Southern Galápagos Cruises: Española, Floreana and San Cristóbal

From April to December, and only at Punta Suárez on Española. It is the single site in our whole records where the species is listed, and outside that window the birds are at sea. If the albatross is the reason for your trip, the month decides more than the ship does.

It is the richest region we have: 50 species at 21 visitor sites, against 39 in the centre and 23 in the north. Española has the albatross and its own mockingbird, Santa Fé its own land iguana, Floreana the Devil's Crown, and San Cristóbal alone carries 12 visitor sites.

It is a snorkelling stop, not a landing. Blue-footed boobies and sea lions are recorded there, and it is one of the sites people ask for by name. San Cristóbal lies on 64 of the 97 itineraries, so reaching it is rarely the problem; whether the week includes Kicker Rock is.

The colonies at Gardner Bay, Isla Lobos and Post Office Bay are recorded at their most active from August to November. Sea lions are present all year; that window is when the pups are.

From 3 to 14 nights. Of the 1,619 upcoming departures with space, 502 are 4 nights, 280 are 14 nights and 211 are 10 nights. Española and Floreana are not on every circuit, so the longer itineraries reach more of the region.