A Beagle Galapagos cruise is true sailing adventure trip around these wildlife rich islands.

The Beagle is the perfect first class boat for discovering Galapagos with its sense of adventure and incredible itineraries.

With its sails up, the Beagle cuts a magnificent sight as your crew and guide take you from island to island.

A true Galapagos Islands adventure holiday awaits you.

More on Beagle Galapagos cruises

The Beagle houses 14 guests and its teak deck, cosy cabins and fantastic itineraries make for an unforgettable tour.

Riding the waves with the sails unfurled, enjoy the ample deck space between wonderful island visits and delicious cuisine.

The Beagle has seven double cabins with a very large single, almost a double, lower berth, and a single upper berth.

All cabins are located on lower deck and have private bathrooms, air conditioning and hot water showers.



Trip Highlights

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  • Lovely itineraries to help make the most of your time in Galapagos.

  • Beautiful, teak-finished schooner for a true Galapagos sailing boat experience.

  • Choose twin or double cabins, all with private bathroom, hot/cold shower and air conditioning. One single cabin available, too.

  • Owned and operated by a local family, ensuring top standards and attention to detail.

  • Three meals served daily, after-excursion snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.

  • The Beagle is the only vessel with permission to snorkel at Punta Espinoza, Fernandina.

This is the best holiday I've ever been on.

I snorkelled with sea lions and turtles and saw so many animals. Everyone on board was lovely and I didn't want to leave - I wish I could have stayed a second week.

Elena Rios, Beagle

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Baltra Island, transfer to yacht – Bachas (L,D)

On arrival at Baltra Airport all visitors pay their entrance fee to the Galapagos National Park. You are then be met by The Beagle’s naturalist guide who assists you with your luggage collection and accompanies you on a short bus ride to the harbour to board The Beagle.

After a light lunch, The Beagle navigates to Las Bachas, located on the northern shore of Santa Cruz Island.

Las Bachas is a white sand beach that is a major nesting site for the green sea turtles. The name Las Bachas (“potholes”) refers to the indentations left in the sand by laying turtles or departing hatchlings. On the shore there are marine iguanas, and in the lagoon area flamingos are common. You can swim from the beach.

Return to the yacht for a briefing and dinner, and we set sail for the long, overnight sail to Genovesa, a truly special part of Galapagos.

Day 2: Genovesa – Prince Philips Steps – Darwin Bay (B,L,D)

Wake up in the remote north of Galapagos – the beautiful Genovesa.

After breakfast, we board the pangas, and it’s a dry landing you climb up the fairly steep but short climb up Prince Philip’s Steps.

Once up, the steps take you onto a lava rock trail leading you through Palo Santo forest full of nesting birds. There’s a good chance of seeing the unique short-eared owl at this site, as well as many types of Boobies, Frigate birds, petrels and more.

Next we snorkel along the amazing cliff edges of the steps. Look out for penguins, cormorants, sea lions and much more on this lovely snorkel.

After lunch we visit the beach area of Darwin Bay, home to frigate birds, red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, flycatchers, lava gulls, storm petrels and Darwin finches, to mention some of the birds found in this bay, formed from a caldera collapse.

There are usually some sea lions hanging around and if there is time for a snorkel, you may see turtles, sharks and sea lions.

Return to the yacht for a briefing and dinner, then set sail for Santiago island.

Day 3: Santiago – James Bay – Isabela Island (B,L,D)

Another day, another stunning island to wake up to.

After breakfast, it’s a wet landing at James Bay onto a black beach, an easy stroll takes you near the coast line to observe tidal pools, marine birds, iguanas and sea lions, and often migratory birds are present in this area.

This is also a good place to observe the Galapagos hawk.

The trail ends at the fur sea lion grottos and, being nocturnal feeders, the fur seals sleep in and around the grottos during the day.

On returning to the beach visitors may snorkel or swim, keeping a look out for sea iguanas, sea lions and white-tipped reef sharks.

After lunch The Beagle will start navigating to the west side of Isabela Island. Keep an eye out for dolphins and whales as we move to the most remote parts of Galapagos.

Aboard the yacht for a briefing and dinner.

Day 4: Isabela – Punta Vicente Roca – Tagus Cove (B,L,D)

We are as far flung from civilisation as it’s possible to be on Galapagos this morning, in the mouth of the seahorse-shaped Isabela.

We will visit Punta Vicente Roca where first we take a dinghy ride – excellent for marine life observation – into the open cave mouth of the ‘Roca’.

