
Western Islands Galápagos
8 Days Galápagos cruise on board the Galaxy Diver
From USD 3,560
Western Islands Galápagos
8 Days, Max. 16 passengers
7 Reviews
A 8-day Expedition Cruise
7 Reviews
The Trip Highlights
Thousands of Marine Iguanas at Espinosa Point
Mars-like landscapes at Rábida
Giant Tortoises in the wild on Santa Cruz
Galapatours 'Plus' Experience
Very friendly, experienced crew
Flawless operations
English-speaking guide for all activities
Lectures in the evening
Get to know the highlights of Galápagos with this Naturalist cruise on board the beautiful Galaxy Diver! On this Expedition Cruise, you will discover the incredible wildlife of the Galápagos Islands: Fernandina, the youngest island, will blow your mind with its rugged lava landscapes. The youngest island in the archipelago, it is still being formed by volcanic eruptions and makes for a wonderful, otherworldly contrast to the other islands. Isabela, the biggest of all islands in the Galápagos, offers you fantastic hikes, views and arguably some of the best snorkeling spots in the Archipelago. During your time spent on Rábida, you will have the opportunity to watch wild Flamingos and walk on a blood-red sandy beach. During your time on Santa Cruz, you will have the chance to observe the famous Galápagos Giant Tortoises in the wild and learn more about the preservation and scientific study of these amazing animals. On Santiago, an island formerly inhabited by pirates, you will be able to enjoy hikes and dinghy rides.
Your ship: Galaxy Diver
- Spectacular panoramic upper-deck bar;
- Only 6 staterooms means an exclusive cruise experience;
- Fantastic bow pulpit and stern swimming platform;
- Elegant comfort and great value.
Featuring just 6 staterooms, the classic motor yacht layout of Reina Silvia promise a particularly intimate and exclusive Galápagos discovery experience. A crew of 8 gives her one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios of all the boats in the Galápagos fleet. Unique features such as her swim platform and enclosed panoramic upper deck bar set her aside from many of the other vessels in her class that tend to … Read more about Galaxy Diver
Amenities
All meals
Transfers to and from ship
Snorkel gear (free of charge)
100% CO2 carbon footprint offset
Kayaks on board
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Water, Coffee, Tea & fresh juices
-20% for children ≤ 12
Triple cabins
1 free night in hotel prior to flight (only if booking flights with us)
English guide
Sundeck with jacuzzi
Food & Drinks
The food on our Galapágos Cruises is among the very best you will find in South America. Most of the on-board chefs are internationally trained and have prior experience working in the best hotels and restaurants in Ecuador and indeed around the world.
You can expect a first-class selection of food, including a good variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, locally sourced poultry and fish/seafood, rice and pasta dishes. Most boats will always include some typical Ecuadorian dishes on the menu during your cruise. If you have specific dietary requirements then these can usually be accommodated by the chef providing you have given advance notice. Please make sure you tell us about any allergies or dietary requirements you have at the time you book with us. If you leave it until you arrive at the dockside, then it may well be impossible to accommodate your needs.
Most boats serve a range of options at meal times in a relaxed buffet-style. At the first class and luxury end of the market, some boats have more formal dining where you will be served at your seat. However the atmosphere is always relaxed on board our cruises, and never stuffy or formal.



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Day 1
AM
Baltra • Arrival at Baltra airport+transfer to ship

Welcome to Galápagos! Once your flight has landed and you went through the immigration process, you'll be met in the Arrivals lounge by our English-speaking guide who will take you to your transfer vehicle for the short journey to your waiting ship.
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.
PM
Santa Cruz • 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.
Day 2
AM
Santiago • Sullivan Bay

Sullivan Bay is on the eastern coast of Santiago Island. This visitor site is all about the geology and volcanic origins of the Galápagos, and although there is little wildlife here, the eerie landscape that was formed only 150 years ago has a real beauty all of its own.
On the hiking trail you will walk along lava that bubbled up from the ground, flowed and solidified in the second half of the 18th century. We recommend good sturdy shoes for walking in these lava fields. The landscape here is eerie and apparently barren - some of our Galapatours guests liken it to a "lunar landscape".
As the trail moves inland, the textures and colors change as you encounter much older lava fields. Here you can start to see signs of nature beginning to colonize this "new land". The small green plants that have started to grow in the cracks and crevices are called Mollugo.
Your Galapatours expert guide will be able to explain more about the volcanic processes that formed Santiago and all the Galápagos Islands, as well as how species begin to colonize the bare landscape.
PM
Rábida • A walk on Rabida Island

