Isabela II
- capacity
- 40
- year built
- 1979
- remodeled
- 2018
- crew members
- 26 crew members
- length
- 166 feet
- beam
- 38 feet
- cruising speed
- 10 knots
The Isabela II offers the amenities of a large ship with the intimacy of a 40-guest small yacht, a unique size for a Galapagos vessel. With an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere she cruises the Galapagos Islands efficiently, allowing guests to enjoy their adventure fully and in style.
Why Sail Aboard Isabela II
Choose the Isabela II for her experienced staff, delicious cuisine and expert naturalist guides. Her comfortable cabins include family options, making her a great option for Galapagos family cruises. Add to the experience fine dining, a sundeck bar, a hot tub and a glass-bottom boat for an intimate and exploratory Galapagos adventure. Renowned Ecuadorian designer Diego Arteta, who decorated Casa Gangotena and Mashpi Lodge, refreshed her interior with new fabrics throughout the bar, lounge and dining room, new carpet, a resized business center with a desk and two shared computers and enhanced lighting.
AdventureSmith Explorations’ Isabela II review includes a detailed description of the small yacht including deck plans and a photo gallery. Our small ship cruise experts have been aboard nearly every first-class Galapagos cruise ship. Please read our Isabela II review below then contact our experts to compare the Isabela II with other small cruise ships, yachts and catamarans offering Galapagos cruises.
Common Areas Aboard Isabela II
The yacht Isabela II is fully air conditioned and has three public decks, including the Boat Deck, Cabin Deck and Main Deck. After a fun-filled excursion, relax in the bar, sunbathe on the sundeck, borrow a book from the Natural History Library, use Wifi at the reception area, converse in the lounge and take advantage of the 24-hour snack station with snacks, coffee and tea. The updated gift shop offers accessories like hats, windbreakers and sunscreen. Throughout the ship, find TV screens outlining the day’s adventures and updating guests with necessary details. From the dining room to sundeck to stateroom, there is a superior sense of quality and high levels of service throughout.
Dining Aboard Isabela II
In addition to the main dining room, some meals are served al fresco on the sundeck when weather conditions and navigation permits. Enjoy searching for whales and dolphins while dining and feel the ocean breeze on your cheeks. Indoor dining is equally lavish in the formal dining room with a 3:2 crew-to-guest ratio. Drinks are a specialty aboard Isabela II as well, created by an expert, Peruvian mixologist.
Activities Aboard Isabela II
Optional activities like sea kayaking (8 double kayaks are carried on board), snorkeling and swimming are geared for all levels of ability. For non-snorkelers, a glass-bottom boat offers an ideal alternative for viewing the underwater world. On board, guests enjoy an air conditioned, 24-hour, indoor gym with glass panels to view outside on the Boat Deck. The library offers resources of natural history about the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador, while two computer stations in the business center offer free internet and WiFi (although internet connections are intermittent and low-bandwidth).
Cabins & Deck Plan Aboard Isabela II
With just 20 guest cabins, Isabela II’s convivial atmosphere leads to a close-up experience of the unique Darwinian world. Four cabin categories, ranging from 124 to 170 square feet, are arranged around outer corridors. All cabins are spacious and have private bathrooms, hair dryers and a safe. New decor, linens, lighting, blackout curtains and USB ports make each cabin modern and convenient.