Next we hop in to the water for a snorkel like no other. The marine life takes full advantage of the nutrient-rich Cromwell current that upswells in this area, and keep a look out for all manner of fish.

We return to the boat for lunch.

As the midday heat drops, we set off for shore in the zodiacs. We face a 30-45 minute hike at Tagus Cove which takes us to the top of a cliff to view the volcanic landscapes of Darwin Volcano and Darwin Lake, the latter an uplifted ultra-saline lake saltier than the sea.

Historically used as an anchorage site by pirates and whalers, this site is again an excellent place for marine and land birds.

Return to the yacht for a briefing and dinner.

Day 5: Fernandina – Punta Espinoza – Isabela – Urbina Bay (B,L,D)

Fernandina is the youngest island of the archipelago.

Watch out! As you disembark at Punta Espinoza, you must be careful not to step on the marine iguanas piled up together to retain body heat.

This visiting site is rich in wildlife, sea lions, Flightless Cormorants, penguins, Herons, Sally light-foot crabs and much more, all living side by side on this small point with its mangrove forest.

We return to the boat for lunch.

Having relaxed and eaten, we then head to Urbina Bay. Located to the south at the foot of the western side of Alcedo Volcano, Urbina Bay was uplifted in 1954 from the seabed leaving coral heads sitting out of the water.

There is a large colony of land iguana – spectacular yellow males of some size can often be seen – which has grown since the feral dogs and goats have been controlled through Project Isabela.

It also affords an opportunity to see the Alcedo Volcano tortoise in its natural habitat, again, the males are enormous and you may be lucky to come across one.

Return to the yacht for the evening briefing and dinner.

Day 6: Isabela – Elizabeth Bay – Punta Moreno (B,L,D)

Elizabeth Bay is a marine visitor site so the excursion is made by dinghy to the Mariela Rocks, where there is an important colony of Galapagos penguins.

The dinghy ride takes you into a cove surrounded by red mangroves – an idyllic and peaceful place.

Here in these quiet lagoons there may be green sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, Brown Pelicans, small shark and Flightless Cormorants.

If the sea conditions are right, we snorkel along the shore line where you can look for sea horses, turtles and more.

A lava walk takes you to a series of lagoons with plenty to see along the way, and not just animals. The lava formations here give an idea of the harshness and volatility of the islands, and how life that survives here is constantly battling the odds.

Darwin’s Finches, Galapagos Doves, penguins, Blue-footed Boobies, Mockingbirds and Flightless Cormorants are some of the abundant wild life.

Still on Isabela, the largest island in Galapagos, you will explore Punta Moreno, a desolate and pristine landscape of impressive black lava flows affording good views of Alcedo and Sierra Azul volcanoes.

Back to the boat dinner and briefing.

Day 7: Isabela – Sierra Negra Volcano – Centro de Crianza Arnaldo Tupiza (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we head for the Sierra Negra volcano, the second largest volcanic crater in the world – and we’re going to walk up it!

It sits in the southern part of Isabela Island. We take transport to the end of the road, followed by a 45-minute walk on a trail to the top of the volcano from where the caldera can be viewed. Spectacular scenes from the top!

Upon returning from the hike, we visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Centre, to see the giant tortoises and the captivity programme.

Lunch is served upon return to The Beagle, and afterwards, those who wish to can go swimming in one of the Coves of Villamil Port.

In the afternoon the boat begins travelling toward Puerto Ayora, an exciting sale where you may see whales, rays and dolphins.

Farewell dinner aboard the boat in the harbour of Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz.

Day 8: Santa Cruz Highlands – transfer to airport, fly out (B)

Our last day – we head to Baltra Airport in a bus via the Gemelos, located in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. These pit craters are just off the main road that crosses the island to the airport.

Then, travel to Baltra to the port, and your guide will accompany you all back to the airport ready for your flight back to the mainland.


Beagle South Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Baltra, transfer to yacht – Charles Darwin Station (L,D)

Arriving guests at Baltra Airport are met and taken to The Beagle to settle into cabins and have a snack before going to the Darwin Station in the afternoon. Afterwards you may stroll through Puerto Ayora’s main street with time to explore the shops.

The Charles Darwin Research Station is on Santa Cruz Island which is the main inhabited island in the archipelago, with a population of approximately 16,000. A visit to the station aims to increase the understanding of the work being done by the foundation and the importance of preserving the archipelago’s ecosystems.

