Hop on board Galapagos' newest vessel and experience the exquisite beauty of Galapagos' Islands. This 8 day cruise will allow all travellers to discover the best of what the Western Islands have to offer. You'll be surrounded in natural serenity and breathtaking scenery as you encounter a vast array of wildlife and marine species including giant tortoises, flamingos, land iguanas and many more.
Galapagos
South & West Galapagos Islands
8 Days aboard Natural Paradise. From USD $7,145pp.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Choose from a range of activities such as hiking, horseback riding, snorkelling
- Encounter marine species and a variety of unique bird species
- Opportunity to capture breathtaking landscapes from stunning lookouts
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Baltra - Santa Cruz Island
- Day 2: Isabela Island & Fernandina Islands
- Day 3: Isabela Island
- Day 4: Isabela Islands
- Day 5: Chinese Hat & Mosquera Islets
- Day 6: Floreana Island
- Day 7: Espanola Island
- Day 8: San Cristobal Island
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Baltra - Santa Cruz Island
Morning flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra, Galapagos Islands. You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by the Natural Paradise staff and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.
In the afternoon you will visit Eden Islet on Santa Cruz. Off the western coast of Santa Cruz Island, Eden Islet offers visitors a great chance to see a variety of Galapagos wildlife from the dinghy ride both on shore and under the water.
Day 2: Vicente Roca Point - Espinosa Point
In the morning, visit is at Vicente Roca Point. Comprised of two separate coves, this site is a large bay with spectacular sea life. Keep an eye out for seahorses, sea turtles, and the strange yet fascinating Mola mola (or sun fish).
In the afternoon, crossing the Bolivar Channel that divides Isabela and Fernandina Islands, you will land at Espinosa Point, and after walking past a colony of marine iguanas and a group of sea lions, reach the island's highlight: the fightless cormorant nesting site. This area provides a great opportunity to see the Galapagos hawk.
Day 3: Urbina Bay - Moreno Point
In the morning, you will go to Urbina Bay which is located at the base of Alcedo Volcano on the west coast between Tagus Cove and Elizabeth Bay. This area experienced a major uplift in 1954 causing the land to rise over 16 feet. The coast expanded half a mile out leaving marine life stranded on the new shore. This area is also a great place for snorkelling.
In the afternoon you will visit Moreno Point located southwest of Elizabeth Bay. Here a dry landing onto what was once owing lava is possible. The lava has left craters in its wake which formed crystal tide pools. By looking into the pools, you can peer into another world as the marine life drifts by your window. In the brackish pools of this area, you may see pink amingos, white-cheeked pintails, and common gallinules. If you look carefully into the pools, you may see white-tip reef sharks and some sea turtles.
Day 4: Sierra Negra Volcano - Wetlands & Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Centre
The morning will consist of a visit to The Sierra Negra Volcano which is the largest basaltic caldera in the Galapagos with a diameter of 6.2 miles (10 km). The site offers impressive views and the opportunity to observe up to seven species of finches and a rich display of vegetation. The north side of the caldera provides evidence of its most recent volcanic activity in 2005.
Afterwards you will head to the Wetlands of Isabela Island which are located just outside of Puerto Villamil. The Wetlands consist of lagoons, swamps, and mangroves and are home to a variety of unique bird species such as common stilts, whimbrels, white-cheeked pintails, and gallinules. The Wetlands can be visited on foot via a path through the swamps.
Next you will visit Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center of Isabela. It is located about one mile (1.5 km) from Puerto Villamil. In this breeding center, populations from South Isabela Sierra Negra Volcano, Cerro Azul, Cazuela, Cinco Cerros, Roca Union, San Pedro, Tables and Cerro Paloma have been bred in captivity. In total there are 330 juvenile and adult tortoises.
Day 5: Chinese Hat - Mosquera Islet
In the morning, you will visit Chinese Hat islet. This small islet is located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet's summit. This small islet is a great location to view many geological formations such as lava tubes and lava flows. Some of the lava flows were formed underwater and subsequently raised above sea level. The presence of coral heads on the lava flow indicates this phenomenon.
In the afternoon you will visit Mosquera Islet, it is located between the islands of Baltra and North Seymour, this reef of rocks and coral (the result of an uprising) is only 160 meters across at its narrowest width. This island has one of the largest populations of sea lions and is home to many shorebirds. There have been occasional reports at this site of orcas feeding on sea lions.
Day 6: Post Office Bay - Cormorant Point & Champion Islet
In the morning, you will visit the famous Post Office Bay. You will land on a beach and head to a spot where 18th century whalers placed a wooden barrel used as an unofficial mail box. The custom continues to this day with Galapagos visitors. So, don't forget your postcards, and don't be surprised if the post card arrives to its destination before you even get home!
In the afternoon, you will head to Cormorant Point. Here you will enjoy a hike to a salt-water lagoon which is home to flamingos. You will also get to swim in the crystal clear waters of the Devil's Crown. This extinct volcano peaks out of the waters just off of Floreana's coast and offers a magnificent snorkelling experience.
Afterwards, you will visit Champion Islet, named after the whaler Andrew Champion, is a small island located just offshore Floreana Island in the southern part of the Archipelago, considered as one of the most beautiful places on Galapagos for all snorkelling and diving fans and an excellent opportunity for dolphin watching.
