Santa Cruz II

Galapagos Islands

With its sleek design and modern interior, we invite you to set sail through the Galapagos aboard our magnificent and state-of-the-art Expedition Cruise Ship. Its highly experienced Crew and Naturalist Guides are at your service, providing you with outstanding hospitality and accompanying you on an exciting variety of Galapagos land and aquatic excursions

The Santa Cruz II is also perfect for groups of any size, with ample space and privacy for everyone without sacrificing views or the sense of connection to the archipelago. Numerous large areas will give you the ability to enjoy peaceful moments: by yourself or in groups, as you wish.

On-board Doctor

Santa Cruz II has an onboard Medical Officer, available 24/7.

Expedition Focus

Santa Cruz II prioritises exploration through guided tours of the top islands and visitor sites.

Multiple Activities

Each site visit includes a variety of activities for guests to choose from.

Low-Impact Yacht

The latest boat engine technology allows the yacht to consume less fuel.

Green sea turtle swimming underwater

Western Galapagos Itinerary Map

5 Days: Thursday to Monday
12 of 15 Galapagos Iconic Species

Our Western Galapagos Cruise Itinerary starts with a tour of Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island, home to Galapagos land iguanas. The next day is spent at Isabela Island and Fernandina Island, the volcanic jewels of the National Park, where one can also spot flightless cormorants and Galapagos penguins.

Afterward, we head to the world-famous Charles Darwin Research Station and its giant-tortoise breeding centre on Santa Cruz Island.

Finally, Floreana Island’s Post Office Bay and Cormorant Point round off the trip with fascinating insights into the human history of the archipelago.

Itinerary

Days 1 & 3) Santa Cruz Island

Home of the Charles Darwin Research Station and one of the largest giant tortoise populations in the archipelago. This island provides an exquisite sense of the ongoing conservation efforts underway, and the care native islanders take in protecting the wildlife and the environment. Giant tortoises are also seen in their natural habitat in the lush and verdant highlands.

Day 2) Isabela Island & Fernandina Island

Admire the epic and beautiful coastline of one of the largest islands in the Galapagos. In addition to the dramatic geology found here, you’ll also enjoy the chance to hop aboard our glass-bottom boat or go snorkelling in the presence of green sea turtles, playful sea lions, ocean sunfish, and even penguins, possibly!

Fascinate yourself with the mesmerizing canvas of recent lava flows that have amassed across the terrain here. Home to one of the largest colonies of marine iguanas, you’ll definitely want to watch your step, too! Snorkelling is offered here, with the possibility of seeing and even swimming alongside flightless cormorants and penguins.

Day 4) Floreana Island

Immerse yourself in the human history of the Galapagos by partaking in the rather unique act of sending mail the way sailors did two centuries ago — through a post office barrel! You’ll also enjoy gorgeous beaches that are frequented by flamingos, herons, and numerous other birds. Snorkelling, glass-bottom boat, kayaking, and paddleboarding are offered here.

Route Map

Wildlife Checklist

Blue Footed BoobyNazca BoobyFlightless CormorantAmerican FlamingoFrigatebirdsGalapagos Fur SealGalapagos HawkLand IguanaMarine IguanaGalapagos PenguinGalapagos Sea LionGalapagos Giant Tortoise
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Northern Galapagos Itinerary Map

5 Days: Monday to Friday
12 of 15 Galapagos Iconic Species

This Northern Galapagos Cruise Itinerary starts off with a tour of beautiful Las Bachas beach, which is frequented by numerous marine birds, including flamingos. The next day we will arrive at Santiago Island, which provides its fair share of fun activities and wildlife spotting.

Next up, Rabida Island and its spectacular red-sand beach await to take Guests on a beautiful tour of its mesmerizing landscapes. The day after, majestic Bartolome Island will be visited, which is sure to stun visitors with its postcard-worthy views and the chance to swim alongside Galapagos penguins. Finally, spectacular and faraway Genovesa will see us basking in the embrace of its magical, sunken crater and gorgeous cliff line, which is home to thousands of marine birds!

Itinerary

Day 1) Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Island

You will land in Baltra Island by plane in the morning and then take a guided transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise. First, an introductory briefing onboard and then enjoy a delicious lunch.

The lagoons at Las Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz Island) serve as the feeding grounds of various wading birds. Afterwards, we head back aboard for a welcome cocktail and an expedition briefing.

Day 2) Santiago Island

Beautifully rugged, with a well-eroded coastline consisting of tuff stone layers and lava flows, Santiago delights not only with its vistas but a substantial bit of human history, too. Here you’ll learn about the salt mine that once existed on the island, followed by the chance to take a dip in the waters and swim alongside sea lions, sea turtles, and reef sharks!

