Ocean Cruises in Ecuador
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10 best Ocean Cruise Ecuador tour packages
Compiled by
NadineEcuador travel expert at TourRadar
- Galapagos at a Glance: Southern Islands (Grand Daphne)
- Galapagos Cruise - Discover Central, East & South Islands in 8 Days aboard the Monserrat
- Galapagos Encounter - Archipel I (Itinerary B)
- Galapagos Encounter - Archipel I (Itinerary A)
- Galapagos Cruise - Discover Central, North & West Islands in 8 Days aboard the Monserrat
- Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
- Galapagos Discovered - 6 days
- Ultimate Galapagos - 10 days
- Iconic Wildlife & Sublime Scenery (Western Route) (2025)
- Nature and Wildlife Expedition Cruise (Northern Route) (2025)
Galapagos at a Glance: Southern Islands (Grand Daphne)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The boat lacks nothing. The rooms are enough, with the bottom bunks being able to fit 2 people.”
brooks, traveled in February
The Le Grande Daphne, with 8 en-suite cabins across three decks, takes you through Ecuador's Galapagos from Baltra to San Cristóbal. Zodiac boats enable wet and dry landings at prime wildlife spots like Devil's Crown and Gardner Beach.
Duration 6 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Floreana Island, Española Island, San Cristóbal Island Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$6,045+$383 local payments
Galapagos Cruise - Discover Central, East & South Islands in 8 Days aboard the Monserrat
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The Crew was amazing and we had a wonderful time!”
Jacqueline, traveled in June
The Monserrat's 10 intimate cabins serve as your home during this eight-day Galapagos exploration. Highlights include snorkeling at Champion Islet, visiting Charles Darwin Research Station, and investigating Santa Cruz's lava tunnels, with daily panga rides to remote wildlife spots across 11 islands.
Duration 8 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Santiago Island, Seymour Norte, Santa Fé Island, San Cristóbal Island, Lobos Island, Española Island, Punta Suarez, Floreana Island Age Range Ages 18+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Via Natura Ecuador From
- NZ$9,390
Waters of Ecuador's archipelago come alive aboard Archipel I catamaran. The cruise features landings at Bachas Beach's turtle nesting sites and Devil's Crown's coral reefs, with marine encounters at Gardner Bay's sea lion colony and Sullivan Bay's lava flows.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Seymour Norte, Genovesa Island, Bartolomé Island, Santiago Island, Santa Cruz Island, Floreana Island, Española Island, San Cristóbal IslandSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
- NZ$12,812
The Archipel I charts a course from San Cristóbal to Baltra through Ecuador's waters. The route passes through Bolivar Channel to witness penguins at Vicente Roca Point and observe fur seals at Puerto Egas, accompanied by expert naturalists.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, South Plaza Island, Santa Fé Island, Floreana Island, Santa Cruz Island, Las Tintoreras Islet, Isabela Island, Fernandina Island, Baltra IslandSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
- NZ$12,812
Galapagos Cruise - Discover Central, North & West Islands in 8 Days aboard the Monserrat
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The trip was a little more strenuous than we expected with 2 hikes and 2 snorkels most days. Saw all the birds and animals we wanted to see.”
Sharon, traveled in March
The Monserrat takes you through Black Turtle Cove's mangroves and Vicente Roca Point's underwater caves. This 8-day cruise visits seven islands, featuring comfortable berth cabins and expert naturalist guides throughout the adventure.
Duration 8 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Genovesa Island, Isabela Island, Fernandina Island, Santiago Island, Seymour Norte Age Range Ages 18+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Via Natura Ecuador From
- NZ$9,390
The M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz glides through the southern Galapagos islands over 4 nights. The route from Puerto Ayora to San Cristobal includes visits to Bahia Gardner and Leon Dormido. Deluxe cabins offer ocean views and private balconies.
Duration 7 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Santa Fé Island, South Plaza Island, Española Island, Punta Suarez, San Cristóbal Island, Lobos Island Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$6,725+$383 local payments
The M/C Anahi sails from San Cristóbal to Santa Cruz, stopping at Española and Floreana. This intimate cruise offers snorkeling at Devil's Crown, wildlife observation at Gardner Bay, and visits to historic Post Office Bay. Air-conditioned cabins and naturalist guides ensure comfort throughout the voyage.
Duration 6 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Española Island, Floreana Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From
- NZ$7,065
The M/C Anahi offers a 7-night Galapagos adventure from Baltra to Santa Cruz. Highlights include snorkeling at Devil's Crown and wildlife watching at Post Office Bay. Spacious 14m² cabins provide ocean views and modern amenities.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Genovesa Island, South Plaza Island, Santa Fé Island, San Cristóbal Island, Española Island, Floreana Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From
- NZ$12,215
MS Santa Cruz II takes you through Ecuador's Galápagos with stops at Dragon Hill, Punta Vicente Roca, and Champion Islet. Marine iguanas, penguins, and fur seals appear while expert naturalists guide your journey.
