The Central Galapagos Islands offer a captivating blend of diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, and rich marine ecosystems. Explore the iconic islands of Santa Cruz and Floreana, where you can encounter giant tortoises, snorkel with sea turtles, and hike through lush highlands. Immerse yourself in the unique history and natural wonders of this central region, making unforgettable memories along the way.
Itinerary Highlights
- Explore the diverse bird species and witness their unique behaviors
- Marvel at the striking volcanic landscapes and vibrant red sand beaches
- Encounter a wide range of wildlife, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and playful sea lions
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Baltra Airport Arrival - North Seymour Island
- Day 2: Chinese Hat Islet - Sullivan Bay
- Day 3: Genovesa Island
- Day 4: Santiago and Rabida Islands
- Day 5: Santa Cruz Island
- Day 6: Española Island
- Day 7: Santa Fe and South Plaza Islands
- Day 8: Santa Cruz Island - Baltra Airport Departure
Travelling with Eclipse
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- 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 Arrival - North Seymour Island
Morning flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra, Galapagos Islands.
You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Galapagos Angel staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.
In North Seymour you may see Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and magnificent frigate birds which are abundant on this island. North Seymour was formed by a series of submarine lava flows containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone.
Day 2: Chinese Hat Islet - Sullivan Bay
This small islet is located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet’s summit. Chinese Islet is a great location to view many geological formations such as lava tunnels and lava flows. Some of the lava flows were formed underwater and subsequently raised above sea level. The presence of coral heads on the lava flow indicates this phenomenon.
You will visit Sullivan Bay located on the southeast part of Santiago. This place is interesting for its geology because the area is covered by lava flows. This place has elevations in the form of small volcanoes formed by the lava flows.
Day 3: Genovesa Island
Visit the white-sand coral beach of Darwin Bay which includes a half mile trail (0,75km) that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls, which can easily be spotted here. Further down the path we’ll find tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end is a spectacular view of a cliff.
El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, is a steep, rocky path that leads up a high cliff rock face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to Palo Santo vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, Galapagos storm petrels, and Galapagos doves.
Day 4: Santiago and Rabida Islands
Egas Port, also known as James Bay, on Santiago Island is home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to the coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos furseals bathe in the sun. This is also a great snorkeling site.
You will visit Rabida Island (or Jervis) which is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago as well as a great snorkeling site. We will start on Rabida’s famous maroon/red sand beach, and after an easy hike, you will arrive to a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some species are abundant such as a few varieties of finches, Galapagos vermilion flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans.
Day 5: Santa Cruz Island
You will visit “Fausto Llerena” Tortoise Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity. This is home to tortoises ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long adults. Subspecies of the giant tortoises interact with one another, and many of the older tortoises are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years-old and strong enough to survive on their own.
Accessible by bus from Puerto Ayora, the highlands of Santa Cruz are a deep green which contrast beautifully with the dry, lower part of the islands. The predominant vegetation in the highlands are Scalesia trees which create a lush green forest. The lava tunnels, over half a mile long, are underground and walking through them is a unique, surreal experience. At this place you’ll have lunch.
Day 6: Española Island
This excursion takes you to the spectacular Gardner Bay. After landing, you can walk across a lovely white-sand beach amongst a busy sea lion colony or dive into the water to swim with sea lion pups. You may also see curious mockingbirds on the beach.
On the trail to Suarez Point you will have the chance to spot blue-footed boobies, albatrosses, and Nazca boobies. This island is the breeding site of nearly all of the world’s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. You will also visit a beautiful site on the ocean front where there is a cliff that the large albatrosses use as a launching pad! You will have the chance to see the famous blowhole that spurts sea water into the air. The landscape is great for photography.
Day 7: Santa Fe and South Plaza Islands
Santa Fe Island (Barrington) is home to the small picturesque bay and anchorage on the island’s northeast coast. The bay has two visitor trails: one leading to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff, and the other spanning from a small beach to a tall prickly pear cactus forest.
This small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas. The most characteristic plant is the Sesuvium. During the rainy season its color is a greenish to yellowish tone and in the dry season (end of June through January) a bright red.
Day 8: Santa Cruz Island - Baltra Airport Departure
Visit Black Turtle Cove in the northern part of Santa Cruz. This inlet is surrounded by mangroves and is only accessible by dinghy. The shallow cove is a haven for young marine life. Black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of rays are often spotted here.
After this final visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.
Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|---|
26 Jan 2025 - 02 Feb 2025 | USD$6645pp | ||
Main Deck Cabin | USD$6645pp | Contact us | |
Suite | USD$7145pp | Contact us | |
09 Feb 2025 - 16 Feb 2025 | USD$6645pp | ||
23 Feb 2025 - 02 Mar 2025 | USD$6645pp | ||
09 Mar 2025 - 16 Mar 2025 | USD$6645pp | ||
04 May 2025 - 11 May 2025 | USD$6645pp | ||
18 May 2025 - 25 May 2025 | USD$6645pp | ||
05 Oct 2025 - 12 Oct 2025 | USD$4645pp | ||
19 Oct 2025 - 26 Oct 2025 | USD$6645pp | ||
02 Nov 2025 - 09 Nov 2025 | USD$4645pp | ||
16 Nov 2025 - 23 Nov 2025 | USD$4645pp | ||
30 Nov 2025 - 07 Dec 2025 | USD$4645pp | ||
14 Dec 2025 - 21 Dec 2025 | USD$6645pp |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Main Deck Cabin
152 ft2 / 14 m2, Private bathrooms, hot water and air-conditioning.
Suite
196 ft2 / 18 m2, Private bathrooms, hot water and air-conditioning.
Specifications
Year of construction: 2023
Length: 115 ft (35m)
Beam: 26 ft (8m)
Draft: 7 ft (2m)
Speed: 11 knots
Capacity: 16 guests
9 Crew members + 1 Bilingual Guide
Main engines: 2 MTU Diesel V8 835hp
Accommodation: Upper Deck: 2 Suites (196 ft2 / 18 m2)
Main Deck: Dining room, lounge, 6 double cabins (152 ft2 / 14 m2)
*All cabins with private bathrooms, hot water and air-conditioning
Safety & Navigation: Hydraulic stabilizers for a smooth ocean ride.
All equipment meets or exceeds the international SOLAS standard, 2x 25-man life raft, Navtex 300TX FURUNO, 2 GPS, Depth Sounder, 2 naval radars, Fire detection and prevention systems etc.
Whats included?
- All meals throughout cruise
- All transfers in the islands
- All excursions
- Bilingual National Park Guide
What’s not included?
- Ecuador-Galapagos-Ecuador airfare
- Alcoholic drinks
- Galápagos National Park fee: US$200 per person
- Transit control card: US$20 per person
- Travel / medical insurance
- Tips
- Personal Expenses
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
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