Hermes Mega Catamaran
Hermes Mega Catamaran is the first ultra-luxury cruise to sail the Galápagos Islands. With a maximum capacity of 20 guests, Hermes offers an unparalleled experience through exclusivity, high-level amenities, and an almost 1-to-1 crew-to-guest ratio. Onboard Hermes, you can experience the intimacy of a small vessel without compromising the comforts of a larger cruise ship.
All our suites feature private balconies and private jacuzzis with ocean views. Enjoy our premium beverage menu, complimentary during your stay. Relax after a day of discovery on the islands with butler service or purify yourself in our Hammam with views of the breathtaking Galápagos landscapes.
Get ready in our boarding area to immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the Galápagos by exploring all its highlights, observing fascinating landscapes, learning about unique species, and swimming with friendly wildlife. Two experienced naturalist guides share their knowledge during hikes and exciting water sports sessions (snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding) in small groups.
Let yourself be pampered by the best crew in the Galápagos, with an almost 1-to-1 crew-to-guest ratio. A butler is at your service 24/7 for anything you need and to help you prepare for each adventure.
Itinerary
ITINERARY "A" 5D/4N
(Sun-Thu)
Day 1 - Sunday - Baltra Airport / Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach
AM Baltra Airport
Upon your arrival at the Baltra airport, a Hermes’ guide will welcome you to the Galapagos Islands and will escort you to the superyacht where you will enjoy a delicious lunch and learn about Hermes.
PM Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach
In the afternoon you will have your first excursion at Bachas Beach, where the sand is made of decomposed coral, making it soft and white, and a favorite site for nesting sea turtles. You will spot abundant Sally Lightfoot crabs on the lava rocks along the water's edge—these crabs will eat anything they can get their claws on!
The site will also give you the opportunity to see frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions.
Day 2 - Monday - Isabela Island: Tagus Cove / Urbina Bay
AM Isabela Island: Tagus Cove
In the morning, you visit Tagus Cove on Isabela Island, a historic anchorage once favored by whalers and pirates dating back to the 1800s. After a dry landing, you’ll follow a fascinating trail up the slopes of the Darwin Volcano. The hike will reward you with stunning panoramic views and will lead you to the surprising Darwin's Lake—a saltwater crater lake located above sea level!
You’ll embark on a thrilling dinghy ride along the cliffs where you will admire various seabirds, including Blue-footed Boobies, Brown Noddies, and the endemic Flightless Cormorant. Another highlight will be the snorkeling session in the cove: the cold, rich currents attract incredible life. You will swim alongside playful Galapagos Penguins, large schools of fish, and possibly even sea turtles, making this spot an underwater paradise you won't soon forget.
PM Isabela Island: Urbina Bay
You will visit the extraordinary Urbina Bay, a place formed by a dramatic geological event in 1954 when a large section of the shallow sea bottom uplifted, exposing a sprawling coral reef above sea level. This site, located west of Isabela, will provide you with spectacular views of the towering Alcedo Volcano.
After a wet landing, you will walk through this unusual landscape, where you will witness the impressive coral fossils scattered across the plain, far from the water's edge. This area is also prime territory for observing large Galapagos Land Iguanas, often seen munching on vegetation. This area will be a fantastic spot for snorkeling: you can swim close to a small, resident Galapagos Penguin colony and you will have the rare chance to see the peculiar Galapagos Marine Iguanas feeding underwater on the algae, offering a truly intimate wildlife encounter.
Day 3 - Tuesday - Fernandina Island: Espinoza Point/ Isabela Island: Vicente Roca Point
AM Fernandina Island: Espinoza Point
Your morning will deliver an unparalleled wildlife experience at Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island, the youngest and most volcanically active island in Galapagos. After a dry landing, you will embark on a fascinating hike across the black, basaltic lava flows. The morning timing is ideal, as you will witness one of the largest and most concentrated colonies of marine iguanas on Earth, often basking en masse to warm up after their cold nightly dives.
