Explorer’s Journal: Destination Experts Megan & Diana’s Luxury Galápagos Adventure

Join SA Expeditions Destination Experts Megan and Diana on a luxury expedition through the Galápagos Islands aboard the Hermès. From hiking among giant tortoises and marine iguanas to snorkeling with sea lions, penguins, and sharks, their journey pairs unforgettable wildlife encounters with the comfort and personalized service of a luxury yacht.

Hi everyone, SA Destination Experts Megan and Diana here! We recently set off on an unforgettable journey through the Galápagos Islands, and we’re excited to share some of our favorite moments with you. Over four incredible days, we explored volcanic landscapes, encountered the islands’ famous wildlife on land and underwater, and experienced life aboard the luxury yacht Hermès. Come along as we take you through our Galápagos adventure!

Arriving in the Galápagos & Aboard the Hermès

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Boarding the luxurious Hermès and visiting the famous Galápagos giant tortoises (Photo: Megan McKenna).

Hi everyone, Megan here! I’m writing to you from my beautiful cabin aboard the luxury yacht Hermès, where we’ve just wrapped up an incredible first day exploring the Galápagos Islands!

Getting to the Galápagos is part of the adventure itself. Located about 600 miles off the coast of mainland Ecuador, these remote volcanic islands require a few additional entry procedures that can seem overwhelming to first-time visitors. Thankfully, traveling with Hermès made the entire process feel effortless.

Our morning began with a private transfer from our hotel in Guayaquil to the airport. Upon arrival, a local Hermès representative was waiting for us and handled our Transit Control Card (TCT)—a required document for everyone visiting the Galápagos. While many travelers waited in a very long line to complete the process, we were able to bypass the crowds, head straight through security, and relax before our flight. They even checked us in, making the experience completely stress-free.

After landing in the Galápagos, the VIP service continued. Instead of waiting in another long line to collect our luggage and complete the arrival formalities, our guide met us at the airport entrance with a sign, escorted us to a comfortable VIP lounge with refreshments, and took care of retrieving our bags and handling the required paperwork. It was such a wonderful way to begin the expedition—rather than worrying about logistics, we could simply enjoy the excitement of finally arriving.

From the airport, we were driven in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to the dock, where we boarded a dinghy that took us to the Hermès. We were welcomed aboard with sparkling wine and warm smiles from the entire crew. With room for only 20 guests, the yacht feels intimate and exclusive. Each spacious suite features its own private balcony, Jacuzzi, and fully stocked minibar, which is included throughout the voyage.

After settling into our cabins, we enjoyed an incredible buffet lunch featuring Ecuadorian specialties like tigrillo (a delicious dish made with mashed green plantains, eggs, and cheese), along with fresh seafood, grilled meats, tropical fruit, homemade desserts, and unlimited beverages. Whether you wanted freshly squeezed juice, a cappuccino, wine, or sparkling water, the attentive staff was always happy to accommodate.

That afternoon, it was finally time for our first excursion. After a short dinghy ride to shore and a brief drive inland, we explored one of the island’s fascinating lava tunnels, walking beneath the surface through a passage formed by volcanic eruptions many years ago. Our guide explained the wonders of the island and how volcanic activity continues to shape this remarkable archipelago.

The perfect ending to our first day? Seeing the famous Galápagos giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat. Watching these gentle giants slowly make their way across the landscape was one of those unforgettable moments that instantly reminds you why the Galápagos is unlike anywhere else on Earth.

After our excursion, we returned in our air-conditioned vehicle to the dock, boarded the dinghy, and made our way back to the Hermès. That evening, we enjoyed an elegant four-course dinner prepared by the onboard chef while reflecting on everything we had experienced during our first day in the Galápagos.

Before the cruise even began, we had been asked to choose our preferred pillow from a pillow menu—including feather, memory cloud, and hypoallergenic options—a thoughtful detail that perfectly reflects the level of service aboard the Hermès. When I returned to my cabin that evening, a piece of chocolate had been placed on my memory cloud pillow as part of the nightly turndown service. After such an incredible first day, I climbed into bed and had one of the best nights of sleep I’ve had in a long time, already excited to see what tomorrow’s adventure would bring.

Wildlife Encounters & Snorkeling in the Galápagos

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A Galápagos hiking excursion with beautiful views (Photo: Megan McKenna).

