With just 20 guest cabins, the yacht’s convivial atmosphere leads to a close-up experience of this unique world. On board, guests find delicious cuisine, faultless service and excellent facilities, including a Hot tub, fitness room, bar and outside deck for al fresco meals, drinks, and sunbathing.
This classic yacht, with a capacity for 40 guests, combines elegance and relaxation to help you make the most of your Island experience:from ancient giant tortoises to penguins, from sleek flamingos to bold sharks, from bizarre flightless cormorants to rugged marine iguanas and from whales and dolphins to dramatic island volcanoes and breathtaking scenery, plus the exploration of the Galapagos Marine Reserve (the second largest in the world) on kayaks, the glass bottom boat, swimming or snorkeling.
Facilities aboard ship include fitness room, Internet access, reading room and natural history library, bar/lounge. The expertise of three English-speaking naturalist guides matches their contagious enthusiasm, whether discussing geology or bird watching, snorkeling or stargazing, evolution or marine actitivies. Guests have the opportunity to explore the Ecuador Galapagos islands in small groups with fellow enthusiasts who share their same passion for nature, curiosity and spirit of observation.
2018 ITINERARIES:
Our itinerary together begins on San Cristobal Island and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos Province. On our first afternoon, we visit Cerro Colorado, breeding centre of the islands’ famous giant tortoises amid a fantastic deciduous forest. We sail north overnight, to awake at the sunken caldera of Genovesa Island, a privileged place to visit amid thousands of marine birds.
Back in the central islands, on Thursday we learn about Buccaneer Cove’s distant and recent history aboard our inflatable dinghies, before exploring the underwater realm, snorkelling or aboard the glass-bottom boat.
Across the way, we disembark at the popular site of Puerto Egas, a great place to see land and marine birds amid a landscape of tuff-stone layers and lava flows. Motoring all night, we find ourselves amid the youngest islands of the Galapagos the next day, visiting Punta Espinoza with its amazing combination of barrenness and abundant wildlife. Highlights include hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant.
Later, at Tagus Cove, an uphill hike takes us to the rim of Darwin Crater and some lovely views, followed by an inflatable dinghy ride to spot local wildlife, a swim, kayak or snorkel. We continue our exploration of Isabela Island the following day, at Urbina Bay, the intriguing result of an uplifting of the ocean, home to large and very colourful Galapagos land iguanas, and then at Punta Vicente Roca with its abundant wildlife and, hopefully, sightings of green sea turtles.
Sunday sees us anchor to visit the red beach of Rabida Island and its large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin’s finches. In the afternoon, we visit the north shore of Santa Cruz, host to Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill), home to land iguanas and with a trail that offers a beautiful view of the bay.
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal Island):
We land at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno’s airport and transfer to the dock. We check in, receive an introductory briefing and have lunch on board.
Galapaguera Cerro Colorado (San Cristobal Island): At Cerro Colorado, we visit the breeding centre of the highly-endangered giant tortoises in the midst of a fantastic deciduous forest, home to dozens of bird species and the endemic San Cristobal lava lizard.
Prince Philip’s Steps (Tower/Genovesa Island):
Overnight, we navigate northbound to the incredible bird island, Genovesa. The morning starts with an inflatable dinghy ride along the cliffs of this dramatic island, followed by landing with a steep climb (90 feet) up some stairs to reach a flat plateau. We can observe large colonies of Nazca boobies, red footed boobies, great frigate birds and storm petrels. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer inflatable dinghy ride along the cliffs (depending on weather conditions). Snorkelling and kayaking.
Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island):
We land at the beach for an easy stroll observing hundreds of birds, mainly frigate birds, red footed and Nazca boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds.
Buccaneer Cove (James/Santiago Island):
After breakfast, we enjoy a coastal exploration along the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer’s Cove. The cove is home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms. Enjoy fantastic natural formations such as the “Elephant Rock”, “The Bishop” and an impressive natural cave. This is a great site for snorkelling too or ride in our glass-bottom boat.
Puerto Egas (Santiago Island):
This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds amid a landscape of tuff-stone layers and lava flows. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and we can also observe a colony of fur seals.
Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island):
We visit the youngest island of the archipelago, Fernandina. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness and abundant wildlife. Highlights include hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant.
Tagus Cove (Isabela Island):
Across the narrow Bolívar Channel, we anchor at this cove on the northwest of Isabela. It provided a favourite anchorage for pirates and whalers over the centuries. An uphill hike takes guests to the rim of Darwin Crater, filled with salt water and to a dramatic viewpoint. After our walk, swimming, kayaking or snorkelling.
Urbina Bay (Isabela Island):
After breakfast we disembark at Urbina Bay. Here you can find corals, shells and many other calcareous organisms exposed above water. This area is also home to large and very colourful Galapagos land iguanas. Along the shoreline, after the hike, guests may encounter flightless cormorants and see penguins while snorkelling.
Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island):
Since there is no landing site at this location, the coastal exploration is by dinghy. There is abundant wildlife and, depending on the conditions of the ocean, we’ll be able to snorkel along the cliffs, hopefully in the company of green sea turtles.
Rabida Island (Jervis Island):
We disembark at Rabida Island’s red-coloured beach. A stroll allows us to observe a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin’s finches. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, inflatable dinghy ride, kayaking or ride in our glass-bottom boat.
Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) (Santa Cruz Island):
The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts Cerro Dragon. Our walk includes circling a brackish water lagoon frequented by lagoon birds, while further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western islands.
Baltra Island:
Our journey ends at Baltra Island where we transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.
Our itinerary together begins on Santa Cruz Island, the most populous in the archipelago.
Here, we first explore the highlands of the islands with their lush vegetation before venturing down to the world-famous Charles Darwin Research Station to meet giant tortoises face to face. After embarking at the end of the day, we sail to a stunning anchorage at Santa Fe Island for our visit to this sandy white beach with many sea lion harems, a wonderful spot for our first snorkel, kayak or ride aboard our glass-bottom boat.
In the afternoon, we disembark amid the waters of Plaza Island, with its yellow-gray land iguanas munching cactus fruits and coastline where we find sea lion colonies and dozens of sea birds.
A favourite among many visitors to the archipelago, our visit to North Seymour Island starts with an enjoyable walk along the coast and the interior of this island, observing numerous bird colonies as well as sea lions and marine iguanas, while later on we disembark on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, at the glorious white beach of Las Bachas, great for a swim or snorkel.
We begin Thursday’s expedition at Bartolome Island, with its unbeatable volcanic viewpoint on a hill, golden-sandy beach and excellent wildlife exploration for snorkelers or glass-bottom boat passengers. After lunch, we land at the white coral sand beach of Sullivan Bay, ideal for swimming or snorkelling, and with a trail over a dramatic lava field.
Baltra Airport – Santa Cruz Island:
We arrive at Baltra Airport and then we take you to the Itabaca Channel to take a ferry across to Santa Cruz Island. A 30-minute bus ride takes us to a restaurant in the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island to enjoy lunch, and then continue to Puerto Ayora.
Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station:
After driving down from the highlands, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise. The campus houses the islands’ headquarters of scientific investigation and conservation. Late afternoon we stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora before embarking. Captain’s welcome cocktail and dinner.
Santa Fe Island:
A stunning anchorage provides our jumping-off point for our visit to this sandy white beach with many sea lion harems. Galapagos hawks are often easily observed. The endemic land iguana, unique to this island, may be spotted during the walk. Snorkelling and swimming from the beach, kayaking or a ride in our glass-bottom boat.
South Plaza Island:
The turquoise waters of the channel here contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline, while a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus beyond, populated by yellow-gray land iguanas.
North Seymour Island:
The morning starts with an enjoyable walk along the coast and the interior of this island, observing numerous bird colonies as well as sea lions and marine iguanas. There are opportunities for snorkelling, coastal exploration or glass-bottom boat for great views of the underwater world.
Las Bachas (Santa Cruz Island):
After WWII, US military barges were beached and abandoned here. Today it is an important nesting area for the east Pacific green sea turtle. Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, it is a glorious white beach, with several brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea. These lagoons are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. We can swim and/or snorkel from the beach.
Bartolomé Island (James Island):
This morning, a Galápagos icon awaits for us: Bartolomé Island. A great way to start the day, with a steep climb up a wooden staircase: the view from the top is worth the effort! Following the walk, we take the dinghies for a ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock.
Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island):
After lunch, we get on board the inflatable dinghies to land at Sullivan Bay on the east coast of Santiago, a white coral sand beach great for swimming, and with a trail over a lava field that flowed here less than 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galapagos.
Baltra Island:
After breakfast, we leave for the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.
Our itinerary begins on Santa Cruz Island, the most populous in the archipelago. Here, to meet giant tortoises face to face, we first explore the highlands of the islands with their lush vegetation before venturing down to the world-famous Charles Darwin Research Station.
After embarking at the end of the day, we sail south to the island of Floreana, where we disembark at Post Office Bay in the morning and Cormorant Point in the afternoon – both full of life and history. We then head west to Española Island, with its remarkable visitor site (a favourite of many visitors): Punta Suarez.
Here, we’ll wander along the rugged coastline, home to hundreds of marine iguanas, sea lions, marine birds, and even albatross (at certain times of year).
In the afternoon, Gardner Bay provides a wonderful setting for a combination of beach-time, swimming, snorkelling or exploring aboard the glass-bottom boat. San Cristobal Island is next, the capital of the Galapagos Province. We explore the northern shores of the island, visiting the fascinating sites of Punta Pitt and Cerro Brujo, taking us back to the young Charles Darwin’s visit of 1835. We end our journey at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
Baltra Airport – Santa Cruz Island:
We arrive at Baltra Airport and transfer to the Itabaca Channel to take a ferry across to Santa Cruz Island. A 30-minute bus ride takes us to a restaurant in the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island to enjoy lunch.
Charles Darwin Research Station:
we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest home to many land birds. The campus houses the islands’ headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. Late afternoon stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora. Captain’s welcome cocktail and dinner.
Post Office Bay & Baroness Cove (Floreana Island):
After breakfast, we land at Post Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that has been serving as a post office in the archipelago for over two centuries. Snorkelling off the beach.
Cormorant Point (Floreana Island):
Our visit to Punta Cormorant takes in an olivine-crystal beach for an easy walk by a brackish water lagoon where bird species like American flamingos may be observed. On the other side of the island, we come to a white-sand beach where sea turtles come out at night to nest. We can usually snorkel at the “Champion Islet” site, inflatable dinghy ride or ride in our glass-bottom boat.
Punta Suarez (Española Island):
Our morning outing at Punta Suárez provides an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses, boobies, swallow-tail gulls, and the famous “blowhole”. Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas.
Gardner Bay (Española Island):
In the afternoon, we set down at this beautiful, white coral beach for a short walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds, finches or enjoy the beach. There is great snorkelling in this area, or else there’s time to kayak, inflatable dinghy-ride or ride the glass-bottom boat.
Punta Pitt (San Cristobal Island):
In the morning, we land on the eastern tip of the island. The trail that ascends from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline and is the only site in the Galapagos where the three species of boobies can be found together, as well as the two frigate species, plus a colony of bachelor sea lions. After the walk, if conditions are favourable, there is a chance to swim, kayak or snorkel from the beach or an inflatable dinghy ride.
Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island):
In the afternoon following lunch on board, a dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers takes us to Cerro Brujo’s expansive, white coraline beach, great for walking, with rewarding birdwatching including good views of seabirds and shore birds.
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal- Chatham Island):
After breakfast, we depart to pier and airport for our flight back to the mainland.
Yacht Isabela II is ideally-designed for intimate Galapagos expedition cruising. The Cabin Deck features 16 Classic Cabins and 2 Classic Family Cabins, as well as 1 Standard Cabin, arrayed around outer corridors. On the Main Deck, the Owner's Cabin is situated right next to the yacht's social areas, a perfect option for guests who prefer to deal with fewer stairs.
Owners Cabin
Standard Cabin
Classic Cabin
Classic Family Cabin
On the Cabin Deck, you find the 16 Classic Cabins and 2 Classic Family cabins, as well as the 1 Standard Cabin, arrayed around outer corridors. On the Main Deck, you find the one Owner’s Cabin, perfectly located to the yacht’s social areas.
Boat Deck
Cabin Deck
Main Deck