Romantic Cruise Travel to Santiago Island

Santiago Island offers romance of the wild kind. It is an uninhabited island in Galapagos National Park, with no resorts, spas, bars or beach dinners, and no hotel at all. The way to share it as a couple is on a small-ship Galapagos cruise that anchors off its coast, with guided landings by day and your cabin as your base.

Why a cruise suits two

A cruise gives you the island without the logistics. You sleep on board, and the ship moves between sites while you eat, rest and watch the water. Cruises are priced per cabin by ship class, so ask each operator for a written quote.

Evenings and mornings are spent on or beside the water, away from towns. Sunsets from the deck, panga rides along the coast and snorkeling side by side are the natural highlights of a trip like this.

Landscapes for a quiet walk together

  • Sullivan Bay. A slow walk across a young lava flow from the late 19th century. The ropey lava and the tree molds, about 150 m from the start of the path, make for a memorable photograph. There is no shade, so wear sturdy closed shoes.
  • Puerto Egas. A black-sand beach and a lava shelf where fur seals and young sea lions rest. Some tours include snorkeling from the beach.
  • Espumilla Beach. Reddish-gold sand, a lagoon behind the beach and nesting green turtles.
  • Buccaneer Cove. Steep eroded cliffs and sea stacks, usually seen from a panga rather than landed on.
  • Sombrero Chino. A cone-shaped islet off the south-east tip of Santiago, with sea lions and, sometimes, penguins.

What to bring

Pack sun protection, closed shoes for lava and a wetsuit if you want to snorkel, since the water is cool from June to November. Keep 2 m from wildlife even when an animal approaches, and leave the flash off your camera. Drones are not allowed.

Planning the money side

  • Park entrance fee for foreign visitors aged 12 and over: $200 each, collected by rangers at Baltra or San Cristobal airport. Bring US dollar cash as a backup.
  • Transit Control Card: $20 each, paid online or at the counter in Quito or Guayaquil.

The Galapagos government fee page lists all categories.

Look for cruises on GetYourGuide and read the park rules before you go.

Read more: multi-day cruises , couple activities and sightseeing .