5-Day Galapagos Cruise: Itinerary B (East) aboard Monserrat Yacht
Overview
Available languages
5 days
Mobile ticket
A once in a lifetime experience both on the trails and onboard! Cruising the Galapagos islands is an unforgettable experience because of its unique and close encounters with its amazing wildlife.
Experiencing the Galapagos Islands on a small 20 passenger yacht is an added value that will make your cruise unforgettable. In a more intimate setting, you will be sharing your Galapagos adventure with few other guests that share the same belief that cruising on a small cruise boat has less impact on the Galapagos ecosystem while benefiting from a more personalized service. Our 11 crew members will go above and beyond to make your experience of the Galapagos unforgettable.
Our naturalist guide/passenger ratio is amongst the best in the Galapagos with 1 guide for every 10 passengers. Through our commitment to personalized service and attention to detail, Monserrat Galapagos Cruises aims to create the perfect setting for an unforgettable experience on the enchanted islands.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
BALTRA AIRPORT/ SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
Accommodations
Double Cabin aboard the First Class Monserrat Yacht
Food and Drinks
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Baltra
After clearing customs and immigration you will be met by our guide and transferred to the M/Y Monserrat. In the afternoon, you will be transfer to the highlands of Santa Cruz. We will visit a tortoise ranch and see some of the amazing volcanic formations of this area.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Highlands Excursion (PM) Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and see the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural surroundings. Explore the area and its incredible underground lava tunnels – some are more than 1km (.6 mi) long! Wander along the volcanic tubes and keep an eye out for the (mainly) nocturnal barn owls that sometimes roost here.
CHINESE HAT / SANTIAGO ISLAND
Accommodations
Double Cabin aboard the First Class Monserrat Yacht
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Chinese Hat Visit (AM) Explore Chinese Hat’s beautiful landscape and spectacular white-coral sand beach followed by snorkeling with sea lions and penguins and swimming opportunities in the cove. Snorkeling (Chinese Hat) (AM) Snorkel right from the white-coral sand beach and come face to face with playful sea lions and large schools of tropical fish. Keep an eye out for marine iguanas and penguins too!
Sullivan Bay
Sullivan Bay (PM) Walking through Sullivan Bay offers an extraordinary journey into the volcanic origins of the Archipelago. The hike will take you across a perfectly preserved Pahoehoe lava flow, providing the opportunity to observe the delicate textures of this rare type of lava. While may appear barren and lifeless landscapes, a closer look reveals resilient pioneer plants, scurrying lava lizards, and small birds. Along the shore, penguins, pelicans, and oystercatchers add a touch of life to the stark environment.
NORTH SEYMOUR / SANTA FE
Accommodations
Double Cabin aboard the First Class Monserrat Yacht
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
North Seymour (AM) The morning starts with a visit to North Seymour Island, a spectacular showcase of the Galapagos Islands' diverse wildlife. This fairly flat island is home to a thriving population of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. The trail will walk you through a forest of low, bushy vegetation, where you'll have the opportunity to witness the fascinating courtship dance of the blue-footed boobies. The island's coastline also let you observe sea lions and marine iguanas basking in the sun. The large frigate bird colonies are a sight, especially when the males expand their bright red throat pouches to attract mates. This is an ideal spot for birdwatching and photography.
Santa Fe Island
This Island is known for its picturesque bay and turquoise waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The island hosts a large amount of land iguanas unique to Santa Fe. Watching for these magnificent creatures as you walk through the giant prickly pear cactus forest will make a unique experience. The island's calm and clear waters are ideal for spotting the marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and colorful schools of fish. Santa Fe also offers a chance to see the Galapagos hawk and various endemic finches. This day offers a combination of terrestrial and marine activities as you will also do kayaking and panga rides, showcasing the diverse landscapes and wildlife the Galapagos Islands are famous for.
SAN CRISTOBAL PIT POINT / WITCH HILL
Accommodations
Double Cabin aboard the First Class Monserrat Yacht
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Punta Pitt
Enjoy amazing wildlife watching and interesting geological formations on this fascinating expedition. Arrive at a quiet cove on the eastern tip of San Cristóbal to explore Punta Pitt. Made up of volcanic tuff substrate, it's the only site in the Galápagos where it's possible to see three species of boobies and two species of frigatebirds. Snorkeling (Punta Pitt) (AM) Snorkel around Punta Pitt Island and spot schools of fish swimming below. On the shore admire the nesting birds and sun-bathing sea lions.
Cerro Brujo
Cerro Brujo, is a breathtaking white sand beach on San Cristobal Island's northern coast. This beach was one of the first sites visited by Charles Darwin. It's an attractive spot for walking and enjoying the landscape, with its powdery white sand and turquoise waters. The area is home to a large sea lion colony, and the nearby lagoon often hosts several bird species, including pelicans and blue-footed boobies. The clear waters also make it an ideal spot for snorkeling, where you can encounter rich marine life.
SAN CRISTOBAL / TRANSFER OUT
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Cerro Tijeretas
Tijeretas Hill is a tourist attraction on the San Cristobal Island, offering visitors a spectacular panoramic view and the opportunity to enjoy the rich marine life that surrounds the area. The name “Tijeretas” refers to the frigate birds that inhabit the region, also known as earwigs. It is one of the only places where you can watch the two species of frigate birds nesting in the same colony.
