About this hotel
General information
Santa Cruz II is an expedition vessel built for remote waters and now dedicated entirely to the Galápagos Islands. At 72 m long, she has five decks and 50 cabins for no more than 90 guests. By the archipelago's standards she is generous with space: wide corridors and stairways, several lounges, open-air terraces and a library with a small science corner.
Life on board follows an expedition rhythm. An expedition leader and four naturalist guides sail with every departure, so guests go ashore in small groups well below the national park's limit of 16 and choose between several activities at each landing. Almost none of the visitor sites on her routes are shared with other cruises. A doctor is on call around the clock, while fuel-efficient engines, on-board desalination and water treatment, and waste recycling lighten her footprint on protected waters.
Location
The ship sails within the Galápagos National Park and Marine Reserve. Guests embark and disembark at Baltra, the island served by flights from Quito and Guayaquil. Itineraries are organised by region: an Eastern route of 7 days and 6 nights (San Cristóbal, Santa Fe, Santa Cruz, Española, North Seymour), a Western route of 5 days and 4 nights (Isabela, Fernandina, Santa Cruz, Floreana) and a Northern route of 5 days and 4 nights (Santa Cruz, Santiago, Rábida, Bartolomé, Genovesa). They can be combined back to back to cover much more of the archipelago.
Sports & leisure
Every landing is led by naturalist guides: walks along volcanic trails and beaches, boat rides beneath sea cliffs, snorkelling, sea kayaks, paddleboards and a glass-bottom boat. Several routes include a day on Santa Cruz with the Charles Darwin Research Station and the cooler highlands. On board there is a fitness room and a solarium on the top Sky Deck, and in the evenings the naturalists recap the day and brief guests on the next.
For children
The ship suits families well: the public areas are spacious, 36 of the 43 Explorer cabins can be interconnected, and both the Explorer Family Cabin and the Darwin Suite take two adults and a child under 12.
Restaurants & bars
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on board, with menus built on local organic produce by a Le Cordon Bleu-trained gastronomy director and adapted to any diet.
- Beagle Restaurant — the main dining room on the lower Ocean Deck
- Panorama Bar & Lounge — bar and lounge on the Panorama Deck for drinks after the day's landings
- Panorama Deck terrace — an afternoon happy hour with snacks and island views
- An open-air bar on the top Sky Deck
- Expedition Lounge — coffee and snack station beside the library
Swimming
There is no pool on board; the Expedition Deck has two outdoor hot tubs. Swimming and snorkelling happen from beaches and boats during landings, with snorkelling gear and wetsuits supplied on board — the wetsuits earn their keep from May to December, when the water is cooler.
Rooms
Fifty cabins house up to 90 guests, from solo Voyager cabins to three Darwin Suites on the Panorama Deck. Every cabin faces outwards, with large picture windows rather than portholes and a private shower room.
Individually controlled air conditioning, safe, hairdryer, reading lights, wardrobe, chair and desk, 110 V and USB sockets, biodegradable toiletries, reusable water bottles, extra blankets and internet access for a fee.
Voyager Cabin
A single cabin for solo travellers on the Horizon Deck, with a shower room. There are two on board.
Explorer Twin Cabin
A cabin for two on the Horizon Deck with a shower room; 36 of the 43 can connect to a neighbouring cabin, useful for families and groups.
Explorer Family Cabin
A larger cabin for a small family travelling together, sleeping up to two adults and a child under 12, with a shower room.
Darwin Suite
One of three suites on the Panorama Deck, with more space and a double picture window; up to two adults and a child under 12. Can connect to an Explorer cabin.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.