Expeditions
With our range of handpicked itineraries, when you cruise the Galápagos Islands aboard our newly-refitted expedition ship MS Santa Cruz II, you’ll discover first-hand the unique nature of this Eden-like archipelago. Accompanied by an expert Expedition Team, you’ll see iconic Galápagos wildlife and have a life changing experience along the way.
Step aboard our comfortable expedition ship MS Santa Cruise II and discover the astonishing Galápagos Islands. With small groups and more wildlife guides, you’ll get closer to the animals and landscapes that inspired Darwin to develop his classic theory of evolution.
Sometimes called a ‘living laboratory’, these remote isles give us an insight into the processes of life on Earth. We’ll seek out endemic wildlife such as giant tortoises, marine iguanas and the Waved Albatross, and your onboard Expedition Team will help you learn their fascinating natural history.
Marvel at the remarkable wildlife of the Galápagos Islands on an expedition cruise. From the giant tortoises lumbering around across rocky landscapes to the marine iguanas grazing underwater – our onboard nature photographer will share tips and help you get those perfect shots.
The ecology of each island makes them unique in many ways, and because humans only recently arrived on the scene much of the wildlife remains tame. You’ll see iconic species such as Galápagos sea lions, Blue-footed Boobies and the distinctive marine iguanas at a close but respectable distance.
Hidden away in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, the volcanic Galápagos archipelago formed millions of years ago and was first colonised by animals and plants from the mainland. When you explore these remarkable islands on an expedition cruise, you’ll be witnessing a living crucible of evolution.
Following in the footsteps of Charles Darwin, you’ll make your own discoveries as you explore the islands with our knowledgeable and passionate nature guides. With many talks and lectures, guided shore landings and hands-on Citizen Science projects, you’ll discover the secrets of the Galápagos Islands.
With our focus on sustainability and low-impact cruising, you’ll learn about the fragile ecology of the Galápagos Islands and why conservation is so important. Aboard your small 90-capacity ship you’ll get closer to nature and be guaranteed exclusive wildlife watching opportunities with qualified guides.
The comfortable and stylish expedition ship MS Santa Cruz II has undergone a multi-million-dollar refurb, and features well-appointed cabins and suites, fitness facilities and hot tubs, a Science Corner and library, outstanding dining – with many new plant-based dishes – and a great range of expedition equipment.
Galápagos offers fantastic opportunities for exploration and adventure – and your onboard Expedition Team will bring you closer to the action. You’ll venture to some truly off-the-beaten track destinations where you can try sea kayaking, SUP boarding, reef snorkelling and more – while our onboard Science Programme opens up a world of discovery.
Our pangas allow us to land on beaches and terrain that would otherwise be too rugged for larger vessels to get close to. They’re also great for marine wildlife watching, so we use them to seek out creatures such as dolphins, turtles and birds.
A different experience entirely, our glass-bottom boat gives you the chance to observe marine life from above – it’s like snorkelling without getting in the water! We’ll launch it over reefs and shallows, and you’ll see the colourful fish and other underwater creatures in comfort.
Exploring the various islands on foot turns a walk into an adventure. You’ll be heading ashore often and walking on trails that lead through a range of distinct ecosystems. Guides will accompany you at all times, ensuring we keep a close but respectable distance from the protected animals.
Depending on the itinerary you’ve chosen, you could be walking amidst the silvery Palo Santo trees of North Seymour, with their delicate incense scent; watching giant tortoises lumber through the undergrowth on Santa Cruz; or venturing to the sea lion colony on Santa Fe.
It’s not just the wildlife on land that’s worth watching in the Galápagos Islands – the sub aqua sights are just as amazing. What could be better than drifting over a tropical reef and seeing the colourful marine life illuminated in the crystal-clear water?
We have all the snorkelling gear you’ll need and your Expedition Team will take you to some pretty amazing places where you might see placid turtles, colourful fish, diving marine iguanas and curious sea lions performing their graceful underwater acrobatics.
