Galaxy Orion Cruise Ship, Galapagos

Name: Itinerary A: Naturalist Cruise (San Cristobal - Santa Cruz)
Start: 2026-09-30
End: 2026-10-03
Location: Galapagos

9.2 Superb

Free Internet
Naturalist Guide
En-Suite bathrooms
Aircon Cabins
Warm Water Showers

from $ 383 / day Check dates

“We had the most amazing week with @galaxy_diver_liveaboard for this 8D/7N liveaboard experience, booked via @diving.liveaboard The…”
Guido C, Netherlands

Highlights

Renewed in 2022
Naturalist itineraries

The Galaxy Orion is a 29-meter/96-ft small-ship cruise offering naturalist itineraries in the Galapagos. Fully renewed in 2022, it can accommodate up to 12 guests in 8 comfortable cabins, all with air conditioning and en-suite bathrooms. The Galaxy Orion offers naturalist itineraries. On the upper deck, guests can enjoy the ocean views from their large windows; on the lower deck, there are porthole views.

The Galapagos are famous for their biodiversity and are one of the best places in the world for seeing unique ecosystems and endemic species such as giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies. Cruising in the Galapagos is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Water temperatures fluctuate through the year, usually warmer on the north island and cooler in the western, southern, and central Galapagos islands. This type of cruise in the Galapagos emphasizes conservation and responsible tourism, ensuring that the islands' natural wonders are preserved for generations to come.

Book your next small ship cruise to the Galapagos aboard the Galaxy Orion today.

Choose your departure date

Date

Itinerary

Price

Select

29 Aug

5 Days / 4 Nights

Plus Free Air Ticket of $500! Offers valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.

~~$ 2,650~~ $ 2,120 Save 20% -20%

FULL

29 Aug

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 4,200

FULL

02 Sep

4 Days / 3 Nights

Plus 1 FREE night in Galapagos! Offers valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.

~~$ 1,800~~ $ 1,620 Save 10% -10%

Select Cabin only 3 spaces left

05 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

Valid for a limited time only. T&C apply.

~~$ 4,200~~ $ 3,780 Save 10% -10%

Select Cabin only 1 space left

12 Sep

5 Days / 4 Nights

Valid for a limited time only. T&C apply.

~~$ 2,650~~ $ 2,385 Save 10% -10%

Select Cabin only 3 spaces left

12 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 4,200

FULL

16 Sep

4 Days / 3 Nights

Plus 1 FREE night in Galapagos! Offers valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.

~~$ 1,800~~ $ 1,530 Save 15% -15%

Select Cabin available

19 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 4,200

Select Cabin only 1 space left

26 Sep

5 Days / 4 Nights

$ 2,650

FULL

30 Sep

4 Days / 3 Nights

Get 1 FREE night in Galapagos! Valid for a limited time only. T&C apply.

$ 1,800 Deal %

Select Cabin only 1 space left

03 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 4,200

FULL

10 Oct

5 Days / 4 Nights

Valid for a limited time only. T&C apply.

~~$ 2,650~~ $ 2,385 Save 10% -10%

Select Cabin available

Included: VAT, Fuel Surcharge, Port Fees, Airport Transfer, Drinking Water, Tea & Coffee, Welcome Cocktails, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Kayaks, Land Excursions, Naturalist Guide, Snorkel Gear, Beach Towels, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries, Deck Towels, WiFi internet.

Required Extras: Domestic Flight Non-Issuance Fee ($60 / trip), National Park Fees ($200 / trip), Visas and Fees ($20 / trip).

Optional Extras: Gratuities, Local Flights, Alcoholic Beverages, Soft drinks.

Book now, pay later: You can easily place your booking online. We will then hold the spaces for you and you can confirm with a payment later.

* Extra fees are shown per person.

