Overview
The Natural Paradise Luxury Yacht offers travelers a variety of accommodation options that suit everyone's needs, while always offering the best quality in the overall experience.
Travelers can pick from 9 different spacious and comfortable cabins that include suites with balconies overlooking the ocean, junior suites, and staterooms, all featuring large bathrooms, air-conditioning, and luxury amenities.
Islands you will visit:
- San Cristobal
- North Seymour
- South Plaza
- Rabida
- Bartholomew
- Santiago
- Santa Cruz
- Genovesa
Itinerary
Your Itinerary

SAN CRISTOBAL
AM: Arrival in San Cristobal Airport and Transfer to the boat
PM: Kicker Rock
This striking rock formation is located a couple hours off the western shore of San Cristobal. Jutting out of the water, the rocks stand vertically at hundreds of feet above the ocean divided by a small channel. Although there are no landing areas, kayaking and dinghy rides allow visitors to spot a variety of marine life.
| Highlights: | Sharks, tropical fish, turtles, manta rays (occ.), hammerhead sharks, spectacular rock formations; sea birds: blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies & frigatebirds. |
| Possible Activities: | Dinghy ride |
| Type of Landing: | No landing |
| Difficulty: | Easy |

NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND & SOUTH PLAZA ISLAND
AM: North Seymour Island Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds are abundant on North Seymour Island. The island was formed by a series of submarine lava containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone. Highlights: Land & marine iguanas, frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, sea lions; snorkeling: rays, reef shark, fish, garden eels.
Possible Activities: Dinghy ride & hiking (1.5 miles / 2.5 km) Type of Landing: Dry landing Difficulty: Moderate / difficult PM: South Plaza Island In the morning, you will head to South Plaza Island.

BARTOLOMé ISLAND & RáBIDA ISLAND
AM: Rabida Island Rabida Island (Jervis) is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago and a great snorkeling site. Its famous maroon sandy beach and stunning lookouts provide wonderful landscapes.
The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as nine varieties of finches, large-billed flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans.

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND & SANTIAGO ISLAND
AM: Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay A coral beach landing leads you towards a lava field as far as the eye can see. Hunt and peck over the two distinguished types of lava, pahoehoe and 'a'a, for signs of plant life that have managed to emerge over the past 100 years since the most recent volcanic explosion.
A truly amazing volcanic experience…up close and personal! Highlights: Variety of lava formations and landscapes, pahoehoe lava which is found primarily in Hawai'i and the Galapagos islands, 'a'a lava, and pristine coral sand beach Possible Activities: Walk, snorkel, swim Type of Landing: Wet landing Difficulty: Easy to moderate.

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
AM: Santa Cruz Highlands Reached by bus from Puerto Ayora, the highlands of Santa Cruz are a deep green contrasting beautifully with much of the dry, lower islands. The dominant vegetation in the highlands is the forest of Scalesia trees creating the lush green color. The lava tubes, over half a mile long, are underground and walking through them is a unique, surreal experience.
Highlights: Lava tunnels, wild turtles, tortoises breeding center.

GENOVESA ISLAND
AM: El Barranco Also known as Prince Phillip's Steps, El Barranco’s steep, rocky paths leads up to a high cliff-face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to palo santo vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, Galapagos swallows, and Galapagos doves. Highlights: Red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, storm-petrels, Galapagos doves Possible Activities: Hiking (0.9 miles/2 km) Type of Landing: Dry, difficult landing Difficulty: Moderate PM: Darwin Bay This white sand coral beach heads a half mile trail (0.75km) that winds through mangroves filled with land birds.
Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls can be spotted here.

SANTIAGO ISLAND
AM: Espumilla Beach Espumilla Beach is a popular place for marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot crabs. The crabs attract the hunting herons performing the dance of predator and prey. With an abundance of marine life including octopi, moray eels, and sharks, snorkeling is highly recommended. Highlights: Snorkeling Possible Activities: Snorkeling and swimming Type of Landing: Wet landing Difficulty: Easy Buccaneer Cove Buccaneer Cove is a testament to the fact that Santiago Island was once a refuge for British buccaneers.
These pirates would anchor in the protected bay to make repairs and stock up on tortoise meat among other things.

