Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise

Highlights

Santa Cruz IIAs one of the newest vessels in Galapagos, the Santa Cruz II is capable of welcoming up to 90 guests with the optimal means for exploring the islands in contemporary style.
DesignThis vessel offers the perfect mix of comfort, style and safety for a remote area like the Galapagos Islands.
Social AreasFrom dining areas indoors and out, the fitness room and hot tubs, to the elegant bar and lounge, not to forget the well-stocked library, the ship is designed to please with its sophisticated simplicity.
Safety EquipmentSafety and sustainability are both at the forefront of the Santa Cruz II, with a 24-hour onboard Medical Officer onboard and its own water treatment plant.
Visiting GalapagosExperience the Galapagos Islands on a spacious and private yacht that retraces Darwin's footsteps.

Tour Summary

CRUISE INFORMATION

The Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise was conceived for operations in remote areas. This vessel offers the perfect mix of comfort, style, and safety for a remote area like the Galapagos Islands. As one of the newest vessels in the Galapagos, the Santa Cruz II is capable of welcoming up to 90 guests with the optimal means for exploring the islands. =Flexible cabin arrangements are available for any type of group –including solo travelers – and its intelligent and ample social areas give guests a room to find their own space on their Galapagos journey. Guests will also get to enjoy all Park-approved aquatic activities, including a proper glass-bottom boat! Dine inside or grab a quick BBQ snack on the outdoor terrace. The crew aboard the Santa Cruz II loves to indulge guests with exceptional onboard service!

Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise has modern as well as generous social areas – laid out with choice contemporary materials – are found on four of its five decks. With an intelligent layout, including wide hallways and broad stairwells, guests will immediately know their way around this vessel. From dining areas indoors and out, the fitness room and hot tubs, to the elegant bar and lounge. Not to forget the well-stocked library, the ship is designed to please with its sophisticated simplicity. Each passenger will find their own special space aboard, as the ship offers one of the top 5 (3:2) guest-space ratios of all Galapagos passenger vessels, guaranteeing quality individual attention, enjoying the Galapagos luxury experience.

A cruise is the best way to discover the Galapagos Islands. Explore the islands aboard these beautiful Galapagos cruises. And don’t forget to check out our Galapagos Last Minute Cruise Deals!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

It is suggested to have current travel insurance including personal medical insurance and Covid-19 Coverage. Please inform us of any known medical conditions you have.
Rebecca Adventure Travel and the respective cruise operator reserve the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather conditions, availabilities, National Park regulations or notifications, and unforeseeable circumstances.
It is recommended to arrive at the cities of Quito or Guayaquil, at least 24 hours before the flight to the Galapagos Islands, to avoid inconveniences with flight delays. Cruise departures have fixed schedules and extra fees may occur for reaching the cruise on another day.
All cruises are subject to availability. Cruises have fixed departures so, before booking the cruise and flight tickets, please check dates and itineraries with us. Since The Galapagos is a destination in high demand, the availability changes every day. Rebecca Adventure Travel will try to fix your dates with the options we have available during the time of booking.
Keep in mind that some cruises are required to arrange the flight tickets directly with them, otherwise they will charge an extra fee. Please check with us and we will share the complete information before proceeding with your flight tickets arrangement.

ADVANTAGES OF BOOKING WITH REBECCA ADVENTURE TRAVEL

Authenticity: An important focus of the tours is that Rebecca Adventure Travel offers unique and authentic experiences. All tours are personally selected by Rebecca, which will be the guarantee for authentic (preferably family-owned) hotels, high-quality tours, great service, and last but not least, value for money.
Tailor-made design: Whether travelers like to do a Galapagos Island Hopping, a cruise, or a tailor-made tour through Ecuador, the local and international destination experts use their own travel experiences to create the right travel plan for every traveler.
Safety & 24/7 assistance: Rebecca Adventure Travel possesses all official tour operating insurances up to 3 million EUR. The team can be reached 24/7 for emergencies, by phone, e-mail, Skype, and Whatsapp. This service is available in English, Spanish, and Dutch!
Face-to-face assistance throughout the travel journey: Although online contact is essential, personal service is very important too. That is why travelers can get face-to-face travel advice in the Travel Concept Store in Zutphen (The Netherlands). During the trip, there will be local personal hostesses on the different destinations e.g. on the Galapagos Islands.
0% Credit card fee: For guests who book a cruise with Rebecca Adventure Travel, there is no extra charge for the credit card payment.

