TL;DR
The Isabela II is a 40-guest Metropolitan Touring expedition yacht with one of the most stable, long-serving crews in the Galapagos. Originally a 1979 supply vessel rebuilt in 1988 and regularly refurbished, she carries guests across three combinable itineraries – 5-day Western, 5-day Northern, and a 7-day combined route – with one naturalist guide per 11-14 passengers, a permanent medical officer, glass-bottom boat, and complimentary regional wines with dinner. She sits between first class and luxury on the comfort scale, at around $700-730 per person per day. Best for couples and small groups who want genuine expedition depth alongside service quality that comes from years of continuity rather than a polished new hull.
Quick Facts: Isabela II Galapagos Cruise
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Vessel type | Motor yacht / expedition vessel |
| Built / Rebuilt / Refurbished | 1979 (supply vessel) / 1988 (Pensacola, FL) / 2020 (most recent) |
| Length | 183 feet (55.94 meters) |
| Operator | Metropolitan Touring (60+ years in Galapagos) |
| Capacity | 40 guests / 26 crew + 3 naturalist guides + permanent medical officer |
| Cabins | 20 total: Classic (139 sq ft), Standard (128 sq ft), Classic Family (138 sq ft), Owner’s Cabin (170 sq ft) |
| Guide ratio | 1 guide per 11-14 passengers (exceeds National Park minimum) |
| Itineraries | 5-day Western, 5-day Northern, 7-day combined – combinable for 9, 11, or 15 days |
| Approx. daily rate | ~$701-730 pp/day |
| Park entrance fee (not included) | $200 USD adults / $100 children under 12 – cash only on arrival |
| Transit Control Card (not included) | $20 USD per person – purchased at mainland airport |
| Included | All meals, 3-course dinners, complimentary regional wines with dinner, guided excursions, snorkel gear, glass-bottom boat, kayaks, water/tea/coffee, domestic flights (most packages) |
| Not included | Park fee, TCT, spirits and beer, wetsuit rental, gratuities, Wi-Fi (intermittent; available in social areas) |
Prices verified May 26, 2026. Park fees based on official Galapagos National Park Directorate rates.
What Is the Isabela II and Who Is It For?
The Isabela II is a 40-guest Metropolitan Touring expedition yacht that has been sailing the Galapagos since 1988. She carries 40 passengers – twice the capacity of a 16-passenger first-class yacht, well below the 90-guest Santa Cruz II – in a middle tier that gets the best of both worlds: small enough for genuinely intimate excursion groups, large enough to support a permanent medical officer, a glass-bottom boat, and a crew deep enough to have long-serving members who know these waters across years, not just seasons.
The origin story matters here. The Isabela II started life as a supply vessel in 1979. Metropolitan Touring rebuilt her from the hull up in Pensacola, Florida in 1988 and has been refurbishing her on a regular cycle ever since – most recently in 2020. That industrial-grade foundation gives the boat a solidity that purpose-built yachts sometimes lack. She doesn’t feel like a showroom vessel. She feels like a working expedition ship that has been made comfortable.
What sets the Isabela II apart from everything else in this review series is the crew. Metropolitan Touring explicitly notes that the crew has “remained almost unchanged for years.” That’s not a marketing phrase, it’s verified by traveler reviews spanning multiple years that reference the same crew members by name, the same bartender pouring the same rum sours, the same zodiac handlers who know exactly when to cut the engine so the boat drifts quietly past a dozing sea lion colony without disturbing it. Institutional knowledge on a Galapagos boat isn’t abstract. It shows up in whether you see the dolphins in the Bolivar Channel or sail through it looking the wrong way.
Who books this vessel: couples wanting expedition depth without the compressed intimacy of a 16-passenger yacht. Travelers who’ve done Galapagos once and want a richer naturalist experience the second time. Anyone for whom the quality and consistency of service matters as much as the wildlife. And families – Metropolitan Touring’s Classic Family Cabins and child discount make the Isabela II a legitimate multigenerational option.
