Cruise · HX Expeditions · 4 nights

Galápagos Islands Expedition – Iconic Wildlife & Sublime Scenery (without Quito Pre-Program)

Small ship carrying a maximum of 90 guests in 50 cabins
Snorkel gear, kayaks and Stand Up Paddle boards available onboard
Complimentary water bottle, backpack and onboard professional photos from your trip

$8,710 pp twin share

$12,161 pp solo share

4 nights

Enquire

Your cruise begins

Wildlife-rich Isabela and Fernandina

Darwin’s Santa Cruz

Picturesque Floreana

Back to Baltra

MS Santa Cruz II

When & how much

Choose your departure

8 departures

Cruise Snapshot

4 Nights

A 4-night Galapagos expedition cruise aboard MS Santa Cruz II, visiting iconic islands and wildlife from a small, comfortable ship

Snorkelling beside cliffs with sea turtles, sun fish and fur seals
Visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station and giant tortoise breeding centre
Post Office Bay historic barrel and Champion Islet glass-bottom boat exploring

Trip Details

Departs: Thu 10 Dec 2026
Returns: Mon 14 Dec 2026
Embarks: Seymour
Ship: MS Santa Cruz II
Operator: HX Expeditions

4-night Galapagos expedition cruise aboard MS Santa Cruz II

The 4-night Galapagos voyage aboard MS Santa Cruz II sails round trip from Seymour, calling at Dragon Hill, Punta Vicente Roca, Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island, Puerto Ayora, Isla Santa Cruz, Baroness Tower, Floreana Island and Punta Cormorant.

You sail aboard MS Santa Cruz II. When exploring the Galápagos islands with us onboard the MS Santa Cruz II, guests will enjoy a relaxed atmosphere in high quality surroundings. The relatively small size - with a guest capacity of maximum of 90 allows for a cozy yet classy environment. You will easily feel at home onboard. On board: 50 cabins and suites and space for maximum 90 guests; Science Center; Library; Observation decks; Restaurant; Lounge & bar; Two hot tubs; Fitness room.

$8,710

pp twin share

$12,161

pp solo share

Enquire

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Life in transit

MS Santa Cruz II

Details · HX Expeditions

MS Santa Cruz II

When exploring the Galápagos islands with us onboard the MS Santa Cruz II, guests will enjoy a relaxed atmosphere in high quality surroundings. The relatively small size - with a guest capacity of maximum of 90 allows for a cozy yet classy environment. You will easily feel at home onboard.

Guests: 90
Gross tonnage: 2,664
Speed: 10.5 knots
Length: 71.8 m
Launched: 2002
Beam: 13.4 m
Deck plans: 5

MS Santa Cruz II · Deck plans

Deck 4 — Sky Deck

Source: HX Expeditions, captured 16 September 2026. Deck plans are provided by the cruise line and are subject to change at any time.

