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Monserrat Twilight Panoramic

Northern Islands Galápagos cruise

4 Days Galápagos cruise on board the Monserrat

Length

4 Days

Ship category

Classic

Ship type

Small Yacht

Capacity

16 Passengers

Northern Islands

14 Reviews

Trip highlights

Scientific discoveries at the C. Darwin Research Station.

Gardner Bay: Immaculate, white sandy beaches.

Giant tortoises can be found in their natural habitat on Santa Cruz Island.

Hammerheads at Champion Islet.

The Galapatours experience

Great value for money

Relajado, Acogedor Sentimiento

English-speaking guide for all activities

Lectures in the evening.

Discover the highlights of Galápagos on the beautiful Monserrat with this Naturalist cruise! This Expedition Cruise will introduce you to the incredible wildlife of the Galápagos Islands. On Española, the oldest and greenest of the islands, you can enjoy amazing hikes and see many endemic species, such as the Española Mockingbird, Lava Lizard, and hopefully the famous Waved Albatross. At Floreana, you can take exciting dinghy rides, go snorkeling, and learn about the fascinating human history of the Galápagos. On San Cristóbal, you can snorkel in crystal clear waters, relax on white sand beaches with sea lions, and learn about the evolution of giant tortoises. And on Santa Cruz, you can observe the famous Galápagos Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat and learn about their preservation and scientific study.

Your ship: Monserrat

Monserrat
Monserrat Deckplan
Monserrat

Built in 2004 and fully refurbished in 2023, Monserrat is a charming, larger than average Galápagos cruise yacht. Because the Galápagos National Park limit the number of guests that can be taken into the park at 16 per qualified guide, Monserrat’s maximum of 16 guests enjoy a more intimate experience. Her two guides mean that you will receive a more personal introduction to the wonders of Galápagos, and after a day of remarkable adventures you can enjoy cruising to your next destination in her comfortable surroundings.

When it comes to motor yachts, size does matter. Because of this, Monserra … Read more about Monserrat

Cabins

Monserrat
Upper Deck Double Cabin

Type:

Matrimonial

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Monserrat
Lower Deck Triple/Double Cabin

Type:

Twins

Max. occupancy:

3

More about this cabin

Monserrat
Upper Deck Twin Cabin

Type:

Twins

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Monserrat
Lower Deck Double Cabin

Type:

Matrimonial

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Map

Itinerary

Your itinerary below may vary, depending on the weather, wildlife breeding, and local conditions.

Flight to Baltra XL1411
Popular

1 Day

4.6

(65)

Flight from Mainland Ecuador to Galápagos

Important: Please do inquire with us for your flights to Galápagos! The timing of your flights is crucial for a smooth operation of your cruises. Together, we must ensure that you arrive well before the departure of the cruise - better even on the exact same flight as the other passengers on board your ship. Therefore: Should you chose to book your own flights from Mainland Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil) to Galápagos (Baltra Airport or San Cristóbal Airport) and arrive late to Galápagos, then we will not assume any responsibility. The ship might not wait for you, in which case you will **miss your cruise without right to compensation**.

From

USD 299

Punta Moreno walk - Nemo i galapagos cruise - gal0087

3 Days

5.0

(3)

Day Trip + 2 Hotel Nights

Enjoy a 3-day cruise extension from Puerto Ayora, including a full-day land excursion to an exquisite uninhabited island in the Galápagos. Observe the remarkable biodiversity up close and snorkel in the tropical waters in the afternoon.

From

USD 695

Galapagos Green Turtle

3 Days

4.5

(2)

Diving Trip + 2 Hotel Nights

This Mid-range 3-day cruise extension will take you from Puerto Ayora on a full-day diving trip to one of the most spectacular sites in the Galápagos Islands. Get up close to the amazing life, swim amongst sea turtles, sea lions and an endless array of colorful fish!

From

USD 610

Baltra Arrival at Baltra airport+transfer to ship
Baltra: Arrival at Baltra airportBaltra: Arrival at Baltra airport + transfer to ship - la pinta yacht galapagos cruise - gal0104 + transfer to ship - la pinta yacht galapagos cruise - gal0104

Welcome to Galápagos! After your flight lands, and you have completed the immigration process, our English-speaking guide will meet you in the Arrivals lounge if you booked your flight tickets with us for the same cruise dates. The guide will then escort you to your transfer vehicle for a short journey to your waiting ship.

If you did not book your flight tickets with us, your voucher will specify the meeting point & time. Please note that the transfer to the meeting point is not included.