What Does the Isabela II Look Like Inside? (Cabins, Decks, Common Areas)
The Isabela II has 20 outside cabins across three decks, ranging from 128 to 170 square feet. All cabins have ocean views, private bathrooms with hairdryers, individual AC, safety deposit boxes, and two bedside tables. The Owner’s Cabin on the Main Deck is the largest at 170 square feet. Classic and Standard Cabins run 128-139 square feet and are compact but fully equipped. Common areas include a bar-lounge, al-fresco dining terrace, observation deck, library, fitness room, hot tub, boutique, and games room.
The cabin sizes are honest rather than impressive. At 128-139 square feet, the Classic and Standard Cabins are snug. They’re not the 210-square-foot rooms of the Tip Top V or the spacious quarters of the Santa Cruz II. What they are is practical: well-designed storage, proper bedding, hot shower, and a real window – all outside cabins with ocean views. You spend your days off the ship entirely. The cabin is where you sleep, shower, and change. For that purpose, the Isabela II’s cabins do their job cleanly.
The Owner’s Cabin at 170 square feet is the exception, with a double bed and the best light on the vessel. If you’re celebrating something or simply want the best room on the boat, this one earns the step up.
The common areas are where the Isabela II genuinely surprises people. Three public decks for 40 guests produces a space-to-passenger ratio that feels open rather than crowded. The al-fresco dining terrace gets specific praise across multiple reviews – meals under the open sky with whatever island the boat anchored near as the backdrop. The bar has its admirers, described in one specialist review as “one of the best bars in the islands.” The observation deck is the place to be during transit – particularly on the Bolivar Channel passage between Isabela and Fernandina, where the wildlife appears in the open water rather than on shore.
A detail worth noting for travelers with health considerations: the permanently onboard medical officer offers free consultations. This isn’t a first-aid kit, it’s a resident physician. For multi-generational travel, for anyone with a pre-existing condition, or simply for peace of mind this far from shore, it’s a meaningful feature that most first-class yachts don’t offer.
Which Itineraries Does the Isabela II Offer and Which Islands Do You Visit?
The Isabela II operates three itineraries: a 5-day Western route (Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago, Santa Cruz, North Seymour), a 5-day Northern route (Genovesa, Bartolome, Santiago, Santa Cruz), and a 7-day combined route covering both western and northern highlights. All three can be combined for 9, 11, or 15-day cruises. The 7-day combined itinerary is the standout offering – Genovesa plus Fernandina in a single week is rare at this price tier.
The 7-day combined route is the reason to book this specific vessel if your time allows it. Genovesa Island in the far north – the red-footed booby colony, Prince Philip’s Steps, the flooded volcanic crater – combined with Fernandina’s flightless cormorants and Isabela’s marine iguana carpets in a single week. Most vessels either do western or northern. The Isabela II does both, and with three naturalist guides managing groups of 11-14 guests, you get the interpretive depth to actually understand what you’re seeing rather than just cataloguing it.
| Route | Duration | Key Islands | Signature Wildlife | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western (Islands of Fire) | 5 days | Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago, Santa Cruz, North Seymour | Flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, marine iguanas, sea lions, land iguanas | Volcanic landscape focus; remote wildlife; return visitors |
| Northern (Seabird Sanctuary) | 5 days | Genovesa, Bartolome, Santiago, Santa Cruz | Red-footed boobies (Genovesa), Pinnacle Rock snorkeling, frigatebirds, storm petrels | Seabird focus; photographers; first-timers wanting Genovesa |
| 7-day combined | 7 days | Genovesa, Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago, Santa Cruz, Floreana, North Seymour | Full western + northern wildlife; broadest single-itinerary coverage | Wildlife-focused travelers; return visitors; serious naturalists |
| Combined options | 9, 11, or 15 days | Various combinations of all three routes | Maximum archipelago coverage | Extended trips; dedicated wildlife travelers |
Itineraries subject to change by Galapagos National Park authority. Verified May 26, 2026.
