Galapagos Islands Wildlife Cruise
11 days from £7,100 pp
The Galapagos Islands Wildlife Cruise is a private, 11-day tailor-made trip combining two nights in Quito with an eight-night small-ship cruise around the Galapagos, visiting Bartolome, Genovesa, South Plaza, Santa Fe, San Cristobal, Española and Floreana. Prices start from £7,100 per person, including meals, transfers and Galapagos flights. Naturalist guides lead every landing, and you can join the boat’s Citizen Science programme, recording marine mammal sightings for research. It suits wildlife lovers who want to reach the outer islands, with snorkelling, kayaking and walks every day. See all our Galapagos cruises.
Trip Highlights
- Sail to remote outer islands like Genovesa on a small ship
- Kayak alongside turtles and snorkel with sealions
- Visit the famous Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre
- Spot frigate-birds, blue footed boobies, Galapagos hawks and so much more
Our Expert Tip
”Become part of the conservation effort while on board your Galapagos cruise and join in with the Citizen Science program. Participate in identifying and recording marine mammals, and contribute directly to vital research that supports these amazing creatures! ”
Sam, Founder
11-Day Galapagos Cruise Itinerary: Day by Day
Day 1 – 2: Quito
Catch an international flight to Ecuador’s capital Quito. After being welcomed at the airport and taken by private car to Hotel Carlota, you have time at leisure to rest, relax and acclimatise.
The following day with your private guide, enjoy a walking tour of the UNESCO-listed colonial centre, with fascinating cultural activities afterwards such as a cooking class, chocolate tour, or visits to artisanal workshops.
Day 3: Galapagos Cruise – Bartolome
This morning fly to the Galapagos Islands, where all passengers must go through an inspection point to ensure no foreign plants or animals are being introduced to the archipelago. On arrival meet your team and transfer by bus and panga boat to the ship. After a welcome briefing and lunch, you set sail!
Your first stop will be an immediate highlight, Bartolome Island. After climbing a series of steps, be wowed by the archipelago’s most famous panoramic view, surrounded by volcanic cones, lunar-like craters, lava fields, and the famous Pinnacle Rock, a sea-eroded tuff cone.
There are two golden sand beaches where sea turtles and a small colony of Galapagos penguins live. Enjoy your first snorkel and swim close to these playful creatures. Not sure a cruise is right for you? Read our guide.
Day 4: Galapagos Cruise – South Plaza & Black Turtle Cove
Today your Galapagos Cruise takes you to the beautiful islands of South Plaza and Santa Cruz. The small island of South Plaza was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colourful yellow and red land iguanas. Look out for the colourful and ever changing tones of the local plant, Sesuvium.
In the afternoon, navigate the inlet of Black Turtle Cove. Located on the northern part of Santa Cruz, this mangrove fringed area is accessible only by dinghy. Its shallow sheltered waters create the ideal nursery for young marine life, where you can often spot black-tip and white-tip sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of rays.
Day 5: Galapagos Cruise – Genovesa
This morning enjoy a two-hour walking trail across volcanic rock around El Barranco, the southern part of Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island. The natural erosion in the lava flows form the ideal place for nesting storm petrels. Look out for two species of petrels and one of its main predators: the short-eared owl. Red-footed boobies nest mainly on the outer islands, and you may be lucky enough to spot a masked booby.
Darwin Bay was formed when the crater of this island collapsed below sea level. Your panga boat will wet land on a beautiful white coral sandy beach where you can snorkel and swim. The Island is paradise for birdwatchers – look out for red footed-booby, masked boobies, wandering tattlers, lava gulls, whimbrels, yellow-crowned night herons, lava herons, and yellow warblers.
Climb to the edge of the cliff to see red-foots nesting in the Mangrove trees below and witness an incredible view of the island and its many birds.
Day 6: Galapagos Cruise – Plazas & Santa Fe
Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species in the Galapagos are found on Islas Plazas. Discover the smallest land iguanas of the archipelago, along with rare hybrid iguanas. Spot swallow tailed gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs as well as audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and brown pelicans.
Santa Fe island is home to a number of endemic species like the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats and one of the two species of land Iguanas of the islands. Spot sealions sunbathing as you disembark, take a walking trail through salt bushes and giant Prickly pear cactus, and finish with a swim and some snorkelling.
Day 7: Galapagos Cruise – San Cristobal Island
Visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre to learn more about the vital conservation projects in place. The centre was built to replicate environmental conditions for these amazing creatures, with the goal to repopulate San Cristobal with its native species. The centre has helped return tortoises to San Cristobal, and Galapagos National Park entry fees help fund conservation work like this.
In the afternoon visit the Environmental Interpretation Centre with its exuberant gardens and stunning ocean views. Learn about the geological and human history of the islands, conservation facts and natural history. A visit here gives useful context for everything you’ll see on the islands.
Day 8: Galapagos Cruise – San Cristobal Island
Journey to Galapaguera, an incredible place to observe Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat. San Cristobal island is home to several endemic species such as the mockingbird, lava lizard, Chatham leaf-toed Gecko and tortoises. Between January and May, it is common to spot the footprints of female turtles who have climbed to the sand dunes to deposit their eggs! This is a wonderful experience to witness if you are here during this time.
Cerro Brujo is a beautiful white coral beach where you can swim, watch birds and sea lions, plus snorkel. The perfect stop for some quiet relaxation and wildlife spotting.
Day 9: Galapagos Cruise – Espanola
Located on the north-eastern coast of Hood island, Gardner Bay offers an excellent beach to relax, swim and even kayak, plus the opportunity to observe sea lions. Look out for white-tip reef sharks in the clear water and spot three species of Darwin finches.
This afternoon sail to Suarez Point, a fantastic area for spotting blue-footed boobies, waved albatrosses (present roughly April to December) and Nazca boobies. Witness its magnificent blowhole, spurting water high into the air.
Day 10: Galapagos Cruise – Floreana
Sail to Cormorant Point, one of the best places in the Galapagos to see flamingos. Situated between two tuff lava cones, observe various species of shorebirds as well as flamingos. Enjoy a scenic walk onwards to Champion Islet, a wonderful spot to enjoy snorkelling and underwater wildlife.
In the afternoon sail to Post Office Bay – the site of a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship, used by marines and now tourists as a post office.
Enjoy a relaxing day soaking up your last few hours in these incredible islands.
Day 11: Galapagos Cruise – Santa Cruz
Disembarking in Puerto Ayora town, visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre, part of the network of visitor sites of the world-famous Charles Darwin Foundation.
Say goodbye to your fellow Galapagos travellers and transfer to Baltra airport for your flight back to Quito.
Connect to your onwards flight home, or let our experts know if you would like a final night here. Want time on land too? See our Galapagos Cruise and Private Island-Hopping. Or add Ecuador’s Andes and Amazon on one of our Galapagos Islands holidays.
When to Go
Best time for a Galapagos cruise
Galapagos cruises run all year. December to May brings warmer water and calmer seas, and from January to May you may see turtles nesting on the beaches. Waved albatrosses breed on Española from roughly April to December. June to November is cooler and choppier, with the richest marine life. Small ships book up early, so ask us about your dates.
Includes
- All accommodation
- Excursions
- Transport
- Private guides
Excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa cost
- Tips
Why Book With Travel Differently
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- Each member of the team has over a decade of experience in the industry
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Need More Inspiration?
Want to combine multi-countries, take less flights, or include a hike in Patagonia? Thinking of a longer sabbatical holiday, or staying in some luxury yurts? It’s all possible; all our holidays are tailor-made with a focus on responsible travel. Take a look at more ideas below, and contact our experts.
