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The M/V Santa Cruz was remodeled specifically to enhance your cruise in the Galapagos Islands. Additions to the boat deck include two luxurious master suites with private balconies in addition to junior suites and superior cabins.
This first class ship built extensively for cruising the Galapagos waters, offers a wide range of cabins for 3,4, and 7- night cruises for the optimum Galapagos vacation. One of the best cruises for seniors who travel with their families, very comfortable to carry babies on board.
The Santa Cruz offers large common areas as you relax aboard, all in a friendly and informal setting. Remodeled extensively in 1997 inside and out.
On the Boat Deck, there are two master suites with double beds and a private balcony, and two junior suites with twin beds. Six Superior-Class cabins have twin or double beds, that together with the remaining Standard Cabins on the Upper and Main decks offer a variety of accommodations, all meeting the same high standard for comfort. Family guests have ample choice among single, double, triple and quadruple accommodations.
| DAY | ISLAND | PLACES |
| FRI | Mosquera |
AM: Baltra Airport PM: Mosquera Islet |
| SAT |
Santa Cruz |
AM: Baquerizo Moreno Port PM: Pitt Point |
| SUN |
Santa Fe South Plaza |
AM: Santa Fe Island PM: South Plaza Island |
| MON |
Santa Cruz |
AM: Charles Darwin Station PM: Free Time |
| TUE | Española |
AM: Suares Point PM: Gardner Bay - Osborn Islet |
| WED |
Santa Cruz North Seymour |
AM: Eden Islet PM: North Seymour Island |
| THU |
Baltra |
AM: Airport |
Baltra Island
We arrive by plane at Baltra Island and transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II where we receive our welcome introductory briefing and lunch.
Mosquera Islet
After lunch and your introductory briefing on board, Santa Cruz II will relocate only four nautical miles from Baltra, next to Mosquera Islet, a small volcanic uplift between Baltra and North Seymour. The island is a long and narrow sand bank surrounded by lava reefs. Our groups will approach the island from its western shore, a long shallow reef, the perfect rookery for young sea lions. After a wet landing, our guides will lead you past the sea lion colonies, where you will learn more about the fragile marine and terrestrial ecosystems of Galapagos. The walk is easy as it is restricted to a few hundred metres of flat sandy dunes. This will also be a great opportunity for an introduction to snorkelling.
Baquerizo Moreno Point (San Cristobal Island)
After breakfast, we disembark (dry landing) at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the island’s capital, and drive 40 minutes to the island’s southern shore. At Cerro Colorado, we visit the breeding centre for highly endangered giant tortoises in the midst of a fantastic deciduous forest, home to dozens of bird species, including the San Cristobal mockingbird, and the San Cristobal lava lizard, both island endemics.
Pitt Point (San Cristobal Island)
In the afternoon, we disembark (wet landing) on the eastern tip of the island at Punta Pitt, an eroded tuff cone, whose trail provides spectacular views of the shoreline. This is the only site in the Galapagos where the three species of boobies can be found together. We can walk or enjoy a panga ride along the coast. Opportunity for snorkelling, swimming and kayaking.
Santa Fe Island
After breakfast, we take the dinghy over to this idyllic sandy-white beach populated by many sea lions (wet landing). The endemic land iguana, unique to this island, may be spotted during the morning walk amid the giant prickly pear cactus. Snorkelling and swimming from the panga rounds off our rewarding experience, or if guests prefer, the glass bottom boat is available for non-snorkelers. Opportunity for kayaking.
South Plaza Island
Following lunch and a rest, we disembark (dry landing) in this channel, whose turquoise waters contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. Beyond, a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus. Yellow-grey land iguanas sit beneath these, waiting patiently for pears to drop. Along the coastline one finds sea lion colonies, while frigates, swallow-tailed gulls and shearwaters glide, playing with the thermals.
Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)
In the morning, we disembark (dry landing) for our visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station’s giant tortoise Breeding Centre within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest home to many land birds. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. Following our visit, we board our transport to enjoy lunch in the cooler highlands of Santa Cruz Island, a completely different ecosystem.
Santa Cruz Island
We have several options available for the afternoon, which can be discussed in advance with your Expedition Leader. At the end of the afternoon’s activities, we return to Puerto Ayora and embark on the Santa Cruz II.
Suarez Point (Española Island)
(Dry landing) – An exciting walk awaits at this site, where we enjoy its unique sea bird colonies, including Galapagos albatross (April-December), Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls as well as a view of the Galapagos’ famous “blow-hole”. Also, look out for red-green-black marine iguanas. Back on board for lunch.
Gardner Bay – Osborn Islet (Española Island)
(Wet landing) In the afternoon, the picture-postcard white coral beach of Gardner Bay and the nearby islet of Osborn provides a beautiful setting for observing sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches as we relax. We can expect great snorkelling in this area. Opportunity for swimming and kayaking as well.
Eden Islet (Santa Cruz Island)
After breakfast, a panga ride takes us to Eden Islet, a small islet located off the coast of Santa Cruz, where we can observe blue-footed boobies diving into the water, reef sharks and frigates. There’s a chance to snorkel and, if weather condition permits, ride in the glass-bottom boat and kayak.
North Seymour Island
North Seymour was lifted from the ocean floor by a volcanic event, and its origins as a seabed give the island its low, flat profile. A tiny forest of silver-grey Palo Santo trees stands just above the landing (dry landing), usually without leaves, waiting for the rains to burst into bloom. This is a great introductory site to the islands and their wildlife, full of bird colonies of blue footed boobies, two species of frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls, as well as sea lions and marine iguanas.
Baltra Island
On our last day, we disembark at Baltra Island and transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the continent.
Important: Itineraries and activities subject to change without prior notice. Depending on weather conditions and water currents, some wildlife described above may not be visible.
| Category | Luxury Class |
| Length | 72.35 meters (237,3 ft ). |
| Beam | 11.85 meters (38.86 ft). |
| Speed | 13 Knots |
| Capcity | 90 passengers |
| Crew | 52 t + 6 Naturalist guides |
| Navegation |
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| Engines | Two Sulzer engines, 1620 BHP each |
| Electricity | 110 Volts in the cabins with 220 Volt sockets available in Reception and Dining area |
| Equipment | GPS and Radio Director Finder |
| Safety | ABS classification +A1E + AMS #7907 853 SOLAS ISM certificate Complying with the IMO resolution A.788(19) Automatic fire controls |
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