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Sea lion on North Seymour

Family Cruise to the Southern Islands

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Letty
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Take a family friendly Galapagos vacation on this 8-day cruise through the southern islands. Be in company of other families with children of similar ages and witness by kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, or hiking the Galapagos magnificent vistas and a colorful diversity of sea life. Delight in the cruise at your own pace while your children learn about navigational charts or take part in special parties, games, drawing contests, and more!
Panga ride to 'the cathedral'Devil's Crown GalapagosNazca BoobyBartolome BeachSea lion on North Seymour
Highlights
  • Walk, swim and kayak on Cerro Brujo´s white coral beach
  • Enjoy kid-friendly snorkeling with sea lions and colorful fish at Pitt Rock
  • Witness the highest rate of endemic species on Española Island
  • Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and meet giant tortoises
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: San Cristobal | Embark

Embark on San Cristobal, the easternmost island in the Galapagos archipelago and, geologically, one of the oldest. Travel by bus to Cerro Tijeretas or “Frigatebird Hill” situated on the edge of town. This is one of two sites where the entire family can spot nesting colonies of both species of frigatebirds (great and magnificent). The trail leads to Punta Carola where there are beautiful vistas. Find lava lizards, the medium ground finch, and Chatham mockingbird. Return to the yacht to join your fellow yacht mates this evening for your briefing followed by the Captain’s welcome cocktail party and dinner prepared by culinary school-trained chefs. Kid-friendly menus are offered for the younger ones.

Day 2: San Cristobal

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Arrive at Cerro Brujo, a breathtaking white coral beach. Cerro Brujo is considered to be one of the most pristine in the Galapagos Islands and is ideal for birders and short walks. Snorkel or swim with sea lions or take a Zodiac ride. Arrive at Cerro Brujo, a breathtaking white coral beach, considered one of the most spectacular in the Galapagos and perfect for a peaceful walk with expansive views and good bird watching. Kayak from the beach or enjoy a family swim with sea lions. Zodiac ride through a cave called The Cathedral.

Cruise toward the northeastern tip of San Cristobal to Punta Pitt, a tuff formation that serves as a nesting site for many sea birds including all three types of boobies: blue-footed, Nazca and red-footed boobies, both frigate species, swallow-tailed gulls, storm petrels, shearwaters, brown pelicans, and a colony of sea lions. Punta Pitt is considered to be a first class site for birds and on par with Genovesa (Tower) Island. Snorkel with your children at Pitt Rock with sea lions and colorful fish such as the king angel and surgeon fish. Return to the yacht to cruise around Leon Dormido or “Kicker Rock”, a vertical tuff cone formation that rises abruptly almost 500 feet out of the ocean. On the cliffs, spot blue-footed boobies, Nazca Boobies, and magnificent frigatebirds. 

Day 3: Española

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Punta Suarez, Espanola, offers the highest range of endemic species in the Galapagos. Land on the beach as sea lions greet and observe your movements. Colonies of blue-footed boobies are found engaging in sky-pointing, a technique used to show off for future mates. Snorkel and swim with sea lions in the shallows or sit on the beach and observe Sally Lightfoot crabs skirt across the lava rocks.

Land on Gardner Bay, Española (Hood) and walk along a seemingly endless stretch of white sandy beach home to large colonies of sea lions. There is no trail to follow so this is a chance for a family exploration or a long walk where you can find a Galapagos hawk, Darwin’s finch, or Hood mockingbird. Swim with sea lions right from the beach, explore the bay and islets by kayak, or just relax with your children on the beach. Snorkel on Gardner Islet with a colorful diversity of sea life near Tortuga Rock and explore caves by Zodiac covered with invertebrates. 

Day 4: Floreana

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Step ashore at Punta Cormorant, one of the only populated islands in the Galapagos archipelago. This island is intriguing, presenting a rich human history with that of the animals. Hike along a trail towards a brackish lagoon, home of the Bahama ducks, common stilts, Galapagos flycatcher, yellow warblers, and the greater flamingos, the pinkest in the world! The trail leads to a beach with powder soft sand where sea turtles lay their eggs in the sand dunes and sting rays swim in the shallow water.

Kid-friendly snorkeling is available at Devil’s Crown, a shallow sunken crater colonized by a brilliant array of colorful fish and corral, white-tipped sharks, sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, and sea stars.  After lunch, visit Post office Bay, one of the most famous sites in the Galapagos where a post barrel was erected and put into use in the late 18th century by English whaling vessels. Leave a post card and pick up any mail from your home area. The entire family can swin from the beach with sea lions. Late afternoon, take a Zodiac ride near Baroness Point and spot sea turtles and rays. 

Day 5: Santa Cruz Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
**Since Aug 2020, yachts are no longer able to visit Darwin Station as regularly listed in the day description below. We expect these restrictions to lift at some point in the future.**

Travel by bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Watch as the scenery changes, eventually covering each of the seven vegetation zones represented in the Galapagos. Visit Las Primicias, a private farm where you can encounter giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Stop at the tunnels, the largest lava tubes found in the Galapagos. 