Baltra Island, where your arrival airport is, was used as an important Air Force base in the Second World War. This is the primary airport for the Galápagos Islands and you'll be rubbing shoulders with fellow tourists, international naturalists and conservationists, researchers and academics, and Galápagos residents alike. The airport has been built as a "green" airport, and as well as using recycled materials in its construction, it's special design keeps the buildings relatively cool without the need for any air conditioning.

Once on board your ship, you will be introduced to the crew and given a welcome briefing as well as an important safety drill. After this you'll be shown to your cabin. While you're served a well-deserved and delicious lunch, the captain will cast off and your adventure truly starts.

Note: If you plan to spend a few days prior to the cruise in Puerto Ayora and want to do the cruise later this is no problem at all. The transfer from Puerto Ayora to Baltra is very easy.

Day 1
PM
Santa Cruz Highlands
Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Highlands
El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve

Santa Cruz is the only island on the Galápagos that allows you to travel through every habitat type that exists in the archipelago. This makes the journey north from the coast up into the highlands a fantastic opportunity to experience the breadth of life that exists on these islands.

Your bus journey starts from Puerto Ayora on the coast and you slowly start to climb through the agricultural zone where open fields begin to give way to lush, green, mist-covered forests. This is a marked contrast to many of the islands which are at much lower elevation and much more arid. This rich verdant landscape is predominantly made up of dense Scalesia forest.

Your expert Galapatours guide will stop several times along the route to allow you to explore various different sites. Among the stops will be a Giant Tortoise reserve, and also a visit to the famous lava tubes. Over half a mile long, a walk through these natural volcanic features is eerie and unforgettable.

Also along the way you will stop for refreshments, and you'll be able to try locally-grown Galápagos coffee - we think it's among the best we've ever tasted!

Genovesa Darwin Bay
Darwin Bay

Darwin Bay is a must-visit site for birdwatchers. Starting with a landing on a beautiful white coral beach you are able to follow an easy half-mile trail that will take you through bird-filled mangroves. Species that can be seen on this part of the trail include Nazca Boobies, Galápagos red-footed Boobies, and Swallow-Tailed gulls.

As the path continues you will find tidal pools - favourite spots for Galápagos Sea Lions to lazily swim and play. At the path's end you will come to the top of a cliff which will reward you with a spectacular view.

Genovesa Prince Philip's Steps
Prince Philip's Steps

Named after Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, who visited the Galápagos Islands twice, the Prince Philip's Steps pier uses natural rock formations to allow you to land and admire the variety of seabirds that inhabit Genovesa. With careful steps on the wet and slippery lower rocks, you begin your hike near a small colony of Galápagos sea bears before reaching the beautiful vantage point further up with views of the lava plains.

The birdlife will surround you from all sides and you will enjoy the sight and sounds of many wonderful species, including blue-footed boobies, red-footed boobies and Nazca boobies, but also small Galápagos owls and Galápagos pigeons.

Bartholomew A walk on Bartholomew
A walk on Bartholomew, Galápagos

Bartholomew (known as Bartolomé locally) is the most popular excursion for Galápagos visitors, and its iconic scenery is the most photographed in the whole archipelago.

To start your walk on this island you will land in the small bay opposite the famous Pinnacle Rock. You then start the climb to the 375ft peak of Bartholomew. You’ll travel along a half mile trail that includes a series of wooden steps that have been built by the National Park Service to protect the ground here from erosion caused by tourists hiking to the summit.

When you arrive at the top of island the spectacular views will have made your efforts worthwhile. Your Galapatours expert guide will point out all the landmarks you will see from here - Pinnacle Rock itself, jutting skywards. The huge black lava flows of Sullivan Bay. The islands of Daphne Major and Daphne Minor.

On the way back down, you will be able to recognise the different volcanic formations evident on the island, such as tuff cones and volcanic spatter. You'll also see some remarkable examples of the Galápagos' ability to highlight the adaptation of species. For example the  bushes that all look dead are actually very much alive, with leaves covered with special grey hairs that help to reflect the harsh sun and reduce moisture loss for the plants.

Back at the beach there is excellent snorkeling, thanks to the underwater caves and rocks in the area. You will see various sharks, rays and tropical fish. You may also see Galápagos Penguins swimming with you!

Santa Cruz Ballena, or Whale Bay
Ballena, or Whale Bay

This is one of the quieter and least visited sites in the Galápagos. Ballena, or Whale, Bay has a beach with green sand, caused by the high percentage of olivine crystals present here. This is also one of the few visitor sites in the Galápagos which is more open, allowing visitors to wander somewhat freely and explore for themselves.

