MS Santa Cruz II

MS Santa Cruz II

a couple of birds that are standing in the dirt

When is the best time to visit Gapalagos?

The Galápagos Islands are a year-round destination, so the best time to visit depends on the wildlife and weather you want to experience. For most travellers, April and May are often considered the ideal months. They combine warm weather, calm seas, vibrant landscapes, and outstanding wildlife viewing, making them excellent for both cruises and land-based visits.

December to May (Warm & Calm Season) ⭐ Best for most Kiwi travellers

Warm temperatures (25–30°C) & Calmer seas with excellent conditions for cruising. Clear water for snorkelling and diving, plus Lush, green landscapes after seasonal rains. Sea turtles nest (December–February), Giant tortoise hatchlings emerge (January–April).

June to November (Cool & Wildlife Season)

Cooler temperatures (20–26°C) Rougher seas but exceptional marine wildlife
Cooler, nutrient-rich waters attract abundant sea life. Excellent for diving with hammerhead sharks, whale sharks (June–November), manta rays, and sea lions. Waved albatross are present on Española Island from April to December Penguins and flightless cormorants are especially active. Blue-footed boobies begin courtship displays (June - August)

Swimming in Galapagos

Best time to visit Galapagos based on your favourite interest

Wildlife viewing: June to November
Snorkelling: December to May (Warmer Water) or June to November (more marine life)
Scuba Diving: June to November
Calm Seas: December to May
Photography: April & May, when the islands are lust and skies are often clearer

Important Note re HX Expeditions in Galapagos

Indicative prices shown are for cruise only and do not include the mandatory domestic flights from Quito or Guayaquil and pre cruise hotels. Please submit a request for your preferred date and our team will check the best available current pricing for you for the full package roundtrip from Ecuador. Our most popular Expedition trip also includes a pre-cruise package to Machu Picchu

Ship facts

Maiden voyage2002
Guests90
Crew50
Decks10
Size
2.66
GT
Speed
10
kn

MS Santa Cruz II

Get close to nature and wildlife with MS Santa Cruz II - the ship is custom built for small-ship exploration, with only 50 cabins and suites the ship offer you an intimate and comfortable way of exploring Galápagos!

Entertainment

The social areas located across the ship allow travellers to converse about their passion for travel. There are multiple decks, including the Ocean, Horizon, Panorama, Expedition, and Sky Decks. Panorama Bar & Lounge is the main bar where most ship events will take place, this is also the area where you listen to lectures.
Facing the front of the ship, at the Expedition Veranda is a fantastic place to admire the beauty of the Galápagos’ Islands

Entertainment

The social areas located across the ship allow travellers to converse about their passion for travel. There are multiple decks, including the Ocean, Horizon, Panorama, Expedition, and Sky Decks. Panorama Bar & Lounge is the main bar where most ship events will take place, this is also the area where you listen to lectures.

Facing the front of the ship, at the Expedition Veranda is a fantastic place to admire the beauty of the Galápagos’ Islands

Panorama Bar & Lounge

Entertainment

The social areas located across the ship allow travellers to converse about their passion for travel. There are multiple decks, including the Ocean, Horizon, Panorama, Expedition, and Sky Decks. Panorama Bar & Lounge is the main bar where most ship events will take place, this is also the area where you listen to lectures.

Panorama Bar & Lounge

The Library

Entertainment

The social areas located across the ship allow travellers to converse about their passion for travel. There are multiple decks, including the Ocean, Horizon, Panorama, Expedition, and Sky Decks. Panorama Bar & Lounge is the main bar where most ship events will take place, this is also the area where you listen to lectures.

The Library

Activities

The onboard expedition team offers exciting lectures, presentations and activities. Increase your knowledge of the Galápagos Islands in the Science Center or maybe mingle out on the multiple decks.
Join outdoor activities

Activities

The onboard expedition team offers exciting lectures, presentations and activities. Increase your knowledge of the Galápagos Islands in the Science Center or maybe mingle out on the multiple decks.

