Galapagos - Ecuador
Midrange
4-8 Days
Included
Easy
16 Passengers
The Aida Maria Galapagos Cruise is a must-consider option for anyone looking for an unforgettable Galapagos experience. The ship is equipped with a variety of comfortable cabins to suit all preferences, ranging from double to triple occupancy, all of which are air-conditioned and feature private en-suite facilities. Each cabin has large windows, perfect for admiring the breathtaking views of the ocean and the surrounding islands. The cabins are also equipped with ample storage space, allowing guests to feel at home during their stay on the ship.
In addition to the comfortable cabins, the Aida Maria also boasts a variety of communal spaces to enhance the guest experience. The ship has multiple lounges, including an indoor lounge and an outdoor sundeck, both of which provide guests with the perfect setting to relax and soak up the stunning views. The indoor lounge is equipped with comfortable seating and a small library, while the sundeck features lounge chairs and a shaded area. Guests can enjoy the warm ocean breeze while watching the sunset over the horizon or stargazing at night.
When it comes to cuisine, the Aida Maria Midrange Galapagos Cruise does not disappoint. The ship’s talented chefs prepare delicious meals using fresh ingredients, including locally sourced fish and seafood. The menu features a variety of international and Ecuadorian dishes, with options for guests with dietary restrictions. The dining room is also equipped with large windows, allowing guests to enjoy their meals while taking in the stunning views of the surrounding islands. Additionally, the ship offers snacks and refreshments throughout the day, including fresh fruit and coffee. Overall, the Aida Maria offers a comfortable, relaxing, and unforgettable Galapagos experience that is sure to leave guests with lasting memories.
Itineraries
Browse through the different cruise itineraries below by clicking on each one
THU Baltra, Santa Cruz Highlands
FRI Post office Bay, Baroness Lookout, Cormorant Point, Devils Crown
SAT Suarez Point, Gardner Bay, Gardner Islet & Osborn Islet
SUN San Cristobal: Lobos Islet, Airport
(4 days)
Day 1: You will be taken to the Aida Maria Yacht after landing at Baltra Airport. We travel by bus to Santa Cruz Highlands, a moist region with fertile volcanic soils and luxuriant vegetation, after lunch. Giant tortoises can be seen here in their natural habitat, which is the main draw, and you might also see various bird species like Darwin Finches, Yellow Warblers, and Bright Red Vermilion Flycatchers.
Day 2: We arrive at Cormorant Point in the morning, where you can explore two beaches and be greeted by a small colony of Galapagos sea lions. Continue on to Devil’s Crown, a submarine crater that offers some of the most breathtaking snorkeling in the Galapagos, after this excursion. Weāll travel to Post Office Bay following lunch.
Day 3: Head to Suarez Point in the early morning; it is a basaltic cliff with a blowhole where water sprays high into the air. An excellent opportunity to take stunning photos, see sea lions, nesting sea birds and see Marine Iguanas is during the hike to the top. The yacht will transport you to Gardner Bay’s lovely white sand beach in the afternoon so you can observe sea lions lounging there and go swimming or snorkeling.
Day 4: Your cruise’s final stop will be Lobos Island, a tiny volcanic rock island that gets its name from the colony of sea lions that calls it home (Lobo de Mar in Spanish). The actions and interactions of sea lions living in a small group can be seen. You will be driven to the airport to catch your flight back to the mainland after this activity.
SUN Baltra Airport; Bachas Beach
MON Genovesa Island: Darwin Bay; El Barranco
TUE Bartholomew Island, Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay
WED Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtle Cove, Dragon Hill
THU Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin St./ Tortoise Breeding Center; Transfer to Baltra Airport
(5 days)
Day 1: You will be taken to the Aida Maria Yacht after landing at Baltra Airport. After lunch, you’ll go to Bachas Beach, which consists of two tiny coral-decomposed-coral beaches that are a favorite sea turtle nesting location.
Day 2: To find red-footed boobies and great frigate birds courting a female, make a wet landing at Darwin Bay and follow the trail there. A steep climb will lead you to a Palo Santo Forest and species like Nazca boobies at Prince Philip’s Steps (Barranco), where the yacht will stop after lunch. Additionally, from here, you can see the entire Island in its entirety.