Behind the beach is a hill, and the climb from the inland side is easiest to enjoy fine views from the top. It is thought that Whale Bay is so-named because it was a popular point for the whaling vessels to weigh anchor while their crews headed inland from here in search of fresh water. It's thought that in the 1800s this beach was the head of the only trail into the highlands of Santa Cruz. The crews would return to the semi-circular beach with water and with their prize of giant tortoise, which were easy to catch and were a good source of meat to stock up with for their journey back to their home ports. In fact, the small group of tortoises that live near the beach have been found to be Pinzon tortoises, and their presence may be the result of escapees from the whalers' clutches scurrying away from the beach.

The beach is good for snorkeling, and if you keep your eyes skywards you may also spot Galápagos Hawks circling overhead.

Santa Cruz Bachas Beach
Bachas Beach

The name "Bachas Beach" (or "Las Bachas" in Spanish) actually comes from a mispronunciation! After the second world war, American forces stationed on Santa Cruz abandoned some of their barges there - "bachas" was the nearest some of the locals could get to pronouncing the English word, and the name has stuck. You can still see the remains of one of the floating docks the soldiers set up on one of the two beaches that make up Las Bachas Beach.

This beach is covered in white coral sand, and it's a major nesting site for Galápagos green turtles. There's also a lagoon just behind the sand which often hosts flamingos, ducks and migratory birds. You can also often find marine iguanas feeding on the rocky outcrops near the tide line.

The main beach is perfect for swimming, being very sheltered from the ocean swells, and is a very pleasant spot to cool off and to indulge in some snorkeling.

Baltra Transfer to Baltra airport
Transfer from ship to Baltra airport (organized)

Your Galápagos adventure ends with the arrival of your ship back at Baltra Island. After what many guests describe as an emotional goodbye to your ship and its crew, you'll board the transfer vehicle that will take you on the short journey to the airport in plenty of time for your flight back to the mainland.

Note: If you want to spend some time in Galápagos after your cruise, please let us know. This is no problem at all and the transfer from Baltra to Puerto Ayora couldn't be easier.

Flight to Baltra XL1411
Popular

1 Day

4.6

(61)

Flight from Galápagos to Mainland Ecuador

Please inquire with us for your flight from Galápagos (Baltra Airport or San Cristóbal Airport) to Mainland Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil). Note: As Galápagos is a protected National Park, there are some regulations that airlines shall fulfill. For this reason, there are no direct international flights to and from Galápagos. Whether you're traveling from the United States, Europe or anywhere else, you should book an international flight to Guayaquil or Quito, the capital of Ecuador, and then travel on to Galápagos on a separate flight.

From

USD 299

Punta Moreno walk - Nemo i galapagos cruise - gal0087

3 Days

5.0

(3)

Day Trip + 2 Hotel Nights

Enjoy a 3-day cruise extension from Puerto Ayora, including a full-day land excursion to an exquisite uninhabited island in the Galápagos. Observe the remarkable biodiversity up close and snorkel in the tropical waters in the afternoon.

From

USD 695

Galapagos Green Turtle

3 Days

4.5

(2)

Diving Trip + 2 Hotel Nights

This Mid-range 3-day cruise extension will take you from Puerto Ayora on a full-day diving trip to one of the most spectacular sites in the Galápagos Islands. Get up close to the amazing life, swim amongst sea turtles, sea lions and an endless array of colorful fish!

From

USD 610

Dates & Prices

When do you want to travel?

