Table of Contents

General Description

The Santa Cruz II is a premium adventure vessel designed for exploring the remote and stunning Galápagos Islands. Known for its family-friendly environment, superb cuisine, and exclusive excursions, the Santa Cruz II offers a luxurious yet intimate cruising experience.

Key Features

  • Purpose-Built Adventure Vessel: Designed specifically for Galápagos exploration with 50 cabins over 5 decks, ensuring spaciousness and modern amenities.
  • Family-Friendly: Features dedicated children’s events and the “Pirates Aboard” program, making it ideal for families.
  • Cordon-Bleu Trained Chefs: Offers exceptional Ecuadorian and international cuisine with locally sourced ingredients.
  • Exclusive Excursions: Access to unique destinations and activities such as snorkeling, sea kayaking, and glass-bottom boat tours.

Specifications

  • Year of Construction: 2002
  • Year of Renovation: 2021
  • Type: Cruise Ship
  • Length: 235.5 ft (71.8 m)
  • Beam: 44 ft (13.4 m)
  • Capacity: 90 passengers

Accommodation

  • Expedition Deck:
    • Explorer Cabin: 17
  • Horizon Deck:
    • Explorer Cabin: 24
    • Voyager Cabin: 2
    • Explorer Family Cabin: 2
  • Panoramic Deck:
    • Explorer Cabin: 3
    • Darwin Suite: 3
  • Draft: S/N
  • Main Engines: 2 Cummins engines KTA 38 – MO of 850 HP each
  • On Board Amenities:
    • Boutique
    • Cruise Manager
    • DVD / TV
    • Fitness Center
    • Glass bottom boat
    • Jacuzzi
    • Kayaks
    • Laundry
    • Library
    • Snorkeling equipment
    • WIFI
    • Green politics
    • Hairdryer
  • Max Speed: 11 knots
  • Crew: 60 Crew members + 1 Cruise Director + 9 Bilingual Guides
  • Safety & Navigation:
    • Medical Officer permanently on board
    • Certifications: ABS, SOLAS 74, ISM, ISPS, MARPOL
    • Life Jackets: In each cabin
    • Life Rafts: 14 (for 27 passengers each)
    • Landing Boats: 6 + 1 Glass Bottom Boat

Itineraries

Santa Cruz II Eastern Galapagos Islands Itinerary

Day by Day

Day 1: Baltra Island & Mosquera Islet
  • Morning: Arrive at Baltra Airport and transfer to the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise. Enjoy lunch onboard.
  • Afternoon: Excursion to Mosquera Islet featuring a walk along a shallow reef, perfect for spotting young sea lions.
Day 2: San Cristobal Island
  • Morning: Visit Punta Pitt, the only site in Galapagos where the three species of boobies can be found together.
  • Afternoon: Visit the Breeding Center for Galapagos giant tortoises at Cerro Colorado, home to dozens of bird species and the San Cristobal lava lizard.
Day 3: Santa Fe Island & South Plaza Island
  • Morning: Explore the white sand beach of Santa Fe Island, home to sea lions and the endemic land iguana. Activities include snorkeling, swimming, glass-bottom boat tours, and kayaking.
  • Afternoon: Visit South Plaza Island to see yellow-grey land iguanas, sea lions, frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, and shearwaters.
Day 4: Santa Cruz Island
  • Morning: Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, home to a giant tortoise breeding center and the hub of scientific research and conservation efforts.
  • Afternoon: Various activity options before returning to Puerto Ayora and boarding the ship again.
Day 5: Española Island
  • Morning: Walk at Punta Suarez to see Galapagos albatross, Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and the famous “blowhole” geological phenomenon.
  • Afternoon: Visit Gardner Bay beach to observe sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches.
Day 6: Santa Cruz Island & North Seymour Island
  • Morning: Observe blue-footed boobies, reef sharks, and frigatebirds at Eden Islet on Santa Cruz Island.
  • Afternoon: Visit North Seymour Island to watch bird colonies of blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and swallow-tailed gulls, as well as sea lions and marine iguanas.
Day 7: Baltra Island
  • Morning: Disembark at Baltra Island and transfer to the airport for your flight back to the continent.

Santa Cruz II Western Galapagos Islands Itinerary

Day by Day

Day 1: Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Island
  • Morning: Arrive at Baltra Island, transfer to the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise, and enjoy lunch after an introductory briefing.
  • Afternoon: Visit Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island, passing by a brackish-water lagoon frequented by ducks and flamingos, and enjoy views of the bay and western islands.
Day 2: Isabela Island & Fernandina Island
  • Morning: Explore the coast of Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island) by dinghy, a nesting site for flightless cormorants and Galapagos penguins.
  • Afternoon: Visit Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island) to see iconic species including sea lions, Sally lightfoot crabs, and flightless cormorants.
Day 3: Santa Cruz Island
  • Morning: Visit Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station, home to a giant tortoise breeding center and giant cactus forest.
  • Afternoon: Various activity options in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island before returning to Puerto Ayora and boarding the ship again.
Day 4: Floreana Island
  • Morning: Visit Baroness Cove and Post Office Bay to see the historic barrel post office.
  • Afternoon: Snorkel at Champion Islet and visit Cormorant Point to spot flamingos, pintail ducks, and other birds.
Day 5: Baltra Island
  • Morning: Disembark at Baltra Island and transfer to the airport for your flight back to the mainland.

Santa Cruz II Northern Galapagos Islands Itinerary

Day by Day

Day 1: Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Island
  • Morning: Land at Baltra Island, transfer to the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise, and enjoy lunch after an introductory briefing.
  • Afternoon: Visit Las Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz Island, home to various wading birds. Enjoy a welcome cocktail and expedition briefing back on board.
Day 2: Santiago Island
  • Morning: Explore Buccaneer Cove’s coastline, with opportunities for snorkeling or rides on a dinghy or glass-bottom boat.
  • Afternoon: Swim or snorkel along the rocky shorelines of Puerto Egas and observe a colony of fur seals.
Day 3: Rabida Island & Bartolome Island
  • Morning: Walk on Rabida Island to see sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin’s finches.
  • Afternoon: Swim, snorkel, or ride the glass-bottom boat at Bartolome Island. Hike to the island’s summit for a fantastic view.
Day 4: Genovesa Island
  • Morning: Climb Prince Philip’s Steps to see Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, and storm petrels.
  • Afternoon: Swim and snorkel at Darwin Bay, and observe frigatebirds, red-footed and Nazca boobies, finches, and mockingbirds.
Day 5: Santa Cruz Island & Baltra Island
  • Morning: Explore the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to see giant tortoises in the wild and endemic land birds.
  • Afternoon: Transfer to Baltra Airport and depart the Galapagos Islands.
Included Not Included
  • All meals throughout cruise
  • Transfers in the islands
  • All excursions
  • Bilingual national park guide
  • Use of snorkeling equipment
  • Use of kayaks
  • Coffee, tea and soft drinks
  • Mainland-Galapagos-Mainland airfare
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • $100 Galapagos National Park fee
  • $20 Transit Control Card
  • Travel / medical insurance
  • Wetsuit rental
  • Tips
  • Personal expenses
Important Notes:
  • Discount for children under 12 years old: 25%
  • Xmas and New Year surcharge: $200
  • Single supplement: 15%