A tranquil coastal scene featuring rugged cliffs and diverse landforms, with a calm turquoise sea in the foreground. Sunlight breaks through the clouds, illuminating the sandy shore and surrounding hills.

The tipping point expedition

in the Galapagos

A cutting-edge yachting experience through the Galápagos Islands during a pivotal year for conservation. 2026 marks a turning point, offering you the chance to be part of the story, not just an observer. Contribute to groundbreaking research, support active conservation, and explore one of the most biologically important ecosystems on Earth.


When to go
Dec - Jun
 
From Price
£193,000
 
Ideal length
8 nights
 


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Experience Highlights

  • Surf with sea lions at Aeolian Cove, riding waves off Baltra guided by a Pelorus surf expert.
  • Track giant tortoises in the Santa Cruz Highlands as you join scientists to monitor and tag these prehistoric Galápagos icons.
  • Dive with hammerheads and reef sharks at Mosquera, exploring underwater ecosystems while contributing to shark tagging research.
  • Explore Genovesa’s red-footed booby colony by hiking Prince Philip’s Steps to witness the world’s largest population of these rare birds and the elusive short-eared owl.
  • Snorkel with penguins at Bartolomé Island, discovering volcanic reefs teeming with Galápagos penguins, seahorses, and tropical fish.
  • Visit Isabela and Fernandina for rare wildlife encounters with flightless cormorants, marine iguanas, and the world’s only tropical albatross colony.

Surf with Sea Lions & Meet Giant Tortoises

Arrive at Baltra Island and transfer to Aeolian Cove to meet your yacht. This breathtaking setting offers superb opportunities to surf in the Galápagos alongside sea lions, guided by an expert Pelorus surf guide. Later, head inland to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island and join scientists at a giant tortoise reserve, where you can help monitor and tag these prehistoric animals as part of ongoing conservation efforts.

Shark Diving & Marine Conservation in the Galápagos

Spend a day around Mosquera Island, refreshing your diving skills or beginning your journey into some of the world’s most exciting underwater ecosystems. Here, you can dive alongside hammerhead sharks, reef sharks, and white-tip sharks, as well as turtles, stingrays, and schools of reef fish.

Conservation becomes immersive as you join marine biologists in shark tagging and population research in the Galápagos, assisting in photographic identification and acoustic tracking of hammerhead pups. Later, cruise past the White Sand Bar, home to one of the largest sea lion colonies in the Galápagos, and take part in a research project tracking mobula and manta rays on their global migrations.

Discover Rare Wildlife on Tower & Genovesa Islands

Explore Tower Island (Isla Genovesa) by paddleboard or kayak, where volcanic cliffs and steep underwater terrain create habitats for unique species. Continue towards Darwin Bay and climb Prince Philip’s Steps, encountering the world’s largest colony of red-footed boobies. Keep watch for storm petrels and the elusive short-eared owl, a rare predator of the island.

On Bartolomé Island, hike across dramatic lava fields before diving with Galápagos penguins. With the guidance of your Pelorus host, practise underwater photography to capture species like black eel coral, seahorses, and pufferfish.

Wildlife Encounters on Isabela & Fernandina Islands

Anchor off Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island, the largest in the Galápagos archipelago. Cruise the clear waters by tender, spotting flightless cormorants, pelicans, and marine iguanas. Then explore Punta Espinosa on Fernandina Island, where you will witness marine iguanas basking by the shore and walk through the world’s only tropical albatross colony.

At Bahia Urbina, snorkel among sea turtles and spiny lobsters before trekking inland to see giant tortoises roaming the volcanic landscape, an unforgettable Galápagos wildlife encounter.

Flamingos, Green Turtles & Red Sand Beaches

Dive at Punta Cormorant, searching for reef sharks, rays, octopus, and the unusual Galápagos sea robin. Hike volcanic trails to reach a brackish lagoon, where flamingos and white-cheeked pintails gather, before arriving at a pristine white sand beach where Pacific green turtles nest. In March, you may even take part in a conservation programme assisting hatchlings to reach the sea.

Continue to Puerto Egas, a black lava shoreline home to fur sea lions. From here, trek towards Sugarloaf Volcano, where you can encounter lava lizards, Darwin’s finches, and Galápagos doves before summiting to admire spectacular views. End the day on Rabida Island, where the striking red sand beaches meet dramatic cliffs, perfect for snorkelling with tropical marine life.

Life Onboard Yacht HERMES: Science & Exploration

Your luxury yacht, HERMES, serves as a floating field station in the Galápagos Islands, blending exploration with hands-on conservation. On board, continue the adventure with conservation storytelling, research sessions, and Darwin-inspired lectures.

For younger travellers, join Darwin’s programme, a bespoke introduction to marine ecology and evolution. Every expedition ends with a legacy pledge ceremony, ensuring that each guest leaves a lasting impact on the future of the Galápagos.

A large, vibrant orange iguana sits on dark rocks near the ocean, with waves gently crashing in the background.
Crystal clear turquoise waters meet a sandy beach, dotted with black volcanic rocks. Several boats float on the horizon under a bright blue sky with a few clouds.
Giant tortoises resting in muddy water surrounded by green vegetation.
A woman crouches on a rocky shore, photographing a marine iguana while a boat sails in the background near a brown volcanic island.
A pink flamingo stands gracefully in shallow blue water, creating a reflection on the surface. Water droplets are visible as it bends its neck.
A woman in a red dress sits on a sandy beach, watching a group of sea lions lounging on the shore. The clear blue water and rocky shoreline create a picturesque backdrop.
A sea turtle gracefully swims underwater, surrounded by clear blue water and a hint of coral in the background.

Yachts to Charter this Experience

GALAPAGOS EXPLORER
From 155,000 USD • 38M • 12 Guests
HERMES
From 246,905 USD • 50M • 20 Guests
TIP TOP II
From 80,420 USD • 31.7M • 16 Guests
TIP TOP IV
From 77,200 USD • 38.1M • 16 Guests

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