Expeditions
With our handpicked itinerary and our newly refurbished expedition ship, MS Santa Cruz II, cruising the Galápagos Islands with us means seeing the unique nature of this Eden-like archipelago first hand. Accompanied by an expert Expedition Team, you’ll see iconic Galápagos wildlife and have life-changing experiences along the way.
See our FAQ about the Galapagos IslandsStep aboard our comfortable expedition ship MS Santa Cruise II and discover the astonishing Galápagos Islands. With small groups and our experienced Expedition Team members as guides, you’ll get closer to the animals and landscapes that inspired Darwin to develop his historic theory of evolution.
Sometimes called a ‘living laboratory’, these remote islands give us insight into the processes of life on Earth. We’ll seek out endemic wildlife such as giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and the Waved Albatross. All the while, your onboard Expedition Team will share with you their fascinating natural histories.
Marvel at the remarkable wildlife of the Galápagos Islands on an expedition cruise with us. From the giant tortoises lumbering across rocky landscapes to the marine iguanas grazing underwater, our onboard nature photographer will share tips and help you snap the perfect shots.
The ecology of each island makes them unique in many ways. Since humans only recently arrived, much of the wildlife remains tame. You’ll see iconic species such as Galapagos sea lions, Blue-footed Boobies, and distinctive marine iguanas at a close (but respectable) distance.
Hidden in the vast Pacific Ocean, the volcanic Galápagos Archipelago starting forming about 4.2 million of years ago. The islands in the east are the oldest, while the islands to the west are only about 700,000 years old. The islands were subsequently colonized by animals and plants from the mainland. When you explore these remarkable islands on an expedition cruise with us, you’ll witness a living crucible of evolution.
Following in the footsteps of Charles Darwin, you’ll make your own discoveries as you explore the islands with our knowledgeable and passionate Expedition Team as our you guide. Through talks and lectures, guided shore landings, and hands-on Citizen Science projects, you’ll discover the secrets the Galápagos Islands.
With our focus on sustainability and low-impact cruising, you’ll learn about the fragile ecology of the Galápagos Islands and why conservation is so important. Aboard our small, 90-capacity ship, you’ll get closer to nature and be guaranteed exclusive wildlife watching opportunities with our experienced Expedition Team members as your guides.
The comfortable and stylish expedition ship MS Santa Cruz II has undergone a multi-million-dollar mast-to-keel refurbishment, and features spacious cabins and suites, fitness facilities, hot tubs, a Science Corner, library, and a range of expedition equipment. It also features outstanding dining, with options for plant-based dishes at every meal.
The Galápagos Islands offer fantastic opportunities for exploration and adventure, and the onboard Expedition Team will bring you right up close to the action. You’ll venture to destinations off the beaten path, where you can try sea kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding (SUP), reef snorkeling, and more. All the while, our onboard Science Program will open up a world of discovery.
Our small boats, pangas, allow us to land on beaches and terrain that would otherwise be too rugged for larger vessels. They’re also great for watching for marine wildlife, so we use them to seek out creatures such as dolphins, turtles, and birds.
Our glass-bottomed boat offers a completely different experience, giving you the opportunity to observe marine life from above—it’s like snorkeling without getting in the water! We’ll launch our glass-bottomed boat over reefs and shallow areas where you can see colorful fish and other underwater creatures in comfort.
Exploring the various islands by foot turns a walk into an adventure. You’ll be heading ashore often, walking on trails that lead through a range of distinct ecosystems. Guides will accompany you at all times, ensuring we keep a close but respectable distance from the protected animals.
Imagine walking amid the delicate incense-like scent of the silvery palo santo trees on North Seymour, watching giant tortoises lumber through the undergrowth on Santa Cruz, or walking to view the sea lion colony on Santa Fé.
It’s not just the wildlife on land that’s worth admiring in the Galápagos Islands—the underwater sights are just as amazing. What could be better than drifting over a tropical reef and seeing the colorful marine life illuminated in the crystal-clear water?
We have all the snorkeling gear you’ll need, and the Expedition Team will take you to incredible places where you might see placid turtles, colorful fish, diving marine iguanas, and the graceful underwater acrobatics of curious sea lions.