Day 7: Suarez Point - Gardner Bay
In the morning, you will visit Suarez Point. On the trail you will have the chance to see blue-footed boobies, albatrosses, and Nazca boobies. This island is the breeding site of nearly all of the world's 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. You will also visit a beautiful site on the ocean front where there is a cliff that the large albatrosses use as a launching pad! You will have the chance to see the famous blowhole that spurts water into the air. The landscape is great for photography.
In the afternoon, excursion takes you to the spectacular Gardner Bay. After landing, you can walk across a lovely white-sand beach amongst a busy sea lion colony or dive into the water to swim with sea lion pups. You may also see curious mockingbirds on the beach.
Day 8: Lobos Island - San Cristobal Airport
In the morning you will involve an excursion to Lobos Island which means “Sea Lion Island.” This appropriately named island is ripe with noisy, playful, jolly sea lions who will welcome you to their home with open, well, fins. This island also offers great snorkelling opportunities as well as the chance to see blue-footed and Nazca boobies.
After this final visit, you will be transferred to San Cristobal's airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.
- Day 1: Baltra - Santa Cruz Island
- Day 2: Vicente Roca Point - Espinosa Point
- Day 3: Urbina Bay - Moreno Point
- Day 4: Sierra Negra Volcano - Wetlands & Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Centre
- Day 5: Chinese Hat - Mosquera Islet
- Day 6: Post Office Bay - Cormorant Point & Champion Islet
- Day 7: Suarez Point - Gardner Bay
- Day 8: Lobos Island - San Cristobal Airport
Next Departure Date: 28 Jan 2025
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Jan 2025 - 04 Feb 2025 | USD$7145pp | ||
| Stateroom | USD$7145pp | Contact us | |
| Junior Suite | USD$8345pp | Contact us | |
| Suite | USD$9245pp | Contact us | |
| 11 Feb 2025 - 18 Feb 2025 | USD$7145pp | ||
| 25 Feb 2025 - 04 Mar 2025 | USD$7145pp | ||
| 11 Mar 2025 - 18 Mar 2025 | USD$7145pp | ||
| 25 Mar 2025 - 01 Apr 2025 | USD$7145pp | ||
| 06 May 2025 - 13 May 2025 | USD$7145pp | ||
| 20 May 2025 - 27 May 2025 | USD$7145pp | ||
| 03 Jun 2025 - 10 Jun 2025 | USD$7145pp | ||
| 17 Jun 2025 - 24 Jun 2025 | USD$7145pp | ||
| 29 Jul 2025 - 05 Aug 2025 | USD$7145pp | ||
| 23 Sep 2025 - 30 Sep 2025 | USD$7145pp | ||
| 07 Oct 2025 - 14 Oct 2025 | USD$7145pp | ||
| 21 Oct 2025 - 28 Oct 2025 | USD$7145pp | ||
| 04 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025 | USD$7145pp | ||
| 18 Nov 2025 - 25 Nov 2025 | USD$7145pp | ||
| 16 Dec 2025 - 23 Dec 2025 | USD$7145pp |
Alternative itinerary options:
- 4 Day Natural Paradise: North Galapagos Islands
- 5 Day Natural Paradise: Central Galapagos Islands
- 8 Day Natural Paradise: Central & North Galapagos Islands (A)
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Stateroom
Cabins 2 & 3
Area: 172 ft2/16 m2, Double Twin beds, Panoramic Windows
Cabins 4 & 5
Area: 215 ft2/20 m2, Double Twin beds, Portholes
Junior Suite
Cabin 1
Area: 355 ft2/33 m2, One king size matrimonial bed and one safa, Panoramic Windows.
Cabins 8 & 9
Area: 226 ft2/21 m2, Double Twin beds, Private Balcony, Private bathroom with hot water, Air conditioning and storage space.
Suite
Cabins 6 & 7
355 ft2/33 m2, One matrimonial bed (King size), Coffee maker and binoculars, Panoramic windows, Private Balcony.
Natural Paradise Deckplan
Specifications
- Year of construction: 2016
- Length:111 feet / 34 meters
- Beam: 26 feet / 8 meters
- Draft: 4 feet / 1.40 meters
- Speed: 14 knots
- Capacity: 16 passengers + 11 crew members
- Main engines: CUMMINS - 2 X 400 HP
- Gross Tonnage: 145 Tons
- Generators: 2 X 50 Kw
Whats included?
- On-board accommodation
- All meals during the voyage
- Pre and post cruise transfers
- All expedition shore excursions
- Use of equipment for water activities
What’s not included?
- Air transportation
- Passport, visa and immigration fees
- Airport arrival/departure taxes
- Travel protection plan
- Galápagos National Park fee: US$200 per person
- Transit control card: US$20 per person
- Christmas & new-year surcharges
- Laundry service
- Alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities
- Any items not mentioned as included
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Galapagos
This once in a lifetime destination is a nature lovers dream. Watch the famous Galapagos tortoises and blue footed boobies in the morning and snorkel with sea lions in the afternoon, then relax on your cruise to the next destination tomorrow!
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