A series of walkways takes you through the captive breeding program where you will see juvenile and adult tortoises from different islands.

Return to the yacht for the evening briefing and dinner.

Day 2: Floreana – Puerto Velasco – Devil’s Crown – Punta Cormorant (B,L,D)

We awake in Floreana, at Puerto Velasco Ibarra – the smallest human settlement in the Islands, and perhaps the most mysterious.

Floreana was inhabited as early as the 1920s and has a colourful history of pirates, whalers, convicts and colonists. After landing ashore, you are driven up into the highlands on a dirt road in an open-sided bus known locally as a chiva. You pass through chacras (small land holdings) up to a small fresh-water spring called Asilo de la Paz and visit a tortoise corral.

On returning to The Beagle you’ll motor to Punta Cormorant and from there take the dinghy to go for a snorkel at Devil’s Crown, a sunken cone with exciting snorkelling as you’re carried by the current while seeing a superb variety of marine life.

This is one of the best snorkels in the Galapagos, and one of the most dramatic sites to behold.

Note: There is a current here, so you do need to be able to swim well.

Next, on to Punta Cormorant where you land on a beach with green olivine sand. Several trails allow you to explore a brackish water lagoon with a colony of flamingos who are there most of the year, and White-cheeked Pintail Ducks, Stilts, and other shorebirds feeding alongside the flamingos. The trail then goes over a hill and dunes to a stunning white beach consisting of ground coral, where green sea turtles nest.

Return to the yacht for a briefing and dinner.

Day 3: Española – Punta Suarez – Gardener Bay (B,L,D)

Española or Hood Island is one of the most popular and attractive islands to visit. The quantity and variety of wildlife here are remarkable.

At Punta Suarez you can see the Waved Albatross from April to December. Blue-footed Bobbies, Nazca Boobies, Galapagos Hawks, Darwin Finches, Swallow-tailed Gulls, Española Mockingbirds, shorebirds, sea lions, marine iguanas and lava lizards are just some of its residents, and an impressive blowhole can be observed from the high cliffs.

Located on the eastern end of the island, Gardner Bay has a wonderful sandy beach for swimming and observing Galapagos sea lions.

Return to the boat for briefing and dinner.

Day 4: San Cristobal – Punta Pitt – Kicker Rock – Leon Dormido (B,L,D)

Punta Pitt is on San Cristobal Island and affords impressive views after climbing up a steep narrow path onto a plateau surrounded by reddish hills.

Depending on the time of year there may be nesting marine iguanas, Red-footed Boobies and other marine birds down on the cliffs.

After the visit The Beagle navigates to Kicker Rock, a truly dramatic site. A cracked volcanic cone’s rocks rise 150m/500ft out of the ocean and resemble a sleeping lion, hence its name in Spanish, “León Dormido.”While you go around it you’ll be able to observe the narrow channel that separates these two rocks. Several marine bird species nest there.

The afternoon anchorage is at Isla Lobos and, as its name suggests, it has a sea lion colony and also an endemic lava lizard. It’s a good site for swimming and snorkelling alongside the sea lion pups, and on the islet you can visit the sea lion colony.

Perhaps you’ll see Frigate Birds displaying and building their nests, if their food supply is good.

Return to the boat for dinner and briefing.

Day 5: Santa Fe – South Plaza (B,L,D)

This is one of the most beautiful coves of all visitor sites in the Galapagos – Santa Fe.

This is a turquoise cove sheltered by a peninsula extending from the shore by a row of rock, covered in cactus and sea lions. Santa Fe was formed by an uplift caused by tectonic activity. You can see land iguanas, sea turtles, Galapagos Hawks, sea lions, and a forest of giant Opuntia cactus.

It’s lovely to swim and snorkel in the clear turquoise blue sea.Return to the boat for lunch.

Next, South Plaza, one of the best spots in the archipelago to see land iguanas and Swallow-tailed Gulls, both indigenous to the Galapagos.The sheer cliffs of the southern shore are a perfect bird habitat, making it an unparalleled bird observatory for especially Swallow-tailed Gulls, Audubon Shearwaters, and Red-billed Tropicbirds.

There are also iguana nests scattered all over the hill.

Return to the boat for briefing and dinner.

Day 6: North Seymour – Bartholomew (B,L,D)

North Seymour is a low, flat island located north of Baltra that was uplifted from the sea by underground seismic activity.

It is home to several species of marine birds: Swallow-tailed Gulls, Blue-footed Boobies, Noddy Terns and both the Great and the Magnificent Frigate birds compete for nesting sites.