BALTRA ISLAND & SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
AM: Santa Cruz, Bachas Beach
Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz, Las Bachas is a swimming beach. One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galapagos, a floating pier, can be seen here. You may see flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, and whimbrels. Sea turtles also nest off the beach.
| Highlights: | World War II remnants |
| Animals: | Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, whimbrels, sea turtles |
| Type of Landing: | Wet |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
After this tour, transfer to Baltra Airport
Book This Tour
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This departure is currently sold out. Leave your details and we will contact you the moment a cabin becomes available.
Terms & Conditions
Payment Policy:
- At the time of booking a deposit of 20% of the total tour price
- The remaining balance is due a minimum of 65 calendar days prior to departure date
To issue final confirmation Palace tours requires 60 days prior to departure (or at time of reservation for last minute bookings) the following information for all passengers:
- Complete passenger names
- Passport copy
- Nationality
- Date of birth
- Marital Status
- Dietary or medical restrictions
Failure to provide the above information on time may result in delays and possibly passengers missing the tour completely. Palace tours will not accept responsibility or provide refunds if the above information is not provided in its entirety and on time.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be done in writing. If a cancellation is received more than 125 days prior to tour departure date a cancellation fee of 10% of the total price will be retained as cancellation fee.
If a cancellation is received between 125 days and 65 days prior to tour departure date, 20% of the total price will be forfeited.
In the case of a cancellation received less than 65 days prior to the boat departure the full amount will be retained.
*Christmas & New Year: special conditions apply. Please contact us for details.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Rates Include
- All meals throughout cruise
- Transfers in the islands
- All excursions
- Bilingual national park guide
- FREE airport assistance*
- FREE hotel night (1) in Quito or Guayaquil the day before the cruise*
- FREE airport transfer (1) for Galapagos flight*
*Restrictions Apply. Please contact us for more information
Not Included
- Mainland-Galapagos-Mainland airfare
- Alcoholic drinks
- US$100 Galapagos National Park fee
- US$20 Transit Control Card
- Travel / medical insurance
- Tips
- Personal expenses
Frequently Asked Questions & Tips
Since the islands are situated very near the Equator, we recommend that you bring lightweight clothing and of course, don't forget your swimsuits, sun lotion, and good footwear.
It depends from where you depart. Flights to the Galapagos leave from Quito and Guayaquil. It takes about half an hour to get from Quito to Guayaquil and roughly one and a half hours from Guayaquil to the islands.
For the Galapagos Islands there are no required or recommended immunizations. If you, however, intend to spend more time in Ecuador, especially in the jungle, immunization is highly recommended. As this changes from time to time please check with your local health office (or the Institute for Tropical Diseases) a few weeks in advance of your trip.
Most of our cruises will assign double cabins to all passengers unless you want to pay the single supplement if traveling alone. Triple cabins can also be arranged on request, depending on availability and the vessel you choose
The Galapagos Islands are 6 hours behind GMT (equivalent to USA Central Standard Time)
The equatorial line does pass through the Galapagos, just north of Isla Santiago. Please refer to our Itinerary page to see which itinerary passes through the equatorial line.
The Galapagos Islands waters have the Humboldt Current's influence that brings cold waters especially during the mist rainy season (cool weather) from July to December. The warm season is during the months of January to June. The southeast trade winds become weaker and the water from the Panama Basin remains warm. During this season there is more of a tropical climate with some occasional rains. "El Niño" current may cause a much greater flow of warm waters, making the surface warmer and rainfall increase.
Average water temperatures in Galapagos:
January - June: 70°F - 80°F (20°C - 26°C)
July - December: 65°F - 75°F (18°C- 23°C)
Snorkeling equipment is available on-board and is an activity on all of our Galapagos Cruises. All water sports convey a certain risk. Passengers participating in these activities do so under their own responsibility.
*Restrictions and fees might apply, please contact us for more information.
Passengers with special dietary needs are asked to request the latest menu offered and in such cases that stated menu does not meet their needs to clearly convey their specific dietary needs. It is the responsibility of passengers with specific dietary needs to addressed additional requirements at least 30 days prior to the start of the cruise. Those general and specific needs not clearly conveyed cannot be met. Every reasonable effort will be made to cater to such requests within reason, subject to availability of products in Ecuador retains the right to refuse to cater such special needs.
Route A is a 7-night, 8-day cruise aboard the Natural Paradise yacht, sailing Tuesday to Tuesday. You arrive at San Cristobal airport and finish at Baltra airport after a final morning at Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz.
Day 1: Kicker Rock off San Cristobal. Day 2: North Seymour and South Plaza. Day 3: Rabida and Bartholomew. Day 4: Sullivan Bay on Santiago, then Santa Cruz. Day 5: the Santa Cruz highlands and Twin Craters. Day 6: Genovesa. Day 7: Espumilla Beach and Buccaneer Cove on Santiago. Day 8: Bachas Beach, then Baltra airport.
Route A starts at San Cristobal airport and ends at Baltra airport, so your flights from mainland Ecuador should arrive into San Cristobal and return from Baltra. Airfare to the islands is not included, and we can help with flight timing when you book.
The highlands are reached by bus from Puerto Ayora and are strikingly green thanks to the Scalesia forest. You walk through lava tunnels more than half a mile long, look for giant tortoises, and visit Los Gemelos, twin pit craters formed by collapsed ground. The hike is about 2.5 km and graded moderate.
Genovesa is one of the best seabird islands in the archipelago. El Barranco, or Prince Philip's Steps, is a dry but difficult landing up to a cliff top with red-footed boobies, storm-petrels and short-eared owls, and Darwin Bay adds a coral sand beach and a mangrove trail full of Nazca and red-footed boobies.
Kicker Rock is a striking rock formation off San Cristobal, rising hundreds of feet from the ocean and split by a narrow channel. There is no landing; you explore by dinghy, looking for sharks, turtles, tropical fish, occasional manta rays and seabirds such as blue-footed and Nazca boobies and frigatebirds.
The Natural Paradise has 9 cabins: Suites with ocean-view balconies, Junior Suites and Staterooms, all with large bathrooms and air-conditioning. Route A fares start from USD 7,145 per person sharing; the exact fare for each departure and cabin type is shown on this page.
Included: all meals, transfers in the islands, all excursions and a bilingual National Park guide, plus, with restrictions, airport assistance, one airport transfer for your Galapagos flight and one hotel night in Quito or Guayaquil the day before the cruise. Extra: mainland to Galapagos airfare, the USD 100 National Park fee, the USD 20 Transit Control Card, bar beverages, insurance, tips and personal expenses.
A 20% deposit confirms your cabin and the balance is due 65 days before departure. Tuesday departures are on sale from 19 January 2027 to 21 December 2027, with the available dates listed on this page. Children are priced by age on the departure date in two bands, under 5 and 5 to under 12.
Email travel@palacetours.com, call 786-408-0610, or message us on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/17864080610, where a travel specialist or our AI assistant will answer. The departure list on this page is bookable directly: choose your Tuesday and cabin, and the exact fare is shown before you confirm.
Check Availability & Request a Quote
From $7,145 per person (double occupancy, USD) — live dates and rates are in the Book This Tour section above.
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