Rancho El Manzanillo, Isla Santa Cruz, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Puerto Ayora, Ecuador
Once you arrive at the airport, you will be met by Aqua Expeditions team and escorted on a cross-island van and ferry transfer of approximately 1.5 hours to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. On the way there, enjoy a delicious outdoor lunch at a giant tortoise reserve, followed by your first excursion to the highlands of Santa Cruz. Receive a warm welcome aboard Aqua Mare, the Galápagos Islands' first 50-meter luxury superyacht with a 16-strong crew where you will be treated with the utmost attention courtesy of a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio. You will also receive as a welcome gift a special waterproof bag to place your belongings during wet landings and an Aqua Expeditions water bottle. In the evening, you will have some leisure time to explore the main town of Puerto Ayora. Consider strolling along the main waterfront where you can stop by the many boutiques and jewelry shops before heading back to the ship for an evening of lecture and inspiration for the next day, then to indulge in your first taste of fresh seafood dining in the Galápagos Islands.
For your second morning in the Galápagos, we will be anchored in the southern part of the archipelago at Floreana Island. After breakfast, the morning wet landing excursion will take you to a big brackish water lagoon to observe greater flamingos, ducks, black-necked stilts, and other shore birds at Punta Cormorant. You will be able to observe where sea turtles nest at night, and spot stingrays and sharks swimming very close to the shore. Enjoy a splendid lunch consisting of fresh Ecuadorian recipes with an Andean twist before heading back out to Floreana to pay tribute to an old island tradition at Bahia Post Office. The visit will follow another quick tour of what once was a fishing enterprise in the 1920s before continuing onboard the tenders to visit Mirador de la Baronesa. Upon returning onboard Aqua Mare, enjoy another feast showcasing a blend of Japanese technique and Peruvian seasoning through delicacies such as tuna tartare and quinoa yakimeshi. Stay out on the upper deck with a cocktail if you would like to admire the northern and southern hemispheres' starlit skies tonight.; Note: Morning rendezvous diving option available
Day 3 15 Mar 2026
Punta Moreno, Ecuador
Urvina Bay, Ecuador
After a night of sailing, the morning sees our beautiful superyacht anchored on the western side of Isabela Island. As the biggest and youngest island in the archipelago, Isabela was formed by five relatively young volcanoes and is characterized by giant tortoises and marine iguanas. For the morning excursion, a hike at Punta Moreno takes us to the mangroves and gas-rich basaltic lava rocks resulting from a large basaltic lava flow which came from the Cerro Azul volcano on Isabela hundreds of years ago. There are mangrove lagoons along the shore, where you will embark on a dinghy ride to observe marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, and penguins among other species. In the afternoon, the Aqua Mare will sail north to Bahía Urbina, a 6-square-kilometer point, once underwater and uplifted in 1954 up to 3 meters above sea level. Here you can see land iguanas, some of the biggest marine iguanas roaming free in the archipelago, and on occasion, tortoises as well. We'll end the day with an unforgettable view of Isabela's five volcanoes while dining on macambo rice, fish maito, and candied pear beneath the stars.
Day 4 16 Mar 2026
Fernandina/Isabela, Ecuador
Caleta Tagus, Ecuador
Start the morning early with a workout on the sun deck at our next anchorage point of Punta Espinoza, part of a huge lava flow formed from one of the many eruptions of the La Cumbre volcano, known to be one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The region is famous for its large colonies of marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, and lizards. We might come across Galápagos penguins, Galápagos hawks, and snakes as well. You will spend the morning on shore with the option to snorkel before returning to the yacht for a sumptuous lunch. As Aqua Mare crosses the Bolívar Channel back towards Isabela Island, prepare to channel your inner pirate for the afternoon excursion visiting Caleta Tagus, once a favorite anchorage spot for pirates and whalers. Here, we will hike to see Darwin Lake, a saltwater lake trapped inside a tuff cone. If you would rather not hike, you can take your pick from the four double kayaks, snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding, or a ride on the elegant black tenders to explore the cove and its surroundings. Return to the yacht for evening sundowners and head to the bridge after dinner for a chat with the captain as we cross the equatorial line twice.
Day 5 17 Mar 2026
Espumilla Beach, Ecuador
Puerto Egas, Ecuador
This morning, we'll take a tender ride to Caleta Bucanero, a 17th-century pirate rest stop where pirates used to stock up on fresh tortoise meat and fresh water. In case ocean conditions are unfavorable, we'll visit Playa Espumilla instead, a golden sandy beach which is a well-known breeding ground for sea turtles. We head back to the yacht for lunch encompassing flavors of the South American Pacific coast through specially prepared dishes like the linguine ai frutti di mare. Next, disembark on the black-sand beaches of Puerto Egas, northwest of Santiago Island. You will be able to walk the intertidal zone to the fur seal grottos or snorkel to watch sea turtles, sea lions, and whitetip sharks. Wind down back onboard with Happy Hour over a glass of the special Aqua Bloody Mare as the crew prepares for departure to our next adventure.
