Galapagos on a Private Yacht, April 2028
Sea Lions, Galápagos Archipelago
TRIP SUMMARY
Come join us for an exciting photographic adventure to the Galapagos Islands. We have chartered a private motor yacht for only 10 people to this exciting location. We will visit many islands and will have the opportunity to photograph up close much of the wildlife on our 8 days and 7 nights aboard the Galapagos Explorer private yacht. Galapagos Explorer is one of the newest motor yachts in the archipelago (2024 launch), and has all of the best amenities one can ask for. We can take our time on our nature walks, allowing us to bring our large lenses, monopods and tripods. Since we have a small and intimate group, we can take the time to do our excursions on land and at sea, since we will be a small group.
Charles Darwin visited these fantastic islands in the 1830's aboard the HMS Beagle, and his experiences on the Galapagos Islands helped him formulate his theories of natural selection. Our naturalist guides will show you the wonders of the Galápagos during interpretive walks and at briefings after dinner. From the deck, watch dolphins ride the bow wave or brush up on the biology of the Galapagos with a book from the library. After dark, stargazing carries you beyond Earth's surface.
The Galapagos Islands offer some of the most spectacular wildlife found anywhere in the world. Here you can literally walk right up to the hundreds of blue footed booby birds, red footed booby birds, masked booby birds, albatrosses, penguins, land iguanas, marine iguanas, lava lizards, sea lions, fur seals, red chested frigate birds, flamingos, finches, tropic birds, lava gulls, giant tortoises, and flightless comorants which inhabit these islands. You can snorkel with penguins, swim with sea lions, walk through a lava tunnel, and see manta rays, dolphins and whales from your yacht.
Marine Iguana, Espaniola Island, Galápagos Archipelago
About the Galapagos Explorer Yacht
The Galapagos Explorer is one of the newest motor yachts, built especially for cruising the Galapagos archipelago. It is the most intimate, delivering the highest staff to guest ratio., and accommodations include six cabins, each with large private bathroom. Cabins are furnished with king or twin beds (we can configure as needed), roomy closet, drawers and storage, plus separate climate controls and intercom system. The yacht features many public areas; dining rooms both inside and outside, a well-stocked bar, comfortable lounge area and air conditioning throughout. The sun deck lounge chairs, jacuzzi and observation areas invite you to catch the ocean breezes. Some of the cabins even have private outdoor decks. Highly sophisticated navigational and mechanical equipment meet the highest safety standards found in the Galapagos. We will have Wifi throughout, provided by Starlink, as well as wetsuits for all snorkeling activities.
Three daily meals feature both international and Ecuadorian specialties and snacks are served following shore excursions. The attentive 10-member crew will make it a trip to remember. This is a non-smoking boat.
The Schedule
This luxury journey requires 8 days and 7 nights on board the Galapagos Explorer, plus an optional pre-trip extension in Quito to get ready for the journey. We encourage all participants to arrive at least a day before we depart the Ecuador mainland for the Galapagos archipelago, in case of any airline delays or baggage hassles. If you would like to arrive early, we have an optional 2-night extension planned of the group (highly recommend) or our trip begins as we check-in to fly to the Galapagos. We are giving everyone flexibility to build the trip around our 7 nights on the yacht and our trip officially begins at the airport on the morning of April 17, when we fly to the islands from Quito, Ecuador.
Monday, April 17, 2028 - Fly from Quito, Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands - North Seymour Island
Depart Quito by airplane and arrive on North Seymour Island. Upon arrival our crew is waiting at the airport to escort you to the main deck and then by zodiac to your yacht anchored in the bay. After the welcome briefing and safety drill, a delicious buffet lunch is served. During lunch we will move the yacht and will head straight for our first excursion. We will depart the yacht by zodiacs and continue on foot in search of blue-footed boobies, colonies of frigatebirds, fork-tailed gulls, sea lion and land iguana. Palo santo trees can also be found on the island.
Tuesday, April 18, 2028
MORNING: Sail to Punta Pitt, located on the east coast of San Cristóbal, to explore a cluster of eroded volcanoes sparsely populated by endemic vegetation.
AFTERNOON: Discover Kicker Rock, which showcases the remains of eroded lava flows as well as two vertical rocks rising 152 m (500 ft) from the ocean. This natural monument is great for spotting various tropicbirds, frigatebirds and boobies. You’ll also visit Lobos Island, a small flat islet located 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. This is a fantastic spot to observe nesting frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies as well as snorkel with friendly sea lion.
Kicker Rock
Wednesday, April 19, 2028
MORNING: Today you will travel to Osborn Islet, Gardner Bay and Gardner Island. Bask in the sunshine on the pristine sandy white beaches with sea lion and discover the vibrant underwater world by snorkelling with sharks and other sea life along its rocky shores.
Gardner Bay is probably most well-known as the sole breeding site for the entire world population of waved albatross, numbering around 12,000 pairs. This species has attained a critical endangered status, prompting ongoing vigilance through regular population monitoring. The Galapagos Islands are actively engaged in safeguarding their natural habitat, implementing measures aimed at preserving this unique and threatened species.