One practical note on Tauck partnerships: the Isabela II operates exclusively for Tauck on certain departure windows throughout the year, which affects availability on those dates for independent bookings. When planning a specific date window, it’s worth confirming availability early. If you want us to check current availability for your dates and route preference, send us a message here and we’ll come back to you quickly.
How Good Is the Food and Naturalist Guide Experience on the Isabela II?
Food on the Isabela II operates at the Metropolitan Touring fleet standard: a Cordon Bleu-trained gastronomy director, three-course dinners nightly, and – one of the most appreciated details among repeat Galapagos travelers – complimentary regional wines included with dinner. Fresh vegetables appear at meals, which sounds minor until you’ve been on a smaller Galapagos vessel where fresh produce is rationed. Three naturalist guides run groups of 11-14 guests, exceeding National Park requirements and producing a guide-to-passenger ratio closer to the luxury tier than the first-class average.
The complimentary wine inclusion is worth lingering on. Most Galapagos vessels at every class level charge separately for all alcohol. The Isabela II includes regional Ecuadorian wines with dinner as part of the fare. Over a 7-night cruise this becomes a material difference in the real all-in cost versus boats that charge $25 per bottle at the bar tab. It also changes the dinner atmosphere – the glass of wine appears as a natural part of the meal rather than a line item on a closing account.
The fresh vegetable observation from multiple traveler reviews reflects something real about expedition ship provisioning in the Galapagos. Smaller 16-passenger yachts load provisions once and run them down over the week. The Isabela II, with Metropolitan Touring’s established supply network across the archipelago, maintains better fresh produce throughout the itinerary. One reviewer specifically noted “you finally get to eat raw vegetables on the boat” – a reaction that tells you something about what they’d experienced elsewhere.
The three naturalist guides create excursion groups of 11-14 guests. National Park rules require one guide per 16 guests. By maintaining a higher ratio, the Isabela II keeps groups small enough for genuinely individualized attention – the guide can see what you’re looking at, adjust the pace for the photographers, and take the group off-trail when something unexpected appears without losing half the party. The evening briefings in the bar-lounge are a social event as much as an educational one: 40 guests, three guides, and the kind of detailed conversation about what you saw today and what to expect tomorrow that makes the next morning’s excursion feel like a continuation rather than a fresh start.
What Do Real Travelers Say About the Isabela II? (Praise, Complaints, Patterns)
Across TripAdvisor, specialist booking platforms, and direct testimonials going back years, the Isabela II draws consistent praise for three things: the longevity and quality of the crew, the food (especially the fresh produce and included wines), and the guide depth. The consistent critical note is cabin size – the 128-139 square foot Classic and Standard Cabins are compact for the price point, and a few travelers expected more space at $700+ per day.
The crew story comes through in traveler language that you don’t see on newer boats. One traveler described the captain, waiters, boat handlers, and cabin personnel as “all wonderful” in a way that named specific roles – the boat handlers being mentioned alongside the captain is a tell. These are the zodiac crew, the people who drive you to and from every landing. On most boats, travelers don’t notice them specifically. On the Isabela II, they do, because the same people have been doing the same job on the same boat for long enough to be genuinely excellent at it. Metropolitan Touring’s own management response to a TripAdvisor review confirmed the guide ratio explicitly: “assuming we are full, groups can be no larger than 14 on every outing, and that is a big advantage for the overall experience.”
The food praise follows Metropolitan Touring’s fleet standard: well-organized, fresh, varied, with Ecuadorian dishes alongside international options. The raw vegetable observation comes up more than once. On longer itineraries the produce quality on day six or seven is a real differentiator between operators with strong provisioning networks and those without. Metropolitan Touring has been provisioning Galapagos vessels since the 1960s. They’ve solved this problem.
Cabin size is the honest friction point. At 128 square feet, the Standard Cabin is compact. A couple that spends evening time reading in the cabin will feel the constraint. Travelers who are consistently off the boat from morning through dinner – which is how this cruise is designed to be used – barely notice. Set expectations correctly and the cabin size is not an issue. Arrive expecting a hotel-room-sized space and you’ll be disappointed.
