the Galapagos. Here, it is usual to see sea turtles come near our zodiac to greet us. Flightless cormorants and Galapagos penguins are also more abundant in this part of the archipelago.
DAY 5 – WEDNESDAY- Marine abundance
AM: We disembark at Urbina Bay (wet landing) onto a black sand beach, nesting site for Green Sea Turtle. We take a brief hike inland in search of land iguanas and giant tortoises (seasonal) that migrate to and from the highlands. At the beach, we will admire the remains of a geological uplift exposing coral heads and marine fossils; and if the sea conditions and time are on our side, we will also snorkel in these waters.
PM: We cross Bolivar Channel to Fernandina Island, one of the world’s most unspoilt sites, and disembark (dry landing) at Punta Espinosa. Strolling along the shoreline, we will be on the look out for Flightless Cormorants, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos penguins and hawks, sooty-coloured marine iguanas and bright red-orange Sally Lightfoot Crabs.
DAY 6 - THURSDAY- Pirate’s abode
AM: Dry landing near Tagus Cove, historic pirate hideaway where names of countless ships are recorded for posterity on the cliff face. Hike through beautiful Galapagos landscapes to Darwin Lake, a salt-water crater lagoon surrounded by tuff stone.
PM: At Punta Vicente Roca we will do a panga ride around the beautiful coast line before jumping into the water to enjoy one of the best snorkelling sites of the Galapagos. The underwater cliffs found here are filled with enough colors and life to amaze everyone looking at them for the first time.
DAY 7 – FRIDAY- Grottos and fur seals
AM: After three days exploring the fabulous western islands, we head to central Santiago to disembark at Espumilla (wet landing), onto a golden-coloured sand Green Sea Turtle nesting site. A forest trail will take us through some of the largest specimens of Palo Santo on the islands to observe Yellow Warblers, the unbelievably tame Galapagos Flycatcher and the ever-intriguing Darwin’s finches.
PM: At Puerto Egas (wet landing) we disembark on a dark sand volcanic beach with an interesting history of human settlement. Sleepy Galapagos fur seals lounge under arches of lava carved by the ocean and occasionally dip into the crystalline pools, also known as “grottos”. Walk along the shore and observe the abundant marine life.
DAY 8 –SATURDAY- The bird’s den
AM: We disembark on North Seymour (dry landing), a small uplifted island, where we will walk right up to bird nesting colonies of the two species of Frigatebirds, Blue-footed Boobies and Swallow-tailed Gulls, and experience, depending on season, spectacular displays. After this visit the ship will sail to Baltra where passengers ending their trip will disembark and passengers beginning their cruise will join us on board.
