Western Galápagos: Small Yacht Expedition Cruise
Western Galápagos: Small Yacht Expedition Cruise
This voyage offers an intimate exploration of the western Galápagos, the archipelago’s wildest and most volcanic reach, aboard a small yacht carrying no more than sixteen guests. From the highlands of Santa Cruz, where giant tortoises move slowly through the mist, you sail to Isabela and Fernandina, the youngest islands of all, where lava fields meet the sea and three of the archipelago’s most active volcanoes rise on the horizon. Each day brings the chance to observe wildlife at close quarters, flightless cormorants, Galápagos penguins, flamingos in quiet lagoons, and the largest colony of marine iguanas in the islands, with time to snorkel among sea turtles, rays and playful sea lions in sheltered bays. Guided by a certified naturalist and framed by the unhurried rhythm of a small vessel, the journey is defined by careful observation, subtle comfort, and a rare closeness to one of the last great wildlife sanctuaries on earth.
Itinerary highlights
Sail the western and central Galápagos by small yacht, in the company of no more than sixteen guests.
Watch giant tortoises in the wild among the misty highlands of Santa Cruz Island.
Hike to the rim of Sierra Negra, one of the largest active volcanic calderas on earth, on Isabela.
Seek flightless cormorants, Galápagos penguins and flamingos along Isabela's remote western coast.
Snorkel from Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest island, beside the largest marine iguana colony in the archipelago.
Explore mangrove shallows by panga at Elizabeth Bay, watching for sea turtles and rays.
Walk the dark sands of Puerto Egas and the red beaches of Rábida, home to sea lion colonies and lagoon flamingos.
Travel with a certified Galápagos National Park naturalist throughout your island days.
Western Galápagos: Small Yacht Expedition Cruise
This voyage offers an intimate exploration of the western Galápagos, the archipelago’s wildest and most volcanic reach, aboard a small yacht carrying no more than sixteen guests. From the highlands of Santa Cruz, where giant tortoises move slowly through the mist, you sail to Isabela and Fernandina, the youngest islands of all, where lava fields meet the sea and three of the archipelago’s most active volcanoes rise on the horizon. Each day brings the chance to observe wildlife at close quarters, flightless cormorants, Galápagos penguins, flamingos in quiet lagoons, and the largest colony of marine iguanas in the islands, with time to snorkel among sea turtles, rays and playful sea lions in sheltered bays. Guided by a certified naturalist and framed by the unhurried rhythm of a small vessel, the journey is defined by careful observation, subtle comfort, and a rare closeness to one of the last great wildlife sanctuaries on earth.
Itinerary highlights
Sail the western and central Galápagos by small yacht, in the company of no more than sixteen guests.
Watch giant tortoises in the wild among the misty highlands of Santa Cruz Island.
Hike to the rim of Sierra Negra, one of the largest active volcanic calderas on earth, on Isabela.
Seek flightless cormorants, Galápagos penguins and flamingos along Isabela's remote western coast.
Snorkel from Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest island, beside the largest marine iguana colony in the archipelago.
Explore mangrove shallows by panga at Elizabeth Bay, watching for sea turtles and rays.
Walk the dark sands of Puerto Egas and the red beaches of Rábida, home to sea lion colonies and lagoon flamingos.
Travel with a certified Galápagos National Park naturalist throughout your island days.
What's Included
- Two nights' hotel accommodation in Quito and five nights aboard the small expedition yacht
- All meals while aboard the yacht, prepared fresh each day
- A certified Galápagos National Park naturalist guide throughout your island days
- Internal flights between Quito and the Galápagos Islands
- Guided excursions and landings, including the Santa Cruz tortoise highlands and North Seymour
- Snorkelling equipment and wetsuits for use on board
- All transfers between destinations and to and from included activities
What's Included
- Two nights' hotel accommodation in Quito and five nights aboard the small expedition yacht
- All meals while aboard the yacht, prepared fresh each day
- A certified Galápagos National Park naturalist guide throughout your island days
- Internal flights between Quito and the Galápagos Islands
- Guided excursions and landings, including the Santa Cruz tortoise highlands and North Seymour
- Snorkelling equipment and wetsuits for use on board
- All transfers between destinations and to and from included activities
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FAQs
This is a western and central Galápagos itinerary, taking in Santa Cruz, Isabela and Fernandina at the archipelago’s wild volcanic edge, along with Tagus Cove, Puerto Egas, Rábida and North Seymour. The western islands are the youngest and most volcanic, and among the richest for marine wildlife, from penguins and flightless cormorants to the largest marine iguana colony in the islands.
A small expedition yacht carrying no more than sixteen guests, which is what makes this style of Galápagos cruise so special. A small vessel reaches quiet anchorages, lands nimbly, and gives an intimate, unhurried feel that larger ships cannot, with a certified naturalist guiding every excursion.
You spend five nights aboard the yacht cruising the islands, with two nights in Quito bookending the voyage (one on arrival, one before departure) and internal flights to and from the archipelago included. That gives a full programme of island days while allowing for the flights to and from mainland Ecuador.
It is moderately active, with daily landings, walks over uneven volcanic ground, and a hike towards the Sierra Negra caldera. Snorkelling is a highlight, with equipment and wetsuits aboard, and chances to swim with sea turtles, rays, penguins and sea lions in sheltered bays. It suits reasonably fit travellers of most ages.