Day 3: To start, we go on a hike to the Galapagos Islands to take in the most breathtaking panoramic view. After that, you can unwind on the beach or go snorkeling at the reef to see a variety of fish, amiable sea lions, and sea turtles. We travel to Santiago Island in the afternoon to see the amazing enormous lava formations at Sullivan Bay. Dinner on the yacht after your return.
Day 4: We travel to Daphne Island in the morning, a volcanic ash cone that is home to thousands of birds, including blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, tropic birds, and many others. Next, we travel to Black Turtle Cove, a Santa Cruz red mangrove lagoon. Day’s end and dinner served aboard.
Day 5: After breakfast, we arrive at Santa Cruz Island, where you can explore the well-known Charles Darwin Station, a nonprofit organization dedicated to researching and preserving the Galapagos’ flora and fauna. One of the best locations to see land turtles is here. You will be driven to the airport to catch your flight back to the mainland following this activity.
THU Baltra, Santa Cruz Highlands
FRI Floreana: Post Office Bay, Baroness Lookout, Cormorant Point, Devil’s Crown
SAT EspaƱola: Suarez Point, Gardner Bay, Gardner Islet & Osborn Islet
SUN San Cristobal: Lobos Island, Interpretation Centre, Tijeretas
MON Santa Fe, Plazas Island
TUE Charles Darwin Station, Baltra
(6 days E)
Day 1: You will be taken to the Aida Maria Yacht after landing at Baltra Airport. We travel by bus to Santa Cruz Highlands, a moist region with fertile volcanic soils and luxuriant vegetation, after lunch. Giant tortoises can be seen here in their natural habitat, which is the main draw, and you might also see various bird species.
Day 2: We arrive at Cormorant Point in the morning, where you can explore two beaches, one with green sand that contains olivine crystal and the other with white coral. and be greeted by a small colony of Galapagos sea lions. Continue on to Devil’s Crown, a submerged crater that offers some of the most breathtaking snorkeling in the Galapagos, after this activity. Weāll travel to Post Office Bay following lunch.
Day 3: Head to Suarez Point in the early morning; it is a basaltic cliff with a blowhole where water sprays high into the air. An excellent opportunity to take stunning photos, see sea lions, nesting seabirds (boobies and albatrosses), and see Marine Iguanas is during the hike to the top. The yacht will transport you to Gardner Bay’s lovely white sand beach in the afternoon so you can observe sea lions lounging there and go swimming or snorkeling.
Ā Day 4: Today’s first stop is Lobos Islet, home to a colony of Galapagos sea lions, including protective mothers and their young. Great frigate birds and male blue-footed boobies may also be seen. After lunch, you will go to the San Cristobal Interpretation Center to learn more about the history of the island, its colonization, its native species, and the efforts made to protect them.
Day 5: At South Plazas Island, where there are several species of land iguanas and swallow-tailed gulls, we disembark. In case of bad weather, we can also go swimming or snorkeling. Go to Santa Fe after lunch for a great opportunity to observe and interact with sea lions. Dinner will be provided onboard following this activity.
Day 6: After breakfast, we arrive at Santa Cruz Island, where you can explore the well-known Charles Darwin Station, a nonprofit organization dedicated to researching and preserving the Galapagos’ flora and fauna. One of the best locations to see land turtles is here. You will be driven to the airport to catch your flight back to the mainland following this activity.
TUE Baltra Airport, Santa Cruz Highlands
WED Isabela: Sierra Negra Volcano, Wetlands
THU Isabela: Moreno Point, Elizabeth Bay
FRI Fernandina: Espinoza Point, Isabela: Vicente Roca Point
SAT Santiago: Egas Port, Red Beach – Rabida
SUN North Seymour, Baltra Airport
(6 days F)
Day 1: You will be taken to the Aida Maria Yacht after landing at Baltra Airport. You will travel to the fertile Highlands of Santa Cruz Island, where there is abundant native plant and animal life, after lunch. Darwin’s Finches, Yellow Warblers, Bright Red Vermilion Flycatchers, and Galapagos giant turtles may all be seen roaming around freely in this area. After this activity, the evening will end with dinner on the yacht.
Day 2: The Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela Island will be the destination of our first stop in the morning. We climb up to the caldera’s impressive ancient lava flows. After lunch, you will head to the wetlands, a mangrove area with tiny brackish water lagoons that provide the ideal habitat for a small species of shrimp that the island’s flamingos eat.
