South America Galapagos Islands Cruise

Natural Paradise Galapagos Cruises

The 16-guest Natural Paradise cruises through the enchanted Galapagos Islands on 4-, 5- or 8-day excursions. Snorkeling gear, wetsuits and an underwater camera are available for your use to explore the archipelago’s remarkable underwater world.

Spend your days exploring the Galapagos’s unique environment via up-close wildlife encounters with top naturalist guides, then relax with a cocktail on the spacious sundeck with chaise lounges and a Jacuzzi. Comfortable cabins include four Upper Deck cabins that feature private balconies to watch the moonlight dance across the waves. A Galapagos cruise aboard Natural Paradise provides an intimate, luxurious Galapagos experience. 

The Natural Paradise operates two main 8-day Galapagos cruise itineraries, which can be combined to create a 15-day/14-night cruise with no repeated landing sites. There are also two shorter 5- and 4-day routes that offer a variation of the 8-day Natural Paradise Central Galapagos Islands Cruise. You may also customize your trip to be 11 or 12 days.

The 8-day Natural Paradise Central Galapagos Islands small ship cruise visits San Cristobal, North Seymour, South Plaza, Santa Cruz, Bartolome, Santiago, Rabida and Genovesa islands. Embark in San Cristobal and disembark in Baltra. Witness giant tortoise roaming the highlands of Santa Cruz, hike Pinnacle Rock and Prince Phillip’s Steps for spectacular views of the islands and snorkel the colorful bird-rich Rabida Island among the unique marine life. Natural Paradise Central Islands Cruise can be combined with the Western Islands Cruise to create a longer 15-day trip with no repeated landing sites. 

The 8-day Natural Paradise Western Galapagos Islands Cruise visits Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina, Chinese Hat, Mosquera, Floreana, Española and San Cristobal. Embark in Baltra and disembark in San Cristobal. On Isabela Island, pass a colony of marine iguanas and a group of sea lions en route to the flightless cormorant nesting site. Skip between brackish pools over white-tip sharks and sea turtles, explore the Sierra Negra Volcano, see up to seven species of finches and visit a tortoise breeding center. Snorkel between coral heads on underwater lava flows with marine iguanas and sea lions then send a letter at Post Office Bay on Floreana Island. On Espanola Island visit the breeding site of nearly all of the world’s 12,000 pairs of albatross. Every step of the way, expect to see an abundance of wildlife. The 8-day Natural Paradise Western Galapagos Islands Cruise can be combined with the Northern, Eastern or Central Islands Cruise to create longer trips with no repeated landing sites. 

The 5-day Natural Paradise Eastern Galapagos Islands small ship cruise visits San Cristobal, North Seymour, Santa Fe, Santa Cruz, Bartolome, Santiago and South Plaza Islands. Embark in San Cristobal and disembark in Baltra. Paddle a kayak or take a panga ride amongst sharks, tropical fish, manta rays and turtles near Kicker Rock then meander between blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, sea lions and prickly pear cacti on North Seymour Island. See where toroises are bred on Santa Cruz Island, witness some of the most interesting geology and lava flows on Santiago, then summit a volcano on Bartolome for one of the best views of Pinnacle Rock. The 5-day Natural Paradise Eastern Islands Cruise encompasses the first 5 days of the longer 8-day Central Natural Paradise Cruise.

The 4-day Natural Paradise Northern Galapagos Islands small ship cruise visits Santa Cruz, Genovesa, Santiago and Baltra. Embark and disembark in Baltra. Explore the Santa Cruz Highlands, hike Prince Phillip’s Steps for spectacular views, watch sea lions bathe in the sun at Egas Point on Santiago Island and perhaps witness sea turtles nest at Bachas Beach. The 4-day Natural Paradise Northern Islands Cruise encompasses the final 4 days of the longer 8-day Central Natural Paradise Cruise.

While itineraries range from 4 to 15 days, a custom itinerary will provide your group with the most flexibility. Gather 15 friends or family members to fill one of our favorite ships for private Galapagos yacht charters and experience the archipelago in your own unique way.

Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Galapagos cruises and Galapagos trips.