The coziest and most intimate Galapagos experience
THE VESSEL
Yacht Isabela II is expertly designed for Galapagos expedition cruising, offering top-notch installations to complement the day’s activities perfectly. Guests can expect a comfortable and intimate space to explore the Galapagos Islands. The stability of a crew that has remained almost unchanged for years ensures meticulous attention to detail, making the entire journey feel genuinely exceptional.
EXCLUSIVE VISITOR SITES
MULTI-GUIDED
Having multiple guides onboard means that Yacht Isabela II’s guests will have the added privilege of seeing their Expedition Groups in the Galapagos. The ratio of guests per guide hovers around 14, which falls below the Galapagos National Park maximum of 16 guests per guide.
MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES
Each site visit includes various activities for our guests to choose from so everyone can enjoy their activity of choice simultaneously.
EXPEDITION FOCUS
COVERAGE-BASED ITINERARIES
DOCTOR ONBOARD
DECKS
Guests are invited to enjoy the fresh air atop the Sun deck or find fascinating books about nature and history in the library. Delicious meals—served impeccably in the dining room or al fresco—will nourish the senses as a well-deserved reward after each expedition. Guests are welcome to take a break in the hot tub, stay strong in the fitness room, or drink at the bar or outside as they sunbathe.
CABINS ABOARD YACHT ISABELA II
On the cabin deck, guests will find 16 Classic Twin cabins, 2 Classic Double cabins, and one Standard cabin, all arrayed around outer corridors. On the Main Deck, guests will find the Owner’s Cabin, ideally located along the yacht’s social areas.
GALAPAGOS ITINERARIES
Northeastern Galapagos
Southeastern and Western Galapagos
Northwestern Galapagos
DAY BY DAY
Monday to Friday
DAY 1
Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Island
After landing, we drive to the Itabaca Channel to take a ferry to Santa Cruz Island. A 30-minute bus ride takes us to the Highlands.
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
After lunch, we drive to a reserve to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Then, a bus ride takes us to Puerto Ayora, where we board Yacht Isabela II.
DAY 2
Santiago Island & Chinese Hat Islet
Puerto Egas (Santiago Island)
Following a wet landing on a black, sandy beach, our trail takes us to enjoy close-up encounters with land iguanas, land and marine birds, and fur seals.
Chinese Hat Islet
This islet makes for a beautiful visit as we explore the wildlife along its 1,312 ft-long (400 m-long) trail. The cove offers excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities amid white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos penguins.
DAY 3
Genovesa Island
Prince Philip’s Steps
After a panga (dinghy) ride along the cliffs of “Bird Island,” we land at a steep staircase. Walking along the trail, we can spot Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, and storm petrels. Snorkeling and kayaking activities are available.
Darwin Bay
We land after lunch at the beautiful white beach of Darwin Bay. Here we walk amid hundreds of birds- frigatebirds, red-footed and Nazca boobies, and plenty more.
DAY 4
Santa Fe Island & South Plaza Island
Santa Fe Island
We visit a white sandy beach with sea lion colonies. There are potential sightings of the Santa Fe land iguana. Options include snorkeling, swimming, or a glass-bottom boat ride.
South Plaza Island
After lunch and rest, we land (dry landing) at this channel, encountering sea lion colonies and observing frigates, swallow-tailed gulls, and shearwaters.
DAY 5
Baltra Island
Our journey ends at Baltra Island, where we transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.
Friday to Thursday
DAY 1
Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Island
Baltra Airport and Santa Cruz Island
We land at Baltra Island and transfer to the dock. Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to see giant tortoises. Then, board the Yacht Isabela II for a briefing and boat drill, followed by lunch.
Las Bachas (Santa Cruz Island)
A white beach with brackish lagoons that are the feeding grounds of various birds. We will have a briefing on the expedition plan and dinner back on the ship.
DAY 2
San Cristobal Island
Punta Pitt
It is the only site in the Galapagos where the three species of boobies can be found, the two species of frigatebirds and a colony of sea lions.
Cerro Colorado
At Cerro Colorado, we visit the breeding center for giant tortoises. Here, we also find the endemic San Cristobal lava lizard.
DAY 3
Española Island
Gardner Bay
We can walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches. Kayaking, snorkeling, or glass-bottom boat rides are also offered.
Punta Suarez
We go on an exciting trail across lava/boulder terrain after lunch aboard. We can observe beautiful waved albatrosses, boobies, and swallow-tail gulls.
DAY 4
Floreana Island
Cormorant Point
We disembark and walk to a brackish lagoon where American flamingos can be observed. At Champion Islet, guests can snorkel or have a glass-bottom boat ride.
Post Office Bay & Baroness Cove
After lunch, we landed at Post Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that served as a post office.
DAY 5
Isabela Island & Fernandina Island
Punta Moreno (Isabela Island)
In the morning, we search the mangroves for sea turtles. Later, we enjoy a glass-bottom boat ride or deep-water snorkel.
Punta Mangle (Fernandina Island)
We explore the coastline in the afternoon, home to Galapagos penguins and flightless cormorants.
DAY 6
Santa Cruz Island & North Seymour Island
Eden Islet
A panga ride takes us to Eden Islet, where we can observe blue-footed boobies and reef sharks.
North Seymour Island
In the afternoon, we walk between numerous nesting frigatebirds. Later, we attended an evening briefing, a farewell cocktail, and dinner.
DAY 7
Baltra Airport
Our journey ends at Baltra Island where we transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.
Thursday to Monday
DAY 1
Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Island
Baltra Airport (Santa Cruz Island)
After landing, we drive to the Itabaca Channel to take a ferry across Santa Cruz Island. A bus ride takes us to a restaurant in the Highlands to enjoy lunch and then continue to Puerto Ayora.
Puerto Ayora
We visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora. Later in the afternoon, we stroll along the main street before embarking.
DAY 2
Bartolome Island & Santiago Island
Bartolome Island
We start the day with a steep climb up a wooden staircase: the panoramic view from the top is well worth the effort! Following the walk, we take a panga ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock in search of Galapagos penguins and other wildlife.
Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)
After lunch, we board the pangas and land at Sullivan Bay. A trail runs along a lava field, the perfect place to see and understand the volcanic origin of the Galapagos.
DAY 3
Santa Cruz Island & Santiago Island
Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island)
After disembarking, our walk passes a brackish-water lagoon frequented by shorebirds, ducks, and American flamingos. After our walk, we can snorkel from the shore. Here, we may spot rays, green turtles, and sharks.
Buccaneer Cove (Santiago Island)
After lunch, we explore the coastline along the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer Cove. The cove is home to many marine birds, sea lions, and intertidal organisms. We also enjoy fantastic natural formations such as Elephant Rock and The Bishop.
DAY 4
Isabela Island & Fernandina Island
Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)
We explore the coast by dinghy, seeking out wildlife like Galapagos fur seals, Nazca boobies, flightless cormorants, penguins, and marine iguanas. Back on board, we navigate along the Bolivar Channel.
Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)
Our visitor site of Punta Espinoza offers a fantastic combination of barren landscapes and abundant wildlife. You can spot hawks, penguins, marine iguanas, and the flightless cormorant.
DAY 5
Baltra Island
Our journey ends at Baltra Island, where we transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.
