Get the inside look of what it’s like to sail the Endemic Galapagos Cruise. In this edition of Explorer’s Journal, Destination Experts Jackie Becker and Chelsey Rickert venture to Ecuador’s magnificent archipelago of the Galapagos Islands. Read on as they discover breathtaking scenery and wildlife by cruise and land.

Welcome to the awe-inspiring Galápagos Islands!

We, Jackie and Chelsey, are thrilled to take you on an immersive journey through Ecuador’s mesmerizing islands of the Galapagos aboard the five-star Golden Galapagos Endemic ship. Spoiler alert: It was the ship and trip of a lifetime.

Boarding the Endemic

Our first WOW moment was being met on the Endemic’s deck with champagne and a warm towel – top-quality service from the moment we arrived!

After a brief discussion with our guide, we headed to our cabin, which was absolutely impressive. Our room boasted two cozy beds with flower-folded towels, along with floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors that led to our private balcony – a perfect place to catch fresh sea breeze. There are very few ships that offer such unobstructed views, and let us tell you, it was worth it.

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The huge windows make for incredible natural lighting!

The five-star service continued with an amazing fine dining dinner on our cruise. We were blown away by the culinary excellence and exquisite meal we were served.

Precious wildlife at North Seymour

Our first stop on the Endemic cruise was North Seymour Island, where we met the famous blue-footed boobies. These birds get the vibrant blue pigmentation from the nutrients of the fresh fish they eat – the bluer the feet, the healthier the bird. Not only are they unique in the color of their webbed feet, but they have a special mating dance where they “stomp” their little feet to attract mates.

Our North Seymour exploration continued as we spotted some fascinating land iguanas. We ended the day strolling along the beach with a breathtaking sunset. We were delightfully accompanied by some of our favorite Galapagos friends – the Galapagos sea lions. We even saw a baby sea lion, which was only a few weeks old!

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A mother sea lion and her precious baby basking in golden hour.

Back on the Endemic, we were treated to another superb meal. This time, it was the chef’s choice on “Surf and Turf.” Just by looking at the plate, we were impressed, and it was arguably the best Surf and Turf we have ever had!

Marine animals of Santa Cruz Island

We set sail to our next destination: Santa Cruz Island. Upon arrival, we hopped on a zodiac and journeyed to Black Turtle Cove, a natural refuge for sea turtles. While this site can be visited by foot, we decided to explore by zodiac. This gives visitors the advantage of traveling among the shallow waters and mangroves, increasing the chances of seeing more turtles. These beautiful creatures ended up swimming right up to our zodiac. What a magical experience!

The following day, we explored the pristine white sands of Bowditch Beach. The peaceful, blue waters were endless, and the rocks were filled with vibrant red crabs. We even got a close up of a crab snacking on some algae on the rocks.

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Left: Crab munching on some microorganisms. Right: Sea turtle swimming below our zodiac.

Each day was topped off with fine dining and incredible sunsets aboard the Endemic. The excellent hospitality throughout our journey made this trip so much richer! This was our last night on the cruise, so we decided to relax on the sundeck and enjoy the refreshing sea air.

Giant tortoise galore!

It was time to disembark the Endemic and head to our next stay at the Montemar Eco Luxury Villas. While it’s more popular to explore the Galapagos by cruise, SA Expeditions offers a wonderful Galapagos land experience for those who choose to opt out of the boat. The land experience allows you to stay at various hotels on different islands and explore the sites from there.

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Montemar’s gorgeous villa room, along with a hammock and field views of the giant tortoises.

Our stay at Montemar was the absolute highlight of our time on land. Montemar features two luxury villas that are as eco-friendly as they are gorgeous. The best part of the property is the 40 acres restored to be fertile ground for the Galapagos giant tortoises. During our stay, we saw at least 100 giant tortoises around the hotel!

Imagine drinking your morning coffee on your villa’s private terrace as you watch dozens of Galapagos giant tortoises stroll around the property and nibble on the vegetation. It was truly magical.

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SA Expeditions Destination Experts Jackie and Chelsey with giant tortoises on at Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands

About Jackie: Growing up in Texas, Jackie’s heart longed to venture further south. While she did volunteer work in Peru and Brazil, she took advantage of the chance to explore South America. Armed with extensive travel knowledge, she now works in tourism, enabling others to embark on their own dream trips.

About Chelsey: Born and raised in Colorado, Chelsey studied in Hawai’i and eventually paved her way to Peru. After being involved in various community projects in Cusco and exploring the Andes, she found herself working in travel. Chelsey continues to share her passion for new cultures and nature while advocating for solo female travelers.