Our days generally started with a gentle wake-up call from the crew before a delicious breakfast. Rising early means you will be able to see the wildlife at their most active whilst temperatures are cooler.

After breakfast, we set off on a panga (motorised dinghy) towards the first exciting sightseeing spot. A guide will advise whether it will be a wet landing (arriving in the bay and wading ashore) or dry landing (stepping from the panga directly onto land). Depending on the island you visit, you may be greeted by sea lions lounging on the sand, land iguanas basking in the sun or curious blue-footed boobies.

Due to national park regulations, there will be a maximum of only 16 guests per guide and on most of the islands, you will explore on marked trails to help preserve this unspoilt destination. After the excursion, we freshened up back on board before taking time to snorkel and enjoy a glass-bottom boat ride that was available for this island.

We returned to the ship for a leisurely lunch on board with ample time to relax and marvel at the views. We dined on fresh seafood and Ecuadorian delicacies. Other nights we enjoyed a barbecue on the sun deck. Depending on your daily itinerary you may cruise to another location for your afternoon excursion, providing an opportunity to spot whales or dolphins in the water.

With such an exceptional variety of wildlife and differing terrain on each island, every excursion will feel totally unique. The afternoon typically followed the reverse order of the morning, to make the most of the daylight and temperatures. We made sure to walk to a viewpoint for wonderful panoramic photographs, snorkel alongside majestic turtles and kayak the shores to see resting birds. Whatever is planned for a particular day, you can be sure that the naturalist guides will have fascinating stories and seemingly limitless knowledge about these spectacular islands.

After our excursion, we had time to unwind before a wonderfully prepared dinner. Lectures about this incredible destination occur most evenings on our cruise, which we thoroughly enjoyed. After our lecture we spent time recounting the day on the observation deck before returning to our cabin for a restful night’s sleep. Overnight, we sailed to a different part of the archipelago, ready for you to wake to another unforgettable day.