Cruising Galapagos: Santa Cruz II
- Duration
- 5-7 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 6,613
Cruise the Galapagos Islands while on board the Santa Cruz II, a 90-passenger vessel that will take you to many of the highlights of this incredibly unique wildlife destination.
Nowhere embodies the spirit of eco-travel like the Galapagos Islands. They have inspired nature lovers all the way back to Charles Darwin, and today draw visitors from all parts of the globe. As the world’s second largest marine reserve after the Great Barrier Reef, the Islands are perhaps best experienced on a guided cruise. See Blue-footed Boobies, sea lions, and the famed Galapagos Tortoise. Then relax after each day’s discoveries aboard your deluxe vessel. The Santa Cruz is the finest ship in her class to sail the archipelago today. The Sun Deck features a bar and Jacuzzi, along with the observation platform for dolphin and whale watching.
The Santa Cruz is the finest ship in her class to sail the archipelago today. She’s versatile, flexible and fun, with an excellent crew committed to making her guests’ experience extraordinary. The vessel spends the year cruising Ecuador's famous Galapagos Islands via four- and five-night voyages. The 90 passengers can choose between single, double, triple and quad cabins, magnificently appointed and equipped for their deluxe Galapagos cruise. Fully carpeted and air conditioned, it is the right size cruise ship for a comfortable and relaxed vacation in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
The ship has gained worldwide recognition for its excellent standards, superb service, expert crew, knowledgeable multilingual naturalist/guides and menus that feature the very best international cuisine and Ecuadorian dishes. The Sun Deck features a bar and Jacuzzi, along with the observation platform for dolphin and whale watching. The dining room, lounge and bar are elegantly appointed, as is the well-stocked library/reading room. As an alternative to snorkelling, the glass-bottom boat offers another opportunity to observe the marine life.
Click here for the Galapagos Nature Calendar. A complete listing of which species is doing what and when in the Galapagos!
- Duration
- 5-7 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 6,613
Itinerary View Trip Map
Baltra Island
You arrive by plane at Baltra Island and transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II where you receive your welcome introductory briefing and lunch.
After lunch and your introductory briefing on board, Santa Cruz II will relocate only four nautical miles from Baltra, next to Mosquera Islet, a small volcanic uplift between Baltra and North Seymour. The island is a long and narrow sand bank surrounded by lava reefs. Our groups will approach the island from its western shore, a long shallow reef, the perfect rookery for young sea lions. After a wet landing, our guides will lead you past the sea lion colonies, where you will learn more about the fragile marine and terrestrial ecosystems of Galapagos. The walk is easy as it is restricted to a few hundred metres of flat sandy dunes. This will also be a great opportunity for an introduction to snorkelling.
| Meal Plan | Lunch and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 Nights |
| Accommodation |
Santa Cruz II |
| Location | View map |
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Santa Cruz II
The MV Santa Cruz, will bring a chic new way to explore the wonders of the Galapagos Islands in style and comfort. The boat will offer guests unrivalled guiding while ensuring the utmost care is taken to preserve the islands' delicate ecosystem via the latest …
The MV Santa Cruz, will bring a chic new way to explore the wonders of the Galapagos Islands in style and comfort. The boat will offer guests unrivalled guiding while ensuring the utmost care is taken to preserve the islands' delicate ecosystem via the latest in sustainable sailing technologies.
The Santa Cruz II boasts five spacious decks, with modern interiors designed by renowned ship designer, Richard Nilsson. Created with the ethos of stylish simplicity at its heart, the boat will ensure sumptuous surroundings from which to take in the magnificent vistas of the enchanted islands.
The boat will sleep 90 guests in 50 contemporary designed cabins across three decks. Guests can choose from luxuriously appointed single, double and triple cabins, or opt for one of the three even more exclusive Darwin Suites, an exceptional standard of accommodation on the Panorama Deck, where guests will receive elevated service.Facilities
- Air Conditioning
- Gym
- Internet Access
- Restaurant
Photo gallery
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Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal Island)
After breakfast, you disembark (dry landing) at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the island's capital, and drive 40 minutes to the island's southern shore. At Cerro Colorado, you visit the breeding centre for highly endangered giant tortoises in the midst of a fantastic deciduous forest, home to dozens of bird species, including the San Cristobal mockingbird, and the San Cristobal lava lizard, both island endemics.
