The Galaxy Galapagos Cruise Tour
The Galaxy Yacht Cruise invites you to explore the Galapagos Islands in comfort, style, and personalized service. Recently renewed for an enhanced guest experience, this first-class yacht combines warm hospitality with access to the archipelago’s most iconic wildlife and landscapes, delivering an unforgettable voyage through the Enchanted Islands.
Designed for just 16 guests, the Galaxy offers spacious social areas, a panoramic solarium, and a beautifully appointed dining room where you can enjoy Ecuadorian and international cuisine crafted by an onboard chef. Each cabin is thoughtfully designed for couples, families, or friends, and features a private bathroom with hot water, hair dryer, and eco-friendly amenities. Select cabins also offer panoramic ocean views and sofa beds for flexible comfort.
Throughout your journey, certified naturalist guides lead daily excursions including guided hikes, scenic panga rides, kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling, complete with full gear and wetsuits provided. Whether observing marine iguanas basking on volcanic shores or snorkeling alongside sea turtles and rays, each day brings a new and inspiring perspective on the Galapagos’ unique biodiversity.
My husband and I really had an unforgettable experience on board the Galaxy Yacht during the short vacation in Galapagos. The yacht, the crew, the cabin, the food were all excellent! Our guide was awesome. He knows every single details of Galapagos. It made our Galapagos trip easier and once again, unforgettable!
- Ella
For: The Galaxy Galapagos CruiseThe Galaxy Galapagos Cruise Accommodation
The Galaxy Galapagos Cruise offers a comfortable selection of well-appointed cabins spread across three decks, designed to suit couples, families, and friends traveling together.
All cabins feature a private bathroom with hot and cold water, a hair dryer, towel dryer, and a selection of eco-friendly toiletries. Large windows in many cabins provide natural light and panoramic ocean views, creating a relaxing retreat after each day’s exploration of the islands.
Accommodation Options:
-
4 Upper Deck Matrimonial Cabins
Convertible double/twin cabins with large panoramic windows; ideal for couples or friends -
1 Upper Deck Triple Matrimonial Cabin
Spacious cabin with a double bed and sofa bed; perfect for families or small groups -
2 Main Deck Twin Cabins
Each with panoramic views; ideal for friends, families, or couples wanting independent beds -
1 Main Deck Convertible Cabin
Can be arranged as either twin or matrimonial depending on guest preference -
1 Lower Deck Twin Cabin
A cozy option for travelers seeking privacy and value, suitable for families or friends
The Galaxy Galapagos Cruise Tour Summary
The Galaxy Galapagos Cruise offers you a fantastic exploration of the archipelago’s iconic landscapes and wildlife, blending adventure, education, and comfort in equal measure. Each day, you will join expert naturalist guides on excursions to remarkable sites. These range from volcanic cliffs and pristine beaches to coastal lagoons and mangrove forests.
Activities include guided hikes, snorkeling with sea turtles and reef fish, kayaking and paddleboarding in calm bays, and panga rides to observe seabirds and marine life up close. From encounters with blue-footed boobies and sea lions to visits at historic sites like Post Office Bay and the Charles Darwin Research Station, the cruise delivers an unforgettable journey through one of the most unique ecosystems on Earth. Whether you're drawn by biodiversity, dramatic scenery, or the spirit of discovery, the Galaxy experience captures the essence of the Galapagos to create incredible memories.
Video Introduction
Tour Info
- Country: Ecuador
- Focus Area: Galapagos National Park
- Duration: 4, 5 & 8 days
- Start Point: Baltra Island / San Cristobal
- End Point: Baltra Island / San Cristobal
The Galaxy Galapagos Cruise Itinerary
Choose your itinerary
Click a duration to see the day-by-day programme for this cruise.
Other itinerary lengths may be available — send a request to check options and pricing.
