M/S Beagle

M/S Beagle

Ride the Galapagos waves on this charming schooner, a cozy adventure fitted for those who love the sea; the Beagle’s classy teak decks offer the greatest views of Paradise, from dolphin watching to sea gazing and relaxing as the soft Pacific breeze blows across the bow.

Experience life on board on a romantic teak-deck schooner, the Beagle boasts spacious interiors that ensure your total relaxation and beautiful topside areas ideal for bird, dolphin and whale watching from the bow. Accommodating only 13 guests, the Beagle is tailor-made for families, special-interest groups or private parties, and her friendly, professional crew and experienced naturalist guide will ensure your every need is met.

The Beagle also holds Smart Voyager certification for sound conservation and socially responsible business practices.

Crew: Captain, First mate, Engineer, Two sailors, Chef, Assistant chef, Naturalist guide.
Safety Equipment: Two fully equipped 20passenger life rafts, 1 dinghy/1 Zodiac with outboards.

Itinerary North Western Islands (8 days)

MS Beagle / Western exploration and visit the spectacular southern islands

Western exploration to the fullest

Take your time to discover the remarkable western islands of the Galapagos archipelago, where what used to be silent pirate hideaways are today refuge for fledgling wildlife preparing itself to encounter the harsh realities of Galapagos existence. Open seas bring in everything from Blue and Sperm Whales to octopus, rays, dolphins and swordfish and the equatorial sun-baked lava rocks are home to hugging marine iguanas and sluggish alpha male sea lions rolling in the sand. Sea turtle pools and Flightless Cormorants feeding their young on volcanic Fernandina, the youngest of the Galapagos islands, erupting regularly to give the entire island the aspect of what life on Earth must have seemed several million years ago.

Let us guide you north to spectacular Genovesa, a barren island that is home to abundant birdlife, including otherwise rare sea birds, prime nesting sites of Red-footed Boobies, frigatebirds, and the dapper Red-billed Tropicbird, as well as the curious Short-Eared Owl, and compare this to the luscious misty highlands of Santa Cruz and the beautiful of curvy geology of Santiago’s shores.

DAY 1 TUESDAY
AM Santa Cruz: Board The Beagle.
PM Bachas Beach, disembark on a white sand nesting site of Green Sea Turtles; enjoy the first sights of the Galapagos Islands and an introductory dip in waters teeming with tropical fish.

DAY 2 WEDNESDAY
AM Genovesa: Dry landing on Prince Philip's Steps, taking you up a cliff onto a lava rock trail, through Palo Santo woodland, among nesting birds with a chance to encounter Short-eared Owl.
PM Snorkeling along steep dramatic Galapagos cliffs, we then visit Darwin Bay, a collapsed caldera home to Frigatebirds and Red-footed Boobies.

DAY 3 THURSDAY
AM Santiago: A wet landing at James Bay onto a black beach. Follow a coastal trail to observe tidal pools, marine birds, iguanas and sea lions. We will be out to meet Galapagos fur seals sleeping in and around lava bridges and grottos.
PM After lunch The Beagle navigates to western Isabela Island.

DAY 4 FRIDAY
AM ISABELA: A panga ride at Punta Vicente Roca to snorkel where the underwater wildlife is particularly abundant, as it takes advantage of the nutrient-rich Cromwell Current upwelling.
PM FERNANDINA: A dry landing at Punta Espinoza on the youngest island of the archipelago. Marine iguanas pile up against each other, gathering body heat from the rocks, so be careful not to step on anyone's tail! Home to sea lions, Flightless Cormorants, penguins, herons, Sally Lightfoot Crabs and much more.

DAY 5 SATURDAY
AM ISABELA: A 30-minute hike at Tagus Cove takes you up a cliff to a magnificent viewpoint of beautiful landscapes of Darwin Volcano and Darwin Lake.
PM To the south, at the foot of the western side of Alcedo Volcano is Urbina Bay, uplifted from the seabed in 1954 leaving coral heads out of the water for everyone to admire. An important colony of land iguanas resides at this site. We will be also looking for Alcedo's giant tortoises in their natural habitat.

DAY 6 SUNDAY
AM Isabela: At Elizabeth Bay we take a panga ride in search of Galapagos penguins at Mariela Rock and head over to the quiet lagoons where green sea turtles and spotted eagle rays glide along.
PM Explore the desolate landscapes of impressive black lava at Punta Moreno.