Our day began with another incredible breakfast aboard the Hermès. The buffet featured everything from fresh tropical fruit and pastries to eggs, cheeses, meats, detox juices, and my favorite—cappuccinos. Fueling up was important because we had a full day of exploring ahead!

Our first excursion took us ashore by dinghy for a hike across one of the islands. Along the trail, we spotted huge marine iguanas in so many colors—orange, yellow, and red—many of them completely unbothered by our presence. At one point, two iguanas decided to stretch out right in the middle of the trail, and rather than disturbing them, we simply walked around them. It’s a wonderful reminder that in the Galápagos, wildlife always has the right of way.

As we continued hiking, sea lions lounged along the shoreline while seabirds soared overhead. Reaching the overlook at the end of the trail rewarded us with breathtaking panoramic views of the volcanic islands.

Back aboard the Hermès, we were welcomed with refreshing juice and snacks before enjoying another delicious lunch. Then it was time for one of the experiences I had been looking forward to most—snorkeling.

The underwater world was every bit as spectacular as the landscapes above. The crystal-clear water offered incredible visibility, with schools of colorful tropical fish swimming in every direction. Then, suddenly, a Galápagos penguin darted directly in front of me, swimming effortlessly through the water. Moments later, we spotted both a Galápagos shark and a hammerhead shark gliding peacefully below us. It was surreal to witness so many iconic species in their natural habitat, all within a single snorkeling excursion. To my surprise, the water was much warmer than I expected, making the experience even more enjoyable.

After returning to the yacht, our personal butler greeted us and escorted us to the onboard sauna—a perfect way to relax after snorkeling. A refreshing shower, a plush robe and slippers, and another beautifully prepared four-course dinner were the perfect ending to an unforgettable day of adventure. Between the incredible wildlife, luxurious accommodations, and attentive service, I couldn’t wait to see what tomorrow would bring.

Birdwatching, Water Activities and Embracing Everything Luxury Travel Has to Offer

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A sea lion friend on Prince Philip’s Steps and a therapeutic massage onboard the Hermès (Photo: Diana Kestner).

Hi! I’m Destination Expert Diana coming to you from the Galápagos Islands. Today aboard the Hermès took us to one of the most remarkable places in the Galápagos: Prince Philip’s Steps, where the landscape, wildlife, and sense of adventure came together in the most unforgettable way.

Our morning began with a little Galápagos obstacle course of our own... We actually had to climb over a small sea lion lounging right at the steps before making our way upward! It was the perfect reminder that here, the wildlife truly comes first.

Once at the top, we were surrounded by an incredible variety of birdlife—Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, Galápagos mockingbirds, frigatebirds, wedge-rumped storm petrels, and short-eared owls, among others. And I have to say... I absolutely LOVE watching the Nazca boobies waddle as they walk. There is something about those little waddling feet that makes them impossible not to smile at!

One of the most fascinating discoveries was learning about the short-eared owl. Unlike most owls, they are active during the day because their primary prey is also out during daylight hours. Watching one move through this extraordinary landscape was such a special experience. And then there were the frigatebirds... including one magnificent male with his brilliant red throat pouch fully inflated, putting on quite the display!

But perhaps the most heartwarming part of the morning was seeing so many young birds alongside their parents, with others carefully sitting on their eggs. Everywhere we looked, there was evidence of new life and the incredible cycle of nature unfolding right in front of us. There is something truly special about experiencing the Galápagos this way—surrounded by untouched landscapes, extraordinary wildlife, and the effortless comfort of a luxury expedition aboard the Hermès. Adventure in the wild. Luxury at sea. And moments you simply can’t recreate anywhere else.

Then it was time to experience the Galápagos from the water. We chose between stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking and headed out to explore the coastline. We encountered a mother sea lion nursing her baby, watched a sea turtle peacefully float by, and simply took in the incredible feeling of being completely surrounded by the islands.

After our excursion, we climbed back aboard and were greeted with one of those little touches that make a luxury expedition so special—warm towels, fresh juice, and snacks waiting for us. For lunch, we decided to enjoy the ultimate luxury: room service on our private balcony. Lobster tails, chicken, pasta, and refreshing ice cream while overlooking the Galápagos? Yes, please. Between excursions, we had time to slow down and enjoy a relaxing, therapeutic massage onboard. It’s hard to imagine a better way to recharge before heading back out to explore.