Day 1 · Sunday
San Cristobal Arrival & Lobos Island
You'll land at San Cristóbal Airport, a modest but busy gateway into the islands, where a naturalist guide is waiting to welcome you aboard. In the afternoon you'll head to Lobos Island, a small islet separated from San Cristóbal by a narrow channel, where sea lion pups play in the tide pools and male frigatebirds display their inflated red pouches inland. Blue-footed boobies nest along the trail, sometimes performing their courtship dance right in front of you. The sheltered water here is a favourite snorkel spot, sea lions often join in, while sea turtles and rays rest quietly on the sandy bottom.
Day 2 · Monday
Suarez Point & Gardner Bay
Suárez Point is one of the richest wildlife walks in the Galápagos. Sea lions and marine iguanas greet you at the shore, and the trail passes colonies of blue-footed and Nazca boobies, frigatebirds and tropicbirds. The highlight, present from April to January, is the waved albatross, the largest bird in the islands, known for its powerful flight and elaborate courtship display. In the afternoon, Gardner Bay is a stretch of soft white coral sand meeting clear turquoise water, sea lions bask along the shore while you stroll past Española mockingbirds, marine iguanas and Galápagos hawks. The water offshore is excellent for snorkelling, with sea lions, reef sharks and rays sharing the space with angelfish, parrotfish, damselfish and surgeonfish.
Day 3 · Tuesday
Cormorant Point & Post Office Bay
Cormorant Point, in northern Floreana, is known for its coastal lagoon, home to flamingos, white-cheeked pintails and black-necked stilts, and its white sand beach is an important nesting site for green sea turtles, with blue-footed boobies now nesting along the trail too. Just offshore, Devil's Crown, a heavily eroded volcanic formation, is one of the best snorkel sites in the islands, drawing reef sharks, rays, sea turtles and large schools of tropical fish. In the afternoon, Post Office Bay tells the story of a mail tradition set up by sailors in the 1700s that's still in use today, and was once a key stop for whalers seeking fresh water and tortoises. The beach and surrounding water are home to sea lions, green sea turtles and reef sharks, with the occasional Galápagos penguin putting in an appearance.
Day 4 · Wednesday
Charles Darwin Station & Departure
At the Charles Darwin Research Station you'll see the conservation work underway to protect the islands, including breeding programs helping restore giant tortoise populations and projects tackling invasive species. Afterward you'll be transferred to Baltra Airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador.
Day 1 · Wednesday
Baltra Arrival & North Seymour Island
You'll land at Baltra Airport, where your National Park naturalist guide is waiting to welcome you aboard. In the afternoon you'll head to North Seymour Island, a flat, wildlife-packed island home to a thriving population of blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds. The trail winds through low, bushy vegetation where you can watch the boobies' courtship dance, while sea lions and marine iguanas bask along the coastline. The frigatebird colonies are a highlight, especially when males inflate their bright red throat pouches to attract a mate.
Day 2 · Thursday
Santa Fe Island & South Plaza Island
Santa Fe greets you with towering prickly pear cacti set against rugged lava rock, and a turquoise bay lined with white sand where a sizeable sea lion colony lounges. Inland, keep an eye out for the endemic Santa Fe land iguana, and look up for Galápagos hawks perched on cacti scanning for prey, alongside Darwin finches, doves, mockingbirds and lava lizards. Afterward the sheltered bay is ideal for a kayak or a snorkel among sea lion pups, reef sharks, sea turtles, rays and colourful reef fish. In the afternoon, South Plaza Island packs a lot into a small space, land iguanas wait beneath the cacti for fallen fruit, while sea lions display their social dynamics from playful pups to territorial males. The trail leads to a cliff where frigatebirds, red-billed tropicbirds, boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and pelicans gather, set against a carpet of reddish succulent ground cover.