Rabida is a small, steeply-sloped island with red-sand shores, and was originally called Jervis. Despite its small size, Rabida has one of the highest concentrations of volcanic features in the Galápagos, and it's thanks to the iron-rich lava deposits that its sands and soils are so red.
After a wet landing on the northern coast you will often see Galápagos Sea Lions and marine iguanas around the beach, especially near the sheltered caves in hot weather. Just behind the beach is a nesting site for brown pelicans, who use the saltbush as cover. Rabida is one of the best spots in the archipelago to observe pelicans. Sometimes flamingos can also be seen in the lagoon here.
There is a short hiking trail that leads further inland through Opuntias where there are good opportunities to see land birds like Darwin's finches, Galápagos Doves and Galápagos Mockingbirds.
After your trip inland you can then have a relaxing swim and enjoy some snorkeling, which is very good in the clear waters off the beach. While you swim, you'll be able to see Blue-Footed Boobies taking off over your head from their cliff-top roosts.
Day 3
AM
Fernandina • Espinosa Point

Fernandina Island has never been colonised by any non-native species, and this makes it ones of the world's most pristine island ecosystems. Coupled with its young age (Fernandina was only formed a few hundred thousand years ago) this makes a visit to this Galápagos island very special indeed.
At Espinosa Point on the northeastern shore of Fernandina the vista is dominated by "La Cumbre", the volcano whose lava fields formed the island. A visit to Espinosa Point is high on many people's list thanks to the number of iconic unique Galápagos species you will see here. As well as the noisy and fun-loving Galápagos Sea Lions, Espinosa Point is a great place to see Marine Iguanas, the wonderful Galápagos Penguins and the unique and endangered Galápagos Flightless Cormorant. If you are very lucky and keep your eyes skyward you may also catch sight of a Galápagos Hawk circling overhead looking for its next meal.
PM
Isabela • Tagus Cove

Tagus Cove is a sheltered deep-water bay on the western coast of Isabela Island, overlooking Fernandina Island. This natural anchorage has been a popular destination for ships since the 1800s, and when you come ashore you can see ancient graffiti left by whalers and buccaneers.
A steep (but thankfully short) hiking trail then takes you up to the salt water Darwin Lake, formed inside a volcanic cone. How did salt water get all the way up here? Scientists think tsunamis caused by eruptions or landslides on Fernandina may have deposited seawater originally, and then evaporation has made it even more salty over time.
From Darwin Lake, a series of 160 steps takes you to a stunning viewpoint where you will not only enjoy amazing views over the Galápagos, but may also see some unique wildlife, such as Galápagos Hawks, Vermilion Flycatchers, and species of Darwin's Finches.
Your panga ride along the shoreline back to your ship gives a great opportunity to see Galápagos Flightless Cormorants, Galápagos Penguins, Galápagos Martins, and the friendly Galápagos Sea Lions.
Day 4
AM
Isabela • Urbina Bay

Urbina Bay is one of the youngest features in the Galápagos. It was mainly formed in 1954, when a sudden uplift of the land raised the seabed by over 5 metres, and pushed the coastline over 1 km further away. This has resulted in the astonishing site of heads of coral stranded far from the water. Exposed to the air and elements, the coral heads are rapidly deteriorating and are one of the sights of the Galápagos that won't be around for much longer.
Once ashore, a long hiking trail will take you away from the beach and into the island's arid zone. In this habitat, you are likely to see wild Galápagos Giant Tortoises and Galápagos Land Iguanas. As the trail circles back towards the shore line you'll come across colonies of the unique Galápagos Flightless Cormorant.
This is a pleasant area for snorkeling, and as you enter and leave the water you might do so watched by some Galápagos Penguins, who have a colony nearby. This is also one of the best sites to see Galápagos Marine Iguanas feeding underwater.
PM
Isabela • Elizabeth Bay

