Galapagos Islands Photo Workshop
- 10 Days
From $13,495 - Interests
- Birds, Wildlife
- Activity Level
- Easy
- Group Size
- 12
Small group luxury yacht expedition through the Galápagos Islands, with extraordinary wildlife and landscapes
Few places beckon wildlife lovers and photographers like the Galapagos Islands. Geographically isolated and biologically unique, the wildlife here is different. There are many endemic species you won’t find anywhere else, and they have little fear of humans, leading to up-close encounters, sometimes close enough for your super-wide-angle lens!
During our Galapagos Islands luxury photo expedition, we’ll cruise aboard our private luxury yacht to a curated set of islands in the eastern archipelago. Three photo instructors and a naturalist accompany you, so you’ll learn all about the history and biology of these islands and hone your photography skills along the way.
From the moment we set sail, the islands unfold like a living documentary. Each landing reveals something new—lava formations, beaches of black, red, or olive sand, and coastlines carved by centuries of fire and sea.
The wildlife encounters are unlike anywhere else. Blue-footed Boobies dance, marine iguanas pile together, and sea lions nap beside your tripod. Underwater, the magic continues: penguins rocket past in clear water, turtles glide through sunbeams, and marine iguanas, the world’s only seafaring lizards, cruise by. Snorkeling is available almost every day, offering rare opportunities to experience and photograph marine life up close.
Life aboard our private yacht is relaxed and comfortable. With a flexible schedule, we can chase the best light. Evenings bring optional image reviews, naturalist talks, or time to unwind in the lounge or on deck beneath a starry sky.
This journey welcomes photographers of all experience levels, as well as non‑photographer partners who love nature and adventure. With expert instruction, a small group, and access to remote locations larger ships can’t reach, this is a Galápagos experience designed for those who want a deeper connection, better images, and a true sense of wonder.
Highlights
- Private luxury yacht: Our small-group size allows us to focus on photography, with a flexible schedule to chase the best light.
- Hands-on learning: Three photo instructors and an expert naturalist on board will coach you on creating the best images and give you an appreciation for the unique biodiversity and geology of these spectacular islands.
- Underwater encounters: Snorkeling with penguins, turtles, sea lions, reef sharks, and more.
- Optimal timing: We timed our journey to coincide with calm seas, lush vegetation, and species behavior.
- Iconic endemic wildlife: The Galapagos are home to species found nowhere else, like Galapagos giant tortoises, marine iguana, lava lizards, Flightless Cormorants, Galapagos Penguins, Waved Albatrosses, Darwin’s Finches, Lava Gulls, Galapagos Doves, and more.
What You'll Learn
- Create stronger wildlife portraits and environmental images – photograph Galápagos wildlife in a way that goes beyond simple close-ups, helping you create both intimate portraits and wider images that place animals in the landscape and story of the islands.
- Anticipate behavior and be ready for the moment – watch for movement, interaction, and rhythm so you are prepared when birds display, sea lions play, iguanas gather, or wildlife suddenly comes to life in front of you.
- Photograph confidently in changing conditions on land and at sea – work through the practical challenges of photographing from shore, zodiac, yacht, and during snorkeling opportunities, so you can handle changing light, motion, and fast-moving situations with more confidence.
- Create cleaner, more intentional wildlife images – simplify the frame, choose stronger angles, manage distracting backgrounds, and use composition more purposefully so your images feel polished rather than accidental.
- Adapt your settings and build a stronger overall portfolio – From birds in flight to marine life underwater, we will teach you how to adjust exposure, autofocus, and lens choices for a wide variety of subjects while helping you come home with a more complete and thoughtful Galápagos portfolio.
Your Guides
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Kevin Lisota
May 13–22, 2028 -
James Begeman
May 13–22, 2028 -
Mindy Huston
May 13–22, 2028
Activity Level
Physical activity in this workshop is generally easy. You should be able to walk up and down narrow steps aboard the ship and get in and out of a zodiac without assistance. You should be able to carry your camera gear across uneven, rocky ground for up to 1 mile (1.6 km). Optional longer hikes are available at some landing sites.
This tour has an activity level of Easy. Read more about the Activity Levels for our trips.