Day 3 · Friday
El Barranco & Darwin Bay
El Barranco, on the southern side of Darwin Bay, is a wildlife sanctuary where fragile lava cliffs shelter storm petrels and a strong population of short-eared owls. Red-footed and Nazca boobies nest along the trail, while Galápagos fur seals rest in the shade at the base of the cliffs. The water here is a great snorkel, with colourful fish, sharks, rays and sea lions. In the afternoon, Darwin Bay is a birdwatcher's paradise, hundreds of boobies, gulls and frigatebirds fill the sky, nest in the bushes or rest on the sand, while sea lions and marine iguanas blend into the shoreline. Inland you may spot night herons, swallow-tailed gulls, finches, doves and mockingbirds. The snorkelling ranges from deep cliff-lined water to shallow beach coves, with a strong chance of sharks, rays and sea lions throughout.
Day 4 · Saturday
Highlands & Bachas Beach
The highlands of Santa Cruz offer a different side of the islands entirely, lush and green in contrast to the coast, home to a wide range of birds, giant tortoises roaming freely, and endemic trees and ferns. The winding paths bring you close to tortoises in a peaceful setting, with panoramic views over the island's varied terrain. In the afternoon, Bachas Beach is reached with a wet landing straight from the panga, a relaxed spot for a swim or a walk along the sand. The lagoon behind the beach often holds great blue herons and smaller birds, and both beaches here are nesting grounds for green sea turtles.
Day 5 · Sunday
Kicker Rock & Departure
A panga ride circles Kicker Rock, also known as León Dormido, just off San Cristóbal. Rising some 500 feet above the ocean, this ancient volcanic tuff cone has been eroded into two towering walls split by a narrow channel, one of the most recognisable landmarks in the Galápagos. The ride is a calm, scenic close to the trip, with frigatebirds, boobies and sometimes pelicans nesting on the cliffs, and sea turtles, rays and sharks often seen in the surrounding water. Afterward you'll be transferred to San Cristóbal Airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador.
Day 1 · Wednesday
Baltra Arrival & North Seymour Island
You'll land at Baltra Airport, where your National Park naturalist guide is waiting to welcome you aboard. In the afternoon you'll head to North Seymour Island, a flat, wildlife-packed island home to a thriving population of blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds. The trail winds through low, bushy vegetation where you can watch the boobies' courtship dance, while sea lions and marine iguanas bask along the coastline. The frigatebird colonies are a highlight, especially when males inflate their bright red throat pouches to attract a mate.
Day 2 · Thursday
Santa Fe Island & South Plaza Island
Santa Fe greets you with towering prickly pear cacti set against rugged lava rock, and a turquoise bay lined with white sand where a sizeable sea lion colony lounges. Inland, keep an eye out for the endemic Santa Fe land iguana, and look up for Galápagos hawks perched on cacti scanning for prey, alongside Darwin finches, doves, mockingbirds and lava lizards. Afterward the sheltered bay is ideal for a kayak or a snorkel among sea lion pups, reef sharks, sea turtles, rays and colourful reef fish. In the afternoon, South Plaza Island packs a lot into a small space, land iguanas wait beneath the cacti for fallen fruit, while sea lions display their social dynamics from playful pups to territorial males. The trail leads to a cliff where frigatebirds, red-billed tropicbirds, boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and pelicans gather, set against a carpet of reddish succulent ground cover.
Day 3 · Friday
El Barranco & Darwin Bay
El Barranco, on the southern side of Darwin Bay, is a wildlife sanctuary where fragile lava cliffs shelter storm petrels and a strong population of short-eared owls. Red-footed and Nazca boobies nest along the trail, while Galápagos fur seals rest in the shade at the base of the cliffs. The water here is a great snorkel, with colourful fish, sharks, rays and sea lions. In the afternoon, Darwin Bay is a birdwatcher's paradise, hundreds of boobies, gulls and frigatebirds fill the sky, nest in the bushes or rest on the sand, while sea lions and marine iguanas blend into the shoreline. Inland you may spot night herons, swallow-tailed gulls, finches, doves and mockingbirds. The snorkelling ranges from deep cliff-lined water to shallow beach coves, with a strong chance of sharks, rays and sea lions throughout.