When you book a tour with Rebecca Adventure Travel you agree to our terms and conditions

General information

Class	First Class
Capacity	90 guests / 50 cabins 2002
Construction year	Construction 2002 – Refurbishment in 2015
Type	Expedition Vessel
Length	71.8 m. / 235.56 ft.
Width	13.4 m. / 43.96 ft.
Cabins	Panorama Deck: 3 Darwin Suites (30 m2), 3 Explorer Cabins (15.2 m2) Suits can be interconnected with an Explorer cabin Expedition Deck: 17 Explorer Cabins (15.2 m2) Horizon Deck: 2 Voyager Cabins (11.8 m2), 2 Explorer Family Cabins (17.8 m2), 23 Explorer Cabins (15.2 m2), infirmary.
Airco	Yes
Snorkel equipment & wetsuits	Snorkeling equipment included and wetsuits (available for rent)

Deck plan

Itinerary

NORTHERN (5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS)

DAY 1 DAY 1 - BALTRA ISLAND - LAS BACHAS (SANTA CRUZ ISLAND)
Guests land at Baltra Island by plane in the morning and then transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II. After an introductory briefing on board, guests will partake in an emergency boat drill, be assigned to their cabins, and then be invited to lunch. This beautiful visitor site is located on the northern shore of Santa Cruz Island, where a glorious white beach awaits along with a couple of brackish lagoons that are just a few steps away from the sea.
- ActivityWalking, Wildlife watching
- MealLunch, Dinner
- AccommodationsDouble or Single Cabins
DAY 2 DAY 2 - BUCCANEER COVE (SANTIAGO ISLAND) - PUERTO EGAS (SANTIAGO ISLAND)
After breakfast, guests will get to explore the coastline along the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer Cove, all while learning about the area’s history. This cove is home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms. After disembarking at the beach here, guests will get to enjoy a swim or snorkeling along the rocky shorelines, typically in the company of marine turtles.
- ActivityWalking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Panga Ride
- MealBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- AccommodationsDouble or Single Cabins
DAY 3 DAY 3 - RABIDA ISLAND (JERVIS) - BARTOLHOMEW ISLAND
Some groups here will opt to go for a fascinating dinghy ride along the shores while others may choose to disembark on Rabida Island’s mesmerizing, red-colored beach. Today’s afternoon activities begin with a wet landing on the golden beach of this famous island, dominated by the imposing Pinnacle Rock. This is another great place for guests to go for a swim and snorkel from the beach.
- ActivityWalking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling
- MealBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- AccommodationsDouble or Single Cabins
DAY 4 DAY 4 - PRINCE PHILIP STEPS (GENOVESA ISLAND) - DARWIN BAY (GENOVESA ISLAND)
The morning starts with a steep climb (only 90 feet/28 meters) up a flight of stairs to reach a flat and rocky plateau. Once there, guests can walk along comfortably and check out large colonies of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, and storm petrels. In the afternoon, guests will land at the beautiful beach that lines this bay to enjoy some swimming and/or snorkeling.
- ActivityWalking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Panga Ride
- MealBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- AccommodationsDouble or Single Cabins
DAY 5 DAY 5 - TORTOISE RESERVE (SANTA CRUZ ISLAND) - BALTRA AIRPORT (SANTA CRUZ ISLAND)
Guests will begin their last morning on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. After breakfast, guests’ luggage will be taken to the airport while guests themselves head out for one last visit at the Giant Tortoise Reserve. After this final visit, guests will take their transfer vehicles directly to Baltra airport and say farewell to Galapagos!
- ActivityWalking, Wildlife watching
- MealBreakfast
- AccommodationsDouble or Single Cabins

