When is the best time to visit the Galápagos?

The islands are a year-round destination. June to November is cooler and drier, with better conditions for spotting whales and dolphins on the crossings. December to May is warmer, with calmer water for swimming and snorkelling. The Elite alternates two seven-night routes: this page features the western islands loop through Isabela and Fernandina, and the other runs east to Española, Floreana and Genovesa. Tell us if you'd rather see the eastern route and we'll check the sailing dates.

Will I get seasick, and how big is the boat?

The Elite is a twin-hulled catamaran, which sits more steadily in the water than a single-hulled yacht, and it carries just sixteen guests. Most of the longer crossings happen overnight while you sleep or over lunch. If you're prone to motion sickness on boats generally, it's worth mentioning when you enquire so we can talk through what to expect and what to pack.

Can I add Peru or mainland Ecuador?

Many of our guests combine the Elite with time in mainland Ecuador or continue on to Peru. Our Galápagos, Machu Picchu and the Andes holiday pairs this cruise with Cusco and Machu Picchu, or we can build a shorter Quito or highlands add-on around your dates. Tell us what interests you when you enquire and we'll put a plan together.

How do I book, and what deposit do I need?

Send us an enquiry and a specialist will get back to you with cabin availability and pricing for your dates, since rates on the Elite are confirmed at the time of booking rather than fixed year-round. Once you're happy with the plan, we'll confirm the deposit needed to secure your cabins and take it from there.

The Elite luxury catamaran at anchor in the Galápagos

PENGUINS · LAVA · JACUZZI

Elite Galápagos Cruise with Flights from London

Eight days through the western islands on an intimate sixteen-guest catamaran, with a sky deck jacuzzi and private balcony suites.

Galapagos IslandsExpedition CruiseElite11 days / 10 nightsFlights IncludedPrice on enquiry

The Elite carries just sixteen guests around the western Galápagos, so the islands feel close and the crossings feel calm. Every suite has its own outlook onto the water, and the sky deck jacuzzi is there for the evenings between excursions. It suits couples and small groups who want a proper expedition without giving up comfort.

Return flights from London are included, along with the internal flight to San Cristóbal and a hotel night in Quito either side of the cruise, which is why the full holiday runs to 11 days / 10 nights for 7 nights aboard. The whole trip is ATOL protected, so your money is secure from the moment you book.

Day by day

Your itinerary

Your overnight flight leaves the UK for Quito, Ecuador's capital high in the Andes. Settle in, since it's a long flight, and tomorrow starts gently.

The indoor dining room and bar aboard the Elite catamaran, Galápagos

LIFE ON BOARD

The Elite carries just sixteen guests across three decks, which keeps things unhurried. Meals are served in the indoor dining room, with a bar alongside for evening drinks before or after the day's excursions. The Main Deck also has a snack station and cosy seating for lounging between meals. Up on the sky deck there's open-air seating, sun loungers and a jacuzzi for the hours between islands, plus a covered lounge inside if the weather turns. Crossings between sites tend to happen overnight or over lunch, so most of the daylight hours are spent ashore or in the water rather than travelling.

A Golden Suite with private balcony aboard the Elite catamaran, Galápagos

YOUR CABIN

Eight suites are split evenly between the Main Deck and the Upper Deck. The four Main Deck suites are twin or double, two of them with front-facing panoramic windows over the bow. Upstairs, the four Golden Suites open onto the Elite's signature panoramic balconies, private space to watch the water without leaving your room, and each has a small desk for logging the day's sightings. Every suite has its own en-suite bathroom, so nobody is sharing. With only sixteen guests aboard in total, it never feels crowded, even when everyone is back on board at once.

Galápagos sea lions ashore with the Elite catamaran anchored beyond

HOW THE DAYS RUN

Each day on board follows the same easy rhythm: an excursion in the morning, back to the Elite for lunch, then a second excursion in the afternoon before dinner. Groups stay small, led by a certified naturalist guide who knows the wildlife calendar for wherever you're anchored that day. Most landings are by panga, the inflatable boats that get you onto beaches and lava rock the yacht itself can't reach, with a chance to snorkel straight off the panga too. Evenings are unstructured: a drink on the sky deck, dinner, then an early night before the next site.

A twin cabin aboard the Elite catamaran, Galápagos — A twin cabin aboard the Elite

The deck corridor aboard the Elite catamaran lit up in the evening, Galápagos — The deck corridor in the evening

A plated fish course served aboard the Elite catamaran, Galápagos — Dinner aboard the Elite

Sun loungers on the sky deck of the Elite catamaran, Galápagos — Sun loungers on the sky deck

The sky deck of the Elite catamaran, with its jacuzzi and outdoor bar, Galápagos — The sky deck, with its jacuzzi and outdoor bar

What's Included

Return flights from London (other UK airports on request)
Internal flights between Quito or Guayaquil and the Galápagos
One night's hotel in Quito before the cruise
Transfers throughout
Your cabin aboard the Elite
All meals on board
Naturalist guide-led excursions
Snorkelling equipment
The Galápagos National Park entrance fee and transit control card

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Tips for the crew and guides
Wetsuit hire
Drinks
Personal spending

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Return flights from London, the internal flight to San Cristóbal and a hotel night in Quito are all included in the price, and the whole holiday is protected under our ATOL licence. If you'd rather fly from another UK airport, ask and we'll price it.

Ready to sail the western Galápagos?

Send us an enquiry and we'll get back to you with cabin availability, pricing and a plan built around your dates. Every Galápagos holiday we sell is flight-inclusive and ATOL protected.

Plan Your Trip Make an Enquiry

We typically respond within 24 hours

Wildlife & Nature

Flightless cormorants and Galápagos penguins around Fernandina and Isabela, a pairing found nowhere else on Earth

Land iguanas basking on the trail at Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz

Marine iguana colonies draped across the black lava at Punta Espinosa

Giant tortoises roaming wild at San Cristóbal's highland reserve

Blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls nesting on North Seymour

Galápagos penguins darting around Bartolomé's Pinnacle Rock

Sea lions and reef sharks in the water at Kicker Rock

Flamingos and pintail ducks in the wetlands by Isabela's tortoise breeding centre

Expedition Cruise

Price on enquiry

Flights Included

Elite

11 days / 10 nights

No commitment, we respond within 24 hours

Expedition Cruise

Price on enquiry

Flights Included

Elite

11 days / 10 nights

No commitment, we respond within 24 hours

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Our specialists can help you choose the right cabin and departure date.

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Combine this with another country

Most of our expedition clients add a few extra days exploring nearby, Peru's Sacred Valley before the Galápagos, Mexico's cenotes after the cruise. A specialist can shape the whole journey.

Combine this with another country

Price on enquiry