From

Until

Info

Availability

Price

21

Aug

2025

24

Aug

2025

From

USD 2,395

21

Aug

2025

24

Aug

2025

Available

USD 2,395

4

Sep

2025

7

Sep

2025

From

USD 2,395

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Sep

2025

7

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2025

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USD 2,395

18

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2025

21

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2025

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USD 2,395

18

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2025

21

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2025

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USD 2,395

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2025

5

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2025

From

USD 2,395

2

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2025

5

Oct

2025

Available

USD 2,395

16

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From

USD 2,395

16

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2025

19

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2025

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USD 2,395

30

Oct

2025

2

Nov

2025

- 30% Discount

From

USD 1,677

USD 2,395

30

Oct

2025

2

Nov

2025

30% Discount

Available

USD 1,677

USD 2,395

13

Nov

2025

16

Nov

2025

- 20% Discount

From

USD 1,916

USD 2,395

13

Nov

2025

16

Nov

2025

20% Discount

Available

USD 1,916

USD 2,395

27

Nov

2025

30

Nov

2025

- 15% Discount

From

USD 2,036

USD 2,395

27

Nov

2025

30

Nov

2025

15% Discount

Available

USD 2,036

USD 2,395

11

Dec

2025

14

Dec

2025

- 15% Discount

From

USD 2,036

USD 2,395

11

Dec

2025

14

Dec

2025

15% Discount

Available

USD 2,036

USD 2,395

8

Jan

2026

11

Jan

2026

From

USD 2,395

8

Jan

2026

11

Jan

2026

Full

USD 2,395

Preferred date unavailable? Contact us

Info

Single Cabin Supplement

When booking online, you can choose the option to "Upgrade to single occupancy". This will guarantee you the whole cabin to yourself, for an additional fee. If you don't select this option, then another traveler of the same sex might be placed into the same cabin with you.

What's included

All meals served on board (featuring both international and Ecuadorian cuisine). We are able to accommodate almost all dietary restrictions with advance notice - please inform us of your needs.

Snorkeling sessions - whenever possible and permitted by the National Park.

Extensive Zodiac rides for up-close exploration of shorelines and mangrove forests.

All transportation to and from the ship: Your guide will pick you up directly from the airport (if you arrive on the first day) and drop you off directly at the airport (if you depart on the last day).

English-speaking naturalist guides will accompany you on all excursions.

Evening briefings where your guide will discuss the activities planned for the following day.

Lectures in the evenings covering a variety of topics such as geology, marine biology, natural history, human history, and more.

Entrance fees for museums, research stations, breeding stations, etc.

We offset 100% of all CO2 emissions from your trip, including transportation, your cruise, and your flights (if booked through us). Carbon offset is achieved through a Gold Standard Climate Protection Project. Learn more

What's not included

Alcoholic beverages

International flights

Local flights

Gratuities

Some optional activities

Credit card charges may apply

A fuel surcharge may apply at a later stage. More info

The ship operator may charge a fee if you don't book your flights to and from Galápagos through them. More info

Credit card charges may apply

A fuel surcharge may apply at a later stage. More info

The ship operator may charge a fee if you don't book your flights to and from Galápagos through them. More info

Reviews

client

Sandra L of Eagle River

Monserrat Galapagos Cruise

Classic

The Galápagos Islands are so natural. There are sea lions, birds and iguanas everywhere. Our guide was from the islands and was very informative. All transfers from the ship are by dinghy to the islands and it is an easy process with lots of help. Plan to get lots of exercise between hiking on somewhat uneven terrain and snorkeling. Snorkeling was nice in some areas and a couple of times it was poor with little to see and lots of current. Kayaks were nice. The ship Monserrat was excellent with amazing staff, good food and friendly guest. Don’t overpack as you can rinse out your cloths and hang them on a line on the upper deck. Hitomi Kamimura was our travel guide and provided more than excellent service! She was available by email to answer all questions and make suggestions as needed. Her responses were detailed and timely. The trip transfers were very smooth. We used Wyndham Hotel near the airport in Guayaquil for the before and after accommodation. They provided transport to and from the airport and had excellent rooms and guest service. The trip was very educational and a place I am glad we were able to visit and experience the culture. Sandy from Wisconsin

client

Luca A

Monserrat Galapagos Cruise

Classic

Amazing trip in Galapagos Islands. Many activities: snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, cooking class. All of these on board on the beautiful Monserrat.

client

Marcin L from London

Monserrat Galapagos Cruise

Classic

We had a great experience on board of Monsserat with jam packed itinerary for hiking and snorkelling every day. Do not bother to book single days for excursions. Cruise is the way to explore Galapagos and especially on boat of Monserrat. We did A and B and it was totally amazing, especially itinerary A. Thank you Pablo, Javier, Naldo, Chef Daniel , Ricky, Janina, Kevin, El Capitan, Alina, Giovanni for your hospitality! Knowledgeable guides made this trip very informative especially Pablo and his passion for birds and animals in general was amazing. Javier was amazing in the water spotting variety of marine life. Thank you again team Monsserat! Cynthia from Galapatours made booking easy and I wanted to thank her again for great service.

FAQs

After completing your booking, you will receive an invoice from your travel specialist by email. A deposit of 20% of the trip price is required to secure your booking. Payment can be made through bank transfer or by credit card through a secure payment link.

Full payment is expected 30 days before your trip. Payment can be made in installments.

Under Ecuadorian law, if you are only temporarily visiting the Galápagos then you are exempted from the requirement to pay any customs charges on items that you are bringing in to the country. This includes new or used portable electronics such as cameras, laptops, music players, etc.

