Glide by inflatable dinghy at first light past marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, and reef sharks before other boats arrive.
What to expect
You board a rigid-hull dinghy just after dawn while the lava rock is still cool and the light is low and gold. Your naturalist points out Galapagos penguins porpoising alongside the boat, sea lions draped over black rocks, and the occasional Galapagos hawk overhead. The pace is unhurried — engines cut often so you can simply drift and watch. You return before the day's heat and before larger groups land.
Good to know
Book 60+ days ahead; only a handful of Galapagos National Park permits allow this route per morning. Wear reef-safe sunscreen only — no exceptions in the park. Return well before the ship's all-aboard, typically a 90-minute outing.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Sullivan Bay — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.
More to do in Sullivan Bay
- Sullivan Bay Pahoehoe Lava Field Walk with a Volcanologist-Trained Guide
- Bartolome Island Summit at First Light, Paired with Sullivan Bay
- Snorkel with Sea Lions and Sharks off Sullivan Bay's Shore
- Private Zodiac Circumnavigation of Bartolome's Pinnacle Rock
- Golden-Hour Photography Walk on Sullivan Bay's Lava Flow