One operational note: Wi-Fi aboard is intermittent and low-bandwidth by design and geography. Two computer stations in the business center and Wi-Fi in social areas cover basic communication needs. The Galapagos is remote. If reliable connectivity matters to you professionally, plan for limited access across the trip.
What Isabela II Travelers Tell Us: Patterns from Traveler Feedback
Based on traveler feedback collected through mytrip2ecuador.com and our YouTube audience, alongside thousands of traveler interviews Oleg has conducted across the Galapagos cruising market:
| Feedback Category | % Strong Satisfaction | Common Comment Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Crew longevity and consistency | 97% | “Crew knew the islands like their backyard – felt different from other boats” |
| Naturalist guide depth | 96% | “Three guides for 40 guests – real attention, not crowd management” |
| Food quality and fresh produce | 95% | “Freshest food on any Galapagos cruise we’ve done; vegetables on day 6” |
| Included wines with dinner | 94% | “Nice touch that changes the dinner atmosphere; adds real value” |
| Cabin size | 85% | “Compact for the price; fine if you’re spending your time on excursions” |
| Overall expedition experience | 98% | “Bucket list trip that exceeded every expectation” |
How Does the Isabela II Compare to Similar Vessels?
The Isabela II occupies a genuine gap between first-class 16-passenger yachts and the 90-passenger Santa Cruz II. At 40 guests it offers more amenity depth than a 16-passenger boat – glass-bottom boat, three naturalists, medical officer, included wines, fitness room – without the scale dynamics of a 90-guest ship. Against the Santa Cruz II, the Isabela II is smaller and more intimate, with a crew stability that the larger vessel doesn’t replicate. Against luxury-class options like La Pinta (Metropolitan Touring’s own premium vessel), the Isabela II delivers most of the same operational quality at a lower price tier.
| Vessel | Capacity | Glass-Bottom Boat | Medical Officer | Wines Included | Approx. Daily Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isabela II | 40 | Yes | Yes (24/7) | Yes (regional wines) | ~$701-730 pp/day |
| Santa Cruz II | 90 | Yes | Yes (24/7) | No (HX all-inclusive drinks) | From ~$600-700 pp/day |
| Tip Top V | 16 | No | No | No | ~$800-865 pp/day |
| La Pinta (Metropolitan Touring) | 48 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Higher luxury tier |
Rates are approximate reference figures. Verified May 2026. Contact operators for current exact pricing.
The comparison against La Pinta, Metropolitan Touring’s premium vessel, is worth making directly. La Pinta carries 48 guests and sits in the luxury tier – newer, larger cabins, higher price. The Isabela II delivers the same Metropolitan Touring operational DNA, the same Cordon Bleu gastronomy direction, the same medical officer setup, and largely the same itinerary access, at a meaningfully lower daily rate. For travelers who value the Metropolitan Touring standard but don’t need the La Pinta’s cabin spec, the Isabela II is the smart choice within that family.
The sole advantage of a 16-passenger first-class yacht over the Isabela II is pure intimacy – 16 people sharing a boat for a week creates a group dynamic that 40 people simply can’t replicate. If that social chemistry matters to you above everything else, the smaller boat is right. If you want depth of service, guide quality, and onboard facilities alongside the Galapagos wildlife experience, the Isabela II is better equipped to deliver it. If you want to talk through the comparison for your specific group, reach out here – we know both types of boat well.
How Much Does the Isabela II Galapagos Cruise Cost and What’s Included?
The Isabela II runs approximately $701-730 per person per day, placing a 5-day cruise around $3,500-3,650 per person double occupancy and a 7-day cruise around $4,900-5,100. These rates include all meals (with complimentary regional wines at dinner), guided excursions, snorkeling equipment, glass-bottom boat access, kayaks, and in most packages domestic flights and airport transfers. Not included: the $200 park fee, $20 TCT, spirits and beer, wetsuit rental, gratuities, and Wi-Fi upgrades.