DAY 7 MONDAY
AM Isabela: Take the trail up to the crater of Sierra Negra Volcano, the 2nd largest in the world. On the way back down we will drop in on the famous giant tortoises at the Centro de Crianza Arnaldo Tupiza breeding centre.
PM Lunch will be served on the yacht and afterwards you can enjoy a swim in one of the coves at Puerto Villamil before we set sail to Puerto Ayora.

DAY 8 TUESDAY
AM Santa Cruz: We ride by bus to the Gemelos, twin pit craters in the Santa Cruz highlands and a visit a local farm -Primicias- where giant tortoises can be seen in their natural misty woodland habitat.
PM We will spend the afternoon in Charles Darwin Research Station and strolling about Puerto Ayora, exploring the shops and getting to know island town life.

Itinerary South & Central Islands (8 days)

MS Beagle / Visit the spectacular southern islands

Visit the spectacular southern islands

Experience the dramatic backdrop of a geological blowhole amongst performing sea birds, polka dancing and beak fighting their way to love; discover hidden nocturnal herons, overly extroverted mockingbirds, cactus tree forests and the unbelievable neon greens and reds of mating marine iguanas. Landscapes to remember include pointy Pinnacle Rock and Sleeping Lion, islands that slowly emerge from the water, others that jet out like the violent waves that crash upon them: golden sand, flour sand, red, black and green sand.

Fields of holy wood trees and shores filled with bright red crabs scuttling in and out of the water; flamingos prancing through lagoons, nesting sea turtles, perhaps a Galapagos Hawk scouting out the territory for a mouse, perhaps a heron, fishing methodically along the shore. Listen to the crashing waves, where some of the most dramatic cliffs of the Galapagos plunge into the ocean. The Southern, eastern and central islands are geological wonders, filled with special opportunities to witness the diversity and natural phenomena that have made these islands unique.

DAY 1 TUESDAY
AM Santa Cruz: Board The Beagle.
PM A visit to Charles Darwin Research Station

DAY 2 WEDNESDAY
AM Floreana: From Puerto Velasco Ibarra a chiva (open-sided bus) ride will transport you up into the highlands past local farms called chacras to Asilo de la Paz, a beautiful fresh-water spring.
PM From the green olivine beach at Punta Cormorant several trails lead to a brackish water lagoon, home to a colony of flamingos and white-cheeked pintail ducks. A panga will take you to Devil’s Crown for snorkeling.

DAY 3 THURSDAY
AM Española: At Punta Suarez waved albatross are present from April to December and other year round residents include Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies and Espanola Mockingbirds. You can climb along the cliff tops to observe an impressive seaward blowhole.
PM Gardner Bay, a wonderful sandy beach perfect for swimming and observing Galapagos Sea Lions.

DAY 4 FRIDAY
AM San Cristobal: From Punta Pitt a steep narrow path leads up to a plateau surrounded by reddish hills and impressive views. Depending on the time of year we may find nesting marine iguanas, red-footed boobies and other marine birds.
PM We navigate to Kicker Rock, a volcanic promontory that rises 500 feet from the ocean, resembling a sleeping lion, hence its Spanish name “León Dormido.” Then there is time for a swim or snorkel at Isla Lobos, where playful sea lion pups may join you in the water.

DAY 5 SATURDAY
AM A visit to one of the most beautiful coves in the Galapagos, Santa Fe, sheltered by a peninsula perfect for a swim or snorkel in the clear turquoise-blue water. We will be on the look out for land iguanas, sea turtles, Galapagos Hawks and a forest of giant Opuntia cacti.
PM Steep cliffs on the southern shore of South Plaza are a perfect sea birds, an unparalleled bird observatory for Swallow-tailed Gull, Audubon Shearwater, and Red-billed Tropicbird. Look out for iguana nests scattered all around these hills.

DAY 6 SUNDAY
AM North Seymour is home to several species of pelagic birds: including the great and the magnificent frigatebirds competing for nesting sites. Land iguanas are found alongside marine iguanas, and there are the ever-present, always graceful sea lions.
PM Bartholomew: Disembark at Sullivan Bay to swim and snorkel around iconic Pinnacle Rock, or walk to the other side of the island to see sea turtles nesting (from January to March) and sharks swimming near the shores. There is also a chance to come face to face with Galapagos Penguins hanging out on the volcanic rocks.

DAY 7 MONDAY
AM North Seymour is home to several species of pelagic birds: including the great and the magnificent frigatebirds competing for nesting sites. Land iguanas are found alongside marine iguanas, and there are the ever-present, always graceful sea lions.
PM Bartholomew: Disembark at Sullivan Bay to swim and snorkel around iconic Pinnacle Rock, or walk to the other side of the island to see sea turtles nesting (from January to March) and sharks swimming near the shores. There is also a chance to come face to face with Galapagos Penguins hanging out on the volcanic rocks.