On the eastern coast of Isabela, the wide and sheltered Elizabeth Bay is a haven for wildlife. With areas of mangrove on the shore that contrast with the surrounding lava fields, and a myriad of small islets and rocky reefs, this is a particularly rich area for wildlife.
Accessible only by panga (small motorised dinghy), exploring Elizabeth Bay will provide you with an opportunity to get up close and personal with many of Isabela's species. During your 2 hour boat ride around Elizabeth Bay you can see rays, sharks, green sea turtles, Galápagos penguins, pelicans, and plenty of Galápagos Sea Lions. Nearer to the shores and mangroves you'll see Galápagos Flightless Cormorants and marine iguanas.
Galapatours guests regularly tell us that Elizabeth Bay is one of their favourite Galápagos excursions and visitor sites.
Day 5
AM
Santiago • Egas Port

Puerto Egas (Port Egas) is a sheltered landing site at the southern end of James Bay on the northwestern coast of Santiago. This landing site is the trailhead for two hiking paths.
The first trail runs along the coast to visit the so-called "Fur Seal Grottos". The Galápagos Fur Seals like to seek shade from the equatorial sun, and they prefer rocky shores with caves or other nooks and crannies in which they can keep cool. The grottos here are perfect for them, and the tidal pools are also popular with Galápagos Marine Iguanas who can be seen feeding in and around them.
The second trail from Egas Port heads inland to the "Salt Mine Volcano". This hike is just under 2 miles long and takes you to the rim of a salt mine crater. This "mine" is actually a small volcanic cone that is filled with a salt water lagoon that dries up in the dry season. At several points in the 20th century individuals or companies attempted to mine salt from it, but without commercial success. The name of your landing site is after the owner of the last company to try salt mining here, Hector Egas.
The lagoon is often home to Galápagos flamingos and other birds, and the wonderful Galápagos Hawk can often be seen circling above this area.
PM
Isabela • Las Tintoreras

Las Tintoreras are a group of small islets just a few hundred metres from the shores at Villamil, only accessible by kayak or panga. The network of Tintoreras forms a patchwork over the stunning turquoise waters of the bay, and this natural shelter is a haven for wildlife.
At low tides, one shallow lagoon is famous for offering amazing views of sharks swimming near the surface - the water clarity is such that they often look like they are floating in air! Other species that call Las Tintoreras home include Galápagos marine iguanas and friendly (and noisy) Galápagos Sea Lions.
Depending on tide conditions and time of year, it may be possible to snorkel here. If this is important to you, speak to one of our Galápagos experts who can advise you on the best itineraries to choose to meet your requirements.
Isabela • The Wetlands

The Wetlands is the name given to the area of lagoons and mangrove swamps just along the coast from Villamil on Isabela Island. This is a popular excursion as it is just a short walk from town on good paths and boardwalks.
This is an important habitat, and is one of the only places where you can see all 4 of the native Galápagos Mangrove species. These mangroves are hugely important, not only for the wildlife they contain, but also for their help in preserving the coastline and resisting the eroding action of waves.
There are a large number of bird species that make their home in the Wetlands, and if you are a birdwatcher this is an excursion you will want to make sure is on your schedule. Speak to one of our Galápagos experts to help select the best itinerary for a visit to the Isabela Wetlands.
Day 6
AM
Floreana • Post Office Bay

Floreana, like several of the Galápagos Islands, has a history of whaling. During voyages of many months, whaling ships would call here to replenish stocks of food and water, and the sailors were often keen to send news to loved ones that they were still safe. A tradition grew up here where sailors would leave a letter addressed home, hopeful that a ship heading back to port would pick it up and deliver it for them. This tradition of leaving letters and cards, and picking up others addressed to your home port meant that the location of this letter drop became known as "Post Office Bay".
Decades later, the unofficial Floreana post office is still very active - why not leave a card of your own, or see if you could take one back to your home town for someone else?! As well as this charming tradition, Post Office Bay boasts a pleasant beach, and there is a short hiking trail down to a cave, which is actually a lava tube that runs down to the sea.
You will also have the opportunity to take a Panga through some of the nearby coves and mangroves from which you could see sharks, rays, and sea lions swimming around you.
PM
Floreana • Cormorant Point

Cormorant Point is on the northern tip of Floreana, and you'll land on a beach that sits between two volcanic cones. The sand on one of the beaches here has a noticeably olive-green color. This is due to a much higher than usual concentration of olivine crystals in the sand. Another beach is made up mainly of coral sand and is almost a brilliant white in comparison.
This Galápagos site has a large lagoon which is favored by flamingos, their pink coloring contrasting with the green sand. There is some good snorkeling here, and you can often spot rays in the shallows. There is a one mile hike available that takes you to higher ground and provides great views over the lagoon, and to both beaches on either side of the Point.
Day 7
AM
Santa Cruz • Santa Cruz Highlands