Our afternoon brought us to Darwin Bay, where we stepped onto a beautiful little beach of sand and coral and were immediately welcomed by a small colony of sea lions basking in the sunshine and playing in the water. More red-footed boobies, frigatebirds, yellow warblers, and herons joined our afternoon adventure.

Then came one of my favorite experiences of the entire trip—snorkeling in the bay alongside sea lions and an incredible abundance of marine life. Schools of fish surrounded us as we explored the crystal-clear water. There is something magical about being able to enter their world for a little while and experience the islands from beneath the surface. 

And then, somehow, the day still wasn’t over. We returned to the yacht and watched a spectacular Galápagos sunset from our private balcony before getting dressed up for our farewell dinner with the crew and our fellow travelers. Our final evening was filled with wonderful food, laughter, stories from our adventures, and the kind of connection that happens when you share such an extraordinary journey with people from around the world. It was a very special evening—and a beautiful way to end an unforgettable day.

From waddling boobies and sleepy sea lions to snorkeling, lobster on our balcony, a therapeutic massage, and sunset cocktails aboard the Hermès, this was luxury travel at its very best: extraordinary adventure, exceptional service, and the privilege of experiencing places that feel truly untouched.

Sunrise Excursion, Goodbyes, and Reflection

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Spotting the famous blue-footed boobies and saying farewell to the amazing crew onboard the Hermès (Photo: Diana Kestner).

Our final day of the expedition began the way so many unforgettable Galápagos moments do—at sunrise. There is something incredibly special about waking up in the middle of the Galápagos, watching the first light stretch across the water, knowing another adventure is waiting just beyond the yacht.

And one of the things I’ve come to appreciate so much about the Hermès experience is how seamless every excursion feels. We leave the yacht by Zodiac, accompanied by our wonderful crew and naturalist guide, who make every outing feel both effortless and incredibly enriching.

Our final adventure took us to Black Turtle Cove, where we quietly explored among the mangroves. We spotted sea turtles, small sharks, and rays moving through the water—a completely different perspective of the Galápagos ecosystem. We were also incredibly fortunate to spot a blue-footed booby, one of those iconic Galápagos sightings you hope for but never take for granted.

Then came a moment I don’t think I’ll ever forget. We watched a flock of birds work together to hunt a school of fish. Suddenly, they all dove toward the water at once—and the sound of dozens of birds hitting the surface simultaneously was absolutely incredible. It was one of those moments where you don’t need to say anything. You just watch, listen, and take it all in.

After our final excursion, we returned to the yacht for one last breakfast prepared by our amazing chef. And I have to mention the food because it has been such an important part of this journey. Every single meal was special. Our chef thoughtfully planned each menu, incorporated wonderful local ingredients, and clearly put so much care into every detail. But what made it even more memorable was seeing how much he genuinely enjoyed serving and sharing his creations with us. Luxury isn’t just beautiful surroundings and exceptional accommodations. It’s the thoughtfulness behind the experience—and that was evident in every detail of our expedition.

After breakfast, our luggage was already taken care of for us. We simply said our goodbyes to the incredible crew who had taken such wonderful care of us throughout the expedition and boarded our Zodiac one last time for the journey to shore. There were definitely some hugs and more than a few emotional goodbyes.

From the dock, our private transportation was waiting to take us to the airport, continuing that same effortless level of service all the way to the end. At the airport, we were able to relax in the VIP lounge, where snacks and drinks were waiting for us. Our luggage was handled for us, and instead of navigating the usual airport lines and crowds, we were able to simply enjoy the experience. It was the perfect ending to a luxury expedition.

After landing in mainland Ecuador, a private driver was waiting to greet me and safely transport me to my hotel, where I could finally slow down and rest after four extraordinary days of adventure.

As I reflect on this journey, what stands out most isn’t just the incredible wildlife—although there was plenty of that! It’s the way the entire experience was thoughtfully designed. From the moment we arrived in Ecuador, every detail was anticipated—the Zodiac excursions, expert naturalist guides, incredible food, personalized service, warm welcomes, comfortable accommodations, private transportation, and even the little moments in between.

The Galápagos gave us adventure. SA Expeditions gave us luxury. And together, they created an experience we’ll never forget.

Until next time, Galápagos!