Day 4 · Saturday
Highlands & Bachas Beach
The highlands of Santa Cruz offer a different side of the islands entirely, lush and green in contrast to the coast, home to a wide range of birds, giant tortoises roaming freely, and endemic trees and ferns. The winding paths bring you close to tortoises in a peaceful setting, with panoramic views over the island's varied terrain. In the afternoon, Bachas Beach is reached with a wet landing straight from the panga, a relaxed spot for a swim or a walk along the sand. The lagoon behind the beach often holds great blue herons and smaller birds, and both beaches here are nesting grounds for green sea turtles.
Day 5 · Sunday
Kicker Rock & Lobos Island
A panga ride circles Kicker Rock, also known as León Dormido, just off San Cristóbal. Rising some 500 feet above the ocean, this ancient volcanic tuff cone has been eroded into two towering walls split by a narrow channel, one of the most recognisable landmarks in the Galápagos. The ride is calm and scenic, with frigatebirds, boobies and sometimes pelicans nesting on the cliffs, and sea turtles, rays and sharks often seen in the surrounding water. In the afternoon, Lobos Island, a small islet separated from San Cristóbal by a narrow channel, greets you with sea lion pups playing in the tide pools and male frigatebirds displaying their inflated red pouches inland. Blue-footed boobies nest along the trail, sometimes performing their courtship dance right in front of you. The sheltered water here is a favourite snorkel spot, sea lions often join in, while sea turtles and rays rest quietly on the sandy bottom.
Day 6 · Monday
Suarez Point & Gardner Bay
Suárez Point is one of the richest wildlife walks in the Galápagos. Sea lions and marine iguanas greet you at the shore, and the trail passes colonies of blue-footed and Nazca boobies, frigatebirds and tropicbirds. The highlight, present from April to January, is the waved albatross, the largest bird in the islands, known for its powerful flight and elaborate courtship display. In the afternoon, Gardner Bay is a stretch of soft white coral sand meeting clear turquoise water, sea lions bask along the shore while you stroll past Española mockingbirds, marine iguanas and Galápagos hawks. The water offshore is excellent for snorkelling, with sea lions, reef sharks and rays sharing the space with angelfish, parrotfish, damselfish and surgeonfish.
Day 7 · Tuesday
Cormorant Point & Post Office Bay
Cormorant Point, in northern Floreana, is known for its coastal lagoon, home to flamingos, white-cheeked pintails and black-necked stilts, and its white sand beach is an important nesting site for green sea turtles, with blue-footed boobies now nesting along the trail too. Just offshore, Devil's Crown, a heavily eroded volcanic formation, is one of the best snorkel sites in the islands, drawing reef sharks, rays, sea turtles and large schools of tropical fish. In the afternoon, Post Office Bay tells the story of a mail tradition set up by sailors in the 1700s that's still in use today, and was once a key stop for whalers seeking fresh water and tortoises. The beach and surrounding water are home to sea lions, green sea turtles and reef sharks, with the occasional Galápagos penguin putting in an appearance.
Day 8 · Wednesday
Charles Darwin Station & Departure
At the Charles Darwin Research Station you'll see the conservation work underway to protect the islands, including breeding programs helping restore giant tortoise populations and projects tackling invasive species. Afterward you'll be transferred to Baltra Airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador.
Day 1 · Wednesday
Baltra Arrival & Santa Cruz Highlands
You'll land at Baltra Airport, where your National Park naturalist guide is waiting to welcome you aboard. In the afternoon, the highlands of Santa Cruz offer a different side of the islands entirely, lush and green in contrast to the coast, home to a wide range of birds, giant tortoises roaming freely, and endemic trees and ferns. The winding paths bring you close to tortoises in a peaceful setting, with panoramic views over the island's varied terrain.