Day 3: Visit Moreno Point in the early morning, between the volcanoes Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul, on the north coast of Isabela. Through a trail of solidified lava, you will arrive at a coastal lagoon where you can see a variety of birds. In the afternoon, we will travel to Elizabeth Bay.
Day 4: At Espinoza Point, where you disembark for the day, you can see a variety of wildlife, including sea lions, penguins, and flightless cormorants. Visit Vicente Roca Point (Isabela Island) after lunch; it is a large bay with amazing marine life. Additionally, you will be able to see penguins, blue-footed boobies, and Nazca boobies.
Day 5: A wet landing at James Bay, also referred to as Puerto Egas, will be the first activity of the day. Iguanas and sea lions can be seen along the coast with a short stroll. We travel to Rabida Island in the late afternoon, where iron-rich lava has turned the sand red. Return to the yacht for dinner.
Day 6: We travel to North Seymour early in the morning to observe the various bird species that live there, including blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. Following our arrival in Puerto Ayora, you will be driven to Baltra Airport to catch your flight back to the mainland.
SUN Arrival to Baltra & Santa Cruz: Bachas Beach
MON Genovesa: Darwin Bay, El Barranco
TUE Bartolome Island & Santiago: Sullivan Bay
WED Daphne & Santa Cruz: Black Turtle Cove, Dragon Hill
THU Santa Cruz: Charles Darwin Station & Highlands
FRI Floreana: Post Office Bay, Baroness Lookout, Cormorant Point, Devil’s Crown
SAT EspaƱola: Suarez Point, Gardner Bay, Islets Gardner & Osborn
SUN San Cristobal: Lobos Island & transfer to the Airport
(8 days A)
Day 1: You will be taken to the Aida Maria Yacht after landing at Baltra Airport. After lunch, you’ll go to Bachas Beach, which consists of two tiny coral-decomposed-coral beaches that are a favorite sea turtle nesting location.
Day 2: To find red-footed boobies and great frigate birds courting a female, make a wet landing at Darwin Bay and follow the trail there. Darwin’s Finches and indigenous plants like mangroves and cacti will also be found there. The yacht will travel to Prince Philip’s Steps after lunch, where a challenging ascent leads to a Palo Santo Forest. Additionally, from here, you can see the entire Island in its entirety.
Day 3: We start our trip at Bartolome Island and Sullivan Bay to take in the most breathtaking panoramic view of the Galapagos Islands. After that, you can unwind on the beach or go snorkeling at the reef to see a variety of fish. Due to the island’s recent formation, weāll visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island in the afternoon to view fascinating enormous lava formations. Dinner on the yacht after your return.
Day 4: We leave early for Black Turtle Cove, a red mangrove lagoon on Santa Cruz that is inhabited by sharks, rays, and turtles. The yacht will make its way to Dragon Hill after lunch, where we will land dry on lava rocks. This location is a small bay on Santa Cruz’s west coast that got its name from the numerous land iguanas that call it home. Day’s end and dinner served aboard.
Day 5: We arrive at Santa Cruz Island after breakfast, where you can tour the renowned Charles Darwin Station. We travel by bus to Santa Cruz Highlands after lunch, where there is abundant moisture, fertile volcanic soil, and lush vegetation. You’ll head back to Puerto Ayora in the late afternoon to take advantage of the town’s nightlife.
Day 6: We arrive at Cormorant Point in the morning, where you can visit two beaches and be greeted by a small colony of Galapagos sea lions. Continue on to Devil’s Crown, a submerged crater that offers some of the most breathtaking snorkeling in the Galapagos, after this activity. Weāll travel to Post Office Bay following lunch.
Day 7: Head to Suarez Point in the early morning; it is a basaltic cliff with a blowhole where water sprays high into the air. An excellent opportunity to take stunning photos, see sea lions, nesting seabirds (boobies and albatrosses), and see Marine Iguanas is during the hike to the top. The yacht will transport you to Gardner Bay’s lovely white sand beach in the afternoon so you can observe sea lions lounging there and go swimming or snorkeling.
Day 8: Your cruise’s final stop will be Lobos Islet, a tiny islet made of volcanic rocks that gets its name from the colony of sea lions that calls it home (Lobo de Mar in Spanish). The actions and interactions of sea lions living in a small group can be seen. You will be driven to the airport to catch your flight back to the mainland following this activity.