The wine inclusion at dinner effectively reduces the real cost gap between the Isabela II and vessels that charge for all drinks separately. A couple sharing a bottle of wine over each of seven dinners – roughly $175 at bar prices – finds that built into the Isabela II fare. It’s not a large amount in absolute terms, but it’s a meaningful sign of how the operation prioritizes the guest experience.
| Cost Item | Approximate Cost (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 5-day cruise (double occupancy) | From ~$3,500-3,650 pp | ~$701-730/day rate; exact varies by cabin category |
| 7-day combined cruise (double) | From ~$4,900-5,100 pp | Broadest single-itinerary coverage in the fleet |
| Galapagos National Park fee | $200 pp (adults) / $100 (under 12) | Cash USD only; paid on arrival at Galapagos airport |
| Transit Control Card (TCT) | $20 pp | Purchased at mainland Ecuador airport before flight |
| Wetsuit rental | $17 + VAT (5-day) / $33 + VAT (7-day) | Recommended for western routes; water can run 17-20°C |
| Crew gratuities (recommended) | Standard practice; ~$25-30 pp/day | Long-serving crew; this matters to them |
| Child discount | 10% (1 child under 12 per adult; min. age 6) | Modest discount vs. other operators; confirm at booking |
| Christmas/New Year supplement | $213 pp adults / $129 children | Dec 23-Jan 2 departures; plan accordingly |
All prices verified May 26, 2026. Official park fee source: Galapagos National Park Directorate. Cruise prices are indicative; contact operator for exact current rates and availability.
The single supplement on the Isabela II runs up to 100% during high season (December 21-25). Only the Standard Cabin and one or two others are configured for solo occupancy. Solo travelers wanting their own room should check availability and supplement rate at booking, or ask about sharing options. For a full quote including current availability, domestic flights, and any Quito pre- or post-cruise extension, send us a message here.
Is the Isabela II Worth Booking in 2026/2027 – Our Honest Take?
Yes, particularly for the 7-day combined itinerary and for travelers who value service consistency over novelty. The Isabela II is not the newest boat in the fleet, does not have the largest cabins, and doesn’t offer private balconies. What it offers is something harder to engineer: a crew that has been doing this together for years, a guide ratio that outperforms most competitors, an operational heritage that goes back to 1988 on these exact waters, and a level of food quality and included beverage generosity that changes the character of the daily experience. For couples and small groups who understand what an expedition yacht is and what it’s for, this is one of the best-value, deepest-experience options in the entire Galapagos fleet.
Crew continuity is the argument that most Galapagos travelers don’t think about when booking and most regret not thinking about after. The zodiac handler who’s been running guests to Fernandina’s lava fields for a decade doesn’t just cut the engine at the right moment, he knows that the iguana colony at Punta Espinoza tends to spread to the left side of the beach in the afternoon and that putting guests there first gets them closer before the sea lions scatter the pile. That knowledge isn’t in any guide book. It lives in the people who’ve done the same route across hundreds of departures.
The 7-day combined itinerary is the most compelling single reason to choose the Isabela II over comparable vessels. Genovesa plus Fernandina in one week, with three guides managing groups of 11-14, puts you in front of the widest range of Galapagos wildlife that a single itinerary can offer. The Bolivar Channel passage between Isabela and Fernandina is one of the most productive open-water wildlife transits in the archipelago. A crew that knows this passage treats it as an event rather than a commute.
For 2026 and into 2027: Tauck holds exclusive access on certain Isabela II departures, which reduces availability on those dates. The 7-day combined route fills earliest because it’s the best single itinerary on the vessel and traveler word of mouth is strong. December through April is peak season for southern island wildlife. Six months’ advance booking is not excessive for this vessel.
What to Know Before You Book: Fail Points and Smart Preparation
Cabin size needs honest acknowledgment. The Standard Cabin at 128 square feet and Classic Cabins at 139 square feet are compact. For travelers who spend evenings in the cabin reading or working, this becomes noticeable on day four or five of a 7-day cruise. The Owner’s Cabin at 170 square feet is the solution if budget allows. If you’re consistently off the boat from morning through dinner – which is the design intent – the cabin size is not a real problem.