Day 2 · Thursday
Tintoreras & Isabela's Wetlands and Interpretation Center
Tintoreras is a cluster of small isles off Isabela Island, sailing through clear water here reveals white-tipped sharks, tropical fish and starfish, and snorkelling turns up sea turtles, manta rays and, with luck, Galápagos penguins. In the afternoon you'll walk through Isabela's wetlands, a key habitat of mangroves and saline lagoons home to flamingos, blue-billed ducks and other water birds. The day ends at the Interpretation Center, covering the natural and human history of the Galápagos along with the conservation challenges facing this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 3 · Friday
Moreno Point & Mangle Point
Moreno Point looks barren at first, a stretch of volcanic rock, but inland lagoons hold flamingos, gallinules, ducks and herons, while the rugged coast draws penguins, flightless cormorants, marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies. Snorkelling here brings you close to sea turtles, cormorants and reef fish, with a chance of spotting a seahorse tucked into the seaweed. In the afternoon, Mangle Point sits on untouched Fernandina Island, where mangrove forests shelter a wealth of marine life. Gliding through by boat you'll see sea turtles weaving between the roots and rays resting on the sandy bottom, and the water is calm enough for a relaxed snorkel among the mangroves and coral.
Day 4 · Saturday
Espinoza Point & Tagus Cove
Espinoza Point sits at the base of the most active volcano in the Galápagos, and it's home to the largest colony of marine iguanas in the islands, basking on black volcanic rock. Sea lions and their pups explore the beach and tide pools, flightless cormorants patrol the shore, and Galápagos hawks scan the mangroves for prey. The cold, plankton-rich water here supports herons, oystercatchers, pelicans and sea turtles, and snorkelling often means watching a cormorant chase fish straight through the reef. In the afternoon, Tagus Cove holds real history, Charles Darwin explored this stretch of coast himself. The trail crosses dry Palo Santo forest, home to finches and mockingbirds, with views over Darwin's Lake and the volcanoes of northern Isabela. A boat tour along the shore turns up penguins, cormorants, marine iguanas and the rare Galápagos martin, one of the most endangered birds on the islands, while the water below draws sea turtles, a wide range of fish and penguins feeding on schools of anchovies.
Day 5 · Sunday
Buccaneer Cove & Egas Port
Buccaneer Cove was once a hideout for pirates and buccaneers through the 17th and 18th centuries, who stashed treasure and stocked up on fresh water and tortoises here. There's no trail, so a dinghy ride takes you along the dramatic cliffs and rock formations, with plenty of seabirds along the way, and the sheltered water is good for a snorkel among angelfish, parrotfish, snappers, reef sharks, sea turtles and sea lions. In the afternoon, Egas Port blends history and wildlife, remnants of a 1960s settlement attempt still stand along the coastal trail, now shared with marine iguanas and resting sea lions, herons, oystercatchers and shorebirds. A small colony of Galápagos fur seals lives in the grottos further along, and land iguanas were reintroduced here in 2019 after more than a century's absence. Snorkelling from the beach turns up fish, turtles and reef sharks over a rocky bottom, often alongside sea lions.
Day 6 · Monday
Bartolome Island & Sullivan Bay
Bartolomé is one of the most iconic islands in the Galápagos, known for its dramatic volcanic landscape and the famous Pinnacle Rock, and one of the few places you can see penguins without travelling out to Isabela or Fernandina. The climb to the summit rewards you with sweeping views of a lunar-like terrain dotted with volcanic cones, taking in Sullivan Bay and Pinnacle Rock below. The snorkelling here is some of the best in the islands, with penguins, colourful fish, sea turtles, sea lions, rays and reef sharks all sharing the same clear water. In the afternoon, Sullivan Bay is a walk across a vast pahoehoe lava flow, its texture telling the story of past eruptions, and a closer look reveals pioneer plants, lava lizards and small birds adapting to the terrain. The shoreline here is often dotted with penguins, pelicans and oystercatchers, and a swim or snorkel from the coral sand beach turns up fish schools, penguins, reef sharks, sea turtles and rays.