Itinerary
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Itineraries in the Galapagos Islands are generally stable but may change due to weather, wildlife, safety, or park regulations. Your captain and guide will provide the best possible itinerary, given current conditions.
This tour offers opportunities to photograph wildlife. We'll maximize our chances of encountering wildlife, but we want to remind you that we don't control wildlife and cannot guarantee encounters with particular species. Itineraries for wildlife trips are subject to change based on wildlife activity.
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Day 1: Arrive in Quito
Arrive at Quito International Airport (UIO) before 4:00 PM on this day. Air travel delays are possible, so please consider arriving early, possibly the day prior. We don't want you to miss out on trip activities. Airport transfer is included on arrival.
Upon arrival in Quito, we will transfer you to our 5-star hotel. We’ll have a welcome dinner to meet the group and discuss our upcoming adventure.
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Day 2: Fly to Baltra - North Seymour Island
We’ll fly to Baltra this morning. We’ll pass through immigration and baggage claim, then be transferred to our luxury yacht, your home for the next 8 days. We’ll then have lunch and a welcome briefing.
In the afternoon, we will visit North Seymour Island, home to Galapagos sea lions, Blue-footed Boobies, Magnificent Frigatebirds, and land and marine iguanas.
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Day 3: Santiago Island
In the morning, we’ll visit Chinese Hat Islet, located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet’s summit. Chinese Islet is a great place to view a variety of geological formations, including lava tunnels and lava flows. It is also a good place to snorkel with sea lions, sharks, rays, and penguins.
In the afternoon, we’ll head to Sullivan Bay, located on the southeast part of Santiago Island, an area covered by lava flows.
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Day 4: Genovesa Island
In the morning, we’ll visit the white sand coral beach of Darwin Bay. A trail winds through the mangroves for a look at land birds. Nazca Boobies, Red-footed Boobies, and Swallow-tailed Gulls are commonly spotted here, along with playful sea lions playing in the tidal pool. It is another great snorkeling spot, with rays and colorful reef fish.
In the afternoon, we land at El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps. A rocky path leads to a marvelous viewpoint, where wildlife such as Red-footed Boobies, Short-eared Owls, Storm Petrels, and Galapagos Doves can be seen.
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Day 5: Santiago and Rabida Islands
In the morning, we’ll land at Egas Port, also known as James Bay, on Santiago Island, home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to the coastline, with gorgeous tide pools and grottos teeming with wildlife, including Galapagos fur seals and sea lions, oystercatchers, marine iguanas, and finches. Snorkeling in this area is also great, with reef sharks, sea turtles, rays, and beautiful underwater formations.
In the afternoon, we will visit Rabida Island (or Jervis), which is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago, as well as a great snorkeling site. We will start on Rabida’s famous maroon/red sand beach, and after an easy hike, you will arrive at a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight with various finches, Galapagos vermilion flycatchers, Galapagos hawks, and Brown Pelicans.
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Day 6: Santa Cruz Island
In the morning, we will visit the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity. We’ll be able to see new hatchlings and giant adults.
In the afternoon, we’ll land in Puerto Ayora and take a bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz. In this lush green forest, we’ll see wild tortoises and finches, as well as lava tunnels.
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Day 7: Española Island
Our morning excursion takes us to spectacular Gardner Bay. After landing, we will walk across a lovely white-sand beach among a busy sea lion colony or dive into the water to swim with sea lion pups. Mockingbirds also call this beach home.
In the afternoon, we head to Suarez Point, where you will have the chance to spot Blue-footed Boobies, Waved Albatrosses, Hood Mockingbirds, Red-billed Tropicbirds, and Nazca Boobies.
This island is the breeding site of nearly all of the world’s 12,000 pairs of Waved Albatrosses. You will also visit a cliff that the large albatrosses use as a launching pad.
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Day 8: Santa Fe and South Plaza Islands
Santa Fe Island (Barrington) is home to a small, picturesque bay and anchorage on the island’s northeast coast. The bay has two visitor trails: one leading to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff, and the other spanning from a small beach to a tall, prickly-pear cactus forest. Land iguanas are commonly seen here.
In the afternoon, we’ll land at South Plaza Island, with cliffs covered by Opuntia cacti. Once again, we’ll see red and yellow land iguanas, along with the home of one of the largest sea lion colonies in the islands.
