Tour Details
Our classic yacht cruising the Galápagos, the Isabella II combines elegance and relaxation to help you make the most of your Island experience.
Itinerary
| DAY |
MAIN ITINERARY |
| Friday |
Santa Cruz Island |
| Saturday |
Darwin Bay (Tower Island)
Prince Philip's Steps (Tower Island) |
| Sunday |
Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)
Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island) |
| Monday |
Puerto Egas (James Island)
Bartolome Island |
| Tuesday |
After breakfast, departure to the port and airport to take the flight back to the continent. |
Included
- Accommodation
- All meals
- Island sightseeing
- All guide and lecture services
- Taxes and transfers in the island
- Glass - bottom boat outings
Not Included
- Air transportation to/from Galapagos
- Galapagos National Park admission fee (US $100 subject to change without notice)
- Transit Control Card for Galapagos (US$ 10 per person)
- Wet suits
- Alcoholic and non alcoholic beverage, gratuities, gifts and additional items
Important Note
Please read the Itinerary as a guide only. Our route and program varies according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes , safety reasons and the wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. The Expedition Staff will provide you with snorkeling gear (mask and snorkel, fins, floating device and net bag). Please note that the operation does not carry prescription masks. A shortie wet suit is recommended from June to December.
Dry landing: guests step from the dinghy onto rocks or a dock.
Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.
Additional Information
FRIDAY
Santa Cruz Island
Morning arrival to Baltra Island by TAME flight and immediate transfer to Santa Cruz Island, having crossed the Itabaca channel by ferry. Lunch in a Santa Cruz Restaurant. This area has unique flora and fauna due to the higher humidity. enjoy a fantastic enclosure, with lush vegetation and unique birds.
After lunch visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Then a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora before embarking on the ISABELA II. Welcome cocktail, Naturalist's briefing and dinner.
Note: your luggage will be taken directly to the ship and you will find it upon embarking after your visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Be prepared for a full day, including the flight and afternoon visit (comfortable shoes, light clothing, photography equipment, medicine etc)
National and international marine regulations require each guest to participate in a safety drill exercise within the first 24 hours of boarding a vessel. The safety officers and /or expedition team will inform you about this procedure on board.
SATURDAY
Darwin Bay (Tower Island)
Morning wet landing for an easy stroll observing thousands of bird life, mainly frigate birds, red footed and masked boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. If you wish you can continue walking over sharp lava and uneven terrain, or just go back to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkeling at this beautiful natural harbor. Those most adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs or ride sea kayaks. Lunch on board.
Prince Philip's Steps (Tower Island)
The afternoon starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs and then disembark (dry landing) on rocks for a steep climb (90 feet) and then a leveled walk for about a mile to the other side of this small island observing large colonies of masked boobies, frigate birds and storm petrels. Naturalist's briefing and dinner. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer panga ride along the cliffs (depending on the weather conditions). Conference of the Naturalist Guide before dinner.
SUNDAY
Early risers will enjoy cruising right in front of famous Ecuador Volcano, which rises off the water line with one of its halves completely collapsed, and now resting underwater, while crossing the Equator line.
Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)
On the northwest of Isabela, secluded Tagus Cove was in past centuries a favorite anchor for pirates and whalers. Old graffiti is still found on its walls. The vegetation in the area includes the fragrant Palo Santo trees. These white-barked trees are leafless and look dead most of the year. They leaf out and spring back to life in the wet season.
An uphill hike takes guests to the back of Darwin Crater, filled with salt water. The view at the end of the trail is worth the climb. Darwin is one of Isabela's six volcanoes, a remarkable contrast to the lower islands to the east of the archipelago. Possibility to swim, snorket or ride kayaks. There is no beach in the area, so these activities ae done from the pangas. Lunch on board.
Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)
The afternoon brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina. Disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their space with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.
MONDAY
Puerto Egas (James Island)
Wet landing for a mid-length walk. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows. This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and there is a colony of fur-sea lions. Opportunity for snorkeling and swimming from the beach after the walk, or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Lunch on board.
Bartolome Island
Disembark at Bartolome Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase; the view from the top is worth the effort. There will be time for a panga ride around Pinnacle Rock to observe penguins before or after the walk. Farewell cocktail and departure briefing.
TUESDAY
After breakfast, departure to the port and airport to take the flight back to the continent.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Itineraries and program are subject to change without previous notice due mainly to readjustment of the National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes or safety reasons.
Dry landing: passengers step from the dinghy onto rocks or a dock.
Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, passengers step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.
Yacht Isabela II Vessel information
With a capacity of only 40 guests, Yacht ISABELA II offers a relaxed atmosphere while enjoying an unforgettable Galapagos expedition, where guests fully experience their sense of discovery and bonding with nature. ISABELA II expeditions offer all aspects of the Galapagos: an intimate contact with wildlife, active volcanoes, a vast Marine Reserve, adventure, comfort and safety.
Our classic Yacht ISABELA II offers the most in-depth week itinerary (Tuesday to Tuesday) allowing guests to enjoy all that Galapagos is famous for: from ancient giant tortoises to penguins, from sleek flamingos to bold sharks, from bizarre flightless cormorants to rugged marine iguanas and from whales and dolphins to dramatic island volcanoes and breathtaking scenery, plus the exploration of the Galapagos Marine Reserve (the second largest in the world) on kayaks, the glass bottom boat, swimming or snorkeling.
The expertise of three English-speaking Naturalist Guides matches their contagious enthusiasm, whether discussing geology or bird watching, snorkeling or stargazing, evolution or marine actitivies. Guests of ISABELA II have the opportunity to explore the islands in small groups with fellow enthusiasts who share their same passion for nature, curiosity and spirit of observation.
Technical specifications
- Construction: 1979
- Reconstruction: Pensacola, Florida, 1988
- Refurbishment: Panama, March 2000
- Category: Deluxe
- Gross Tonnage: 1.025 tons.
- Type of Vessel: Motor Yacht
- Capacity: 40 guests
- Length: 53.72 meters (166 feet)
- Beam: 11.58 meters (38 feet)
- Speed: 10 knots
- Electricity: 110 Volts 60 Hz.
- Engines: 2 GM Detroit Diesel 900 BHP each
- Navigation Equipment: Gyrocompass, Automatic Pilot, radar, and GPS
- Safety Certificates: SOLAS 74 - ISM
- Fire Detector: Automatic with control from the bridge.
- Life Jackets: In each cabin
- Lifeboats: 2 units semi enclosed
- Landing Craft: 3 Zodiacs + glass bottom boat
- Owner: ETICA / Metropolitan Touring
- Decks: 3 (Sun deck, Cabin deck, Main deck)
- Crew: 24
- Naturalist: 3
- Medical Officer: Permanently on board
Other services
- Bar - Lounge, Boutique
- Gift Shop
- Radio, telephone, E-mail, and Fax communications
- PA System
- Snorkeling Equipment
- Multimedia natural history lectures
- Stargazing Program
- Digital camera and underwater housing
- Glass bottom boat
- Jacuzzi
- Reading Room & Natural History Library
- Air conditioned throughout
- Safety boxes
- Hair dryers
- Wet suits for snorkeling in cooler waters
- Sea Kayaks
Boat Deck
Cabin Deck
| Classic Cabin |
|
 |
 |
| Classic Cabin |
|
 |
 |
| Standard Cabin |
|
 |
 |
Main Deck
 |
 |
| Master Suite Cabin |
|
 |
 |
| Dinning Room |
Bar & Lounge |
 |
 |
| Reception |
Boutique |
 |
|
| Natural History Library |
|
Handbook Isabela II
Related content
Share
Print