Day 7 · Tuesday
Chinese Hat & Dragon Hill
Chinese Hat is a small islet named for its distinctive cone shape, separated from Santiago by a narrow channel and framed by turquoise water, coral sand and volcanic rock. A coastal trail leads through a sea lion colony, and penguins are sometimes spotted resting on the lava rocks. The snorkelling here is a highlight, with vividly coloured fish, reef sharks and, if you're lucky, a penguin chasing anchovies through the water. In the afternoon, Dragon Hill, on the northern coast of Santa Cruz, is the only place on the island where land iguanas roam freely, a population that nearly disappeared in the 1970s and 80s before rebounding successfully. A saltwater lagoon here often draws flamingos, ducks and shorebirds, and the calm, shallow water afterward is good for a snorkel among surgeonfish, parrotfish, reef sharks and rays.
Day 8 · Wednesday
Black Turtle Cove & Departure
Black Turtle Cove is explored entirely by dinghy, a shallow water sanctuary surrounded by mangroves and home to sea turtles, reef sharks and several ray species. It's also an important breeding ground for both turtles and sharks, and herons, boobies and pelicans are often seen hunting through schools of anchovies along the mangrove edges. Afterward you'll be transferred to Baltra Airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador.
The Galaxy Galapagos Cruise Activities
Snorkelling
Wildlife walks
Kayaking
Paddleboarding
Dinghy and panga rides
Birdwatching
Lava field walks
Volcanic summit hikes
Wetland and lagoon walks
Beach relaxation
Cultural and historical stops
Rates & Inclusions
4 days / 3 nights
Cabin (Double Occupancy): $2,600
Charter rate: $39,520
from $2,470pp at max capacity (16 guests)
5 days / 4 nights
Cabin (Double Occupancy): $3,500
Charter rate: $53,200
from $3,325pp at max capacity (16 guests)
8 days / 7 nights
Cabin (Double Occupancy): $6,100
Charter rate: $92,720
from $5,795pp at max capacity (16 guests)
Notes
- Rates per person and based on double occupancy
- Single supplement 50%
- Round trip flight to Galapagos at US$ 450 per person
- Christmas and New Year surcharge 50%
- Discount for charter 5%
- Discount for children 10% (between 6 and 11 years old)
- Group 7 passengers minimum, discount of 3%
- Promotional prices are only valid for new bookings
- Handling fee for not issuing tickets with cruise US$ 60 per person
Included
- Airport assistance on the cruise departure dates
- Transportation and fuel surcharge in the Marine Reserve of Galapagos
- Accommodation in single, double or triple cabin according to your booking
- Bilingual naturalist guide (English-Spanish)
- Personalized crew service
- All meals during the cruise, from lunch on the first day to breakfast on the last day
- One snack after each activity (except last day)
- Welcome cocktail
- Unlimited purified water, coffee and tea
- All visits, excursions & activities according to the itinerary
- Transportation Airport-Channel / Channel-Airport (Lobitos Bus)
- Docks use and ferries
- Snorkeling gear (mask, tube, and fins)
- Use of kayaks and paddle boards in authorized places
- Wetsuits
- Shampoo, hair conditioner, and soap for daily use
- Beach towels
- Cloth/Towel dryer (only available onboard M/C EcoGalaxy and M/Y Galaxy)
Not Included
- International flights to/from Ecuador
- Galapagos Islands airfare from/to mainland (Quito or Guayaquil)
- Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($200 per person)
- Transit Control Card ($20 per person)
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Additional services not indicated
Operated By Galaxy Expeditions
About Galaxy Expeditions
Galaxy Expeditions operate a fleet of premium vessels in the Galapagos Islands, including the boutique Galaxy Sirius, elegant Alya Catamaran, eco-friendly EcoGalaxy, and the family-oriented Bonita Yacht. Their cruises range from luxury multi-day cruises to flexible day trips with Galaxy Daily, each offering comfort, exclusivity, and deep connection with nature.
With over 15 years of experience, Galaxy Expeditions creates personalized and immersive journeys across the Galapagos, Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia. Their vessels carry a maximum of 16 passengers, allowing for attentive service and minimal environmental impact.
Galaxy Expeditions promote sustainable travel through eco-conscious design, responsible operations, and respectful engagement with local communities. Their team ensures a seamless experience from planning to return, combining adventure, cultural connection, and environmental stewardship.
Galaxy Expeditions Details
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