The Isabela II offers a good blend of the additional services and amenities expected on the larger ships ships coupled with luxurious decor and fabulous wildlife excursions.
With space for only 40 passengers this is one of the smallest of the larger cruise ships operating in the Galapagos, and this ensures the ship feels spacious with good sized cabins and larger social areas, including an excellent top deck with dining and sun-bathing areas and a range of other services.
With the Santa Cruz II you have a choice of two excellent 5 day cruises which cover a range of islands and habitats and provide a variety of excursions to experience the best of the Galapagos, or if you are looking for something a little longer you have the choice of a 7 day cruise. See below for full details on each itinerary, or contact us for further information.
5 Day Cruise (Central Islands) - from £2580pp
Departs every 14 days.
Day 1 (Mon) AM: Arrive in the Galapagos / PM: Visit the famous Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island
Day 2 (Tue) AM: Sea lions, swimming and snorkelling on the white beaches of Santa Fe Island / PM: South Plaza Island
Day 3 (Wed) AM: Wildlife watching along a trail walk on North Seymour Island / PM: The beautiful white beach at Las Bachas
Day 4 (Thu) AM: Admire the iconic view of Bartolome Island and Pinnacle Rock / PM: The volcanic landscape of Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island
Day 5 (Fri) AM: Return transfer from cruise ship to Galapagos airport / PM: Return to Ecuador mainland
5 Day Cruise (Southern Islands) - from £2580pp
Departs every 14 days
Day 1 (Fri) AM: Arrive in the Galapagos archipelago / PM: Admire the giant tortoises on a visit to Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island
Day 2 (Sat) AM: Visit historic Post Office Bay on Floreana Island / PM: Spot flamingos and wildlife at Punta Cormorant
Day 3 (Sun) AM: Trek along a trail through the incredible birdlife at Punta Suarez on Espanola Island / PM: Spot sea lions and finches at Gardner Bay
Day 4 (Mon) AM: Visit Punta Pitt on San Cristobal Island / PM: Explore the stunning beaches of Cerro Brujo
Day 5 (Tue) AM: Transfer from the cruise ship to the Galapagos airport / PM: Return to the Ecuador mainland
7 Day Cruise (Northern Islands) - from £3870pp
Departs every 14 days
Day 1 (Tue) AM: Arrive in the Galapagos at San Cristobal Island / PM: Visit the Galapaguera giant tortoise breeding centre at Cerro Colorado
Day 2 (Wed) AM: Climb Prince Philip's Steps at Genovesa Island to admire the fantastic birdlife / PM: Spend time birdwatching at Darwin Bay
Day 3 (Thu) AM: Explore the rocky coast and go snorkelling at Buccaneer Cove on Santiago Island / PM: The volcanic lava landscape of Puerto Egas
Day 4 (Fri) AM: Spot the infamous flightless cormorant at Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island / PM: Trek to Darwin Crater at Tagus Cove on Isabela Island
Day 5 (Sat) AM: Watch land iguanas at Urbina Bay on Isabela Island / PM: Panga-boat excursion along the coast of Punta Vicente Roca
Day 6 (Sun) AM: Swimming and snorkelling to admire the sealife of Rabida Island / PM: Trail walk up Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island
Day 7 (Mon) AM: Return by dinghy boat to the Galapagos airport / PM: Return to Ecuador mainland
Extended Cruise: 9 Days Central and Southern Islands
A longer 9 day cruise itinerary is available by combining the 5 Day Central Islands itinerary with the 5 Day Southern Islands itinerary back-to-back. If you would like further information on this combined itinerary please just contact us.
Detailed Itineraries: Please contact us for detailed itineraries of these or any of our other Galapagos cruises.
Options: These cruises can be booked by themselves, can include flights and services on the Ecuador mainland, or can be combined with any of our other holidays in South America.
Prices Include: The Galapagos cruise, all excursions with a naturalist guide, all food during the cruise including water, tea and coffee, the INGALA Galapagos Transit Control Card, transfers to/from the airport in the Galapagos, and 100% financial protection. Prices are per person based on two people travelling together in a shared classic cabin. Cabin upgrades may be available, and a single person supplement may apply.
Prices Do Not Include: The Galapagos National Park Entry Fee (payable on arrival in the Galapagos airport, currently US$100 although subject to change), flights to / from the Galapagos (see below), alcoholic drinks, tips and additional personal expenses during the cruise.
Flights to the Galapagos Islands - £500pp: Flights between the Galapagos Islands and the Ecuador mainland (either Guayaquil or Quito) when booked with us cost £500 per person (economy-class) and we can include these flights for you if required - just let us know. Any flight-inclusive package holiday booked through us would be ATOL-protected through our ATOL license. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/atolcertificate
- Class: Luxury
- Vessel Name: MV Isabela II
- Type: Small Cruise Ship
- Speed: 10 knots
- Year of Construction: 1979, fully renovated 2014
- Capacity: 40 passengers
- Crew: 26 crew members and 3 multi-lingual naturalist guides
- Cabins: 20 cabins (a mixture of twin and double) all with air conditioning and en suite private shower rooms with hot water. Family cabins and a larger "Owners Cabin" (similar to a suite, with a larger room and table) are also available.
- Social Areas / Services: Despite its size as a one of the small cruise ships the Isabela II is very well serviced with a range of additional features including a fitness room, top deck with jacuzzi / hot tub, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a bar, a natural history library and reading room, and a small shop. Passengers have free access to use the ships kayaks and snorkelling equipment, and there is a glass-bottomed boat and a medical officer.
- More information: www.cruises.ec/yachtisabelaii
The Isabela II cruise ship is a mid-sized cruise vessel for 40 passengers so offers all the additional services and features expected on the larger vessels in the Galapagos (such as a fitness room, a gift shop and larger communal areas) without having the additional passenger numbers found on some of the larger ships. The ship featured three main decks for passengers, with the top deck and main decks consisting of most of the social and communal areas (such as eating areas and daily briefing areas), while all the cabins are located on the middle cabin deck.
Top Deck
The top deck of Isabela II features fantastic outdoor services to ensure you enjoy the most of the Galapagos during your cruise with a relaxing stay, including the outdoor bar to enjoy a drink admiring the ocean, a jacuzzi / hot tub and the fitness room.
Cabin Deck
The Isabela II has large comfortable cabins that all come equipped with air-conditioning and en suite bathrooms with hot water. All the twin / double and family cabins are situated on the cabin deck.
Main Deck
The main deck is home to many of the ships services and communal areas, including the gift shop, dining room, bar, library and medical room.