Day 6 18 Mar 2026
Rabida Island, Ecuador
Black Turtle Cove, Isla Santa Cruz, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Awake to the sounds of nature and a fresh breakfast before departing by tender to Rábida Island, also known as the red island. The color is the result of oxidation of very old porous lava. You will be able to hike, take out one of the eight double kayaks, stand-up paddle board, or snorkel, as well as observe hundreds of sea lions who have made their home on the beach. After a delicious lunch, you can listen to an afternoon lecture presented by the expert guides in the panoramic lounge. The Aqua Mare will sail towards the north of Santa Cruz Island, to Caleta Tortuga Negra, a mangrove estuary that is home to sea turtles. This is a tender ride excursion as there is no landing site, but you will be able to spot green sea turtles, as well as blacktip and Galápagos sharks. End this glorious day discovering more of the signature cuisine courtesy of Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.; Note: Morning rendezvous diving option available
Day 7 19 Mar 2026
Isla North Seymour, Ecuador
Isla Mosquera, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Your penultimate day in the archipelago begins with refreshing breakfast before heading out to Seymour Norte Island, formed by uprisings of underwater volcanic lavas some 3.1 million years ago. The island is mostly known for its healthy population of land iguanas, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and great frigate birds. After a morning full of fun activities, you will head back to the yacht for a delicious lunch aboard Aqua Mare. For the afternoon excursion, hop on to one of the tenders for a wet landing onto Mosquera Island. Although it's one of the smallest in the archipelago, Mosquera Island is one of the hotspots for spotting sea lions. Around sunset you will return to the sleek comfort of Aqua Mare for your last evening aboard. Swap notes on everything you've experienced during this most incredible adventure with your friends onboard and toast farewell with something special from the curated wine list.; Note: Morning rendezvous diving option available
Day 8 20 Mar 2026
Baltra Island, Ecuador
The last day begins with a luxurious breakfast set against the morning sunrise. Enjoy the views from Aqua Mare before we make our way to Baltra Island for disembarkation. Bid farewell to the crew and your beautiful home for the past week. You will be escorted to the airport for your flight back to the mainland and onward journey home.
Cruise Benefits
Virtuoso Voyages offer exclusive benefits and experiences you can only get by booking with a Virtuoso Advisor.
Virtuoso Benefits on Your Sailing
Guests may also be entitled to the following complimentary benefits.
Please consult your Virtuoso travel advisor for restrictions that may apply.
Exclusive Champagne Dining Experience
AQUA EXPEDITIONS: Virtuoso guests booked on any Aqua Mare voyage will enjoy an exclusive champagne dining experience onboard.
Offer based on double occupancy. Must be confirmed directly with Aqua Expeditions reservations team or Aqua Expeditions Agent Portal. Bookings through Intermediaries are ineligible.
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Promotion(s)
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15-30% Early Bird Bonus
Valid for Travel Now Through 31 Dec 2027
Looking for your next getaway? Make your travel dreams a reality aboard any of Aqua Expeditions’ vessels with advance booking discounts.
If you are dreaming of adventures where ancient tales, exotic wildlife and unparalleled beauty converge, make your travel goals come true by sailing with Aqua Expeditions. Experience modern luxury, innovative cuisine and bespoke service.
This offer is applicable to limited Design Suites per departure and per vessel on a first come, first served basis.
2025 Departures:
Aqua Blu:
20% savings applicable for Design Suites 201 and 203
Aqua Nera & Aria Amazon:
20% savings applicable for Design Suites 101 and 103
Aqua Mekong:
30% savings applicable for Design Suites 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, and 108
2026 & 2027 Departures:
Aqua Blu:
15% savings applicable for Design Suites 104 and 105
Aqua Nera:
20% savings applicable for Design Suites 101, 102, 103, and 104
Aqua Mekong:
30% savings applicable for Design Suites 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, and 108
Terms and Conditions
Savings are not applicable to the following departures:
Christmas and New Year sailings
Aqua Blu voyages to West Papua and Asmat
Aqua Blu’s Raja Ampat voyages in 2026 and 2027
Aqua Blu’s cross destination sailings (all voyages longer than seven nights)
Bookings must be made by September 30, 2025.
This offer is not valid for solo travelers.
This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions, offers, or discounts.
This offer can be combined with Loyalty benefits. The Early Bird bonus is applied first on the base price and the Loyalty benefits will be applied on the discounted price.
Aqua Expeditions reserves the right to withdraw special offers at any time and without notice.
Product Terms & Conditions
Virtuoso Exclusive Benefits are based on double occupancy and be confirmed directly with Aqua Expeditions reservations team or Aqua Expeditions Agent Portal. Bookings through Intermediaries are ineligible. Other restrictions may apply; Advisors, please read Terms & Conditions for additional details.
