Exploring the Galápagos aboard HX Expeditions Santa Cruz II

Just before Christmas I had the opportunity to visit one of the most remarkable places on earth, the Galápagos Islands. As mostly all Galápagos cruise tours start in Quito, our journey began at the JW Marriot hotel Quito. At 9186’ about sea level, it may take a bit of getting used to the altitude, especially when out on our walking tour around the city. We then travelled even higher up into the mountains for lunch at Restaurante El Crater for an incredible lunch overlooking the volcanic crater. We then visited the park that delineates the Equator at 0’ 0” having one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere.

The next day we woke early for a great buffet breakfast at the hotel and then boarded a flight over to the island of Baltra in the Galápagos Islands where we boarded the HX Expeditions Santa Cruz II, a ship designed specifically for exploring the archipelago.

Over the course of the trip we navigated among the northern and western islands including Isabela, Fernandina, Santa Cruz, and Floreana. Each day followed had both morning and afternoon tours that balanced exploration with learning. They typically involved Zodiac landings and some dry landings onto rocky shores while others were wet landings directly onto pristine beaches. These excursions allowed us to reach areas that feel almost completely untouched. We had to stay within “lanes” and marked trails. If you even stepped a few feet off the trail, the naturalist guide would firmly let you know to move back onto the trail.

One of the highlights of the trip for me was snorkeling on the northern end of Isabela Island. The water was full of marine life including sea turtles and playful sea lions that seemed just as curious about us as we were about them. At Floreana Island we kayaked along the rugged coastline, passing volcanic rock formations and quiet coves filled with birds. So peaceful.

Wildlife encounters were constant throughout the trip. We saw pink American flamingos standing in shallow brackish water lagoons, blue footed boobies perched along rocky cliffs, and the rare flightless cormorants drying their wings in the sun. Galápagos penguins swam through the water while both marine and land iguanas rested on the dark lava rocks. At one point we even spotted a Galápagos albatross overhead, a huge bird. Sea lions were lounging everywhere from the docks to the beaches.

On Santa Cruz Island we visited the famous Charles Darwin Research Station where scientists continue their important work studying and protecting the islands ’ecosystems. We also traveled inland to the Giant Tortoise Reserve where we saw these massive tortoises slowly moving through the highland green space vegetation. We could get close enough as about a meter away to take some great pictures.

The landscape was just as impressive as the wildlife. We hiked along untouched beaches and through marshy scrubland trails shaped by volcanic terrain. What makes the Galápagos so special is that about 97 percent of the islands are protected, helping preserve this rare environment for future generations.

Life aboard the Santa Cruz II was very comfortable and well organized. Breakfast and lunch were buffet style with a wide range of offerings. During lunch each day the crew asked guests to select their dinner preference from several choices with an iPad. This approach helps reduce food waste while still offering a good variety of meals.

Another unique aspect of the trip was HX’s educational outreach program. Several high achieving high school students from Galápagos schools were on board as part of a program designed to encourage young people interested in science and conservation.

Passengers on the ship came from all over the world, which created a very international atmosphere. Each evening the expedition team held a briefing explaining the next day’s activities based on weather and sea conditions. It added a sense of anticipation and helped everyone better understand what we would be seeing the following day.

The Galápagos remain one of the few places where nature truly dominates the landscape. Experiencing them aboard the Santa Cruz II was an unforgettable trip and a reminder of how important it is to protect places like this.

I’d highly recommend considering going on an HX Expeditions cruise to the Galápagos Islands. You certainly won’t regret visiting a place as isolated and beautiful as this Pacific archipelago off the coast of Ecuador.