Day 3) Rabida Island & Bartolome Island

The walk around Rabida Island will bring guests close to Galapagos sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin’s finches.

In the afternoon, activities begin with a wet landing on the beach. Guests can swim, snorkel, or ride the glass-bottom boat. After returning to the ship, we hike to the top of Bartolome with a fantastic view.

Day 4) Genovesa Island

The morning starts with a climb up Prince Philip's Steps. Once there, you can walk along and spot Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, and storm petrels.

In the afternoon, we land at Darwin Bay's beautiful beach to enjoy some swimming and/or snorkeling. Following this, we will walk and observe frigatebirds, red-footed and Nazca boobies, finches, and mockingbirds.

Day 5) Santa Cruz Island & Baltra Island

Following a dry landing and a bus ride to the Highlands, guests experience giant tortoises roaming in the wild. These include dense forests of Galapagos daisies, orchids, and several endemic land birds.

Route Map

Wildlife Checklist

Blue Footed BoobyRed Footed BoobyNazca BoobyAmerican FlamingoFrigatebirdsGalapagos Fur SealGalapagos HawkLand IguanaMarine IguanaGalapagos PenguinGalapagos Sea LionGalapagos Giant Tortoise
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Eastern Galapagos Itinerary Map

7 Days: Friday to Thursday
13 of 15 Galapagos Iconic Species

Our Eastern Galapagos Cruise Itinerary begins with a tour of beautiful Mosquera Islet, where we’ll get the chance to check out sea lions. The following day we’ll enjoy San Cristobal Island, home to a giant-tortoise breeding centre and Punta Pitt, where we can spot red-footed boobies. From here, it’s on to the central islands, starting with Santa Fe and its beautifully tranquil bay, before heading off to the stunning cliffs of South Plaza with its abundance of land iguanas and stunning marine birds.

The final days of this tour will see us visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz followed by spectacular Española Island — often voted as the #1 island by Guides, Guests, and Expedition Leaders — with its majestic waved albatrosses and mesmerizing coastlines. Eden Islet and North Seymour Island round out this Galapagos itinerary with their perfect share of wildlife and scenery.

Itinerary

Day 1) Baltra Island & Mosquera Islet

Upon landing at Baltra Airport in the morning, we transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise and enjoy a satisfying lunch. The excursion to Mosquera Islet consists of a walk along a shallow reef, the perfect nook for young sea lions.

Day 2) San Cristobal Island

Located on San Cristobal Island, Punta Pitt is the only site in Galapagos where the three species of boobies can be found together! At Cerro Colorado, we visit the Breeding Center for Galapagos giant tortoises. This forest is also home to dozens of bird species and the San Cristobal lava lizard!

Day 3) Santa Fe Island & South Plaza Island

On the idyllic white sand beach of Santa Fe, one can spot plenty of sea lions and the endemic land iguana. Activities include snorkeling, swimming, boarding the glass-bottom boat, and kayaking. On South Plaza, the wildlife includes yellow-grey land iguanas, sea lions, frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, and shearwaters.

Day 4) Santa Cruz Island

The Charles Darwin Research Station consists of a giant tortoise breeding center. It’s home to the administration of scientific investigation and conservation efforts in the Galapagos National Park. In the afternoon, you’ll have several options to choose from before returning to Puerto Ayora to board the ship again.

Day 5) Española Island

During our walk at Punta Suarez, we will see Galapagos albatross, Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls. Guests will also experience the Galapagos’ famous “blowhole” geological phenomenon. In the afternoon, the beach of Gardner Bay is perfect for observing sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches.

Day 6) Santa Cruz Island & North Seymour Island

At Eden Islet on Santa Cruz Island, we can observe blue-footed boobies, reef sharks, and frigatebirds. At North Seymour, we can watch as bird colonies of blue-footed boobies, two species of frigatebirds, and swallow-tailed gulls all fly around. We also get the chance to observe sea lions and marine iguanas up close.

Day 7) Baltra Island

Baltra Island On the last day, you’ll disembark at Baltra Island, take the transfer to the airport, and hop aboard your flight back to the continent.

Route Map

Wildlife Checklist

Galapagos AlbatrossBlue Footed BoobyNazca BoobyRed Footed BoobyAmerican FlamingoFrigatebirdsGalapagos Fur SealGalapagos HawkLand IguanaMarine IguanaSanta Fe IguanaGalapagos PenguinGalapagos Sea LionGalapagos Giant Tortoise
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