Pay by bank transfer or online with

Best Price Guaranteed

Boat features

Free Internet
Naturalist Guide
En-Suite bathrooms
Aircon Cabins
Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
Warm Water Showers
Air Conditioned saloon
Nearly 1:1 Crew-to-Guest Ratio
Kayaks On-Board
Seaview Cabins
Naturalist Itineraries
Non-Smoking Rooms
Custom built for diving
Charging stations
Indoor Saloon
Audio & video entertainment
Observation Deck
Hair Dryer in Cabin
Available for Charter
Local & International Crew
Separate Rinse for u/w Camera
Daily housekeeping
Bar
Naturalist Guide

Food & Drinks

Vegan Options
Vegetarian Options
Beer available
Wine Available
Fine Wines Selection
Welcome Cocktails
Buffet style
Local Food
Set Menu Dinner

If you have any specific dietary requirements whilst on-board your cruise, you can add this to your special requests on step 2 of the booking form. We advise limiting these requests to religious beliefs or food allergies.

Languages Spoken

The crew speaks English and Spanish.

Drawings & Vessel Layouts

Cabin Types

Boat Specifications

Year renovated: 2022

Length: 29 meters

Beam: 6.6 meters

Top speed: 10 knots

Cruising speed: 8 knots

Max guests: 14

Number of cabins: 8

Number of bathrooms: 9

Boat navigation and safety

Radar
GPS
Radio VHF/DSC/SSB
Emergency Rafts
Life Vests
Fire Alarm & Fire Extinguishers
First Aid Kits
Satellite & mobile phones
Search light
Crew trained in first aid
Emergency flares

Galaxy Orion Reviews

9.2 Superb

Vessel

8.9
Crew

9.2
Food

9.7
Activities

9.3
Value

8.9

9.6 Exceptional
Michael E
Australia

Beautiful boat, crew, activities especially the snorkeling plus beautiful weather
The professional of the crew, safety first, nothing a trouble, always happy and very helpful
Recommended for
The great organisation of the guide and crew. The water activities. Food.
26 Apr, 2026

10 Exceptional
David C
United States

Extraordinary! Wonderful experience and is a great way to explore with family, friends or a solo traveler.
Not only go to these remote islands, but spending time there snorkeling and short land hikes. Learning while doing as the guide explains the nature and history while exploring the unique archipelago of the Galapagos.
Recommended for
Naturalist guide (Fabian) who you spend a lot of time with was kind, passionate, and knowledgeable. Crew was approachable and friendly. Attention to detail. After each excursion you are greeted with delicious drinks and snacks. Rooms were cleaned multiple times daily. All B, D, L was presented very well and also.
01 Jul, 2026

8.0 Very good
Kira S
United States

Once in a lifetime experience!
Highlights were the snorkeling and island hopping but the food was fantastic not a bad meal!
Recommended for
The tours. The food. The staff.
14 Jun, 2026

9.6 Exceptional
Elena P
Italy

The Galapagos dream!
We had a fantastic week onboard the Galaxy Orion. Everything was smoothly organized, and each day was filled with so many activities to fully experience the Galápagos. The crew was wonderful—so friendly, always smiling, and constantly making sure everyone was having a great time. The naturalist guide is such an essential part of the trip. Ours was kind and funny, but above all incredibly knowledgeable about the archipelago—its history, geology, and biology.
Recommended for
The excursions on the islands. The people and crew. the comfort of the boat.
28 Mar, 2026

10 Exceptional
Guido C
Netherlands

Most amazing time ever!!!
We had the most amazing week with @galaxy_diver_liveaboard for this 8D/7N liveaboard experience, booked via @diving.liveaboard The naturalist liveaboard tours the islands to see the wildlife, including lots of land excursions and snorkeling activities 🤿 We left from Baltra and covered the west part of the islands to end back in Nord Seymour. It was the most amazing experience: we’ve seen so many animals and had incredibly beautiful encounters with them under water; we learned a lot about the islands and its wildlife thanks to our incredible guide Renny; we met lovely people on board and had the best food thanks to the amazing Galaxy Divers crew.This was the experience of a lifetime and we’d recommend any nature and animal lover to join such a liveaboard 😍
Recommended for
Animals, wildlife and service
11 Mar, 2024