WESTERN (5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS)

DAY 1 DAY 1 - BALTRA ISLAND - CERRO DRAGÓN (DRAGON HILL) (SANTA CRUZ ISLAND)
Guests land at Baltra Island by plane in the morning and then transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II. After an introductory briefing on board, guests will partake in an emergency boat drill, be assigned to their cabins, and then be invited to lunch. The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill).
- ActivityWalking, Wildlife watching
- MealLunch, Dinner
- AccommodationsDouble or Single Cabins
DAY 2 DAY 2 - PUNTA VICENTE ROCA (ISABELA ISLAND) - PUNTA ESPINOZA (FERNANDINA ISLAND)
After breakfast, guests will get to explore the coast by dinghy, all while naturalist guides explain the dramatic geology of the surrounding area. The afternoon is dedicated to exploring Fernandina, the youngest island in the archipelago. The complete absence of introduced animals is one its biggest features, as Fernandina boasts a very unique environment with a very high density of marine iguanas.
- ActivityWalking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling, Panga Ride
- MealBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- AccommodationsDouble or Single Cabins
DAY 3 DAY 3 - PUERTO AYORA AND THE CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION (SANTA CRUZ ISLAND) - HIGHLANDS (SANTA CRUZ ISLAND)
In the morning, guests disembark (dry landing) in Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. The Station consists of a giant tortoise Breeding Center and an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest that is home to many land birds. Guests will have several options to choose from in the afternoon, these of which can be discussed in advance with your Expedition Leader.
- ActivityWalking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Panga Ride
- MealBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- AccommodationsDouble or Single Cabins
DAY 4 DAY 4 - BARONESS TOWER + POST OFFICE BAY (FLOREANA ISLAND) - CHAMPION ISLET + CORMORANT POINT (FLOREANA ISLAND)
After breakfast, a dinghy ride along the maze of channels on Floreana’s north shore can be enjoyed. Afterward, guests will get to experience Baroness Cove with its breathtaking views of Floreana Island. Following lunch and a break, guests will be invited to hop aboard the dinghies (for snorkeling) or the glass-bottom boat to explore the underwater wonders around Champion Islet – an extinct shield volcano that’s regarded as one of the best snorkeling spots in the archipelago.
- ActivityWalking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling
- MealBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- AccommodationsDouble or Single Cabins
DAY 5 DAY 5 - BALTRA AIRPORT (SANTA CRUZ ISLAND)
Our journey ends at Baltra Island where we transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland. Baltra is one of the gateways to the Galapagos Islands where Seymour Airport is located, also known as Baltra Airport. This small island is also known by the local name of South Seymour.
- ActivityWalking, Wildlife watching
- MealBreakfast
- AccommodationsDouble or Single Cabins

EASTERN (7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS)

