Galapagos

West Galapagos Islands (B)

5 Days aboard Coral I & II. From NZD $4,833pp.
Details

Overview

Our Galapagos itineraries offer unforgettable experiences, with our weekly departures allowing you to experience tours including: full board, two daily guided excursions with optional activities such as snorkelling, kayaking and dinghy rides. These cruises can be combined with Diving program extensions
and additional nights in Galapagos (upon request).

Itinerary Highlights

  • Encounter flightless Cormorants a their nesting sites as well as Galapagos penguins and the Galapagos Hawk.
  • Visit the largest island within the Galapagos and learn about the eruption of the volcanoes which formed it.
  • Ride a dinghy and sight a shoreline full of marine wildlife.
  • Snorkel in deep waters and see even more beautiful wildlife.
  • Visit a volcanic "black" beach.
  • Swim with sea turtles, sea lions and countless tropical fish.

Itinerary in Brief

  • Day 1: Baltra Airport - Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz Island)
  • Day 2: Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island) - Punta Espinosa (Fernandina Island)
  • Day 3: Isabela Island: Urbina Bay - Tagus Cove
  • Day 4: Santiago Island: Egas Port - Sullivan Bay
  • Day 5: Highlands Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island) - Baltra Airport

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 Airport - Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz Island)

Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island (2 ½ hour flight). Arriving in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our naturalist guides to take advantage of the time in the archipelago.

Here we can find four species of mangrove in the extensive tidal lagoon system that stretches for almost a mile inland. During our panga ride through the labyrinth we will spot many turtles, herons of several species, sharks and rays. The experience is otherworldly and seems to transport us back to the beginning of time.

Day 2: Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island) - Punta Espinosa (Fernandina Island)

Great deep-water snorkeling at one of the richest marine havens on Earth, the Bolivar Channel. Accessible by water, we take a dinghy ride along the coast to observe a great diversity of sea and coastal birds; Nazca and blue-footed boobies, noddies, brown pelicans, penguins, flightless cormorants. The upwelling of cold water currents in this part of the Galapagos gives rise to an abundance of marine life, a perfect place for deep snorkeling.

Dry landing. From Espinosa Point, is possible to admire a wide view of Isabela Island across the Bolivar Channel, an area that boasts some of the highest diversity of endemic sea fauna in the Galapagos. Here the largest, most primitive-looking marine iguanas are found mingling with sea lions and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Fernandina displays a wonderful opportunity to encounter flightless cormorants at their nesting sites, Galapagos penguins and the “King” of predators on the islands, the Galapagos hawk. Pa-hoe-hoe and AA lava formations cover the majority of Fernandina terrain. Vegetation is scarce inland, with few brachycereus cacti. In the shore mangrove can be found.

Day 3: Isabela Island: Urbina Bay - Tagus Cove

Wet landing (might be difficult due to the tide). Volcanic black beach, depending on the season, it is possible to find giant tortoises, land iguanas, and the unusual flightless cormorant. After a short walk inland it´s snorkeling time, a chance to swim with sea turtles, sea lions, and countless tropical fish. Urbina Bay features a wide variety of plants with the different range of colors in flowers, attracting different insects, birds, and reptiles. One of the highlights of the island is the uplifted coral reef that resulted from the 1954 seismic activity; here the views of Alcedo Volcano are remarkable. When navigating from Urbina to Tagus Cove whale watching is usual in May – December.

Dry landing on Galapagos’ largest island where we will learn about the eruption of the five volcanoes that form it. The trail leads to Darwin’s salt-water crater lake and excellent views of lava fields and volcanic formations. We will return by the same path for a dinghy ride along a shoreline full of marine wildlife, where we will admire a variety of seabirds, such as Blue-footed Booby, Brown Noddy, terns, Flightless Cormorant and depending on the season, a large number of Galapagos Penguins which are only 35 cm tall; the only penguin species in the world to live in the tropics.

The population of penguins on the islands is about 2,000 individuals, most of which live on this western portion of Isabela; others are scattered further south. We will have an opportunity to snorkel in deep water. Graffiti believed to have been left by 19th-century pirates is a curious reminder of an intriguing past.

Day 4: Santiago Island: Egas Port - Sullivan Bay

Wet landing. Egas Port is a black volcanic sand beach, visited by Darwin in 1835. The first section of the trail is formed of volcanic ash (eroded tuff) and the other half is an uneven terrain of volcanic basaltic rock. The unique, truly striking layered terrain of Santiago shore is home to a variety of animals including the bizarre yellow-crowned night heron and marine wildlife including lobster, starfish and marine iguanas grazing on algae beds alongside Sally light-foot crabs. It is easy to see colonies of endemic fur seals swimming in cool water volcanic rock pools.

Wet landing. This site located at the southeastern portion of Santiago Island is of important geologic interest. It features extensive relative young pa-hoe-hoe lava flows formed during the last quarter of the 19th century. In the middle of the lava flow, older reddish-yellow-colored tuff cones appear. Mollugo plants with their yellow-to-orange whorled leaves usually grow out of the fissures. Walking on the solidified lava gives the impression of been in another planet. Tree molds are found, indicating that in that position large size plants grew in small crevices, until the lava flow of past eruptions burned down the flora of the island.