Join outdoor activities

The Science Corner includes a glass cabinet, a microscope and a bone clone collection, a perfect learning zone about our science activities.

Activities

The onboard expedition team offers exciting lectures, presentations and activities. Increase your knowledge of the Galápagos Islands in the Science Center or maybe mingle out on the multiple decks.

The Science Corner includes a glass cabinet, a microscope and a bone clone collection, a perfect learning zone about our science activities.

Evolution Hall

Activities

The onboard expedition team offers exciting lectures, presentations and activities. Increase your knowledge of the Galápagos Islands in the Science Center or maybe mingle out on the multiple decks.

Evolution Hall

Shopping on board

Activities

The onboard expedition team offers exciting lectures, presentations and activities. Increase your knowledge of the Galápagos Islands in the Science Center or maybe mingle out on the multiple decks.

Shopping on board

The reception - here you will find daily program and other valuable information on the expedition experience

Activities

The onboard expedition team offers exciting lectures, presentations and activities. Increase your knowledge of the Galápagos Islands in the Science Center or maybe mingle out on the multiple decks.

The reception - here you will find daily program and other valuable information on the expedition experience

Food & Drink

Enjoy delicious food in the elegant restaurant, the ship provides a Le Cordon Bleu (a trained Gastronomy Director) and a wide variety of culinary experiences that encompass all diets and preferences.
On the lowest level of the ship, you’ll find the delicious, spacious Beagle Restaurant

Food & Drink

Enjoy delicious food in the elegant restaurant, the ship provides a Le Cordon Bleu (a trained Gastronomy Director) and a wide variety of culinary experiences that encompass all diets and preferences.

On the lowest level of the ship, you’ll find the delicious, spacious Beagle Restaurant

The kitchen team uses local and organic ingredients in all dishes

Food & Drink

Enjoy delicious food in the elegant restaurant, the ship provides a Le Cordon Bleu (a trained Gastronomy Director) and a wide variety of culinary experiences that encompass all diets and preferences.

The kitchen team uses local and organic ingredients in all dishes

Beagle Restaurant – a great dining experience!

Food & Drink

Enjoy delicious food in the elegant restaurant, the ship provides a Le Cordon Bleu (a trained Gastronomy Director) and a wide variety of culinary experiences that encompass all diets and preferences.

Beagle Restaurant – a great dining experience!

Body & Soul

Relax in comfortable loungers with outstanding views of the unforgettable natural landscape or step into an outdoor jacuzzi. The Sky deck is at the very top of the ship, where you can relax and enjoy the sun.
For a nice relaxing time you can relax in two hot tubs with capacity for 5 guests each

Body & Soul

Relax in comfortable loungers with outstanding views of the unforgettable natural landscape or step into an outdoor jacuzzi. The Sky deck is at the very top of the ship, where you can relax and enjoy the sun.

For a nice relaxing time you can relax in two hot tubs with capacity for 5 guests each

Relax time

Body & Soul

Relax in comfortable loungers with outstanding views of the unforgettable natural landscape or step into an outdoor jacuzzi. The Sky deck is at the very top of the ship, where you can relax and enjoy the sun.

Relax time

Sky deck

Body & Soul

Relax in comfortable loungers with outstanding views of the unforgettable natural landscape or step into an outdoor jacuzzi. The Sky deck is at the very top of the ship, where you can relax and enjoy the sun.

Sky deck

The fitness center is equipped with yoga mats, set of weights, treadmills, and two stationary bikes

Body & Soul

Relax in comfortable loungers with outstanding views of the unforgettable natural landscape or step into an outdoor jacuzzi. The Sky deck is at the very top of the ship, where you can relax and enjoy the sun.

The fitness center is equipped with yoga mats, set of weights, treadmills, and two stationary bikes

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