Galapagos

Southern & Eastern Galapagos Islands

8 Days aboard Samba. From AUD $8,333pp.
Details

Overview

The Samba accommodates 14 guests, a perfect number to enjoy the magic of the Islands with privacy and flexibility. Its professional, experienced and friendly crew and naturalist guide are devoted to go the extra mile to make your journey a trip of a life time. This 8 day itinerary takes in the South East Islands which make up a traditional Galapagos highlights cruise.

Itinerary Highlights

  • A great value small ship experience
  • The opportunity to explore the Galapagos by sail boat
  • Hike above 270 feet on Bartolome Island to admire the dramatic spatter cones and the view of Pinnacle Rock
  • Stroll along the beach while sea lions curiously wander around you! 

Itinerary in Brief

  • Day 1: Arrive in Baltra - Charles Darwin Research Station
  • Day 2: Punta Cormorant, Champion Rock & Post Office Bay, Floreana Island
  • Day 3: Punta Suárez, Gardner Bay & Gardner Rock, Española Island
  • Day 4: Isla Lobos, Kicker Rock & Punta Pitt, San Cristóbal Island
  • Day 5: Santa Fe & South Plaza Islands
  • Day 6: Sullivan Bay, Santiago Island - Bartolome Island
  • Day 7: James Bay - Rabida Island
  • Day 8: North Seymour Island - Depart Baltra 

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: Arrive in Baltra - Charles Darwin Research Station

After to settling into your cabins on-board the Samba and having a snack, you will land for the afternoon stopover at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here you will learn how the magic is done behind the scenes. This NGO celebrates 50 years of scientific work, and it is responsible, in a great deal, for the conservation status and the restoration of the Galapagos. An important partner in the duty of preservation of this pristine archipelago is the National Park Service and they run the tortoise breeding centre.

Dinner included.

Day 2: Punta Cormorant & Post Office Bay, Floreana Island

Following a four-hour navigation from Puerto Ayora we will do a wet landing on a volcanic olivine beach. Punta Cormorant lays on the northern shore of Floreana and is the house of greater flamingos and sea turtles. On one side, the point is partially flooded with a brackish lagoon where flamingos nest and feed. Whimbrels, herons and stilts are other common shore and migratory birds of the wetlands. On the other side sea turtles use every corner of a white sand beach to deliver their eggs.

Around mid morning, we sail for 25 minutes do a dinghy ride and snorkel at Champion Islet. This small piece of land is one of two places were the Floreana mocking bird survives after its extinction on the big Island. While trying to find the rare bird from our dinghies, we will enjoy a beautiful landscape full of fairy tale cactus and terracotta rock formations. Soon sea lions will invite us to enjoy the water. The snorkelling around the island is extraordinary, lots of fish, rays, sharks and the playfulness of the Galapagos sea lions.

Post Office Bay has left a legacy of pirates, whalers, scientific expeditions and intense stories of slay and constant ambiguity. After a wet landing we walk a very short distance to be part of the most important Galapagos tradition. Later, we will kayak or ride our dinghies to the West. We will go through a small set of islets with a sea lion colony, boobies and mangroves. Finally, following our ride we will land at the Baroness lookout. On top of this eroded spatter cone we will embrace the vivid obscurity of the human history of “Las Encantadas”.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 3: Punta Suarez & Gardner Bay, Espanola Island

Espanola Island is the oldest Galapagos Island The Queen, her Majesty has travel 100 miles away from the volcanic hotspot; she sets an example of splendor and wisdom. When landing on its Western tip, on Punta Suárez, it is difficult to digest the beauty and the overwhelming amount of life. It takes a few minutes to understand that you are not dreaming and that the marine iguanas are really covered with fiery colors, sea lions leisurely wander around you, blue-footed boobies and Sally light-foot crabs coat the rocks with their intense grace. The long walk leads you the finest illustration of ancient sea bird colony.