If you enjoy getting close to the water, some places are perfect for exploring by kayak. Your ship has a number of sea kayaks on board that are perfect for paddling the waters around Santa Fé, Española, and Santa Cruz.
Or, why not try out stand-up paddle boarding (SUP)? It’s fun, easy to learn, and a great way to explore from the water. SUPs are easy to maneuver, and your expedition ship carries a number of them for your enjoyment.
The Galápagos Islands are a center for global conservation and research efforts. At the Charles Darwin Research Station, over 200 scientists and volunteers are engaged in projects to boost local biodiversity. There, you’ll see baby tortoises being incubated, as well as other inspiring conservation projects.
On San Cristobal, another conservation project is set in a forest that doubles as a tortoise reserve. Here, you can see these gentle giants in their natural habitat. And while you are on board the ship, Citizen Science projects will allow you to contribute to important scientific research about the area.
Prepare for an incredible wildlife-watching adventure! Animals here evolved without many predators, so they have no fear of humans. That means you can get close enough to photograph them as they loaf around on the beaches and volcanic rocks, or in the case of giant tortoises, ambling along peacefully.
We’ll also be on the lookout for faster-moving creatures such as dolphins, reef sharks, and Galapagos Hawks. Our Expedition Team members are passionate about the sharing the nature of Galápagos with you, and they know all the best places to go to find the best wildlife-watching experiences.
Not many places on the planet can compete with the unique wildlife experiences of the Galápagos Islands. Evolving without many mammalian predators and largely undisturbed by humans, each island is home to a variety of species, from Galapagos giant tortoises and sea lions to marine iguanas and Waved Albatross.
While cruising the Galápagos Islands, you’ll see the renowned iguanas. This unique, sea-foraging marine species is found nowhere else in the world. The yellowish-brown color of the spiky land iguanas makes them one of the most recognizable creatures on the islands.
Predominantly vegetarian, marine iguanas feed underwater on algae, while Galápagos land iguanas mostly eat cactus pads and play an important role in dispersing seeds. Interestingly, the marine iguanas sneeze salt out from a specially evolved nasal gland to remove it from their bodies.
One of the most iconic creatures you’ll see on a tour of the islands is the endangered Galapagos giant tortoise. Weighing up to 470 lbs, these reptiles can live for well over a century, and each species has a uniquely shaped shell.
Although hunted and eaten by pirates and whalers in times past, recent breeding programs have successfully boosted the number of Galapagos giant tortoises, and ongoing conservation efforts remain focused on securing their long-term survival on the islands.
The island of Española is the almost-exclusive breeding site of the Galápagos Islands’ Waved Albatross. Close to 35,000 breeding pairs live here. Still, they’re considered critically endangered, as this is their only significant breeding site.
Seasonal winds are of vital importance to the Waved Albatross. Even with a wingspan of over 8 feet, the birds need a steady breeze to give them lift, but these winds die down in January. The chicks must be mature enough to fly by then or they will remain stranded during the hottest season.
The seas of the Galápagos Marine Reserve are teeming with life. The seas here are home to an array of fascinating marine creatures, from sea turtles to sharks, whales, and rays.
Many species thrive here, including the spotted eagle ray and the unmistakable whitetip reef shark.
Whether you’re snorkeling over a coral reef, kayaking along the shore, or comfortably seated aboard MS Santa Cruz II (or in our glass-bottomed boat), you’ll see a wealth of marine life on your expedition cruise around the amazing Galápagos Islands.
The colorful feet of the Blue-footed Boobies make them easy to identify. Their
characteristic pigmentation comes from their diet of fresh fish and their brightness is a sign of good health and fertility. The Blue-footed Boobies you’ll see are an endemic subspecies, and are closely associated with the islands.
Year-round, Blue-footed Boobies can be seen on land parading their strikingly showy feet in order to impress potential mates. At other times, you might see them taking to the air above the sea, nose-diving in a flash to catch fish.
Finches played a crucial role in the development of evolutionary theory. Darwin noticed that the different species of finches on each island had distinct beaks that seemed to be adapted to the food sources available.
You can see these so-called ‘Darwin’s finches’ on various islands in the Galápagos Archipelago at any time of year. The Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island is one place where you can also see all the famous finches up close.