Day by day

Itinerary

1
Your cruise begins
Thu 10 Dec
Get ready to explore the spectacular Galápagos Islands As your South America land adventure draws to a close, it’s time to embark on the next stage of your journey. After breakfast, a short flight will take you to Baltra Island in the spectacular Galápagos archipelago. A transfer brings you straight to the port where your comfortable expedition ship MS Santa Cruz II awaits. In the afternoon we’ll begin our exploration of the Galápagos Islands following the north shore of Santa Cruz towards the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragón – Dragon Hill – where we’ll land. The first part of the walk here passes by a brackish lagoon that’s frequented by shorebirds and American Flamingos. Further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western islands of the archipelago, as well as a chance to get a first look at some land iguanas.
2
Wildlife-rich Isabela and Fernandina
Fri 11 Dec
Scan the coastline and seas for iconic species You’ll start your day at Punta Vicente Roca, on the north-western tip of Isabela Island. After breakfast, we’ll explore the coast by panga boat, learning about the dramatic geology of the area from your naturalist guides. This site is a nesting place for several bird species, so look out for Flightless Cormorants, Galapagos Penguins, and boobies. Weather permitting, you’ll get to snorkel alongside the cliffs, where you might find green sea turtles, oceanic sun fish, and fur seals. In the afternoon, we’ll explore Fernandina, an island with a unique ecology and a big population of marine iguanas. Scan the coast for sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hawks and penguins.
3
Darwin’s Santa Cruz
Sat 12 Dec
Meet the famous giant tortoises of Galápagos Today, you’ll explore Santa Cruz Island. In the morning, we’ll disembark at Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. A giant tortoise breeding centre, here you can see recently hatched tortoises and Darwin’s famous finches – the birds he used as a basis for his theory of evolution by natural selection. There’s also an impressive forest of prickly pear cacti that’s home to many land birds. Enjoy a cooler climate over lunch in the lush highlands, where giant tortoises shuffle about munching on grass and wallowing in pools. You'll have time for another activity, including mountain biking or visiting a sugar plantation.
4
Picturesque Floreana
Sun 13 Dec
Discover Galápagos history and underwater wildlife After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a panga boat ride among the channels on Floreana’s north shore, before taking in the incredible views of the island from Baroness Cove. Later on, we’ll land at Post Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that has served as a post office in the archipelago for over two centuries. After lunch, you’ll explore the wonders around Champion Islet in a panga boat or aboard our glass-bottom boat. Here, you can snorkel in one of the best spots in the archipelago. From there, it’s onwards to Cormorant Point, where we’ll take a walk from an olivine-crystal beach to a brackish lagoon, where you can commonly see American Flamingos, Pintail Ducks and more.
5
Back to Baltra
Mon 14 Dec
Your adventure comes to an end As your expedition cruise comes to a close, it’s time to bid farewell to the wildlife and scenery of one of the world’s most incredible nature destinations. We’ll also say farewell to our wonderful crew and naturalist guides as we disembark at Baltra Island. A transfer will take you to the airport in Baltra for your flight to Quito or Guayaquil to connect to your international flight. To explore more of Ecuador, why not extend your stay and join one of our optional Post-Programmes.

What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

A stay in a cabin of your choice.
From 1 October 2024 departures, wine, beer and spirits (excluding premium alcoholic drinks) available from the bar at any time (subject to Ecuadorean licensing laws).
All day coffee, tea and soft drinks.
A complimentary water bottle to refill on board and take home.
A backpack or another piece of HX kit.
Professional photos from your trip taken by our onboard photographer.

Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

MS Santa Cruz II

On board: 50 cabins and suites and space for maximum 90 guests; Science Center; Library; Observation decks; Restaurant; Lounge & bar; Two hot tubs; Fitness room; Sun deck; Expedition boats; Stand Up Paddle boards; Snorkeling Gear; Glass bottom boat; Kayaks.

Unspesific cabin

Unspecified cabin for 2 people.

VH – Voyager cabin: large windows, one single bed and one couch, 12 m².

Explorer Cabins

With a large window that illuminates the interior and allows you to take in the views as we cruise, these cabins offer an elegant and comfortable space to relax in after a day of active exploring.
They feature a single bed, and all have private bathrooms with a shower and toiletries, as well as a safe and USA two-pin plug sockets.

EP – Explorer cabin: large windows, double bed, optional twin, 15 m².
EE – Explorer cabin: large windows, double bed, optional twin, 15 m².
EH – Explorer cabin: large windows, double bed, optional twin, 14–15 m².
FH – Explorer family cabin: large windows, double bed, optional twin, 17 m².
VH – Voyager cabin: large windows, one single bed and one couch, 12 m².

Darwin Suites

Add some indulgence to your voyage aboard MS Santa Cruz II and reserve one of our Darwin Suites.

With two large windows, you’ll enjoy superb views in premium comfort.
These spacious suites feature double beds that can be divided into two single beds on request at the time of booking, as well as a sofa bed suitable for a child under the age of 12. If more space is needed, these rooms can be interconnected with an Explorer cabin.
All have private bathrooms with a shower and toiletries, a safe, and USA two-pin plug sockets. There’s a daily turn-down service, and you’ll also get a welcome gift in the form of a Galápagos wildlife book.