Galapagos Wildlife Expedition Cruise hosted by BBC Presenter, Naturalist, Writer & Conservationist, Mike Dilger; and local expert naturalist trained by the Charles Darwin Research Station.
Many of the impressions we have our Natural World are guided by experts from TV and radio broadcasters like the BBC. This Wildlife Yacht Safari is your opportunity to join one of those experts to one of the most iconic wildlife destinations of all: the Galapagos Islands.
Your host will be BBC TV Presenter and Radio 4 broadcaster, Mike Dilger, whose presenting roles have included Nature's Top 40, the BBC One Show, Inside Out and Nature's Calendar. With degrees in both Ecology and Botany, Mike is also a frequent writer in the BBC Wildlife magazine and wildlife books. Mike's connection with Aqua-Firma goes back to the 1990s when he was stationed in an area of Andean cloud forest which was in the process of being saved by Rainforest Concern - a charity which Aqua-Firma Director, Ralph Pannell, also used to work.

Mike is not only highly knowledgeable, but great fun to be with. Supported by a local expert guide trained at the Charles Darwin Research Station, Mike will lead you on a packed yacht safari holiday, sure to provide close encounters with a wide range of the Galapagos' unique Wildlife and Marine, as well as experience habitats and dramatic landscapes ranging from parched lava fields, to verdant mangroves forest and rich coastal habitats. The islands we plan to visit in 2021 will be:
Española Bartolomé Floreana
Santiago Santa Cruz San Cristobal
North Seymour Rábida
In 2022, our itinerary will encompass these islands:
Española Bartolomé Floreana
Santiago Genovesa South Plaza
Mosquera Santa Cruz San Cristobal
Santa Fé
April is an excellent month to visit the Galapagos: a time when critically endangered Waved Albatrosses launch their massive annual arrival on Española and commence their courtship displays. This is also the turtle hatching season, for which Espumilla Beach, which you will visit, is an important turtle nesting site. Sea visibility is usually good in April and these yacht safaris will take you snorkeling at up to nine snorkel sites.
Amongst the varied wildlife and birdwatching we anticipate opportunities to see will be Sealions, Galapagos Fur Seals, Blue Footed Boobies, land and marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, Great & American Frigatebirds, American Flamingos and Galapagos Penguins.

In 2021, our floating hotel will be a comfortable and fuel-efficient catamaran, whose twin hulls make for a more stable ride around the islands. Her cabins are bright with windows looking out onto the ocean and islands, large open decks, as well as comfortable inside dining and relaxing if you prefer to enjoy some air-conditioned air.
In 2022, we switch to a luxurious mono-hull motor yacht with even greater space to spread out. On both voyages, there will be a maximum of 15 passengers onboard.
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In case you want to see something of mainland South America on your visit, Mike will be leading a trip to Choco-Andean Cloud Forest areas he helped to save when he was at Rainforest Concern; and a protected area which Aqua-Firma has helped to expand via our Ranforest4Climate programme; and through which all carbon emissions from your Galapagos voyage and flights will be offset.
Should you wish to stay longer in the Galapagos, or extend your travel to the Andes or Amazon in Ecuador or Peru, then we operate tailor-made journeys throughout the year.


Dates
8 days Wildlife Yacht Safari starting & ending Baltra airport in the Galapagos
Price per person sharing
Mainland Ecuador hotel & flight package: 3 nights hotel, transfers and Quito - Galapagos return flight package: add £970 pp sharing
Single supplements
If you are willing to share a cabin onboard then there is no single supplement for the liveaboard.
For a cabin to yourself add 85% to the liveaboard price.
Single supp for Quito / flights package = £335 to cover single hotel room occupancy & transfers
Price includes
Cabin space onboard
Shore excursions and zodiac activities
All meals onboard
Coffee, tea and water
All guiding by local expert guide & international host
A year's membership of the Galapagos Conservation Trust
Carbon offset for fuel used on the voyage
Not included
Flights*
Hotels before or after the voyage*
Galapagos National Park entrance fee - $100** per person to be paid in cash at the airport in Galápagos
INGALA Galapagos Immigration fee (US$20**)
Tips
Travel insurance
*we can arrange these if you wish
**correct at time of writing