You MUST NOT bring any agricultural or plant materials or any unprocessed food products to the islands. To avoid problems at customs and bag check we suggest only traveling to Galápagos with pre-wrapped snack products such as chocolate bars, etc. Food is plentiful and freshly cooked on your Galapatours cruise, with a wide range of choice on offer to suit all tastes - you really don't need to bring anything with you!

As the Galapagos Islands are part of Ecuador, and all flights to the Galapagos depart from mainland Ecuador, you will need to enter Ecuador first.

Entering Ecuador: Every traveler is responsible for checking the individual visa requirements for their nationality. We recommend using https://www.passportindex.org/ to find out if you need a visa for Ecuador. At the time of writing, U.S. citizens do not need to apply for a visa beforehand. Similarly, visitors from the UK, Germany, and most other European countries do not require a visa for the Galapagos Islands. Upon entering the country, you will be given a visa stamp that permits you to stay in Ecuador for up to 90 days. This also applies to many other countries, but please verify the current visa regulations yourself before booking any tickets. In any case, your passport must be valid for at least six more months from the date of entry into Ecuador. You will also need to show proof of onward or return travel out of Ecuador to customs and immigration officials upon arrival; this can be a return or onward airline ticket. If you do not meet these requirements, you may not be allowed to enter the country.

Entering Galapagos: To enter Galápagos, the first official requirement is a valid Ecuadorian tourist visa stamp in your passport - this should have been issued to you upon arrival to mainland Ecuador.

This is a multi-layered question, that we have tried to answer in various articles. Please click on the corresponding links to learn more about the different topics. To recap:

  • Passport & Visa: Tourists visiting the Galapagos Islands must have a valid passport and, in most cases, can obtain a visa upon arrival in Ecuador. Click here to read more.
  • Luggage Check: When leaving Ecuador's main land, tourists' luggage will be checked for restricted items by the Tourist Control and Certification (TCC) to ensure the preservation of the islands' unique environment and wildlife. This check costs 20USD and is done at the airport in Quito or Guayaquil, before checking in for your flight to Galapagos.
  • Entrance Fee: A Galapagos National Park entrance fee must be paid upon arriving in Galapagos.
  • Travel Insurance: A travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation and medical expenses. is highly recommended, and even obligatory on board of some ships.
  • Vaccinations: At the following link you can find out more about vaccinations for a Galápagos trip.

To protect the fragile ecosystems of the Galápagos, all travelers must complete two essential biosecurity procedures before their flight. First, travelers aged 18 and over are required to fill out the mandatory online Goods Declaration form up to 48 hours before departure. This declaration requires you to report any food, plants, seeds, camping equipment, or recent contact with animals. After submitting the form, you will receive a QR code via email, which must be presented to authorities upon arrival in the Galápagos.

Second, you must take your luggage to the SICGAL inspection counter at the airport in either Quito or Guayaquil. Here, officials will conduct a physical check of your bags to ensure no prohibited items are being brought to the islands.

To make sure you don't have any trouble here, please do not attempt to travel with any foods other than small quantities of pre-wrapped snack items like chocolate bars or similar, and certainly don't have any plants or plant materials in your bags. Once checked, you will receive an approval label to attach to your bags, and you can then make your way to your airline check in.

Arrival at Quito Airport: SICGAL Luggage Check and TCC Card for your flight to Galápagos
SIGAL Luggage Check at Quito Airport

The Galápagos National Park Entrance fee is levied on all visitors to the islands. For foreign visitors, the entry fee is 200 USD per person (100 USD for children under 12 years old). If you are a citizen of a country in South America you might pay less, check here for more information.

Important: This fee must be paid, in cash, at the airport of arrival. If you do not pay, you will not be allowed to leave the terminal - so please make sure you have the means to pay the Galápagos entrance fee! Therefore, the payment of this entrance fee is indispensable to take part in a Galapagos cruise.

The entrance fees collected will be allocated to various local entities to support sustainability and community development in the Galápagos Islands. The proceeds are split between several important institutions as follows:

  • 40% to the Galápagos National Park
  • 20% to Galápagos Municipalities
  • 10% to the National Institute
  • 10% to Galápagos Province Local Government
  • 5% to the National Navy
  • 5% to the Ministry of Environment
  • 5% to Quarantine and Pest Control
  • 5% to the Galápagos Marine Reserve

For more information about the entrance fee structure and the distribution of funds, please visit the official website of the Galápagos National Park Administration.

Entrance Fee Galapagos National Park
Northern Islands

4.3

(14)

Classic

From

USD 1,677



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Galápagos Specialist

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Galápagos Specialist