Day 5: Highlands Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island) - Baltra Airport

Dry landing. In the mountains of Galapagos is possible to admire different kind of birds, such as: tree and ground finches, vermillion flycatchers, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets (usually standing on the tortoises’ shell). The journey to the reserve offers great opportunities to see the contrasts that the island offers in reference to the variety of ecosystems. The road goes from the coast through the agricultural zone and straight up to the dense humid forests. Often, Galapagos giant tortoises are also seen on the way, wandering through pastures in the paddocks. This spot is a birdwatchers’ haven, since almost every land bird present on the island lives or migrates here.

After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

Next Departure Date: 29 Jan 2025
DatesCabinFromSpecial Offer
29 Jan 2025 - 02 Feb 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
Standard CabinNZD$4833ppContact us
Standard Plus CabinNZD$5987ppContact us
Junior Cabin NZD$6826ppContact us
12 Feb 2025 - 16 Feb 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
26 Feb 2025 - 02 Mar 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
12 Mar 2025 - 16 Mar 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
26 Mar 2025 - 30 Mar 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
09 Apr 2025 - 13 Apr 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
23 Apr 2025 - 27 Apr 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
07 May 2025 - 11 May 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
21 May 2025 - 25 May 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
04 Jun 2025 - 08 Jun 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
18 Jun 2025 - 22 Jun 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
02 Jul 2025 - 06 Jul 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
16 Jul 2025 - 20 Jul 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
30 Jul 2025 - 03 Aug 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
13 Aug 2025 - 17 Aug 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
27 Aug 2025 - 31 Aug 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
10 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
24 Sep 2025 - 28 Sep 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
08 Oct 2025 - 12 Oct 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
22 Oct 2025 - 26 Oct 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
05 Nov 2025 - 09 Nov 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
19 Nov 2025 - 23 Nov 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
03 Dec 2025 - 07 Dec 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
17 Dec 2025 - 21 Dec 2025 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers
31 Dec 2025 - 04 Jan 2026 NZD$4833ppExpand to view offers

**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply

Cabin Details

Standard Cabin

7sqm/75sqft, located on the Sea deck, 2 single beds or 1 double bed, private bathroom, air-conditioning, portholes, safe, entertainment system with LCD TV's, hairdryer, 110-220V/60Hz, reading lights and sitting area.

Standard Cabin
Standard Cabin
Standard Plus Cabin

12sqm/129sqft, located on the Sea deck, 2 single beds or 1 double bed, private bathroom, air-conditioning, portholes, safe, entertainment system with LCD TV's, hairdryer, 110-220V/60Hz, reading lights and sitting area, some rooms can accomodate extra single bed on request.

Standard Plus Cabin
Standard Plus Cabin
Junior Cabin

12sqm, 129sqft, 2 single beds or 1 double bed, located on the Earth and Sky decks, twin beds, extra bed (available in 2 cabins on the Coral I and 1 cabin in the Coral II), private bathroom, air-conditioning, picture windows, safe, entertainment system with LCD TV's, hairdryer, 110-220V/60Hz, reading lights and sitting area.
(Interconnecting doors suitable for families/friends travelling together)

Junior Cabin
Junior Cabin

Coral I & II Deckplan

deck plan

Specifications

Ship Specifications: Coral I

  • Length: 131 ft (40 m)
  • Wide: 28 ft (8.5 m)
  • Decks: 4
  • Made in: Germany
  • Rebuilt: 2004
  • Refurbished in: August 2016
  • Guest Capacity: 36
  • Crew: 11
  • Speed: 12 knots
  • Cruise speed: 10 knots
  • Guides: 3 multilingual naturalists
  • Life Rafts: 4 for 25 pax each
  • Dinghies: 2 for 20 pax each
  • Kayaks: 2 double, 1 single
  • Safety: ISM, SMC, ISSC, IOPP, DOC
  • Electricity: 110v & 220V

Ship Specifications: Coral II

  • Length: 113 ft (34.4 m)
  • Wide: 20.80 ft (6.3) m)
  • Decks: 4
  • Made in: Holland
  • Rebuilt: 2006
  • Refurbished in: September 2017
  • Guest Capacity: 20
  • Crew: 9
  • Speed: 12 knots
  • Cruise speed: 10 knots
  • Guides: 2 multilingual naturalists
  • Life Rafts:
    • 2 for 25 pax each
    • 2 for 8 pax each
  • Dinghies: 2 for 17 pax each
  • Kayaks: 2 double, 1 single
  • Safety: ISM, SMC, ISSC, IOPP, DOC
  • Electricity: 110v & 220V

Whats included?

  • On-board accommodation
  • All meals during your cruise
  • Activities/shore excursions as specified
  • Bilingual naturalist guides
  • Transfers

What’s not included?

  • International and internal airfares 
  • Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable 
  • Travel insurance
  • Fuel surcharges
  • Galápagos National Park fee: US$200 per person
  • Transit control card: US$20 per person
  • Kayaks and wetsuit equipment
  • 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!

Downloadable travel guide

Planning your next adventure has never been easier with our free downloadable travel guides. Get in-depth insights into local attractions, dining options, and hidden gems, all curated by our team of travel specialists with decades of experience.

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West Galapagos Islands (B)

5 Days aboard Coral I & II. From NZD $4,833pp.