Land iguanas are found alongside marine iguanas, and there are the ever-present comic sea lions as well.

Next, it’s Bartolome Island, a small island located to the east of James Island. Famous for its Pinnacle Rock, it is home to a small rookery of Galapagos penguins. You can swim and snorkel around Pinnacle Rock, or walk to the other side of the island to see sea turtles nesting (from January to March) and sharks swimming close to shore.

You can also climb to the highest point of the island, a climb which gives you the chance to see plants that live in lava and ash, plus many interesting lava formations. On this island we also see sea lions, Galapagos penguins, Pelicans, Galapagos hawks, turtles and sharks.

Return to the boat for dinner and briefing.

Day 7: Sombrero Chino – Cerro Dragón (B,L,D)

Chinese Hat is a little island – shaped as its name implies – which sits off the southeastern tip of James Island. Its small white beaches have a sea lion colony, and snorkelling is usually very good, here. With luck you might see Galapagos penguins in the water.

Cerro Dragon is located on the northwest coast of Santa Cruz Island. Our visit to Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) takes us through Palo Santo trees and Opuntia cactus, and past a couple of lagoons where Flamingoes can be seen and the shy land iguana live.

Return to the boat for briefing and dinner.

Day 8: Black Turtle Cove – transfer to Baltra airport, fly out (B)

Your visit to Black Turtle Cove is with the dinghy so you can motor through the mangrove inlets.

These lagoons provide a refuge to rays, sharks, and sea turtles that are clearly visible alongside the boat. The engine is turned off and you drift past many underwater animals.

Your guide accompanies you to the airport and you fly back to the continent, or stay on for more Galapagos exploration.


Prices From $4,320 / £3,512 per person

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What's Included?

Transfers from/to yacht/Baltra or San Cristobal airport, accommodation aboard in cabin, daily briefing, guided visits to the islands, naturalist-English/Spanish speaking guide, all meals, use of two kayaks, wetsuits, treated water, tea and coffee

What's Not Included?

International flights, Round trip flights to the Galapagos Island, Galapagos National Park fee, INGALA tourist card, alcoholic and soft drinks, personal items, souvenirs, tips, travel insurance, personal items, Ecuador services.


Accommodation

The Beagle houses 14 passengers and is a magnificent, fully air conditioned, schooner with teak deck and a lovely interior.

Built in London, England in 1971, The Beagle’s owners have placed the highest priorities on comfortable accommodations, ample open and shaded deck space and delicious Ecuadorian cuisine.

The interiors ensure your total relaxation, while the beautiful topside areas are ideal for bird watching or observing dolphins from the bow.

She has seven double cabins with a single lower berth – the single cabin has bunks at the back of the boat. All cabins are located on lower deck and have private bathrooms, air conditioning and hot water showers.

There is an on board library with a good selection of books about the flora, fauna and history of Galapagos, plus games, a bar with soft and alcoholic drinks, cocktails!

Tour Staff

The Beagle is owned and operated by Augusto Cruz and his sons since her purchase in 2002. This is their third charter yacht in the Galapagos – the first was in 1981, affording them decades of an exceptional level of experience.

Augusto was born on the island of Floreana in the south of the Galapagos archipelago and has worked on boats in the islands since 1977. He therefore has an entire lifetime of knowledge and a profound appreciation for this unique and fascinating archipelago, and guests on The Beagle are immediately aware of the benefits this affords.

Sebastian Cruz, his eldest son, recently completed a PhD (Konstanz University, Germany) in Ecology, specialising on the movements of Galapagos seabirds. He now regularly helps Augusto on the management of the The Beagle.

The owners contribute annually to Cascajo, a local school on Santa Cruz Island and to various other community projects.


Meals

The boat strives to use locally produced goods and services; beef, chicken and fish served aboard are all 100% local.

This helps to to reduce carbon footprints and make sure the best ingredients are used.

The chef prepares three main meals a day, with snacks and drinks available after activities.

All dietary requirements can be catered for, vegetarians, vegans, lactose etc and more.

Breakfast usually features a juice, tea and coffee, toast, jams, eggs and pastries.

Lunch will include soups, then a main meal of rices, pastas, fish, omelettes and many more options, and often a small pudding.

Dinner will again be a hearty affair, with a starter, main meal and pudding, with water, teas and coffees available.

There is a bar with beers and cocktails (not included in the cruises price).