Depending on weather conditions, either at the end of the morning or early in the afternoon, we will snorkel or kayak around Gardner Island. Its calm waters and attractive landscape give you a great experience above and below water. Located on the north coast of Española, Gardner Bay has tranquil white sand beach. The fine grains of sand make perfect terrain for a soft walk and a relaxing late in the afternoon. Don’t get me wrong, you won’t be alone, sea lions and Hood mocking birds will keep company.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 4: Isla Lobos, Kicker Rock & Punta Pitt, San Cristobal Island

You will wake up to the barking of Galapagos sea lions, animals after which the Island was named. After a dry landing on Isla Lobos, we walk on over very rocky terrain. To your surprise red balloons will soon bound you, great and magnificent pirates nest on this small flat Island. Frigate birds with their magenta and green iridescent feathers decorate the saltbushes. The island is also the nesting ground of blue-footed boobies. Don’t miss the chance of swimming with sea lions; a few sea creatures are as playful as these marine mammals.

Before lunch, we navigate by a dramatic tuff cone formation, Kicker Rock. The eroded structure has vertical walls of over 450 feet and has a great numbers of sea birds nesting and resting on it. We will circumnavigate the rock to admire its magnitude, soon after that we will jump in the water to swim with Galapagos sharks, sea turtles, and eagle rays and drop offs full of colorful fish and invertebrates.

On Punta Pitt we do a wet landing late in the afternoon to climb a tuff cone and enjoy the sunset. This point is closest to mainland South America. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, frigate birds and storm petrel nest in the area. The ochre color beach is perfect for a relaxing plunge after the walk.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 5: Santa Fe & Plazas Islands

The bay looks as if artist ornamented it. Barrington Bay is one of the most picturesque inlets of all visitor sites of the Galapagos. The white sand on the seabed reflects the light to turn the calm waters turquoise. All the before mentioned are suitable conditions for a large sea lion colony. Santa Fe is an ancient extinct volcano and it has been isolated from other island long enough to have an endemic land dragon. Paler in color than its relatives, the Barrington terrestrial iguana has a primitive morphology. Galapagos Hawks, mocking birds, finches and endemic rice rats make company to yellowish monster. The snorkelling won’t disappoint you.

A two-hour navigation north will take us to South Plaza. The dry landing takes you to a brilliant combination of life and colors. Land iguanas wondering through bright red carpet weed, Swallow tailed gulls nesting around the overhang tops and red-billed tropicbirds and shearwaters flying with dancing displays. There are iguana nests scattered all over the hill. The sheer cliffs of the southern shore are a perfect bird habitat, making it an unparalleled bird observatory for especially swallow-tailed gulls, Audubon shearwaters, and red-billed tropicbirds. If we have enough time and good weather we will swim or snorkel in Punta Carrion. A great way to end an active day!

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 6: Sullivan Bay - Bartolome

The genesis of the islands is easy to acknowledge at Sullivan Bay. The coiled shiny structures of the pahoe-hoe lava appear as if they were formed yesterday. Located on the east shores of James Island these 131 years old lava flow has intact driblet cones. Older cinder cones were flooded by the rivers of lava and are a great example of aging igneous rocks. The contrast of colors and shapes of the basalt, and the distinction of rust and shine of its surface will take you back you of Mars, if you’ve been there before.

Bartolome Island offers an explosive volcanic landscape. Get ready to climb above 270 feet to admire the dramatic spatter cones and the view of Pinnacle Rock that everyone wants. Later, take a walk on magical golden beaches where sea turtle nest (December to March). Don’t forget to make time to swim near penguins, sharks and lava tubes.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 7: Rabida Island - James Bay

Galapagos offers a diversity of geological formations without boundaries. The island of Rábida has lavas rich in iron and after millions of years of exposure to air they have turned red. The rusted volcanic material has eroded to form a beautiful crimson sand beach, lovely for a walk. The protected shore provides excellent conditions for a Galapagos sea lions nursery and brown pelicans use the nearby saltbushes as a resting and nesting area. Hawks and mocking birds are common visitors of the lowlands. Furthermore, you will find that snorkelling of the beach can be very exiting as sharks, rays and many colorful fish are often visible.