DAY 8 TUESDAY
AM Santa Cruz: A panga ride to Black Turtle Cove and through mangrove inlets, these lagoons provide refuge to rays, sharks, and sea turtles that will be clearly viewable from the boat.
PM Bus ride to the airport in a bus (ten-minutes). Continuing passengers are not allowed to remain on board The Beagle during refueling; they can either go to the airport where there is a coffee bar and shops, or visit the small beach in the harbor.

Itinerary All the Islands (15 days)

MS Beagle / Western exploration and visit the spectacular southern islands

Western exploration to the fullest

Take your time to discover the remarkable western islands of the Galapagos archipelago, where what used to be silent pirate hideaways are today refuge for fledgling wildlife preparing itself to encounter the harsh realities of Galapagos existence. Open seas bring in everything from Blue and Sperm Whales to octopus, rays, dolphins and swordfish and the equatorial sun-baked lava rocks are home to hugging marine iguanas and sluggish alpha male sea lions rolling in the sand. Sea turtle pools and Flightless Cormorants feeding their young on volcanic Fernandina, the youngest of the Galapagos islands, erupting regularly to give the entire island the aspect of what life on Earth must have seemed several million years ago.

Let us guide you north to spectacular Genovesa, a barren island that is home to abundant birdlife, including otherwise rare sea birds, prime nesting sites of Red-footed Boobies, frigatebirds, and the dapper Red-billed Tropicbird, as well as the curious Short-Eared Owl, and compare this to the luscious misty highlands of Santa Cruz and the beautiful of curvy geology of Santiago’s shores.

Visit the spectacular southern islands

Experience the dramatic backdrop of a geological blowhole amongst performing sea birds, polka dancing and beak fighting their way to love; discover hidden nocturnal herons, overly extroverted mockingbirds, cactus tree forests and the unbelievable neon greens and reds of mating marine iguanas. Landscapes to remember include pointy Pinnacle Rock and Sleeping Lion, islands that slowly emerge from the water, others that jet out like the violent waves that crash upon them: golden sand, flour sand, red, black and green sand.

Fields of holy wood trees and shores filled with bright red crabs scuttling in and out of the water; flamingos prancing through lagoons, nesting sea turtles, perhaps a Galapagos Hawk scouting out the territory for a mouse, perhaps a heron, fishing methodically along the shore. Listen to the crashing waves, where some of the most dramatic cliffs of the Galapagos plunge into the ocean. The Southern, eastern and central islands are geological wonders, filled with special opportunities to witness the diversity and natural phenomena that have made these islands unique.

DAY 1 TUESDAY
AM Santa Cruz: Board The Beagle.
PM Bachas Beach, disembark on a white sand nesting site of Green Sea Turtles; enjoy the first sights of the Galapagos Islands and an introductory dip in waters teeming with tropical fish.

DAY 2 WEDNESDAY
AM Genovesa: Dry landing on Prince Philip's Steps, taking you up a cliff onto a lava rock trail, through Palo Santo woodland, among nesting birds with a chance to encounter Short-eared Owl.
PM Snorkeling along steep dramatic Galapagos cliffs, we then visit Darwin Bay, a collapsed caldera home to Frigatebirds and Red-footed Boobies.

DAY 3 THURSDAY
AM Santiago: A wet landing at James Bay onto a black beach. Follow a coastal trail to observe tidal pools, marine birds, iguanas and sea lions. We will be out to meet Galapagos fur seals sleeping in and around lava bridges and grottos.
PM After lunch The Beagle navigates to western Isabela Island.

DAY 4 FRIDAY
AM ISABELA: A panga ride at Punta Vicente Roca to snorkel where the underwater wildlife is particularly abundant, as it takes advantage of the nutrient-rich Cromwell Current upwelling.
PM FERNANDINA: A dry landing at Punta Espinoza on the youngest island of the archipelago. Marine iguanas pile up against each other, gathering body heat from the rocks, so be careful not to step on anyone's tail! Home to sea lions, Flightless Cormorants, penguins, herons, Sally Lightfoot Crabs and much more.

DAY 5 SATURDAY
AM ISABELA: A 30-minute hike at Tagus Cove takes you up a cliff to a magnificent viewpoint of beautiful landscapes of Darwin Volcano and Darwin Lake.
PM To the south, at the foot of the western side of Alcedo Volcano is Urbina Bay, uplifted from the seabed in 1954 leaving coral heads out of the water for everyone to admire. An important colony of land iguanas resides at this site. We will be also looking for Alcedo's giant tortoises in their natural habitat.