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Day 9: Santa Cruz Island
In the morning, we’ll visit the mangroves ofBlack Turtle Cove via dinghy. Reef sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of rays are spotted here, along with various sea birds.
After our final morning cruise, you’ll be transferred to the Baltra airport in time for your flight back to Quito. We’ll be transferred to our 5-star hotel in Quito for our final night, where we’ll conclude with a farewell dinner to celebrate our Galapagos adventure.
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Day 10: Departure
Departure from Quito International Airport (UIO). You can book your return flight for anytime this day. Airport transfer is included on departure.
About the Ship
Our home for 8 days on this voyage is the luxury yacht, Galapagos Angel. Built in 2023, this 115 ft ship features comfortable cabins with private bathrooms, air conditioning, panoramic windows, and hot water. Spaces for socializing and reviewing your images abound, with a dining room and lounge on the main deck, plus a bar and an al fresco dining area on the upper deck. Relax in the sun or in the jacuzzi up top on the sun deck. While the seas are generally calm this time of year, the ship is equipped with hydraulic stabilizers for a smoother ride.
The ship houses a crew of 10 to make your journey as enjoyable as possible, offering delicious meals and an onboard naturalist to provide in-depth information on the area’s fauna and geology.
Upper Deck Suites
Upper DeckThese two suites are larger than the main-deck cabins, measuring 196 sq ft / 18 sq m, with a king-size bed, panoramic windows, private bathrooms, hot water, and air conditioning.
Main Deck Cabins
Main DeckThese six cabins are 152 sq ft / 14 sq m, with two twin beds that can be converted into a California king-size bed for sharing. Includes panoramic windows, private bathrooms, hot water, and air conditioning.
Why Travel With Us
Our small-group trips are designed for photographers, with guides who know the best locations and offer instruction to help improve your photography. Read more about why you should travel with us.
Dates & Prices
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May 13–22, 2028$250 USDSingle supplement - 2 hotel nightsRegister1 female share availableGroup Size: 12
Cabin USD
Per PersonDeposit Additional PaymentDue: Aug 17, 2027FinalDue: Jan 14, 2028Main Deck CabinDouble Occupancy1 Female Share$13,495 $2,000 $5,000 $6,495 Upper Deck SuiteDouble OccupancySold Out$14,495 $2,000 $5,000 $7,495 Main Deck CabinSingle OccupancySold Out$19,995 $2,000 $5,000 $12,995 Upper Deck SuiteSingle OccupancySold Out$22,950 $2,000 $5,000 $15,950
Terms & Conditions
Due to ship deposit requirements, this workshop has a different cancellation policy from our typical trips.
- More than 365 days before departure: Your deposit is refundable, less a $200 USD per-guest cancellation fee.
- 240–364 days before departure: Cancellation fee is $2,000 USD per guest.
- 120–239 days before departure: Cancellation fee is $5,000 USD per guest.
- 90–119 days before departure: Cancellation fee is 50% of the tour price.
- 46–89 days before departure: Cancellation fee is 75% of the tour price.
- 45 days or less before departure: Cancellation fee is 100% of the tour price.
All of our Terms & Conditions also apply. Be sure to read our Cancellation Policy.
What's Included
- All transportation during the tour, including internal flights.
- Airport transfers at arrival/departure and during the tour.
- All meals, soft drinks, water, and snacks during the tour.
- English-speaking local guides.
- Use of snorkel gear and wet suits.
- Airfare between Quito-Galapagos.
- Wi-Fi aboard the ship.
- All permits and entry fees.
- Instruction, guidance, and image reviews from our expert photography guides.
- Personal pre-trip phone consultation.
What's Not Included
- Airfare to and from destination, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees.
- Passport and visa fees, if applicable.
- Travel medical & evacuation insurance (required).
- Trip cancellation insurance (optional but recommended).
- Gratuities for local guides & crew.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Any accommodations or meals before or after the tour dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
Prepare for Your Trip
Please review our photography travel resources, including know your camera and our camera gear list, to help you plan your trip. Before your trip, we’ll contact you with more detailed gear recommendations specific to your trip.
Also, get a head start on your workshop learning experience with our wildlife photography tutorials.