James Bay, also known as Puerto Egas, has magical shorelines that combine tuff cone, lava flows and organic sand. A rocky coast with a very gentle slope is used by a great number of shore birds and reptiles. Oystercatchers, whimbrels, sanderlings, turnstones, tattlers and other waders are mixed with marine iguanas and bright painted crabs to feed by the rich littoral zone. As grand finally, large lava tunnels, that are partially collapsed, are the houses of the Galapagos fur sea lions. The snorkel can be one of the best in the archipelago. Sea turtles feeding, parrot fishes, damsel fishes, white tipped reef sharks and many more…

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 8: North Seymour - Baltra Airport

The visit to North Seymour is the best way of saying goodbye to the Galapagos. Following a dry landing at sunrise we will walk amongst the largest blue-footed booby colony of the Islands. If breeding you will enjoy their dancing and singing to find a mate. Swallow tailed gulls and tropicbirds decorate the large basaltic walls of the island.

We will be back on board for breakfast at 8:00 and we have to be ready to check out at 9:00. It is always a good idea to do most of your packing the previous night so you can have a pleasant last early morning visit and a relaxed breakfast.

Breakfast included.

Next Departure Date: 18 Feb 2025
DatesCabinFromSpecial Offer
18 Feb 2025 - 25 Feb 2025 AUD$8333ppExpand to view prices
Standard CabinAUD$8333ppContact us
04 Mar 2025 - 11 Mar 2025 AUD$8333ppExpand to view prices
18 Mar 2025 - 25 Mar 2025 AUD$8333ppExpand to view prices
01 Apr 2025 - 08 Apr 2025 AUD$8333ppExpand to view prices
15 Apr 2025 - 22 Apr 2025 AUD$8333ppExpand to view prices
08 Jul 2025 - 15 Jul 2025 AUD$8333ppExpand to view prices

**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply

Cabin Details

Standard Cabin

Double cabin with air-conditioning and private bathroom with hot water.

Standard Cabin
Standard Cabin

Specifications

  • Year Of Construction: 1966
  • Cabins: 7
  • Social Areas: Dining room, bar, sundeck, TV, VCR, convenient and comfortable meeting group area
  • Length (m): 23.77 m
  • Beam (m): 5.48 m
  • Electric Power: 110v & 220v A/C and 12v & 24v D/C
  • Machinery: Twin DAV diesel engines 280 HP-CUMMINS
  • Life Rafts: One self-contained 20-passenger life raft
  • Speed (knots): 8.5 knots
  • Crew: 5
  • Naturalist Guide(s): 1
  • Snorkel Equipment Rental Included

Whats included?

  • On-board accommodation
  • All meals during the voyage
  • Activities as specified
  • Tours led by English-speaking Guide(s)
  • Use of snorkelling equipment 

What’s not included?

  • Air transportation
  • Passport, visa and immigration fees
  • Airport arrival/departure taxes
  • Additional hotel nights
  • Galápagos National Park fee: US$200 per person
  • Transit control card: US$20 per person
  • Christmas & New Year surcharges*
  • Wet-suit rental
  • Travel protection plan
  • Alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages
  • Laundry service
  • Gratuities
  • Any items not mentioned as included

Notes

*Surcharges will be applied to Christmas and New Year departures. Please contact us for more details.

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!

Downloadable travel guide

Planning your next adventure has never been easier with our free downloadable travel guides. Get in-depth insights into local attractions, dining options, and hidden gems, all curated by our team of travel specialists with decades of experience.

You may also like…

Southern & Eastern Galapagos Islands

8 Days aboard Samba. From AUD $8,333pp.