Translated from German

10 Exceptional
An J
China

The equipment is perfect, the service is first-class, and the diving guide is excellent.
Excellent service!
Recommended for
1. All aspects of the service in the ship are dedicated and detail-oriented. 2. When on the boat, the navigator will pay attention to the sea surface and guide everyone to watch in time. 3. Our English is not very good, and the dive guide will explain patiently.
30 Jul, 2024

Translated from Chinese

10 Exceptional
Erik P
United States

Incredible experience!
Amazing adventure, wonderful crew and incredible constant wildlife encounters!
Recommended for
Hiking and snorkeling every day. Friendly crew. Great boat.
08 Feb, 2026

10 Exceptional
Lovell S
United States

Everything happened as planned, good value.
Days full of enjoyment and adventures.
Recommended for
The other guest were wonderful.. Guild . keep everything in order. Saw the major items we wanted to.
13 Feb, 2025

9.6 Exceptional
Eliezer D
Israel

Best time in Galapagos on the Galaxy Orion
The trip to the Galapagos was great, the staff did everything to make us comfortable, the guide knew a lot and conveyed his love for the place to us, the conditions were great and the food was excellent both at meals and every time we returned to the ship, the diving equipment was excellent, except that the room was a bit cramped, other than that it was perfect
Recommended for
The guide. The crew. The food.
31 Oct, 2025

9.6 Exceptional
Amy R
United States

Unforgettable Galapagos Vacation!
Despite an unexpected bout of seasickness, this trip was sublime. The itinerary and description was exactly as described and in most cases exceeded our expectations. We were clearly told the day's plans including excursion details and the staff (Manuel, Anthony, Johnny, Edwin, etc) were ready to greet us when we returned and made sure that everything ran smoothly. Carmen, our naturalist, was a wealth of knowledge about the animals, flora and fauna. Thank you Galaxy Orion for an unforgettable trip.
Recommended for
Quality of naturalist guiding the excursions. Attentiveness of the staff to guests and cleanliness. Beautiful weather and itinerary.
08 Feb, 2026

121 reviews

9.2 Superb
121 Verified Reviews

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10 Exceptional
Ronald M
United States

Bucket list trip
Whalesharks, hammerhead sharks, diving with marine iguana, sea lions, penguins Crew were great, funny, and ready to help
Recommended for
Drawin&wolf dives, crew, food
27 Oct, 2022

9.6 Exceptional
Thorsten Wilhelm M
Germany

Friendly crew, well-organized activities, and an unforgettable Galápagos experience!
The crew was exceptionally attentive and friendly, the activities were perfectly organized with a fantastic guide, making it an overall amazing experience highly recommended for visiting the Galápagos.
Recommended for
Activities. Crew. Food.
23 Sep, 2025

9.6 Exceptional
Alvin B
Indonesia

Exceptional experience! The ship, the crew and the naturalist guide were awesome.
I recently joined the Galaxy Orion cruise for a 4-day, 3-night cruise in the Galápagos, and it exceeded all expectations. The crew of the ship was incredibly friendly and helpful, always ensuring our comfort and making us feel at home. I had a lot of interactions with our captain, Carlos, and our food/drink server, Jonny. Our naturalist guide, Fernanda, was outstanding—knowledgeable, passionate, and engaging, bringing the islands' unique wildlife and history to life. The itinerary offered a perfect mix of activities, from snorkeling, swimming, and hiking to wildlife spotting and relaxing onboard, making every day feel fresh and exciting. The vessel was clean, comfortable, and well-maintained, while the food was delicious and plentiful, adding to the overall experience. I highly recommend Galaxy Orion for anyone seeking a 4-day unforgettable Galápagos adventure—it’s the perfect blend of exploration, learning, and relaxation, all thanks to an exceptional team.
Recommended for
The friendliness and helpfulness of the crew and the guide.. The mix of adventurous and educational activities exploring Galapagos Islands.. The great condition of the vessel..
05 Dec, 2024

