Renowned for its enhanced standards for comfort, safety and sustainability, the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Ship is a state-of-the-art vessel that creates a perfect atmosphere for a once-in-a-lifetime Galapagos trip. As the largest cruise ship at the Galapagos Islands, the Santa Cruz II Galapagos cruise accommodates up to 90 guests. It features beautiful interiors and 5 highly spacious decks that give a scintillating view of the beauty of the Galapagos Islands. 5 and 7-day itinerary programs covering the Northern, Eastern & Western parts of the islands are available.
Santa Cruz II Cabins: This boat offers double, single, triple, and interconnected rooms. All rooms have a safety box, air-conditioning, reading lights, and internet available at an extra cost. The Suite rooms have large windows and special amenities, all cabins offer great space and comfort and are ideal for family holidays.
Discount for children under 12 years old 25%
Xmas and New Year surcharge $200
Single supplement 15%
Discount for children under 12 years old 25%
Xmas and New Year surcharge $200
Single supplement 15%
This morning you will arrive at Baltra Airport and will be transferred to and welcomed onto the Santa Cruz II.
After a briefing and some lunch, your first Galapagos visitor site awaits! Bachas Beach is a an outstandingly beautiful beach on Santa Cruz Island. A short walk from the beach there are also some salty lagoons. The beach was used by the United States during World War II. If the season is right, you may spot nesting sea turtles.
Galapagos wildlife to observe today: Sea turtle, flamingo, shore birds.
This morning you will learn about the pirate history of the Galapagos Islands, Buccaneer Cove. The lava formations are interesting and there is a cave to view too.
Later, at Puerto Egas, a walk along a black sand beach offers wildlife observation opportunities, and there is interesting history about the salt mining industry to learn too.
Galapagos wildlife to look out for today: Turtles, Galapagos fur sea lion, marine iguana, land birds, marine birds.
The Santa Cruz II luxury Galapagos yacht today calls at Rabida and Bartolome. Rabida provides superb photography opportunities with its red rock formations and sand, and sea lions lazing around on the rocks. We can snorkel here or ride in the glass bottomed boat.
At Bartolome, later on we visit one of the best known and most photographed Galapagos visitor sites, at Pinnacle Rock.
Galapagos wildlife to spot: Galapagos penguin, marine iguana, sea lions, herons, colorful fish, Galapagos hawk.
This morning our first visit is Prince Philip’s Steps, taking a beautiful walk across a flat plateau. This is reached by some steep steps, but the effort is worthwhile.
At Darwin Bay in the afternoon, our trip to this delightful beach provides snorkeling and swimming opportunities, or a fascinating walk across an uneven trail – rewarded with stunning views.
Galapagos wildlife to look out for today includes: Nazca booby, red footed booby, mockingbirds, frigate birds, marine iguana, Red-billed tropicbird, warblers, herons, finches.
Your last visit site today will surely be one of your Galapagos highlights to treasure for life. On the way to the airport we will visit a tortoise reserve. Here we can observe giant tortoises walking around in their natural environment.
After this, the crew of the Santa Cruz II yacht will transfer you to the airport for your flight back to Ecuador mainland.
Galapagos wildlife not to miss today: Endemic land birds, giant tortoises.
On landing at Baltra Airport you will be met by representatives of the Santa Cruz II luxury Galapagos yacht. After transfer to the boat, lunch and setting in time you will visit your first Galapagos visitor site.
Mosquera a small volcanic islet, whose sandy beach is home to sea lions and lots of bird life. This will give you a lovely taster of what is to come on your trip of a lifetime.
Galapagos wildlife to observe includes: Sally Lightfoot crab, sea lion, gulls, marine iguana, shore birds.
Today the first stop for the Santa Cruz II itinerary is Cerro Brujo, a sizeable white coral sand beach. From the hill beyond there are good views of Kicker Rock.
At Pitt Point, the trail commences at the beach and climbs up a volcanic hill. This is worth the walk for the delightful views at the summit.
Galapagos wildlife to look out for today: Sea lions, marine iguanas, pelicans, blue footed boobies, red footed boobies, Nazca boobies, storm petrels.
Santa Fe has its own endemic land iguana which you might get to spot on the trail or alongside it at the Galapagos visitor site on this volcanic island.
Later, at South Plazas, wildlife abounds with a chance to see a variety of creatures at this beautiful site with its pretty beach setting and interesting flora.
Galapagos wildlife to see today may include: Red-billed tropic birds, swallow tailed gulls, land iguanas, marine iguanas.
