Cruise Description
Travel from San Cristobal to Santa Cruz on this 5-day Galapagos Islands cruise on the luxury Galaxy Yacht and discover the natural gems of the eastern and southern Galapagos Islands.
Your journey begins with a warm welcome to San Cristobal Airport where you'll meet and greet your expert naturalist guide and fellow passengers before boarding the Galaxy, your five star home for the next five days.
Spend your first afternoon of this journey touring Lobos Islet. Named in honor of the large colony of sea lions that populate this land, you'll have the exciting opportunity to approach females within just a few meters. Discover what makes the four million-year-old Española Island unique on the second day of this Enchanted Islands cruise, and spend your morning strolling its pristine white sand beach, observing napping sea lions in the warm sunshine and snorkeling with these playful creatures.
Then journey to Punta Suarez, an unmissable site for bird lovers, and encounter the island's varied collection of seabirds. Among colonies of Nazca and blue-footed boobies, the endangered waved albatrosses also reside here, and visitors have the opportunity to watch them engage in synchronized courtship dances between May and November.
Next, explore Floreana Island, beginning with a visit to Post Office Bay on the island's northern shores. Mail home a postcard from this historic site and climb Baroness Lookout for a striking panorama of the Galapagos archipelago. Here, you'll also learn from your knowledgeable guide about the self-proclaimed Empress of the Galapagos, Baroness Eloisa von Wagner Bosquet, and visit the ruins of her home.
Continue to Punta Cormorant, where its shimmering olive green beach will dazzle you, and embark on a guided walk along the shores to observe sea lions, frigatebirds, and pelicans in their natural habitat.
Then sail towards Santa Fe, an island rich with endemic wildlife despite its tiny land area of 24 sq. km. Here, snorkel among colorful tropical fish and marine tortoises in the shimmering waters before sailing onward to South Plaza Island, half a pair of the Plazas Island off the eastern shores of Santa Cruz. With your knowledgeable naturalist guide, embark on a hike and observe one of the largest sea lion colonies of the Galapagos archipelago.
Your five day Eastern and Southern Galapagos Islands cruise ends with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station on the outskirts of Puerto Ayora, where you'll have the opportunity to learn how this facility works to maintain biodiversity in the region.
As the premiere giant tortoise breeding site of the Galapagos Islands, you'll also observe these land animals live in captivity. From there, be transported to Seymour Airport on Baltra Island for your onward flight to Quito or Guayaquil.
With a thoughtfully designed five day itinerary and carefully selected daily excursions, guests aboard the Galaxy experience the Galapagos archipelago's most anticipated eastern and southern highlights by snorkeling, embarking on guided walks along pristine shorelines and observing a vast variety of endemic wildlife.
Newly renovated in 2017, the five star Galaxy boasts nine spacious double cabins and modern social spaces designed to encourage interaction between guests. With a dedicated crew of eight and a 16 passenger capacity, the small ship works to cultivate a strong sense of community for an intimate and unparalleled onboard experience.
Spend your leisure time relaxing on the seven inviting loungers on the shaded sundeck, or sip on a cocktail at the bar as you sail past the most picturesque landscapes of the eastern and southern islands of the Galapagos.