9.2 Superb
Judy A
Australia

Cruising the Galápagos Islands was a dream come true!
Dean and I absolutely enjoyed our cruise! The ship was small as we expected but it was super comfy and clean. Seeing all the wildlife was of course the highlight and we saw everything we hoped to see! Fernanda our naturalist guide was excellent. She was extremely knowledgeable, friendly to everyone and she had great activities planned for us each day which always ran smoothly and on time. Seeing the Galapagos tortoise wasn’t on our cruise plan but Fernanda surprised us all on our last day by taking us to a sanctuary to see them which was fabulous. Our meals were all delicious and all the staff were very friendly and they were always there to help. The other 12 passengers were a great group and we all got on extremely well. It was a truly fabulous experience!
Recommended for
Fernanda our guide was fabulous- very knowledgeable and friendly and all the staff were great. Seeing all the wildlife- we saw everything we hoped to see!. The other passengers- everyone got along extremely well.
12 May, 2026

9.2 Superb
Eileen M
United States

Relaxing
Met a great group of people. Multinational and diverse
Recommended for
Ships crew was great. Very comfortable boat. Food was great.
26 Mar, 2025

10 Exceptional
ANN C
United Kingdom

Top notch experience
Food, abundance of animal sightings marine, on land and in the air. Cabin was comfortable, bed made up everyday. Shower cleaned daily. Excursions by guide were interesting. Safety measures taken by crew of the higher standard.
Recommended for
Food, excursions, food
25 Nov, 2022

9.2 Superb
Kristi C
United States

Incredible Experience
Seeing so many hammerheads, manta ray, turtles, eels, dolphins, sea lions, marine iguanas, penguins, and mola mola. The crew was amazing, the dive guides were knowledgable and so fun. A Trip I'll never forget.
Recommended for
the diving itself, the crew, the Galapagos!
07 Jun, 2023

10 Exceptional
Bob F
Australia

Luxurious service, impeccable diving and naturalist activities
Excellent dives Great camaraderie Pure relaxation and fine dining on board
Recommended for
Staff went above and beyond in making you feel pampered
20 May, 2023

10 Exceptional
Sascha H
Germany

Great organized cruise on the boat and in the water
the vast amount of sharks and other marine life we experienced. The crew made us feel very comfortable and organized the dives to the T.
Recommended for
the dive sites, the guides, the crew
22 Sep, 2023

10 Exceptional
Eli A
Israel

An excellent experience that I will remember for many years
Amazing dives, an excellent team that helps with everything, and makes sure that the divers have maximum enjoyment. A cook of a very high standard. Who prepared gourmet meals. An excellent experience for many years.
Recommended for
Dives, staff, chef
25 Jan, 2024

10 Exceptional
Sarah B
United States

Relaxing and incredible
This trip exceeded my expectations, our naturalist guide Victor provided a lot of background to the formation of the islands and information about all the various animals we saw. The crew went above and beyond keeping our cabins clean and all passengers well fed. The captain even spent an hour sailing around a dolphin pod and helping us hunt down whales on one of our sailings. There were so many priceless moments on this trip and the 8 day / 7 night itinerary had us alone with no other humans or boats spotted for a day or two in the middle.
Recommended for
Excursions. Snorkeling. Crew/Naturalist Guide.
07 Dec, 2025

9.6 Exceptional
Annika S
Germany

I booked a dream trip and that's exactly what I received!
In addition to unique diving experiences, I was very positively impressed by the excellent, creative, healthy and balanced food that was offered to us at every meal. The crew and dive guides were also constantly striving to make happy memories for all guests beyond the actual service.
Recommended for
Dives were all filled with incredible experiences. Diving with a pot of dephins, achules of hammerhead sharks and with tiger sharks was unique.
22 Oct, 2023

9.2 Superb
Timothy G
New Zealand

Top notch
Excellent trip. Highlights were the wildlife viewing and the company of fellow passengers and crew
Recommended for
Small group of 11. Closeness of crew and passengers. Tailored programme to individuals.
16 Dec, 2024