DAY 6 SUNDAY
AM Isabela: At Elizabeth Bay we take a panga ride in search of Galapagos penguins at Mariela Rock and head over to the quiet lagoons where green sea turtles and spotted eagle rays glide along.
PM Explore the desolate landscapes of impressive black lava at Punta Moreno.

DAY 7 MONDAY
AM Isabela: Take the trail up to the crater of Sierra Negra Volcano, the 2nd largest in the world. On the way back down we will drop in on the famous giant tortoises at the Centro de Crianza Arnaldo Tupiza breeding centre.
PM Lunch will be served on the yacht and afterwards you can enjoy a swim in one of the coves at Puerto Villamil before we set sail to Puerto Ayora.

DAY 8 TUESDAY
AM Santa Cruz: We ride by bus to the Gemelos, twin pit craters in the Santa Cruz highlands and a visit a local farm -Primicias- where giant tortoises can be seen in their natural misty woodland habitat.
PM We will spend the afternoon in Charles Darwin Research Station and strolling about Puerto Ayora, exploring the shops and getting to know island town life.

DAY 9 WEDNESDAY
AM Floreana: From Puerto Velasco Ibarra a chiva (open-sided bus) ride will transport you up into the highlands past local farms called chacras to Asilo de la Paz, a beautiful fresh-water spring.
PM From the green olivine beach at Punta Cormorant several trails lead to a brackish water lagoon, home to a colony of flamingos and white-cheeked pintail ducks. A panga will take you to Devil’s Crown for snorkeling.

DAY 10 THURSDAY
AM Española: At Punta Suarez waved albatross are present from April to December and other year round residents include Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies and Espanola Mockingbirds. You can climb along the cliff tops to observe an impressive seaward blowhole.
PM Gardner Bay, a wonderful sandy beach perfect for swimming and observing Galapagos Sea Lions.

DAY 11 FRIDAY
AM San Cristobal: From Punta Pitt a steep narrow path leads up to a plateau surrounded by reddish hills and impressive views. Depending on the time of year we may find nesting marine iguanas, red-footed boobies and other marine birds.
PM We navigate to Kicker Rock, a volcanic promontory that rises 500 feet from the ocean, resembling a sleeping lion, hence its Spanish name “León Dormido.” Then there is time for a swim or snorkel at Isla Lobos, where playful sea lion pups may join you in the water.

DAY 12 SATURDAY
AM A visit to one of the most beautiful coves in the Galapagos, Santa Fe, sheltered by a peninsula perfect for a swim or snorkel in the clear turquoise-blue water. We will be on the look out for land iguanas, sea turtles, Galapagos Hawks and a forest of giant Opuntia cacti.
PM Steep cliffs on the southern shore of South Plaza are a perfect sea birds, an unparalleled bird observatory for Swallow-tailed Gull, Audubon Shearwater, and Red-billed Tropicbird. Look out for iguana nests scattered all around these hills.

DAY 13 SUNDAY
AM North Seymour is home to several species of pelagic birds: including the great and the magnificent frigatebirds competing for nesting sites. Land iguanas are found alongside marine iguanas, and there are the ever-present, always graceful sea lions.
PM Bartholomew: Disembark at Sullivan Bay to swim and snorkel around iconic Pinnacle Rock, or walk to the other side of the island to see sea turtles nesting (from January to March) and sharks swimming near the shores. There is also a chance to come face to face with Galapagos Penguins hanging out on the volcanic rocks.

DAY 14 MONDAY
AM North Seymour is home to several species of pelagic birds: including the great and the magnificent frigatebirds competing for nesting sites. Land iguanas are found alongside marine iguanas, and there are the ever-present, always graceful sea lions.
PM Bartholomew: Disembark at Sullivan Bay to swim and snorkel around iconic Pinnacle Rock, or walk to the other side of the island to see sea turtles nesting (from January to March) and sharks swimming near the shores. There is also a chance to come face to face with Galapagos Penguins hanging out on the volcanic rocks.

DAY 15 TUESDAY
AM Santa Cruz: A panga ride to Black Turtle Cove and through mangrove inlets, these lagoons provide refuge to rays, sharks, and sea turtles that will be clearly viewable from the boat.
PM Bus ride to the airport in a bus (ten-minutes). Continuing passengers are not allowed to remain on board The Beagle during refueling; they can either go to the airport where there is a coffee bar and shops, or visit the small beach in the harbor.

Set Departures