Epic Galápagos Exploration by Luxury Yacht: Cruise to Remote Islands, Hidden Bays & Rare Wildlife - 15 Days

Highlights

• See baby tortoise hatchlings at Galápagos breeding centers
• Cruise to famous islands and uninhabited isles for nature hikes and incredible views
• Spend the evenings enjoying fine dining and sipping sundowners aboard your yacht
• Go swimming and snorkeling around postcard beaches in the Galápagos
• Witness animals that inspired Darwin's theories, like cormorants and iguanas

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive on Isla San Cristóbal, Board Cruise, Beaches & Turtle Center

Welcome to the Galápagos! After a two-hour connecting flight from Ecuador's capital, Quito, you'll arrive in this volcanic archipelago. Comprised of 13 main islands, the Galápagos are known primarily for their biodiversity. They became forever etched into the history books after famed naturalist Charles Darwin visited in the 19th century and was inspired to formulate his theory of natural selection after observing the resident wildlife. Now, almost 200 years later, you'll feel the same sense of awe and wonder on a similar cruise around these exotic isles.

It begins with your arrival on San Cristóbal, the easternmost island of the Galápagos archipelago. A driver will pick you up and take you to the pier, where you'll board your accommodation for your stay. You won't be disappointed, as the M/Y Infinity is a dazzling luxury motor yacht purpose-built for adventures on the high seas. With a capacity for up to 20 guests, the 161-foot (49 m) vessel features 10 luxurious staterooms, al fresco dining, large solariums, and an interior lounge area.

After dropping off your bags, you'll have lunch on board the ship and spend the rest of the day exploring the island. First up is Puerto Chino, which has some lovely beaches where you can relax and take a stroll. Later, you'll visit the David Rodriguez Breeding Center. This conservation initiative serves to protect endemic Galápagos tortoises to increase their population. Get close to the magnificent creatures as you hike around the center's trails, where you can admire tortoises in different stages of growth, from hatchlings to 120 days old. At this point, they're released into the wild.

Day 2: Cruise to Isla Santa Fé & Isla Plaza Sur 

Enjoy an al fresco breakfast aboard the ship as you cruise to Isla Santa Fé. Located in the southeastern part of the Galápagos, some theories claim this could be the oldest island in the archipelago. Santa Fé is also home to several endemic species like the Galápagos hawk, Galápagos snake, Galápagos mockingbird, and a couple of species of land iguanas. After disembarking, you can take a nature hike along a flat trail fringed by salt bushes and giant prickly pear cacti. Then, swim or snorkel with playful sea lions and tropical fish.

Following lunch on board the ship, continue cruising north to Plaza Sur. Located off the east coast of Isla Santa Cruz, this is one of the smallest islands in the archipelago. It's home to some of the most exciting species of the Galápagos, including several hybrid iguanas due to crossing a marine iguana with a land iguana. In addition, look for swallow-tailed gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs and other seabirds like Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigatebirds, and brown pelicans. Later, return to the ship in time to enjoy dinner on board. 

Day 3: Cruise to Isla Santa Cruz: Turtle Breeding Center & Los Gemelos

This morning, you'll arrive at Santa Cruz, one of the most inhabited islands of the Galápagos. There are plenty of natural wonders here, which you'll see throughout the day. First, upon arrival in the main town of Puerto Ayora, you'll transfer to the nearby Fausto Llerena Breeding Center. This conservation project is dedicated to breeding and caring for giant Galápagos tortoises. It's the best place on the islands to see the various tortoise species and learn what makes them unique. 

Later, head into the highlands and visit Los Gemelos (The Twins). These volcanic sinkholes are home to bird species like flycatchers, Galápagos doves, Darwin's finches, short-eared owls, and more. The views are incredible, so you'll want to snap plenty of pics before returning to the yacht at the end of the afternoon.

Day 4: Cruise to Isla Isabela: Punta Moreno & Elizabeth Bay

This morning, you're off to Isabela, the largest of the Galápagos islands. The day's first stop is at Punta Moreno on the island's west coast. As you explore, you can admire the green shoots of pioneer vegetation, which starkly contrast with the black lava landscape. As you look around, keep an eye out for wildlife in and around the island's biodiverse tidal pools, which include penguins and blue-footed boobies.

Later, you'll cruise to the East Coast and cruise to Elizabeth Bay. This area contains many rocky islets you can explore by Zodiac as you search for penguins and blue-footed boobies. Also, with abundant marine life and clear water, the area is perfect for snorkeling amid schools of colorful fish, sea lions, and even sea turtles.

Day 5: Day Trip to Urbina Bay & Tagus Cove

The boat will return to Isabela's west coast this morning and Urbina Bay. Nature is larger than life here, and the coastal plain at Urbina Bay is home to wild prehistoric giants, such as the largest land iguanas on Earth. You may also see giant tortoises. Optional activities include hiking and snorkeling, where you'll likely spot marine iguanas feeding underwater.

Afterward, continue to Tagus Cove. Here, you'll stroll along the sea cliffs, keeping an eye out for penguins and other aquatic birds. You can also hike to a viewpoint overlooking Darwin Lake, which has a saline content higher than the sea. You can also spot several volcanoes from this location. During the hike, notice the graffiti on the surrounding cliffs and cove—it's been written over the centuries by pirates, whalers, and buccaneers.

Day 6: Cruise to Isla Fernandina: Espinoza Point & Vicente Roca

Early this morning, the ship will cross the Bolivar Channel that divides Isabela and Fernandina, the third-largest island in the Galápagos. You'll land at Espinoza Point on the northeast coast. After disembarking, hike past colonies of marine iguanas and sea lions on your way to a nesting site of flightless cormorants. This cormorant is one of the many animals that inspired Darwin's theory of evolution, as, over time, the environment forced its wings and feet to adapt to water. This famous area also provides an excellent opportunity to see the noble Galápagos hawk.

In the afternoon, the boat will cruise to the northwest coast of Fernandina. Here, you'll enter a dark cave below a spectacular arch at Vicente Roca Point. The calm waters inside this cave are well-protected and thus a brilliant spot for snorkeling. Expect to see various species of sharks, penguins, seahorses, and the giant mola (sunfish).

Day 7: Cruise to Isla Santiago: Egas Port & Isla Bartolomé

You're in for another wildlife treat today, as this morning, you'll cruise to Puerto Egas on Isla Santiago. This is the best place in the archipelago to observe Galápagos fur seals, though if you're lucky, you may also spot marine iguanas, crabs, and various birds such as herons and hawks.

Later in the day, you'll cruise to Bartolomé, an uninhabited islet off the east coast of Santiago. From a viewpoint here, you'll look out over Bartolomé's wild, romantic landscape of spatter cones and craters to the coast. You can also hike to Pinnacle Rock, located on the island's north side next to a beautiful, peach-colored beach. This area also features one of the best snorkeling sites in the Galápagos, not only because of its clear and calm water but also because of the abundance of Galápagos penguins.

Day 8: Cruise to Isla Seymour Norte & Black Turtle Cove

Spend some time this morning at Isla Seymour Norte. It's an excellent place for a nature hike and to spot blue and red-footed boobies performing their famous mating dance while swallow-tailed gulls perch on the sides of coastal cliffs. Land iguanas are common inland, while their marine counterparts bask on rocks along the shore, close to sea lions who like to body surf in the waves.

In the afternoon, cruise to the north side of Isla Santa Cruz and Black Turtle Cove, which gets its name from the abundance of green sea turtles. There's no landing here, so you'll ride in a motorized boat, exploring shallow channels and small coves surrounded by beautiful mangrove forests. You're likely to spy sharks, sea turtles, and several species of rays here, and herons, pelicans, and boobies are commonly drawn to the area to feed on the abundant schools of anchovies.

Day 9: Cruise to Isla Genovesa & Darwin Bay

It's time to hop to another new island! Today's trip takes you to Isla Genovesa, where you'll make a steep climb along El Barranco (also known as Prince Philip's Steps) to reach a flat rocky plateau. During the walk, you can observe large colonies of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, and storm petrels. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer panga (outboard boat) ride along the cliffs (depending on weather conditions).

In the afternoon, you'll land at Darwin Bay, a beautiful beach where you can enjoy some free time for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. Then, take a stroll and watch for avian residents like frigatebirds, red-footed and Nazca boobies, gulls, herons, finches, and mockingbirds, before returning to the ship.

Day 10: Cruise to Isla Santiago: Sullivan Bay & Isla Rábida

This morning, you're off to Sullivan Bay. Located on Isla Santiago, it features a sandy shore surrounded by 100-year-old lava fields and though it appears desolate, you can find animals here like green sea turtles, blue herons, and oystercatchers. After a hike, you can enjoy a refreshing swim with the option to do some snorkeling.

Later, you'll travel to the south end of Santiago, where you'll arrive at Isla Rábida just offshore. This islet is known for its vivid red-sand beaches, which come from the high iron content in the lava that formed this island. Spend time relaxing on the beach, then hike along a trail to a saltwater lagoon amid prickly pear cactuses. The viewpoint here is a great place to take pictures of the seaside cliffs and the ocean beyond.

Day 11: Cruise to Isla Santa Cruz, Visit El Chato Reserve

Disembark once again at Isla Santa Cruz and return to the gorgeous highlands. Today, you'll visit the El Chato Reserve, where you can spot iconic Galápagos tortoises in their natural habitat. Hiking through El Chato's beautiful scenery alongside tortoises is a memorable experience, and you may also come across pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, and finches. At a freshwater lake, you can even observe frigatebirds gathering to wash the salt off their feathers. Afterward, transfer back to Puerto Ayora and return to the ship.

Day 12: Day Trip to Dragon Hill & Playa Bachas

Continue exploring Santa Cruz today, starting with an excursion to Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill). This aptly named boulder-strewn slope is one of the best places on the island to see land iguanas. Watch these creatures sun themselves on the rocks as you wind along a trail between cacti and palo santo trees. Nearby is a lagoon home to pintail ducks, flamingoes, and endemic birds like flycatchers and warblers. At the end of the afternoon, you'll return to the ship.

Later, you'll head to nearby Playa Bachas. The soft white sands and turquoise waters are the perfect introduction to these islands. Not only is it beautiful, but it's also home to exotic animals like flamingoes and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Bachas is also a popular nesting spot for sea turtles.

Day 13: Cruise to Isla Floreana: Post Office Bay, Cormorant Point & Snorkeling

Another island adventure is in store as you cruise south of Santa Cruz to Isla Floreana and Post Office Bay. A short walk from the beach here leads to the famous Post Office Barrel. Claimed to have been set up in 1793 by Captain James Colnett, it remains the oldest functioning "post office" in the Pacific, where whalers and fur sealers would leave letters to be picked up by homeward-bound sailors. In the spirit of tradition, visitors today often take letters and hand-deliver them to their home countries.

You can also swim and relax on the beach here, where, in addition to sea lions, you may spot Pacific green turtles, golden rays, and Galápagos penguins. Another option is to climb the small volcanic cone of the Baroness Lookout for sweeping coastal views.

After lunch on the ship, you'll visit nearby Cormorant Point, which forms the extreme north cape of Isla Floreana. At the landing beach, you'll be welcomed by a small Galápagos sea lion colony. (Note the beach's greenish sand due to the high percentage of glassy olivine crystals.) Before the day ends, you'll snorkel at Devil's Crown, which is comprised of the remnants of an offshore volcano. It's a great site to spot many marine creatures, including rays and turtles. 

Day 14: Cruise to Isla Española: Suarez Point, Gardner Bay & Osborn Islet

Cruise to Isla Española this morning and disembark at Punta Suarez, where huge ocean waves crash onto the southern basaltic cliffs. This forms a spectacular blowhole, causing water to spray high into the air (depending on the season, the tide, and the strength of the sea breeze). It's also a popular breeding spot for waved albatrosses who use the cliff as a launching pad. Take your time hiking around and see other exotic birds, like Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls.

Later, after lunch on board the yacht, continue to nearby Gardner Bay, which also happens to be an important breeding site for Pacific green turtles. However, its main attraction is its large colony of Galápagos sea lions. Females stay year-round in this natural nursery, suckling their pups up to the age of three years. Take some time to enjoy and photograph the spectacle. Also, the nearby Osborn Islet provides a beautiful setting for observing sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches as you spend time relaxing, swimming, or snorkeling. 

Day 15: Cruise to Isla San Cristóbal, Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center, Depart

Your epic 15-day cruise comes full circle today as you dock back at Isla San Cristóbal, but there's one more memorable Galápagos activity in store before it's time to leave. In the morning, disembark the yacht and head just outside the main town to the Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center. You'll spend about four hours at this fascinating environmental project, which recounts the natural history of the islands as well as conservation efforts.

Visit the Museum of Natural History, which explains the volcanic origin of the archipelago and the arrival of endemic species. The Human History exhibit chronologically describes significant events such as the discovery and colonization of the islands.

Afterward, you'll meet your driver for the ride to the airport in San Cristóbal. There, you'll board a plane back to Quito, where you'll catch your connecting flight home. ¡Adíos!

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