7-Day Galápagos Cruise: Bonita Yacht Western Islands Itinerary - Galapagos

Seven days is the sweet spot for exploring the western Galápagos. You’ll have time to travel around Isabela, the largest island in the archipelago, and reach Fernandina, the youngest and most volcanically active island. This is where you can find the largest marine iguana colonies, flightless cormorants, and penguins living on the equator. The cold waters also make for some of the best snorkeling in the islands. The Bonita is a First Class yacht, refurbished in 2019. It’s a good option for families, friends traveling together, or private charters.

What This Itinerary Actually Gets You

Choose the western route if wildlife and snorkeling matter more to you than ticking off islands. Over seven days, you’ll get:

• A full loop around Isabela: the largest island in the Galápagos, from Vicente Roca Point to Tintoreras.
• Fernandina’s Espinoza Point: home to large marine iguana colonies, flightless cormorants, and penguins; it is the only island in the archipelago with no introduced mammals
• Snorkeling: Vicente Roca Point is known for sea turtles, seahorses, and the occasional Mola-mola (sunfish).
• Be immersed in tortoise conservation stories: Dragon Hill’s land iguanas, the Isabela Breeding Center, and the Charles Darwin Station, where Lonesome George lived.

The Real Cost of Getting There

The fare isn’t the whole picture. Budget for the other costs up front. On top of the yacht price, plan for the round-trip mainland flight, which usually costs around US$400–500 per person and varies by season. You’ll also pay the US$200 Galápagos National Park entrance fee per foreign adult in cash when you arrive, plus the US$20 Transit Control Card at the Quito or Guayaquil airport before you fly.

That’s roughly US$220 in mandatory fees before you even board the yacht. Have cash ready, as both fees are paid in cash only.

Is the Western Route Right for You?

The western route is more about wildlife and snorkeling than checking islands off your list. If Fernandina, marine iguanas, penguins, and cold-water snorkeling with turtles are high on your list, this is the route to choose. If you’d rather see more islands or focus on the central and southern sites, another route may suit you better. Tell us what you want to see, and we’ll help you choose.

The western crossings can be rough, and no small yacht is completely free from movement. If you’re prone to seasickness, come prepared. You can also ask us how this route compares with the calmer central itineraries before booking.

Want to compare the Bonita with other yachts on this route? Browse our Galápagos cruises and filter by length, format, and price. Or ask an advisor for a shortlist based on your dates.

If five days feels too short and eight feels too long, seven days is a good middle ground for the western Galápagos. This route circles Isabela and reaches Fernandina, giving you plenty of time for snorkeling aboard the Bonita.