9.2 Superb
ROBERT P
United States

Bucket list trip was amazing
The itinerary, crew and naturalist were excellent. The service and food were incredible. Each activity was well planned and executed, it always finished with a fresh drink and delicious snack. The boat was older but well maintained. This was an excellent value for the money. Thank you to the Orion family for the trip of a lifetime.
Recommended for
Activities. Naturalist. Crew.
15 Apr, 2026

10 Exceptional
Gerard M
Spain

Best week of our life
We had a really amazing week aboard the Galaxy. The diving was the best of our life, it is really fantastic to see a sea so full of life. We so thousands of hammerheads, humpback whales, orcas, mola mola, Marine iguana and many other. But not only the diving is good, the crew is really friendly and you can feel that there are good vibes in the boat.
Recommended for
Wildlife; Crew; Itinerary
15 Sep, 2023

8.8 Fabulous
Tanja W
Germany

Incredible trip
Naturalist-Itinery: The boat is not the newest but in great condition. The crew took great care of it and provided great service at all times and was super friendly. Small surprises such as cooking demonstrations or a sunset drink were also part of it. Everything was always on-time, super organized and with appropriate safety precautions. The cabins were spacious and the bed comfortable. The shore excursions and also the experiences in the water are among the most impressive animal and landscape experiences I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Our guide was able to show us a lot, never rushed the group, and still packed a lot of program into the 8 days, so that we have the feeling that we have really experienced everything and the best. The food on board was also plentiful. The only limitation perhaps for me as a vegetarian is that I would have liked to just get vegetables instead of meat substitutes (vegetarian sausages for example). Especially the fish dishes were particularly praised by the fellow travelers.I would definitely do the trip again and can fully recommend the boat and crew. Dear future travelers: Remember the usual tip. By European standards, it is not little! (Approx. 40$ per day/person). Of course, it is not a must, but an opportunity to honor these extraordinary experiences and the special service under non-European conditions. The crew is working really hard around the clock. The guide also does an excellent job. So plan this with your booking if necessary so that it doesn't surprise you later:) This boat is definitely worth it!
Recommended for
Wildlife observations under and above water, nature, crew
18 Jan, 2024

9.6 Exceptional
Grizel U
United States

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful
I thought the five- day schedule was perfect, offering me a very diverse program of activities with a wonderful staff. The Tour guide Julio, and the crew were just fantastic. First of all, they work really well as a team and generally went out of their way to help you with just about anything you need. The islands speak for themselves. My only minor concern was the rocking of the boat, especially during nighttime due to the rain and the winds. Other than that, I thought the trip and service was fantastic.
Recommended for
The organization of daily of activities that were diverse and fun. The staff committment to helping and ensuring we have a good time. The selection of islands and what they offered.
24 Feb, 2025

9.6 Exceptional
vahe K
Canada

An amazing and unique experience
(1) Discovery of a completely new World that one would have only experience through movies and documentaries (2) Amazing crew, empathic, detail-oriented (3) Great Chef and cuisine
Recommended for
The place, The crew, The chef
17 Mar, 2023

9.2 Superb
Don B
United States

Outstanding itinerary and a great value
I'm extremely happy with my decision to choose the Galaxy Orion. I spent a lot of time comparing different boats and itineraries, and not only is the itinerary B is nearly perfect, it's a great value compared to other ops. The crew was absolutely outstanding, and we were kept busy with 3-4 activities per day. The food variety was very good, and most of it was delicious, but my one and only gripe was that pretty much anything beef or fish was extremely overcooked. The flavor was good, but five minutes less fire would have made a world of difference. Get the main deck cabin. It is larger and has at least twice the storage space of the other cabins.
Recommended for
Itinerary. Crew. Boat.
29 May, 2026

8.4 Very good
jorge M
Spain

Diving trip galapagos
Great trip to Galapagos. The vessel has been reformed recently. The rooms are a bit small but everything clean and ok. Another common areas outside, like an upper deck, it would be great but the vessel in general was very good. Food, crew and diving guides were fantastic. Those guys really do their job in a good way!!
Recommended for
Crew, diving guides, food
08 May, 2023