Duration 7 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Galapagos Islands, Isabela Island, Fernandina Island, Santa Cruz Island, Floreana Island Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Hurtigruten From
- NZ$9,980
The MS Santa Cruz II takes you through 8 diverse locations in Ecuador's waters. The route from Baltra includes stops at Dragon Hill's flamingos, Puerto Egas's fur seals, and Genovesa Island's vast bird colonies, with expert naturalists guiding each stop.
Duration 7 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Galapagos Islands, Santa Cruz Island, Santiago Island, Rabida Island, Bartolomé Island, Genovesa Island Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Hurtigruten From
- NZ$9,980
What people love about Ocean Cruise Tours in Ecuador
- Galapagos at a Glance: Southern Islands (Grand Daphne)
It's hard to overstate the majesty of being in the Galapagos on the Daphne. The boat lacks nothing. The rooms are enough, with the bottom bunks being able to fit 2 people (I'm a large American and my gf is tall also, we fit). The public areas are fantastic. Food was great. Guides were some of the best I've ever had. A land tour doesn't measure up. The cruise allows you to experience the Galapagos in ways that are not possible during day tours. Its worth the price tag...
- Galapagos Cruise - Discover Central, North & West Islands in 8 Days aboard the Monserrat
The staff was excellent. Our guide Oswaldo was extremely attentive and very knowledgeable. The second guide for the second 4 days, Adrian, was also very knowledgeable. The trip was a little more strenuous than we expected with 2 hikes and 2 snorkels most days. Loved the dinghy rides along the cliffs! Saw all the birds and animals we wanted to see. Food was good. The boat could use some maintenance and the shade for our bathroom window could be seen through by anyone walking by. Very glad wecwent!
- Galapagos Cruise - Discover Central, East & South Islands in 8 Days aboard the Monserrat
The Crew was amazing and we had a wonderful time!
What our customers ask about Ocean Cruises in Ecuador
When is the best time to take an Ocean Cruise in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador?
The Galapagos Islands welcome visitors throughout the year. The peak season runs from December to May with calmer seas and temperatures around 80°F (27°C). These conditions are ideal for spotting wildlife and swimming near Genovesa Island and Española Island. The dry season from June to November brings cooler temperatures but offers excellent snorkeling opportunities particularly around Champion Islet and Devil's Crown. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The weather in March was perfect for our cruise - warm enough for snorkeling but not too hot for hiking."
What type of wildlife can I expect to see on an Ecuador Ocean Cruise?
The Galapagos Islands present rich wildlife viewing from both ship and shore. North Seymour Island hosts blue-footed boobies and frigate birds while Fernandina Island is known for its marine iguanas. The Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island provides close encounters with giant tortoises. Waters between Isabela and Floreana Islands often reveal whales dolphins and sea turtles. Snorkeling spots like Champion Islet let visitors swim alongside sea lions and tropical fish. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The wildlife encounters were incredible - we saw everything from Galapagos penguins at Tagus Cove to flamingos at Cormorant Point."
How many islands can I visit during an Ecuador Ocean Cruise?
Most Galapagos Ocean Cruises cover 6-9 islands in 4-8 days. The Western route explores Isabela Fernandina and Santa Cruz islands while the Eastern journey takes in San Cristóbal Española and Floreana islands. Cruises depart from either Baltra or San Cristóbal Island including stops at notable sites like Prince Philip Steps on Genovesa Island and the Charles Darwin Research Station. One TourRadar traveler noted: "Our 8-day cruise aboard the Archipel I took us to 9 different islands each offering unique landscapes and wildlife experiences."
What type of accommodation can I expect on an Ecuador Ocean Cruise?
Galapagos cruise vessels offer accommodations ranging from standard cabins to upscale suites. The M/C Anahi catamaran provides six twin cabins (14m²) on the main deck and two suite cabins (25m²) on the upper deck with modern amenities. The Isabela II features ocean-view staterooms while the Grand Queen Beatriz offers balcony cabins. As one TourRadar traveler commented: "Our cabin on the Archipel I was surprisingly spacious with large windows and modern amenities - much more comfortable than expected."
How many passengers are typically on an Ecuador Ocean Cruise?
Galapagos cruise vessels typically carry between 16-32 passengers ensuring personal attention and environmental protection. The Archipel I hosts 16 guests while the larger Santa Cruz II accommodates up to 90 passengers across five decks. Smaller vessels like the Monserrat with 10 cabins provide intimate experiences at locations such as Punta Suárez and Post Office Bay. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Having only 16 passengers on our cruise meant we got plenty of attention from the naturalist guides and could really get to know our fellow travelers."
What dining options are available on Ecuador Ocean Cruises?
Galapagos cruises serve three daily meals combining local Ecuadorian and international dishes. The M/C Anahi offers breakfast buffets with tropical fruits eggs and pastries followed by lunches and dinners featuring seafood meats and vegetarian options. Vessels like the Grand Queen Beatriz can accommodate dietary restrictions with advance notice. Water tea and coffee flow freely throughout the day. A TourRadar traveler praised: "The food aboard exceeded our expectations - fresh varied and beautifully presented especially the seafood caught around the Galapagos Islands."