What‘s Included
All activities and excursions depicted in the itinerary accompanied by a bilingual naturalist guide
Assistance
Snorkeling equipment, wetsuits (short), Kayak, SUPs
Fuel Surcharge
Water, tea, coffee
Health Insurance
Single supplement
Galapagos fee
Galapagos Control Transit Card
Options
5 Day Galapagos Islands Cruise aboard the Monserrat Yacht
Single Supplement
Reviews
21 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Galapagos Cruise
T9949OXkatiec,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lot's of excellent activities, great food, friendly and attentive crew. Highly recommended.
Galapagos - a magical trip!
H5175CLleslieb,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I just got back from the A+B itinerary on the Monserrat. We had the best time. Our Naturalists: Yasmany(A), Javier(A+B), and Karem(B) were amazing. We learned so much about the wildlife and islands. They really did a great job of making sure everyone saw all the wildlife they wanted to see (on land and in the water). We did multiple excursions a day. A great mix of snorkeling, hiking/walking, dingy rides, and kayaking. Food was great and we were never hungry. The crew was amazing. Really went above and beyond every single day! A boat tour is definitely the way to go in the Galapagos! 100% recommend and would go back in a heartbeat!
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS A+B extraordinary experience
jpatyl2003,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I joined the A+B 9day trip with a friend. We have our own room without single supplement. The price is reasonable. We were well taken care by the tour guides and the crews. 16 people on the ship with 9 crew members & 2 tour guides. Two excursion activities in the morning and afternoon, in between with a long break before and after lunch. Free wifi for use on the ship though the reception was better at the common area. Snokerlling & hiking were the major activities. The guides ensure everyone got good experience with the activities, e.g. teach beginner how to do snokerling, We had 3 meals and post activities snacks daily. They were set meals with minimal options. The service was excellent with personal touch & individual attention from our guides Javier and Karem! Crew team Eleanor, Ronald and the cullinerary team. They have enriched the trip experience! It will be better if a hand sanitization area is available on the main deck with food/drink being served. I highly recommend Montserrat Yacht for the Galapagos Islands travel.
See Galapagos with the best boat and crew.
DonG1773,Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Galapagos is a must see destination. And if you plan to go, the Monserrat experience is one of the best. The experience was truly remarkable with great guides, crew, food and activities. Everything was perfect all 5 days.
Met expectations
E4023QQsamuels,Aug 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00I went on a Galapagos cruise on the Monserrat boat booked through AdventureSmith. Overall the trip met expectations. One guide was great and highly experienced, the other was good but not as experienced and didn’t pay attention to my interests as much. Food was good but not great. The server/bartender was not very friendly. The biggest complaint I would have is that when the boat is moving, the engine downstairs is extremely loud and I had a really hard time sleeping Itinerary and activities are great. At most islands we were the only ones there which was very nice. The guides were patient and let us spend a lot of time at each place. Note that the guides are contract workers and frequently change boats.
Magical and memorable
611chelseav,Jul 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The monserrat was a really nice boat that had plenty of relaxation space and areas for socialising, while providing enough space for quiet time. The crew are what make this boat so great though! They were super attentive and really hospitable. Our dingy driver Peter and Carlos were always trying to get us to the best spots in the water. We were always taken care of, and the all the staff ensured we had a great time. The food was fantastic, using fresh and local ingredients and heaps of variety with no meal ever repeated. We had a fantastic guide, Pablo, who was super knowledgeable and really great with our group. I would 100% recommend and stay on again!
Exactly the kind of nature experience we were hoping for
F RONALD P,May 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Exactly as advertised. A great experience, both on land and in the water. Snorkeling (2x per day) with penguins, sea lions, turtles and sharks. Up close and personal on land with tortoises, iguanas, boobies. A couple of the planned activities were a bit strenuous for older travelers, but the guides were very accommodating and came up with easier, but still quite productive, options for those who wanted an easier pace. The boat is a bit dated, and the staterooms pretty basic, but the food was good, the Wi-Fi worked well, the included snorkeling gear (masks, fins, wet suits) was in excellent condition, and the crew extremely friendly and helpful. And you don’t spend much time in the room anyway. Not much onboard entertainment, but that really doesn’t matter because breakfast was typically at 6:15, with the first activity at 7:00 AM; most passengers were in bed not long after dinner (usually at 7:00 PM.
The trip of a lifetime
EvertGuan,Mar 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was absolutely amazing. You are unburdened in everything and everything is arranged. Very friendly staff and the guides Javier and Fátima had a lot of knowledge and attention to detail. With their experience, they saw many animals and nature that you yourself would be less likely to notice. Every day there is a beautiful and varied program. It costs a bit, but you'll definitely get a bit. I can recommend it to everyone.
After a last frolic with sea lions we’ve had to leave
Katherine S,Mar 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An amazing busy 5 days. 12 of us were either hiking or snorkeling from the afternoon of our arrival until the morning of departure! Pablo was a great guide; giving us room to explore within the park rules. The last final swim, an hour before leaving the yacht, was a frolic with playful sea lions. Meals were wonderful. The crew was wonderful. Already planning a return trip.
Magnificent Monserrat
363maryjeans,Feb 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My son and I actually did an 11 day itinerary which was totally amazing! When going to the Galapagos you are not going on a cruise you are going on an adventure! Be ready to hike snorkel and swim both mornings and afternoons and see the wonderful world of the indigenous animals. Our accommodations were very comfortable and the food was really good and plentiful. You will not go hungry! The Captain and crew were absolutely great. We named our house keeper ninja because our rooms were clean and tidy every time we were out of our cabin. We had super naturalists that loved their jobs and loved sharing the excitement of the beautiful environment of the Galapagos. You cannot go wrong with this trip. We actually were sad to leave and if doing over we would have done all the itineraries!
From US$2,996.25
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Operated by Monserrat Galapagos Cruises