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!
PM
Santa Cruz • Charles Darwin Research Station

The world famous Charles Darwin Research Center is just a 10 minute walk from downtown Puerto Ayora, and is the home of the non-profit Charles Darwin Foundation.
Inside, you'll find exhibits about the geography, geology and climate of the Galápagos, and the evolution of her unique species. There is also lots of information on the Foundation's current conservation and education programs.
As well as conducting it's own key research, the Charles Darwin Center also hosts international scientists, and supports the work of government agencies like the Galápagos National Park.
Next door is the site of the Galápagos' first giant tortoise breeding center, where pioneering work has been done since 1965 for the preservation of these species. Here you can see newly hatched babies, up to juveniles and full-grown adults ready to be released back into the wild.
Day 8
AM
North Seymour • A walk on North Seymour

North Seymour was formed at the same time as neighboring Baltra Island, and by the same process - an uplifting of undersea lava. This small, flat island has hiking trails throughout, allowing you to explore the arid landscape and to meet the seabirds that call North Seymour home.
North Seymour was the site of one of the earliest conservation experiments in the Galápagos. In 1934 a group of Galápagos Land Iguanas were moved there by Captain Hanckock. They have since thrivedthrived, and there are now well over 2,500 of them on the island and more than 3,000 on the neighbouring Baltra island.
The biggest attraction of North Seymour is its large colony of Blue-Footed Boobies and its Frigatebirds. These popular Galápagos species are often found together because the Frigatebirds rely on the Boobies’ fishing prowess. The Frigatebirds actively steal the Boobies catch to feed themselves!
There is also a population of Marine Iguanas and Galápagos Sea Lions are frequently spotted. The snorkeling here is also very good, with plenty of marine life to see including rays and reef sharks.
PM
Baltra • Transfer to Baltra airport