Punta Pitt (San Cristobal Island)
In the afternoon, you disembark (wet landing) on the eastern tip of the island at Punta Pitt, an eroded tuff cone, whose trail provides spectacular views of the shoreline. This is the only site in the Galapagos where the three species of boobies can be found together. You can walk or enjoy a panga ride along the coast. Opportunity for snorkelling, swimming and kayaking.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Santa Fe Island
After breakfast, you take the dinghy over to this idyllic sandy-white beach populated by many sea lions (wet landing). The endemic land iguana, unique to this island, may be spotted during the morning walk amid the giant prickly pear cactus. Snorkelling and swimming from the panga rounds off our rewarding experience, or if guests prefer, the glass bottom boat is available for non-snorkelers. Opportunity for kayaking.
South Plaza Island
Following lunch and a rest, you 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 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 one finds sea lion colonies, while frigates, swallow-tailed gulls and shearwaters glide, playing with the thermals.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)
In the morning, you disembark (dry landing) for our visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station's giant tortoise Breeding Centre within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest home to many land birds. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. Following our visit, you board our transport to enjoy lunch in the cooler highlands of Santa Cruz Island, a completely different ecosystem.
Santa Cruz Island
You have several options available for the afternoon, which can be discussed in advance with your Expedition Leader. At the end of the afternoon's activities, you return to Puerto Ayora and embark on the Santa Cruz II.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Punta Suarez (Espanola Island)
(Dry landing) - An exciting walk awaits at this site, where you enjoy its unique sea bird colonies, including Galapagos albatross (April-December), Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls as well as a view of the Galapagos' famous "blow-hole". Also, look out for red-green-black marine iguanas. Back on board for lunch.
Gardner Bay - Osborn Islet (Espanola Island)
(Wet landing) In the afternoon, the picture-postcard white coral beach of Gardner Bay and the nearby islet of Osborn provides a beautiful setting for observing sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches as you relax. You can expect great snorkelling in this area. Opportunity for swimming and kayaking as well.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Eden Islet (Santa Cruz Island)
After breakfast, a panga ride takes us to Eden Islet, a small islet located off the coast of Santa Cruz, where you can observe blue-footed boobies diving into the water, reef sharks and frigates. There's a chance to snorkel and, if weather condition permits, ride in the glass-bottom boat and kayak.
North Seymour Island
North Seymour was lifted from the ocean floor by a volcanic event, and its origins as a seabed give the island its low, flat profile. A tiny forest of silver-grey Palo Santo trees stands just above the landing (dry landing), usually without leaves, waiting for the rains to burst into bloom. This is a great introductory site to the islands and their wildlife, full of bird colonies of blue footed boobies, two species of frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls, as well as sea lions and marine iguanas.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Baltra Island
On your last day, you disembark at Baltra Island and transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the continent.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
2021 | |||
| Northern Islands | Aug 2, 16, 30; Sep 13, 27; Oct 11, 25; Nov 8, 22; Dec 6, 20 | ||
| Eastern Islands | Aug 6, 20; Sep 3, 17; Oct 1, 15, 29; Nov 12, 26; Dec 10, 24 | ||
| Western Islands | Aug 12, 26; Sep 9, 23; Oct 7, 21; Nov 4, 18; Dec 2, 16, 20 | ||
2020 | |||
| Northern Islands | To Be Advised | ||
| Eastern Islands | To Be Advised | ||
| Western Islands | To Be Advised | ||
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Ship board accommodations
- All Meals
- Island Sightseeing
- Naturalist guides
- Lecture service (English or Spanish)
- Snorkeling Gear
- Taxes and Transfers in the islands
- Transfers as indicated in Itinerary
- Galapagos National Park Entrance fee (subject to change)
- Migration Control Card (subject to change)
- Galapagos domestic air
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- International Airfare and taxes
- Travel Insurance
- Gratuities unless otherwise stated
- Items of a personal nature
- Optional excursions
- Beverages unless otherwise stated
- Visa fees if applicable
NOTE:
The domestic flights Quito - Galapagos - Quito (approx. $550 USD), Galapagos Park entrance fee of $100 USD and visitors ticket of $20 USD are included in the trip price. (Subject to change).
Itineraries: Due to government regulations designed to control and protect the impact of tourism, each vessel, based on length of cruise has its own distinct itinerary. The itineraries are designed to allow visitors to visit all regions of the islands and we suggest you request the advice of Goway's Latin specialists as to which itinerary would suit you best.
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
Prices are “from” per person and based on twin share based on current exchange rates and subject to change. Single rates available on request. Subject to availability, limited seats available, seasonal surcharges may apply.
10 Dec 2021