If you enjoy getting close to the water, some places are ideally suited to exploring with a kayak. Your ship has a number of sea kayaks for such a purpose, and they’re perfect for paddling the waters around Santa Fe, Española and Santa Cruz.
Alternatively, why not try out SUP boarding – it’s fun, and mastering it will give you a great sense of achievement. An SUP board is both manoeuvrable and easy to get the hang of, and your expedition ship carries a number of them for your enjoyment.
The Galápagos Islands are a centre for global conservation and research efforts. At the Charles Darwin Research Station over 200 scientists and volunteers are engaged in projects to boost local biodiversity. There, you’ll see baby tortoises being incubated, as well as other inspiring conservation success stories.
On San Cristobal, another project is set in a forest that doubles as a tortoise reserve – and you’ll witness these gentle giants in their natural habitat. At the same time, Citizen Science projects onboard your ship will allow you to contribute to important scientific research in the area.
Your adventure will effectively be one continuous wildlife watching experience! Animals here evolved without many predators so they have no fear of humans, meaning you can get closer to photograph them lying on the beaches and volcanic rocks – or for giant tortoises, ambling peacefully along.
But we’ll also be on the lookout for faster-moving things, such as dolphins, reef sharks and Galápagos hawks. Our Expedition Teams are passionate about the nature of Galápagos, and they know all the best places to go to find the best wildlife watching experiences.
Not many places on the planet can compete with the unique wildlife experience of the Galápagos Islands. Evolving without mammalian predators and undisturbed by humans, each island is home to a variety of species, from Galápagos giant tortoises and sea lions to marine iguanas and Waved Albatrosses.
While cruising the Galápagos Islands, you’ll see the renowned iguanas. Comprising the unique sea-foraging marine species found nowhere else in the world, and the yellowish-brown land iguana, these spiky-looking reptiles are some of the most recognisable endemic creatures to exist on the islands.
Predominantly vegetarian, marine iguanas feed underwater on algae, while Galápagos land iguanas mostly eat cactus pads and play an important role in dispersing seeds. Interestingly, the marine iguanas sneeze salt out from a specially evolved nasal gland to remove it from their bodies.
One of the most iconic creatures you can see on a tour of the islands is the endangered Galápagos giant tortoise. Weighing up to 470 lb, these reptiles can live for well over a century and each species has a uniquely shaped shell.
Although hunted and eaten by pirates and whalers in times past, recent breeding programmes have successfully boosted the number of Galápagos giant tortoises, and ongoing conservation efforts remain focused on securing their long-term survival on the islands.
The island of Española is the almost exclusive breeding site of the Galápagos Waved Albatross. Close to 35,000 breeding pairs live here, but they’re considered critically endangered because it’s their only significant breeding site.
Seasonal winds are of vital importance to the Waved Albatross. Even with a wingspan of over 8 ft, the birds need a steady breeze to give them lift, but these winds die down in January. The chicks must be mature enough to fly by then or else remain stranded during the hottest season.
The seas of the Galápagos Marine Reserve heave with life. They’re home to an array of fascinating marine creatures, from sea turtles and sharks to whales and rays.
Many species thrive here, including the spotted eagle ray and the unmistakable white tip reef shark.
Whether you’re snorkelling over a coral reef, kayaking along the shore - or even comfortably seated aboard MS Santa Cruz II or our glass bottom boat, you’ll see a wealth of marine life on your expedition cruise around the amazing Galápagos Islands.
The colourful feet of Blue-footed Boobies make them easy to identify. Their
characteristic pigmentation comes from their diet of fresh fish, and their brightness is a sign of health and fertility. The ones you’ll see are an endemic subspecies, and are closely associated with the islands.
Year-round, Blue-footed Boobies can be seen on land parading their strikingly showy feet in order to impress potential mates. At other times you might see them taking to the air above the seas, nosediving at speed to catch fish.
Finches played a crucial role in the development of evolutionary theory when it was noticed that the different species of finches on each island had distinct beaks that seemed to be adapted to the food available.
You can see these so-called Darwin’s Finches on various islands in the Galápagos archipelago at any time of year. The Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island is one place where you can also see all of the famous finches at close quarters.