Another highlight of the morning will be observing the endemic Flightless Cormorant. You will have the chance to see these unique birds with their rudimentary wings drying in the sun, or executing clumsy but effective dives in search of food. You must pay attention to the natural tide pools carved into the lava rock, teeming with marine life, where vibrant Sally Lightfoot crabs add a splash of scarlet color to the monochrome landscape. From this privileged location, you will enjoy spectacular views across the Bolivar Channel toward Isabela Island and Fernandina's La Cumbre Volcano.
PM Isabela Island: Vicente Roca Point
Your exploration will take you to the truly unique Vicente Roca Point, located on Isabela’s dramatic northwestern coast. This site, the remnant of a collapsed volcanic cone, will offer an adventure entirely in the water, as there is no landing here. Instead, you will embark on a thrilling panga ride alongside the towering cliffs, where you will seek out seabirds like Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, and the endemic, Flightless Cormorants nesting on the rocky ledges.
This site also offer event will be the world-class snorkeling experience. Due to the deep, nutrient-rich upwelling currents, the waters here are vibrant. You will jump into the ocean for an unforgettable swim, where you will very likely glide alongside dozens of graceful Green Sea Turtles. Moreover, you will have the chance to swim with playful Galapagos Penguins and look for exotic creatures like the peculiar Red-lipped Batfish and the immense Mola Mola (Ocean Sunfish) that sometimes frequent these rich feeding grounds. This marine spectacle will solidify your Galapagos experience!
Day 4 - Wednesday - Santiago Island: Egas Port / Buccaneer Cove
AM Santiago Island: Egas Port
Your exploration will take you to Egas Port on Santiago Island, a site characterized by its dramatic, black lava sand and volcanic rock formations. This location will immediately immerse you in history, as you will see the rusty remnants of a former salt mine that operated here in the 1960s.
You will embark on a captivating coastal hike that winds past intriguing grottos and natural lava pools. You will witness the charismatic Galapagos Fur Seals—shyer than their sea lion cousins—basking and cooling off in the shade of the grottos. You will also observe large colonies of marine iguanas that blend seamlessly with the dark rock, alongside the vibrant, scuttling Sally Lightfoot crabs. Later, you will grab your snorkel gear for an incredible session right off the beach, where you will swim alongside playful sea lions, sea turtles, and schools of tropical fish in the crystal-clear waters, guaranteeing stunning photos both above and below the surface.
PM Santiago Island: Buccaneer Cove
The adventure will lead you to the historic Buccaneer Cove, a favorite hideout for pirates, whalers, and buccaneers in centuries past, who used the area to stock up on food and water. This visit is entirely on the water, offering fantastic coastal exploration!
You will jump into the panga (dinghy) and cruise alongside magnificent high cliffs and unique rock formations, witnessing the erosion carved by time and sea. You will spot sea lions and fur seals relaxing on the small beaches below the high cliffs, and you'll see various sea birds like the Brown Pelican nesting in the crevices of the cove. This stunning, sheltered bay will give you fantastic opportunities for photography, capturing the dramatic geology and the abundant wildlife that now reigns supreme where outlaws once moored.
Day 5: Thursday - North Seymour Island / Baltra Airport
AM North Seymour and Baltra Airport
Your grand finale will be an unforgettable morning excursion to North Seymour Island, an uplifted ocean floor that is now teeming with life. Following a dry landing, you will enter one of the Galapagos' most active nesting colonies. You'll walk along the circular trail, where you'll literally share the path with the wildlife—you will step aside for passing sea lions and prehistoric-looking marine iguanas!
The main draw will be observing the famous Blue-footed Boobies performing their high-stepping courtship dance, often nesting just inches from the trail. Further along, you'll find the large nesting site of the Magnificent Frigatebirds. You will marvel at the males, who will sit perched with their huge, scarlet throat sacks spectacularly inflated to attract a mate. This site provides an unmatched, close-up encounter with Galapagos' most iconic bird species, making it a truly fitting climax to your adventure.