MON Santa Fe Island: Barrington Bay, South Plaza Island
TUE Santa Cruz: Charles Darwin Station/Tortoise Breeding Center, Highlands
WED Isabela: Volcan Sierra Negra, Wetlands
THU Isabela: Moreno Point, Elizabeth Bay
FRI Fernandina: Espinoza Point, Isabela: Vicente Roca Point
SAT Santiago: Egas Port, Red Beach – Rabida
SUN North Seymour, Baltra airport
(8 days B)
Day 1: You will be taken to the Aida Maria Yacht after landing at the airport. After lunch, we travel to the San Cristobal Interpretation Center, where you can discover more about the history of the island’s origin, colonization, native species, and preservation efforts. After dinner, go back to the yacht.
Day 2: At South Plazas Island, where there are several species of land iguanas and swallow-tailed gulls, we disembark. In case of bad weather, we can also go swimming or snorkeling. Go to Santa Fe after lunch for a great opportunity to observe and interact with sea lions. A variety of finches as well as endemic species like the Galapagos Hawk and Galapagos Snake can be found here. Dinner will be provided onboard following this activity.
Day 3: The famous Charles Darwin Station, a great place to see land tortoises. We travel by bus to Santa Cruz Highlands, a moist region with fertile volcanic soils and luxuriant vegetation, after lunch. Giant tortoises can be seen here in their natural habitat, which is the main draw, and you might also see various bird species.
Day 4: The Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela Island will be the destination of our first stop in the morning. We climb up to the caldera’s impressive ancient lava flows. After lunch, you will head to the wetlands, a mangrove area with tiny brackish water lagoons that provide the ideal habitat for a small species of shrimp that the island’s flamingos eat.
Day 5: Visit Moreno Point in the morning. Through a trail of solidified lava, you will arrive at a coastal lagoon where you can see a variety of birds. We travel by zodiac to Elizabeth Bay during the afternoon because the excursion doesn’t have a landing spot.Ā
Day 6: At Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island, where you disembark for the day, you can see a variety of wildlife, including sea lions, penguins, flightless cormorants, crabs, and herons that reside in the area’s natural mangrove forest. One of the biggest populations of marine iguanas can be found at this location. We will travel to Isabela Island’s Vicente Roca Point in the afternoon. This location is a large bay with amazing marine life. Additionally, you will be able to see penguins, blue-footed boobies, and Nazca boobies.
Day 7: A wet landing at James Bay, also referred to as Puerto Egas, will be the first activity of the day. Iguanas and sea lions can be seen along the coast with a short stroll. Here, we can go swimming or snorkeling. We travel to Rabida Island in the late afternoon, where iron-rich lava has turned the sand red.
Day 8: We travel to North Seymour early in the morning to observe the various bird species that live there, including blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. Following our arrival in Puerto Ayora, you will be driven to Baltra Airport to catch your flight back to the mainland.
About Galapagos Itinerary Yacht is a comfortable motor yacht, accommodating 16 passengers with spacious common areas and roomy double cabins (bunk beds) with air conditioning and private bathroom. The Golondrina Yacht welcomes you aboard to follow DarwinĀ“s steps and discover unique animals, is one of the fewest Galapagos yacht covering in 5 days trip Galapagos western loop, when the usual is to be cover on 8 days tours.
2024 PRICES | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
4 Days | 5 Days | 6 Days | 8 Days | |
Standard | US$1,938 | US$2,438 | US$2,938 | US$3,563 |
Charter | US$31,000 | US$39,000 | US$47,000 | US$57,000 |
Vessel type
Motor Yacht
Year built
1996
Length
66ft ( 20m)
Beam
24ft ( 7m)
Max speed
7 knots
Crew
Captain, cook, machinist, bartender, 2 sailors and 1 naturalist guide
Capacity
16 passengers
Decks
3
2 Sun Deck Cabins (7 & 8)
bunk beds, with small window
2 Upper Deck Cabins (5 & 6)
bunk beds, with small windows
4 Main Deck Cabins (1, 2, 3 & 4)
bunk beds, with portholes
Private bathroom
Air conditioning
Toiletries
Room towels
110v Electricity point in cabin
Lounge Area
Bar
Sundeck