Come face-to-face with fascinating Giant Tortoise, snorkel alongside marine iguanas and walk among the endemic land iguana on this exciting 5-day cruise aboard the Isabela II. Explore the northern islands of the archipelago including Genovesa, Bartolome, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe and learn all about why the Galapagos Islands are so important.
Galapagos
Seabird Sanctuary Expedition
5 Days aboard Isabela II . From AUD $7,093pp.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Come face-to-face with one of the most fascinating inhabitants of the Galapagos Islands, the giant tortoise.
- Snorkel alongside marine iguanas at Santiago Island.
- Visit the nesting colonies of birds when you stop by Genovesa Island.
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Baltra Airport - El Chato - Highlands
- Day 2: Puerto Egas - Chinese Hat Islet
- Day 3: Prince Philip's Steps - Darwin Bay
- Day 4: Santa Fe Island - South Plaza
- Day 5: Baltra Airport
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Baltra Airport - El Chato - Highlands
After landing at Baltra Airport, we drive to the Itabaca Channel to take a ferry across to Santa Cruz Island. A 30-minute bus ride takes us up to the fascinating, more humid Highlands of the island where we’ll learn about its unique ecosystems and biodiversity. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
Note: Please dress with comfortable shoes and clothes, bring a small backpack with any medicine you might be taken, sunblock, insect repellent, and anything you need during the excursion. You’ll go onboard Yacht Isabela II at the end of the day.
After lunch, we drive to a nearby reserve that is one of the best places in the archipelago to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The tortoises are easy to spot, lumbering around, munching on grass and leaves, and wallowing in small pools. There are several lava tunnels to explore in the reserve, too. A short bus ride takes us down to Puerto Ayora to board the Isabela II.
Day 2: Puerto Egas - Chinese Hat Islet
Following a wet landing on the black, sandy beach, our trail takes us to enjoy close-up encounters with recently reintroduced land iguanas, plus land and marine birds amid a landscape of tuff-stone layers, jagged rocks, and lava flows. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds. We can also observe a colony of fur seals, usually dozing in the shade of some rocks.
This islet, formed only relatively recently, makes a wonderful afternoon visit as we explore the wildlife along its 1,312 ft long (400 m long) trail, which begins at a crescent-shaped, white sandy beach. The cove offers excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities amid white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos penguins.
Day 3: Prince Philip's Steps - Darwin Bay
The day kicks off with a panga ride along the cliffs of “Bird Island” as Genovesa is affectionately nicknamed, followed by a landing at a steep staircase that connects us with a flat plateau. From here, the trail winds its way through large colonies of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, and storm petrels. With luck, we’ll be able to spot the short-eared owl. Those who do not wish to disembark can enjoy a longer panga (inflatable dinghy) ride along the cliffs, weather conditions permitting. Snorkeling and kayaking activities are available.
We land after lunch at the beautiful white beach of Darwin Bay. Here we walk amid literally hundreds of birds, most of which are frigatebirds, red-footed and Nazca boobies, as well as gulls, herons, finches, and mockingbirds.
Day 4: Santa Fe Island - South Plaza
We take the dinghy over to this idyllic sandy-white beach populated by colonies of sea lions. Galapagos hawks are often easily observed, perched atop salt bushes. The Santa Fe land iguana may be spotted during our exploration. Following the walk, we can snorkel and swim along a natural wave barrier or ride the glass-bottom boat.
Following lunch and a rest, we disembark (dry landing) in this channel, whose turquoise waters contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. Beyond, a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as a groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus. Yellow-grey land iguanas sit beneath these, waiting patiently for pears to drop. Along the coastline we find sea lion colonies, while frigates, swallow-tailed gulls, and shearwaters glide, playing with the thermals.
Day 5: Baltra Airport
Our journey ends at Baltra Island where we transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.
Next Departure Date: 31 Mar 2025
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 2025 - 04 Apr 2025 | AUD$7093pp | ||
| Standard Cabin | AUD$7093pp | Contact us | |
| Classic Cabin | AUD$7523pp | Contact us | |
| Classic Family Cabin | AUD$7523pp | Contact us | |
| Owner's Cabin | AUD$7865pp | Contact us | |
| 04 Aug 2025 - 08 Aug 2025 | AUD$7093pp | ||
| 18 Aug 2025 - 22 Aug 2025 | AUD$7093pp | ||
| 01 Sep 2025 - 05 Sep 2025 | AUD$7093pp | ||
| 15 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025 | AUD$7093pp | ||
| 29 Sep 2025 - 03 Oct 2025 | AUD$7093pp | ||
| 27 Oct 2025 - 31 Oct 2025 | AUD$7093pp | ||
| 24 Nov 2025 - 28 Nov 2025 | AUD$7093pp | ||
| 08 Dec 2025 - 12 Dec 2025 | AUD$7093pp | ||
| 22 Dec 2025 - 26 Dec 2025 | AUD$7093pp |
Alternative itinerary options:
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Standard Cabin
128 sqft / 12.05sqm, located on cabin deck, one bed, private en-suite, desk and view window.
Classic Cabin
139sqft / 12.8sqm, located on cabin deck, two beds, private en-suite, small sofa bed, desk and view window.
Classic Family Cabin
139sqft / 12.8sqm, located on cabin deck, private en-suite, desk and view window. Recommended for two adults and one child under 12 years of age.
Owner's Cabin
170sqft / 18.9sqm, located on main deck, one bed, private en-suite, television, seating area, desk and view window.
Isabela II Deckplan
Specifications
- Construction: 1979
- Renovation: 2014
- Category: Deluxe
- Gross Tonnage: 1,025 tons.
- Type of Vessel: Expedition Yacht
- Capacity: 40 guests / 20 cabins
- Length: 55.94 m (183 ft)
- Beam: 11.58 m (38 ft)
- Speed: 10 knots
- Electricity: 110 – 220 V / 60 Hz
- Engines: 2 CUMMINS, KTA-38-M1, 1000 HP
- Navigation Equipment: Radar ARPA, Radar, Satellite Compass, Magnetic Compass, Automatic Pilot, Echo-sonar, 2 GPS, AIS
- Fire Detector: Installed throughout the ship
- Life Jackets: In each cabin
- Lifeboats: 2 semi-enclosed units / capacity for 27 persons each
- Life Rafts: Two 25-man, one 20-man
- Owner: ETICA / Metropolitan Touring
- Decks: 3 (Boat deck, Cabin deck, Main deck)
- Naturalist Guides: 3 (includes Expedition Leader)
- Crew: 26
- Passenger/Crew Ratio: 3:2
- Medical Officer: Permanently on board
- Safety Certificates: SOLAS 74, ISM, ISPS, MARPOL
Whats included?
- Accommodation
- All meals
- Activities
- Bilingual naturalist guides
- Conferences and lectures
- Visits to the islands mentioned in the itinerary
- Transportation to/from the airport in Galapagos on cruise arrival and departure dates
- Snorkeling equipment
- Internet (via Computer Station, low bandwidth)
- Onboard Medical Assistance
- Luggage handling
What’s not included?
- Airline tickets to/from Galapagos*
- Galápagos National Park fee: US$200 per person
- Transit control card: US$20 per person
- Carbon Footprint
- Wetsuits (available for rent)
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages*** (you can also ask your destination expert to include a drinks package in your quote. Ask us about all the available options we have for you!)
- Tips
- Gifts and additional items
- Fuel surcharge
- Laundry
- Wi-Fi internet (Intermittent and low bandwidth. Available for an additional fee)
Notes
Special Notes
*Upon request, airline tickets can be included. Metropolitan Touring guarantees the availability of these flights. Airfare is subject to change.
**Upon request, we can include the Galapagos National Park and INGALA Transit Control Card fees (US$100 and US$20 respectively and subject to change without prior notice). However, due to logistical reasons, these fees can only be included when guests travel on the operational departure date and not before.
***Guests may bring their own wine or spirits; however, there is a corkage fee of $25 USD + tax.
Early Bird Promotion (2025)
- In 2025, soft drinks and wetsuits will be offered in our early bird promotion, excluding the peak season. Promotion ends August 31, 2024.
- The peak season dates are: Dec 22, 2025 to Jan 01, 2026
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Galapagos
This once in a lifetime destination is a nature lovers dream. Watch the famous Galapagos tortoises and blue footed boobies in the morning and snorkel with sea lions in the afternoon, then relax on your cruise to the next destination tomorrow!
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