AFTERNOON: Explore Punta Suarez. This rocky land sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea boasting spectacular views of soaring birds as well as of a unique blowhole where ocean water is known to spout up to 15 – 23 m (50 – 75 ft) into the air depending on the surf intensity.
Waved albatross on Española Island
Thursday, April 20, 2028
MORNING: This morning you will explore Champion Island and Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island. Floreana Island also boasts one of the largest lagoons in the Galapagos. Situated between two volcanoes, the lagoon is home to an array of birds, including flamingo, common stilt and white-checked pintail duck. In addition, the island hosts a high percentage of endemic plant species. Its two distinct beaches, the Green Beach (due to the olivine crystals in the sand) and Flour Sand Beach (which is made up of coral) also make for an interesting sight.
AFTERNOON: In the 18th century, navigators passing through the islands placed a wooden barrel on Floreana Island to use as an unofficial mailbox. Known as Post Office Bay today, the tradition continues as travellers leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver at home.
Friday, April 21, 2028
MORNING: Begin your day with a visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the important conservation work taking place in the Galapagos. Next, visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center which was established to protect and preserve the Galapagos’ tortoise population. Strolling through the park not only showcases the various tortoises but also the land iguana that are bred and nurtured at the centre.
AFTERNOON: After lunch, discover the highlands of Santa Cruz. Explore a pair of volcanic sinkholes called ‘The Twins’ (or Los Gemelos) formed by land collapsing beneath the surface before spending time at the Tortoise Reserve El Chato where several subspecies of giant tortoises roam free.
Saturday, April 22, 2028
MORNING: The rocky, low-lying hill, Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) is home to an impressive population of Galapagos land iguana. These miniature dragons roam around the sun-scorched, boulder-strewn island, enjoying the fruits and flowers of their favourite food, the prickly pear.
AFTERNOON: Next, head to the famous Pinnacle Rock on Bartolomé Island. A walking trail leads to the summit of an extinct volcano boasting some of the best views in the Galapagos. Pinnacle Rock beach is also ideal for snorkelling and spotting Galapagos penguin.
Sunday, April 23, 2028
MORNING: The 14 km2 (8.7 mi2) island of Genovesa is the tip of a submerged shield volcano that rises 76 m (249 ft) above sea level. Its central crater is filled with salt water while ocean erosion over time created Darwin Bay located on its southern slope. The island is known for its great swimming, snorkelling and panga excursions.
AFTERNOON: While Genovesa doesn’t have too many land animals, it’s a paradise for sea birds including large colonies of the red-footed boobies and frigatebirds. The island’s Prince Phillip’s Steps (El Barranco) is also the breeding ground for the tree-loving red-footed booby and ground-nesting masked booby as well as is also home to four species of Darwin finches: the large ground finch, the sharp-beaked ground finch, the large cactus finch, and the warbler finch. Natural history enthusiasts will recall that Charles Darwin’s observation of the adaptation of the finches’ beaks served as a pivotal inspiration for his theories on natural selection. In addition, keep an eye out for the Galapagos mockingbird and Galapagos dove. If time permits, you can snorkel at El Barranco on the west side of Darwin Bay.
Monday, April 24, 2028 - Fly back to Quito
Today we disembark our yacht and say goodbye to the amazing staff and take the zodiacs back onto land. We will be driven to the airport and we will fly back to Quito, on the mainland. Upon arrival we will be assisted with our connecting flights back home.
NOTE: Customized extensions to this trip can be arranged
The Cost
The cost of this trip varies, depending on cabin type. The rates are currently 2027 rates and we will not have 2028 rates until sometime later in 2026 or early 2028. Anticipate a 5-7% cost increase over the numbers listed below.
Luxury Cabin x2 = $15,900 per person
Luxury View Cabin x2 = $16,900 per person
Superior Cabin x1 = $18,900 per person
Deluxe View Suite x1 = $19,900 per person
If you would like to arrive in Quito 2 days early, and we hope that you do, we have a 2-night pre-Galapagos extension planned that will be $1,860 per person. This includes a meet and greet at the airport, transportation into Quito, 2 nights at the stately Casa Gangotena Hotel and a foodie tour of Quito during our full day in Quito.
Due to the limited number of spaces available, please contact us as soon as you have a measurable interest in this trip. The list of those interested is longer than total number of berths, so please contact us as soon as possible.
Please note: We will attempt to adhere to this itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or wildlife migrations) may necessitate changes in the itinerary. We reserves the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will attempt to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. Costs incurred by such changes will be the responsibility of the participant.
What Do I Do Next?
This group will be super small so space is limited. If this exciting trip has your name on it; if you're excited by the thought of becoming a member of this trip, then now is the time to register. Remember, there will be limited space available for this workshop. When they're spoken for, that's it. If you have any questions before registering, send us an e-mail with any inquiries to hello@andybiggs.com.
Trip Details
Trip Leader: Andy Biggs
Dates: April 17-24, 2028
What's Included?
Air transportation to and from the Galapagos islands from Quito, Ecuador.
7 nights and 8 days aboard Galapagos Explorer
Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee
Alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages
All meals while on the ship
Snorkeling equipment
What is Not Included?
International Round-Trip Flight to Quito, Ecuador
Optional 2-night Pre Galapagos extension
Tips for staff and guides
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance