Galapagos

Central Galapagos Islands

5 Days aboard Monserrat. Contact for pricing.
Small Ship Expeditions
Details

Overview

Snorkelling with families of sea lions, walking among waved albatross and learning about the famous giant Galapagos tortoise are just some of the activities you can expect to do on this exciting 5-day itinerary aboard the Monserrat.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Snorkel among families of sea lions at Isla Lobos
  • Observe incredible remnants of volcano cones such as Pinnacle Rock
  • Snorkel through spectacular sights of tropical fish and clear blue waters

Itinerary in Brief

  • Day 1: Baltra Airport / Santa Cruz Island
  • Day 2: Chinese Hat / Santiago Island
  • Day 3: North Seymour / Santa Fe
  • Day 4: San Cristobal Pit Point / Witch Hill
  • Day 5: San Cristobal / Transfer Out

Ship Information

For more information on the M/Y Monserrat please view the ship page.

View M/Y Monserrat

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 / Santa Cruz Island

Baltra
After clearing customs and immigration you will be met by our guide and transferred to the M/Y Monserrat. In the afternoon, you will be transfer to the highlands of Santa Cruz. We will visit a tortoise ranch and see some of the amazing volcanic formations of this area.


Santa Cruz Highlands Excursion (PM)
Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and see the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural surroundings. Explore the area and its incredible underground lava tunnels – some are more than 1km (.6 mi) long! Wander along the volcanic tubes and keep an eye out for the (mainly) nocturnal barn owls that sometimes roost here.

Lunch and Dinner included.

Day 2: Chinese Hat / Santiago Island

Chinese Hat Visit (AM)
Explore Chinese Hat’s beautiful landscape and spectacular white-coral sand beach followed by snorkeling with sea lions and penguins and swimming opportunities in the cove.

Snorkeling (Chinese Hat) (AM)
Snorkel right from the white-coral sand beach and come face to face with playful sea lions and large schools of tropical fish. Keep an eye out for marine iguanas and penguins too!

Sullivan Bay (PM)
Walking through Sullivan Bay offers an extraordinary journey into the volcanic origins of the Archipelago. The hike will take you across a perfectly preserved Pahoehoe lava flow, providing the opportunity to observe the delicate textures of this rare type of lava.

While may appear barren and lifeless landscapes, a closer look reveals resilient pioneer plants, scurrying lava lizards, and small birds. Along the shore, penguins, pelicans, and oystercatchers add a touch of life to the stark environment.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 3: North Seymour / Santa Fe

North Seymour (AM)
The morning starts with a visit to North Seymour Island, a spectacular showcase of the Galapagos Islands' diverse wildlife. This fairly flat island is home to a thriving population of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds.

The trail will walk you through a forest of low, bushy vegetation, where you'll have the opportunity to witness the fascinating courtship dance of the blue-footed boobies. The island's coastline also let you observe sea lions and marine iguanas basking in the sun. The large frigate bird colonies are a sight, especially when the males expand their bright red throat pouches to attract mates.

This is an ideal spot for birdwatching and photography.


Santa Fe (PM)
This Island is known for its picturesque bay and turquoise waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The island hosts a large amount of land iguanas unique to Santa Fe. Watching for these magnificent creatures as you walk through the giant prickly pear cactus forest will make a unique experience. The island's calm and clear waters are ideal for spotting the marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and colorful schools of fish. Santa Fe also offers a chance to see the Galapagos hawk and various endemic finches.

This day offers a combination of terrestrial and marine activities as you will also do kayaking and panga rides, showcasing the diverse landscapes and wildlife the Galapagos Islands are famous for.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 4: San Cristobal Pit Point / Witch Hill

Punta Pitt Visit (AM)
Enjoy amazing wildlife watching and interesting geological formations on this fascinating expedition. Arrive at a quiet cove on the eastern tip of San Cristóbal to explore Punta Pitt. Made up of volcanic tuff substrate, it's the only site in the Galápagos where it's possible to see three species of boobies and two species of frigatebirds.

Snorkeling (Punta Pitt) (AM)
Snorkel around Punta Pitt Island and spot schools of fish swimming below. On the shore admire the nesting birds and sun-bathing sea lions.

Witch Hill (PM)
Cerro Brujo, isa breathtaking white sand beach on San Cristobal Island's northern coast.

This beach was one of the first sites visited by Charles Darwin. It's an attractive spot for walking and enjoying the landscape, with its powdery white sand and turquoise waters. The area is home to a large sea lion colony, and the nearby lagoon often hosts several bird species, including pelicans and blue-footed boobies.

The clear waters also make it an ideal spot for snorkeling, where you can encounter rich marine life.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 5: San Cristobal / Transfer Out

Tijeretas Hill (AM)
Tijeretas Hill is a tourist attraction on the San Cristobal Island, offering visitors a spectacular panoramic view and the opportunity to enjoy the rich marine life that surrounds the area.

The name “Tijeretas” refers to the frigate birds that inhabit the region, also known as earwigs.

It is one of the only places where you can watch the two species of frigate birds nesting in the same colony.

Breakfast included.

Please contact us for dates

Cabin Details

Upper Deck Twin

2 single beds, air conditioning, private bathroom with shower and hot water & hairdryer.

Upper Deck Twin
Upper Deck Twin
Lower Deck Twin

2 single beds, air conditioning, private bathroom with shower and hot water & hairdryer.

Lower Deck Twin
Lower Deck Twin
Lower Deck Triple

1 single bed and 1 bunk bed, air conditioning, private bathroom with shower and hot water & hairdryer.

Lower Deck Triple
Lower Deck Triple
Upper Deck Double

• With large windows overlooking the ocean
• Non – Shaded relaxing area (Observation deck)

Upper Deck Double
Upper Deck Double
Single Cabin - Lower Deck

Air conditioning, private bathroom with shower and hot water & hairdryer.

Single Cabin - Lower Deck
Single Cabin - Lower Deck

Monserrat Deckplan

deck plan

Specifications

  • Year of construction: 2005
  • Refurbished: 2023
  • Type: Motor Yacht
  • Category: First Class
  • Length: 91fts / 28mts
  • Beam: 22fts / 7mts
  • Capacity: 20 passengers
  • Accommodation: - Lower Deck: 4 cabins (2 twin cabins & 2 matrimonial cabins)
                                - Upper Deck: 6 cabins (5 twin cabins & 1 matrimonial cabin).
                                  All cabins have lower beds no bunk
  • On Board: Lounge with TV, DVD Comendor & bar Solarium
  • Main engines: Propeler / General Motors 340 HP
  • Max speed: 12 knots
  • Crew: 9 + 2 naturalist guide
  • Safety & Navigation: All safety equipment

What's included?

  • Accommodation in double cabin
  • Fuel Surcharge.
  • All meals on board.
  • All activities and excursions as depicted in the itineraries in company of a bilingual naturalist guide.
  • Snorkeling equipment.
  • Purified water, tea, coffee
  • Assistance at the airport for flight to Galapagos on departure dates
  • Kayak
  • Stand up Paddleboards
  • Wetsuits

What's not?

  • Air ticket to and from Galapagos (Subject to change).
  • Galápagos National Park fee: US$200 per person
  • Transit control card: US$20 per person
  • Alcoholic and non - alcoholic beverages.
  • Gratuities to guides and crew
  • Personals expenses.
  • Travel insurance.

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.

You may also like…

Central Galapagos Islands

5 Days aboard Monserrat. Contact for pricing.