The Charles Darwin Research Station is the first visit of our Cruise itinerary for this day. Here you can learn about conservation of the archipelago, and view the giant tortoise breeding program.
In the afternoon there are several possible activities to enjoy, before boarding the Santa Cruz II cruise and setting sail for more islands.
Galapagos wildlife to observe: Giant tortoise, land iguana, pelicans, frigate birds, marine iguana, sea lions.
Suarez Point is thought by many to be the best Galapagos visitor site, with its walk alongside nesting birds, and its highlight, the waved albatross (April – December).
Gardner Bay is believed by some to be the most superb Galapagos beach of all. It has lovely white sand and an array of fascinating wildlife to enjoy, while relaxing in the sunshine, or snorkeling.
Galapagos wildlife to spot: Waved albatross, sea lions, mockingbirds, Galapagos hawk, blue footed booby, Nazca booby.
Close to Santa Cruz Island, the first stop today is Eden Islet, near the north coast. It is noteworthy for its snorkeling and volcanic features.
In the afternoon we head to North Seymour Island, where a walk along a flat trail allows us to see blue footed boobies – perhaps doing their iconic mating dance – and other nesting birds and wildlife.
Galapagos wildlife to look out for today: Blue footed booby, frigate birds, land iguana, marine iguana.
After breakfast today, it is time for your Galapagos adventure to draw to a close. The staff of the Santa Cruz II luxury Galapagos yacht will bid you goodbye and you will be transferred to Baltra Airport. From here you can catch your flight back to the Ecuadorian mainland and your onward journey.
Today after arrival at Baltra Airport, representatives of the Santa Cruz II Galapagos yacht will meet you and escort you to your boat. There will be time for settling in and lunch.
Later we visit Dragon Hill, named for its many small “dragons” or land iguanas. The brackish lagoon offers the chance to spot flamingos and a range of shore birds.
Galapagos wildlife to observe: Flamingo, black necked stilt, white cheeked pintail, land iguana.
You will wake up this morning close to Isabela Island. After breakfast, we will first visit Punta Vincente Roca heading along the coastline with its rocky nooks and crannies to spot nesting sea birds and an array of wildlife that has made this its home.
Later, on Fernandina Island, at Punta Espinosa the geological lava formations are a sight to behold, and this promises for a very interesting time at this Galapagos site.
Galapagos wildlife to look for today: Sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hawks, penguins, flightless cormorants.
This morning a lesson in Galapagos conservation awaits at the first Galapagos visitor site of the day – the Charles Darwin Research Station. There is also a giant tortoise breeding program here, as well as land iguanas.
In the afternoon various options are available such as kayaking, beach walking, and a visit to the tortoise reserve. After these you’ll get back on board your Galapagos luxury cruise.
Galapagos wildlife to observe: Sea lion, pelicans, marine iguana, land iguana, giant tortoise.
Floreana Island is first visit today on the Santa Cruz II tour. The first visit is to Post Office Bay where you can learn about the postal system of the past – which is still in operation today.
Later, Champion Islet offers fantastic snorkeling opportunities, and Cormorant Point has a green beach with flamingos in the brackish lagoon beyond. The beach beyond this is a sea turtle nesting site.
Galapagos wildlife to look out for: Sea turtles, colorful fish, flamingos.
Back to Baltra Island, we reach the end of your luxury Galapagos trip on the Santa Cruz II yacht. After breakfast today, our representatives will transfer you to Baltra Airport. From here, you will board your flight to take you on your return journey to the Ecuadorian mainland. While you may leave, your Galapagos memories are there to treasure forever.
Best Price GuaranteedRefurbishment 2015
Construction 2002
Gross Tonnage 2664 tonnes
Passenger Space Ratio 29.6
Type of Vessel Expedition Vessel
Capacity 90 guests / 50 cabins
Length 71.8 m / 235 ft
Beam 13.4 ms / 43 ft
Speed 10.5 knots
Electricity 440V – 220V – 110V throughout ship
Engines 2 Cummins engines KTA 38 – MO of 850 HP each
Life Jackets In each cabin
Life Rafts 14 (For 27 passengers each)
Landing Boats 6
Decks 5
Crew 60
Naturalist Guides 8 (Includes Expedition Leader)
Guest-Crew Ratio 3:2 (3 guests per 2 crew members)
Medial Officer Permanently on board
Panorama Deck : 3 Darwin Suites, 3 Explorer Cabins
Expedition Deck: 17 Explorer Cabins, Horizon Deck, 2 Voyager Cabins, 2 Explorer Family Cabins, 23 Explorer Cabins, infirmary.