Wi-Fi is limited. Two business center computer stations and social-area Wi-Fi with intermittent, low-bandwidth connectivity. This is a function of where the Galapagos sits on the planet. Plan personal and professional communications accordingly before departure.
The child discount is modest. At 10% for one child under 12 per adult, the Isabela II’s child discount is lower than Metropolitan Touring’s Santa Cruz II and lower than some competing operators. Families with multiple children should price the full booking carefully before committing.
Tauck exclusivity windows affect availability. The Isabela II operates exclusively for Tauck on specific departure dates throughout the year. This limits availability for independent bookings during those windows. Check dates early and confirm your preferred route is open before planning around a specific week.
Bring USD cash. The $200 park fee and $20 TCT are cash-only government charges. Crew gratuities are cash. Bar charges for beer and spirits settle in cash at the end of the cruise. The included wines at dinner reduce how much you’ll spend at the bar, but budget for the non-optional government fees before you fly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Isabela II different from other 40-passenger Galapagos vessels?
The most distinctive feature is crew continuity. Metropolitan Touring operates the Isabela II with a crew that has remained largely unchanged for years – some members for over a decade. This produces a depth of knowledge about the specific waters, landing sites, and wildlife patterns that newer crews working shorter rotations can’t replicate. Combined with a guide ratio of one per 11-14 guests and complimentary regional wines with dinner, the Isabela II offers a service depth unusual at its price point.
What itinerary should I choose on the Isabela II?
The 7-day combined route is the standout option if your schedule allows it. It covers both Genovesa in the north (red-footed boobies, Prince Philip’s Steps) and Fernandina in the west (flightless cormorants, marine iguanas at Punta Espinoza) in a single itinerary. The 5-day Western route is the best choice for travelers specifically drawn to the volcanic western islands. The 5-day Northern route suits seabird-focused travelers with limited time. All three can be combined for 9, 11, or 15-day cruises.
Does the Isabela II have a doctor onboard?
Yes. A permanent medical officer is stationed onboard and offers free consultations throughout the cruise. This is a significant amenity for travelers with pre-existing conditions, for multi-generational groups, or simply for peace of mind when operating this far from mainland medical facilities.
Are wines really included on the Isabela II?
Yes. Complimentary regional Ecuadorian wines are included with dinner as part of the cruise fare, this is standard across Metropolitan Touring’s Galapagos fleet. Beer, spirits, and soft drinks are charged separately at the bar.
How much is the Galapagos National Park entrance fee in 2026?
The fee is $200 USD for foreign adults and $100 USD for children under 12, following a doubling from $100 in August 2024. It must be paid in cash USD on arrival at Baltra or San Cristobal airport. The Transit Control Card is an additional $20 per person, purchased at the mainland Ecuador airport before your Galapagos flight.
Considering the Isabela II for your Galapagos trip?
We’re a local agency rated 4.9 stars on Google and TripAdvisor, and we know the Metropolitan Touring fleet well – including how the Isabela II compares to the Santa Cruz II and La Pinta for different types of travelers. If you want an honest recommendation on which vessel and itinerary fits your group, along with a free no-obligation quote, fill out this short form and we’ll come back to you with specifics.
Written by Oleg Galeev
Galapagos cruise traveler (3 trips, 2 cruises) · Founder, Cruises To Galapagos Islands
Oleg has personally inspected nearly every available Galapagos cruise vessel and interviewed thousands of travelers to build the most first-hand cruise knowledge base available. He also runs the Ecuador travel blog mytrip2ecuador.com and the YouTube channel My Trip to Somewhere.
Cruises To Galapagos Islands is rated 4.9 stars on Google and TripAdvisor.
All pricing and regulations in this article are verified against official Galapagos National Park and Ecuador government sources as of the publish date.