5-day Galapagos snorkeling cruise: Seaman Journey catamaran

Snorkel with sea lions and hike volcanic islands across five days at sea

A 5-day cruise through the Galapagos Islands aboard the Seaman Journey catamaran, a 16-passenger vessel with expert naturalist guides leading daily snorkeling, kayaking and hiking expeditions. The itinerary visits Genovesa Island, North Seymour, South Plaza and Santa Fe, where you encounter sea lions, giant tortoises, marine iguanas and nesting seabirds. Gourmet farm-to-table meals, air-conditioned cabins with ocean views and snorkeling equipment are included. Flights to and from the Galapagos and the national park entrance fee are booked separately or added at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Baltra and Bartolome Islands

• Fly to Galapagos Islands
• Pay migration control card fee
• Pass airport inspection and park entrance
• Transfer to Seaman Journey Catamaran
• Visit Bartolome Island and hike

Day 2: Mosquera Islet and North Seymour

• Explore Mosquera Islet beach and landscape
• Visit North Seymour Island wildlife

Day 3: Genovesa Island and Darwin Bay

• Hike El Barranco trail on Genovesa Island
• Take panga rides to see sea lions and seabirds
• Visit Darwin Bay and birdwatch

Day 4: South Plaza and Santa Fe Islands

• Explore South Plaza Island and iguanas
• Visit Santa Fe Island and snorkel with sea lions

Day 5: San Cristobal and Departure

• Visit David Rodriguez Tortoise Breeding Center
• Transfer to San Cristobal airport
• Fly back to mainland

The experience

You arrive in the Galapagos on your own flight and clear the airport inspection point, then transfer by motorized panga to the Seaman Journey at anchor. The catamaran carries just 16 guests, which means smaller group sizes on each expedition and more personalized attention from the naturalist guides who lead every activity. Days split between morning and afternoon excursions: one day you hike Bartolome Island's volcanic cones and watch Galapagos penguins at the base of its famous Toba pinnacle. Another morning takes you to Genovesa Island's El Barranco trail, a 1.5-kilometer walk through lava formations where storm petrels nest in cavities and short-eared owls hunt overhead.

Snorkeling happens in the shallow, sheltered waters around each island. You enter with your own equipment (provided) and encounter playful sea lion colonies, tropical fish and, depending on the site, marine turtles and rays. Kayaking through mangrove bays offers a quieter way to move through the landscape and spot wildlife at water level. The hikes vary in intensity but are designed for all fitness levels, with naturalist guides explaining the geology and ecology as you walk. North Seymour's flat terrain hosts blue-footed boobies performing their courtship dance and swallow-tailed gulls perched on cliff edges. South Plaza is small but dense with hybrid iguanas (a cross between land and marine species) and seabirds nesting in the rugged cliffs.

Evenings return you to the catamaran, where the galley serves gourmet meals built from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Cabins are air-conditioned with panoramic ocean views, and the crew speaks English, Spanish and Dutch. The final morning visits the David Rodriguez Tortoise Breeding Center on San Cristóbal Island before you transfer to the airport for your flight back to the mainland. Airport transfers in the Galapagos are included on your arrival and departure days. The national park entrance fee and your international flights are separate bookings.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• gourmet farm-to-table meals prepared daily aboard the catamaran.
• air-conditioned double cabin with panoramic ocean views.
• naturalist guide in English, Spanish or Dutch leading all daily expeditions.
• airport transfers in the Galapagos on your arrival and departure dates.
• 24/7 assistance in multiple languages throughout the cruise.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 12:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Paid on siteUS$ 225

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Rebecca Adventure Travel

Is this one for you?Five days at sea means you commit to the full itinerary and cannot split the trip across multiple visits. Book this if you have the time to see Genovesa, North Seymour, South Plaza and Santa Fe in one journey. The small 16-passenger group size keeps each snorkeling and hiking expedition intimate, which matters if you want closer encounters with wildlife and more personalized guide attention than larger cruise ships offer.

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What kind of wildlife will I see while snorkeling on this cruise?

Sea lions are the most playful encounter. They swim alongside snorkelers in the shallow bays around South Plaza and Santa Fe. You also see tropical fish, marine turtles at certain sites, rays, and occasionally larger species like hammerhead sharks at a distance. The naturalist guides can identify species and explain behavior as you float above them.

How physically demanding are the hikes on each island?

The expeditions are designed for all fitness levels, though they do involve walking on uneven volcanic rock and some elevation gain. Bartolome Island's ascent to the viewpoint is the most strenuous. Genovesa's El Barranco trail is 1.5 kilometers and takes about two hours. You can ask the guide about difficulty before each excursion and sit out if needed.

What happens on the first day when I arrive in the Galapagos?

You fly in on your own flight, pass through airport inspection (required by the Galapagos Government to prevent foreign plants and animals entering the islands), then meet your guide for transfer to the motorized panga that takes you out to the Seaman Journey. You settle into your cabin and have the afternoon to rest or explore the ship before the first evening briefing.

Are meals included, and what kind of food is served?

All meals aboard the catamaran are included and prepared fresh daily using locally sourced, organic ingredients from an on-island farm. The galley serves gourmet fare rather than standard cruise food. Alcoholic drinks are not included but can be purchased.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

No, snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, snorkel) is provided and included in the cruise price. The crew fits gear to your size before each outing, and naturalist guides brief you on conditions and safety before entering the water.

What is the David Rodriguez Tortoise Breeding Center, and why do we visit it?

The center, located on San Cristóbal Island 22.5 kilometers from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, is a captive breeding program established to restore the giant tortoise population native to San Cristóbal. The morning visit on day five lets you see these ancient animals up close before your transfer to the airport for your flight home.