Activity Level

Walks

Every visit to each island involves an easy or moderate walk, which can last between 2 to 3 hours, and are not considered strenuous. On these walks you will be led by an expert naturalist guides in a small group along clearly marked trails. They will explain in great detail all the wonders of each of our carefully selected itineraries. Most days there are two guided walks on a specific island where you will be able to walk and hike on beaches, lava fields, alongside cliffs and around mangrove estuaries.

 

Snorkelling

Snorkelling in the Islands is the highlight of the Galapagos cruise for many of our guests. You have the opportunity to go snorkelling almost every day – snorkelling with marine iguanas and with playful sea-lions are some of the highlights, as well as with green sea turtles, penguins and an incredible variety of colourful reef fish. On the western islands the water is a little colder but teaming with life. There are beach snorkels for beginners and deeper waters.

 

Zodiac rides

Dinghies, or “Pangas” as they are known in Galapagos, are inflatable zodiacs that serve as the main transportation method from our Galapagos yachts to the visitor sites. At several times during your week-long Galapagos travel adventure, you will have the chance to enjoy dinghy (or panga) rides in shores, mangrove estuaries, coves and caves.

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Practical Information

Is this the cruise for me?

Owner-run meaning very personable service, this is classic sailing ship.

Cabins are practical and there is a single cabin with no supplement.

Introduction to Galapagos

These magical islands comprise of 50 volcanic islands of varying shapes and sizes, which lie 1,000 kilometres off the coast of Ecuador.

Here, unlike anywhere else on Earth, you can enjoy a thousand close encounters with a weird and wonderful variety of ‘friendly locals’, including giant tortoises, fur seals, sea iguanas, frigate birds and blue-footed boobies.

Read our Galapagos Islands Guide and more about diving.

In 1535, Tomás de Berlanga, Bishop of Panama, floated into this archipelago and named it Galapagos after the giant tortoises he encountered. Pirates used the islands for refuge and to bury their stolen treasure after that.

The islands’ most celebrated visitor was Charles Darwin, who arrived aboard the HMS Beagle in 1835. The rare life forms he encountered helped him formulate his theory of evolution, which he published in The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.

It wasn’t until 1959 when it became part of Ecuador’s national park system that this fragile ecosystem with its rare and endemic species came under protection.

In 1979 the Galapagos archipelago was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Weather in Galapagos

 

When to visit Galapagos Islands: weather and wildlife

There is no real ‘best’ time to visit Galapagos on holiday as there is always wonderful wildlife and weather to enjoy. Read our blog for more.

Most animals – tortoises, sharks, sea lions and boobies – are found year round and many of the species here are non-migratory.

The Galapagos Islands are located right on the equator so air and water temperatures do not vary by much.

Having said that, there are two recognised seasons, and each months brings natural marvels for the visitor to enjoy.

Below is our quick guide to the weather and wildlife you can find on the Galapagos Islands.

 

General weather information

 

The warm season (Jan-Jun)

  • Calm, clear warm waters, great for snorkelling, often without a wetsuit.
  • Great weather, with February and March being the hottest and sunniest months with blue skies and sunshine.
  • Occasional heavy bursts of rain in the afternoons.

Sea temperatures:  22-25°C / 72-77°F

Land temperatures:  21-32°C / 72-90°F

 

The dry ‘garua’ season (Jun-Dec)

  • It’s a great time for marine life in the cooler seas. Snorkellers may want a wetsuit.
  • August and September the coolest when you may need a jacket in the evenings and the sea can be choppy.
  • There can be mist on the islands in the mornings (garua) which usually burns off by midday leaving overcast skies or a sunny afternoon.

Sea temperatures:  15-22°C / 60-72°F

Land temperatures:  18-24°C / 65-75°F

 

Galapagos sea and air temperatures and rainfall month by month

Air and sea temperatures in Galapagos, month-by-month

Fitness and experience

The Galapagos Islands are a suitable destination for most ages and fitness levels. Walks are generally short, although some volcano hikes are more challenging and may involve 2-3 hours of walking. Snorkelling is a real highlight on the Galapagos, so the ability to swim and snorkel is recommended. Snorkelling is suitable for those that have never tried before.

You need to be able to make some wet landings i.e. stepping out of a panga onto a sandy shore, and you may need to ascend or desend small ladders when getting on or off boats at docks or to snorkel.

The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the Islands, but they really are accessible to all. You can choose to skip any activities you do not wish to partake in.

Read more in our blog about a typical day on Galapagos.

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