First class Galapagos Yacht, Isabela II
Yacht Isabela II, the coziest and most intimate Galapagos experience
Yacht Isabela II is expertly designed for Galapagos expedition cruising, offering top-notch installations to complement the day’s activities perfectly. Guests can expect a comfortable and intimate space to explore the Galapagos Islands. The stability of a crew that has remained almost unchanged for years ensures meticulous attention to detail, making the entire journey feel genuinely exceptional.
Itinerary
Itinerary Northeastern 5D/4N (Monday to Friday)
Day 1: Baltra - Santa Cruz
AM: BALTRA
After landing, we drive to the Itabaca Channel to take a ferry to Santa Cruz Island. A 30-minute bus ride takes us to the Highlands.
PM: SANTA CRUZ – HIGHLANDS
After lunch, we drive to a reserve to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Then, a bus ride takes us to Puerto Ayora, where we board Yacht Isabela II.
Day 2: Santiago - Chinese Hat
AM: SANTIAGO – PUERTO EGAS
Following a wet landing on a black, sandy beach, our trail takes us to enjoy close-up encounters with land iguanas, land and marine birds, and fur seals.
PM: CHINESE HAT
This islet makes for a beautiful visit as we explore the wildlife along its 1,312 ft-long (400 m-long) trail. The cove offers excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities amid white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos penguins.
Day 3: Genovesa
AM: PRINCE PHILIP’S STEPS
After a panga (dinghy) ride along the cliffs of “Bird Island,” we land at a steep staircase. Walking along the trail, we can spot Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, and storm petrels. Snorkeling and kayaking activities are available.
PM: DARWIN BAY
We land after lunch at the beautiful white beach of Darwin Bay. Here we walk amid hundreds of birds- frigatebirds, red-footed and Nazca boobies, and plenty more.
Day 4: Santa Fe - South Plaza
AM: SANTA FE
We visit a white sandy beach with sea lion colonies. There are potential sightings of the Santa Fe land iguana. Options include snorkeling, swimming, or a glass-bottom boat ride.
PM: SOUTH PLAZA
After lunch and rest, we land (dry landing) at this channel, encountering sea lion colonies and observing frigates, swallow-tailed gulls, and shearwaters.
Day 5: Baltra
Our journey ends at Baltra Island, where we transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.
Itinerary Northwestern 5D/4N (Thursday to Monday)
Day 1: Baltra - Santa Cruz
AM: BALTRA
After landing, we drive to the Itabaca Channel to take a ferry across Santa Cruz Island. A bus ride takes us to a restaurant in the Highlands to enjoy lunch and then continue to Puerto Ayora.
PM: SANTA CRUZ- PUERTO AYORA
We visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora. Later in the afternoon, we stroll along the main street before embarking.
Day 2: Bartolome - Santiago
AM: BARTOLOME
We start the day with a steep climb up a wooden staircase: the panoramic view from the top is well worth the effort! Following the walk, we take a panga ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock in search of Galapagos penguins and other wildlife.
PM: SANTIAGO – SULLIVAN BAY
After lunch, we board the pangas and land at Sullivan Bay. A trail runs along a lava field, the perfect place to see and understand the volcanic origin of the Galapagos.
Day 3: Santa Cruz - Santiago
AM: SANTA CRUZ – DRAGON HILL
After disembarking, our walk passes a brackish-water lagoon frequented by shorebirds, ducks, and American flamingos. After our walk, we can snorkel from the shore. Here, we may spot rays, green turtles, and sharks.
PM: SANTIAGO – BUCCANEER COVE
After lunch, we explore the coastline along the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer Cove. The cove is home to many marine birds, sea lions, and intertidal organisms. We also enjoy fantastic natural formations such as Elephant Rock and The Bishop.
Day 4: Isabela - Fernandina
AM: ISABELA – PUNTA VICENTE ROCA
We explore the coast by dinghy, seeking out wildlife like Galapagos fur seals, Nazca boobies, flightless cormorants, penguins, and marine iguanas. Back on board, we navigate along the Bolivar Channel.
PM: FERNANDINA – PUNTA ESPINOZA
Our visitor site of Punta Espinoza offers a fantastic combination of barren landscapes and abundant wildlife. You can spot hawks, penguins, marine iguanas, and the flightless cormorant.
Day 5: Baltra
Our journey ends at Baltra Island, where we transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.
Itinerary Southeastern and Western 7D/6N (Friday to Thursday)
Day 1: Baltra - Santa Cruz
AM: BALTRA
We land at Baltra Island and transfer to the nearby dock to board Yacht Isabela II. There, we receive an introductory briefing and lunch.
PM: SANTA CRUZ – BACHAS
A white beach with brackish lagoons that are the feeding grounds of various birds. We will have a briefing on the expedition plan and dinner back on the ship.
Day 2: San Cristobal
AM: PUNTA PITT
It is the only site in the Galapagos where the three species of boobies can be found, the two species of frigatebirds and a colony of sea lions.
PM: CERRO COLORADO
At Cerro Colorado, we visit the breeding center for giant tortoises. Here, we also find the endemic San Cristobal lava lizard.
Day 3: Española
AM: GARDNER BAY
We can walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches. Kayaking, snorkeling, or glass-bottom boat rides are also offered.
PM: PUNTA SUAREZ
We go on an exciting trail across lava/boulder terrain after lunch aboard. We can observe beautiful waved albatrosses, boobies, and swallow-tail gulls.
Day 4: Floreana
AM: CORMORANT POINT
We disembark and walk to a brackish lagoon where American flamingos can be observed. At Champion Islet, guests can snorkel or have a glass-bottom boat ride.
PM: POST OFFICE BAY AND BARONESS COVE
After lunch, we landed at Post Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that served as a post office.
Day 5: Isabela - Fernandina
AM: ISABELA – PUNTA MORENO
In the morning, we search the mangroves for sea turtles. Later, we enjoy a glass-bottom boat ride or deep-water snorkel.
PM: FERNANDINA – PUNTA MANGLE
We explore the coastline in the afternoon, home to Galapagos penguins and flightless cormorants.
Day 6: Santa Cruz - North Seymour
AM: EDEN ISLET
A panga ride takes us to Eden Islet, where we can observe blue-footed boobies and reef sharks.
PM: NORTH SEYMOUR
In the afternoon, we walk between numerous nesting frigatebirds. Later, we attended an evening briefing, a farewell cocktail, and dinner.
Day 7: Baltra
Our journey ends at Baltra Island where we transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.
Explore the
place you stay
- Category: First Class Motor Yacht
- Capacity: 40 passengers
- Length: 53.72 m.
- Beam: 11.58 m.
- Crew: 24 people + 3 naturalist guides
- Speed: 10 knots
- Facilities: Bar-lounge, boutique, radio, telephone and fax communications, snorkelling equipment, Jacuzzi, reading room and library, air conditioned throughout. 21 cabins, 20 in the cabin deck and one in the main deck (16 cabins with twin beds, 2 cabins with double bed for single or double room, 2 cabins with double bed plus a single bed for double or triple use).
Dates & Rates
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What's Included
- Accommodation as confirmed.
- All mentioned meals (full-board); filtered water, tea and coffee.
- All guided excursions and activities as mentioned in the itinerary by a National Park certified naturalist guide.
- Beach towels and snorkelling gear (snorkel, mask, flippers; optional wet-suits for hire).
What's Not Included
- Round-trip flight to the Galapagos.
- Soft and alcoholic drinks.
- Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($200 subject to change) and Transit Control Card ($20 subject to change).
- Personal travel insurance.
- Personal expenses, extras and tipping.