Visit Los Gemelos, Spanish for “The Twins”, a pair of large pit craters where you may see the red male vermilion flycatcher. Next, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and meet tortoise and land iguana corals, the breeding center with new hatchlings, and miniature tortoises not yet ready to be repatriated. Lonesome George is no longer alive but there is Diego, “The Professor” who has been more successful at mating. Visit Puerto Ayora, the social heart of the islands with the largest population of 24,000 where you can shop for souvenirs or stop at an internet cafe. You have the option to remain in town on your own account to stimulate the local economy or you can return to the boat for dinner. There is a schedule for zodiac transportation from the yacht to town later in the evening.

Day 6: Bartolome | Chinese Hat

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Stop at Bartolome, an island which is largely inhospitable to most plants and wildlife. Hike a 30-minute trail to the summit of a dormant volcano. Admire lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones caused by old eruptions. The entire family can snorkel in the clear water with schools of tropical fish and Galapagos penguins or take a ride on the zodiac.

Visit Las Bachas, Spanish for “barges”. There is a long stretch of a soft white sand beach and interior lagoons home to the greater flamingo. There is also a wonderful chance to snorkel here from the beach.

Located off the Southern tip of Santiago is the Chinese Hat, which owes its name to its shape. After a wet beach landing with sea lion colonies, the trail gives way to a primeval landscape of volcanic rubble including cracked lava formations and lava tubes. Start a family quest for marine iguanas and pairs of oystercatchers and snorkel at a site that is frequented by Galapagos penguins. 

Day 7: South Plaza Island | North Seymour

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Visit South Plaza, a small geological uplift with tall cliffs, featuring spectacular views. Take a trail through prickly pear or Opuntia and Sesuvium forests, often finding Galapagos land iguanas feeding on cactus leaves. Encounter a colony of bachelor sea lions and observe their rights of power. These dominant bulls are in various stages of recovery from battles lost over prime beach territory.

Land at North Seymour, a small geological uplift. Follow a trail that leads to swallow-tailed gulls, blue-footed boobies, and the endemic land iguanas. Visit the largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds found in the Galapagos. As you stroll along the beach, find marine iguanas and sea lions body surfing the northern swells.

Day 8: San Cristobal | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Visit the Interpretation Center opened on San Cristobal Island in 1999 by bus. Here the entire family can gain a more complete understanding of the natural and human history of the Islands.

In the afternoon, transfer with your family to the airport for your connecting flight to the mainland.

Ship/Hotel

Letty

Letty ship in the Galapagos
Letty ship in the Galapagos
Letty ship in the Galapagos

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$5,100
Letty ship in the Galapagos
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Triple
Iguana Deck cabins # 9 & 10 have two twin lower beds and one upper berth with porthole windows. These two cabins can be sold as triples.(Cabins average 110 square feet.)
Letty ship in the Galapagos
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Iguana Deck
Cabins #7 & 8 have two twin lower beds and porthole windows. Cabins # 9 & 10 have two twin lower beds and one upper berth with porthole windows. These two cabins can be sold as triples.(Cabins average 110 square feet.)
Letty ship in the Galapagos
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Booby Deck
Cabins # 5 & 6 cabins have one double bed and picture windows. (Cabins average 90 square feet.)
Letty ship in the Galapagos
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Dolphin Deck
Cabins #1,3 & 4 have two twin lower beds and picture windows. Please inquire to see if rooms can be arranged to have a double bed. Cabin # 2 has one double bed and picture window. (Cabins average 95 square feet.)

Notes

Travelers on this yacht need to pre-pay the Galapagos Islands National Park Fee.
Stand up paddle boards are also available and included in the cruise price.

Child Discount

25% discount for children age 11 and younger at time of Galapagos cruise. 15% discount for children age 12-17 at time of Galapagos cruise. Child discounts are conditional and may not apply on certain departures. Please contact us for more information.

Children under 12 may receive discounts on Galapagos flight fares and entrance fees. Contact us for details.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Please note that your cruise has an open bar policy which includes white, red and sparkling wine, beer, spirits, juice, sodas, coffee and tea 24/7. 
  • Bilingual Naturalist Guide 
  • Adventure Life Pre-departure Services and In-Country Assistance (Quito Representative)
  • Shore Excursions, Swimming and Snorkeling 
  • Transfers and Baggage Handling in the Galapagos
  • Snorkeling and kayaking equipment is included in the cruise cost and available for your use on board.
  • Wetsuits are available free of charge on a first come, first serve basis. Reserve a suit for your exclusive use for $25
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Galapagos Park Entrance Fee: $200 per adult, $100 per child under 12 (fees of $100 per adult and $50 per child valid on arrivals through Aug 1, 2024). Payable upon arrival to the Galapagos, only in cash dollars. Subject to increase by Galapagos Park Service.
  • Internal Flights: Mainland Ecuador - Galapagos - Mainland Ecuador: $475-675
  • If you are traveling to the Galapagos, your crew will work very hard to make your Galapagos adventure most enjoyable.  At the end of the voyage, tips will be collected and distributed among your guide and other members of the crew. Gratuities or tips are always at your discretion.

    For passengers on the MV Origin, it is recommended that you budget a $350-400 gratuity per person, per week. For passengers on the Letty, it is recommended that you budget a $250-300 gratuity per person, per week. This is, of course, if you are pleased with the service on board.

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