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.
Baltra airport serves both Guayaquil or Quito, and we can arrange flights that fit best with your onward plans - particularly if you are continuing a South America tour. Speak to one of our travel experts as we are often able to beat even internet pricing on flights to and from Galápagos.
Note: If you plan to spend a few days in Galápagos after your cruise this is no problem at all. Just let us know and we will arrange for the logistics. The transfer from Baltra to Puerto Ayora, for example, is very easy.
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Reviews
Sonya N.
Ein unvergessliches Erlebnis Wir sind am 02.12.2018 gut nach Hause gekommen und wir durften eine wunderschöne, geniale Zeit auf Galapagos und der Reina Silvia verbringen. Die ganze Crew, unser Guide Fabian und auch die anderen Gäste waren sehr sehr toll. Ein unvergessliches Erlebnis!!!
TravelingJoy456, Lake Oswego, Oregon
Der beste Urlaub aller Zeiten Der Urlaub auf der Reina Silvia war der beste Urlaub den wir je hatten. Die Besatzung war super in vielen Hinsichten sogar mehr als das. Mein Mann und ich hatten einige Lebensmittelunverträglichkeiten und ale haben sich rührend um uns gekümmert. Auf uns wurde immer Rücksicht genommen. Der junge Mann, der das Schlauchboot fuhr, hatte immer ein Lächeln im Gesicht und half beim Ein- und Aussteigen. Aber der Guide, Alejandro, spielte eine besondere Rolle. Seine Leidenschaft für dieses Archipel und das Wissen worüber er verfügt, sind sehr inspirierend. Jeder Tag übertraf unsere Erwartungen.
TravelingJoy456, Lake Oswego, Oregon
Best Vacation Ever We just returned from a trip on the Reina Silvia. It was one of the best vacations we have ever had. The crew was excellent in so many ways. My husband and I have a food allergy and they took great care to offer fabulous food that did not contain milk or cheese. The dinghy operator that took us out on the snorkeling trips always had a smile and was ever so helpful getting us in and out of the dinghy. But, what made the trip absolutely exceptional was our guide, Alejandro. His passion and knowledge of the islands was inspiring. At the beginning of the trip he quickly accessed the group and then gave us a trip of a lifetime. Most days we snorkeled twice a day and hiked twice a day. Every day far exceeded any expectations we had due to the crew and Alejandro's enthusiasm to share with us all that these beautiful islands had to offer.
Muggsy0200, Singapore
Unvergesslich Wir bereisten die westlichen Inseln auf der Reina Silvia im November 2016. Diese Reise übertraf unsere Erwartungen. Wir hatten viel Platz in unserer Kabine und der ganze Rest war auch fabelhaft. Essen, Crew, Guide, alle waren großartig und leisteten tolle Arbeit.
Muggsy0200, Singapore
Unforgettable vacation of a lifetime We are a couple who travelled around the Western islands of Galapagos on board the Reina Silvia in Nov 2016. This trip more than met our expectations and prompted us to write this review. We bought our cruise just 4 days before embarking on it, having researched that prices go down nearer the date of the cruise. We secured a 50% discount though I believe it's possible to get an even better rate shopping really last minute in Quito. As for the cruise itself, we were lucky to have a total of only 8 passengers on the Reina Silvia, a boat that usually accommodates 12. We were always well looked after - cold towels after our land trips, snacks and refreshments, free flow of soft drinks, tea and coffee, and beer! Our rooms were made up twice a day. Very impressive since there was only one person in charge of this: Ronald did a brilliant job, and also mixed the best cocktails. The rest of the crew were efficient and friendly. The chef must also be commended. One of us is pescaterian and there was always something suitable prepared. Great pains were clearly put into presentation, and the food was hearty and wholesome - I'm still not sure how they managed to whip up 3 course meals in that space. We stayed on the lower deck which was comfortable and spacious compared to other boats. The Reina Silvia is not the newest of boats, but it has been extremely well maintained and is very clean. It has a retro vibe with lots of wood trim and warm lighting. Staterooms on the upper deck come with windows ; while on the lower deck we got portholes which was more than sufficient. There is a small library of Galapagos-related books which we browsed in-between activities. The Reina Silvia also has a long bow which we found handy on the days we observed Orcas and Dolphins! The highlight was the activities. We felt that the Reina Silvia's Western itinerary was good because it included Fernandina, the only place we could observe marine iguanas and flightless cormorants in the water while snorkelling. We had 2 land tours and at least one snorkel every day. Walks were between one to three km long and snorkel sessions were an hour each, which was just nice. The activities were interspersed with a siesta to help recuperate between activities. For a relatively active couple, this was perfect. There was no time to be bored, although on one of the days, we had a longer siesta. We appreciated that as it gave us time to relax and reflect on what we had experienced so far. The wildlife was amazing. We were greeted by at least one different animal everyday. We snorkelled with penguins, sea lions, turtles, rays, fur seals, galapagos sharks, flightless cormorants, marine iguanas (as mentioned of the highlights of this itinerary was that it brought us to Fernandina where we could swim with marine iguanas. Not many itineraries offered this), reef fish, even a mola-mola, just to name a few. On our walks, we came across lots of sea lions, land iguanas, tortoises, blue footed boobies, frigates, finches, mockingbirds, and many more. We also saw a pod of orcas from our boat at Canal Bolivar near the northern tip of Isabella, on 2 consecutive days - it was one of the most awe-inspiring moments. The crew was also great at pointing out wild life from the boat, and would accommodate us by stopping or going to where the action is. We had common dolphins and bottle-nose dolphins come right next to the boat a couple of times. We had not fully appreciated how important the guide is despite reading similar comments on this forum before, so it was fortunate that we got Jan Post as our guide. Knowledgeable and patient, he answered our questions (even the most inane ones!) and kept us enthralled by his descriptions of the animals' behaviors. The Galapagos Islands attract people who are interested in wildlife and in the concept of evolution, and Jan shared lots of information in that respect. He also gave talks spanning geology, the Coriolis effect, and Darwin's life, all of which we appreciated. His easygoing demeanour and fascination with the animals (despite probably having repeated the same information hundreds of times before) helped stoke our own enthusiasm as well. Tips were suggested for the 7-man crew as $150-$180 and $60-$80 for the guide. This was far above the tipping range others have mentioned on this forum and definitely impacted our budget, but we followed the guideline believing that the crew deserved it. Overall the cost of our Galapagos holiday was high but at least the experience turned out to be commensurate with the price - we got what we paid for! Our cruise turned out to be a magical experience and probably the best vacation we have taken so far.