DAY 1 DAY 1 - BALTRA ISLAND - MOSQUERA ISLAND
Guests land at Baltra Island by plane in the morning and then transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II. After lunch, the Santa Cruz II will sail and relocate just four nautical miles away from Baltra Island, right beside Mosquera Island – a small piece of volcanic uplift that sits between the larger islands of Baltra and North Seymour. Mosquera Island is a long and narrow sand bank that’s surrounded by lava reefs.
- ActivityWalking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling
- MealLunch, Dinner
- AccommodationsDouble or Single Cabins
DAY 2 DAY 2 – PUERTO BAQUERIZO MORENO (SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND) - PUNTA PITT (SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND)
After breakfast, guests will disembark (dry landing) at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the archipelago’s capital, and take a 40-minute drive over to the island’s southern shore. In the afternoon, guests will disembark (wet landing) on the eastern tip of the island at Punta Pitt, which consists of an eroded tuff cone and a trail that provides spectacular views of the coastline.
- ActivityWalking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Panga Ride
- MealBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- AccommodationsDouble or Single Cabins
DAY 3 DAY 3 - SANTA FE ISLAND - SOUTH PLAZA ISLAND
After breakfast, guests will ride a dinghy and disembark (wet landing) over at this idyllic white sand beach that’s home to plenty of sea lions. The endemic land iguana, which is exclusive to this island, maybe spotted during the morning walk, typically sitting among the giant prickly pear cactus. Following lunch and a break, guests will disembark (dry landing) along the channel here, where turquoise waters contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline.
- ActivityWalking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Panga Ride
- MealBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- AccommodationsDouble or Single Cabins
DAY 4 DAY 4 - PUERTO AYORA AND THE CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION (SANTA CRUZ ISLAND) - HIGHLANDS (SANTA CRUZ ISLAND)
In the morning, guests disembark (dry landing) in Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. The Station consists of a giant tortoise Breeding Center and an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest that is home to many land birds. Guests will have several options to choose from in the afternoon, these of which can be discussed in advance with your Expedition Leader. At the end of the afternoon’s activities, guests will return to Puerto Ayora and hop aboard the Santa Cruz II.
- ActivityWalking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Panga Ride
- MealBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- AccommodationsDouble or Single Cabins
DAY 5 DAY 5 - PUNTA SUAREZ (ESPAÑOLA ISLAND) - GARDNER BAY & OSBORN ISLET (ESPAÑOLA ISLAND)
An exciting walk awaits at this site, where guests are sure to enjoy the unique variety of sea bird colonies present. Galapagos albatross (April-December), Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls are all present here. In the afternoon, the postcard-worthy coral beach of Gardner Bay and the nearby Osborn Islet provides a beautiful setting for observing sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches.
- ActivityWalking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Panga Ride
- MealBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- AccommodationsDouble or Single Cabins
DAY 6 DAY 6 - EDEN ISLET (SANTA CRUZ ISLAND) - NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND
After breakfast, a panga ride takes guests on over to Eden Islet – a small islet located off the coast of Santa Cruz. It is here that guests will have the chance to observe blue-footed boobies diving into the water, reef sharks swimming around and frigatebirds flapping about. North Seymour is the result of oceanic uplift that resulted from a volcanic event long ago. Its origins as a seabed give the island its low, flat profile.
- ActivityWalking, Wildlife watching, Snorkeling
- MealBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- AccommodationsDouble or Single Cabins
DAY 7 DAY 7 - BALTRA AIRPORT (SANTA CRUZ ISLAND)
Our journey ends at Baltra Island where we transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland. Baltra is one of the gateways to the Galapagos Islands where Seymour Airport is located, also known as Baltra Airport. This small island is also known by the local name of South Seymour.
- ActivityWalking, Wildlife watching
- MealBreakfast
- AccommodationsDouble or Single Cabins

Inclusions

Transfers airport/yacht/airport in Galapagos
Airport reception and assistance
Single or double accommodation. For triple accommodation, under request/ availability.
Naturalist guides and lecture services in English/Spanish (guiding in other languages – French, Italian – is available upon request for groups larger than 10 guests and for German groups is a minimum of 4 guests)
Cruise Service Officer
Luggage handling
Island sightseeing
All meals and snacks
Medical care on board (not including the cost of medication)
Captain's Welcome and Farewell Cocktail
Snorkeling Gear
Exclusions

+ Wetsuits: Available for rent
+ Air transportation to/from Galapagos and airport taxes (subject to change without prior notice)
+ Galapagos National Park entrance fee (US$ 100 subject to change without prior notice)*
+ Migration Control Card (US$ 20 subject to change without prior notice)*
+ Alcoholic-** and non-alcoholic beverages
+ Internet / Wi-Fi ***
+ Gratuities
+ Gifts and additional items
+ Travel insurance