Galápagos Honeymoon — Monique Plan (Jan 16–29, 2027, or to Jan 31 with Isabela)
Researched Oct 12, 2026 from live LiveAboard.com availability (Monique, Jan 21–28: $8,690 pp, available), Google Flights, Kayak, operator itineraries, and multi-source reviews. Prices move — re-check before paying.
At a glance
|
|
| Vessel |
Monique (Golden Galápagos) — new 2026 luxury catamaran, 34 m, 16 guests, 8 cabins |
| Cruise |
Thu Jan 21 – Thu Jan 28, 2027 (7 nights, Baltra → Baltra): Floreana, Española, San Cristóbal, Santa Fe & South Plaza, Santiago & Bartolomé, Genovesa |
| Cabin |
Golden Double Stateroom (~23 m², panoramic windows) — $8,690 pp / $17,380 for two |
| Dining |
Buffet breakfast & lunch; plated dinners al fresco on the Sky Deck, wine included |
| Diving |
2 days from Santa Cruz with Scuba Iguana before the cruise (Mon Jan 18 Punta Carrión + S. Mosquera; Tue Jan 19 Seymour Channel + Point, upgraded to Gordon Rocks hammerheads only if the shop approves in writing) |
| Penguins |
Bartolomé on the cruise + optional 2 nights on Isabela afterwards (Los Túneles, Las Tintoreras) |
| Total |
Core ≈ $26,600 for two (cruise + Santa Cruz + diving) · with the Isabela extension ≈ $29,200 |
| Biggest risk |
Monique launched in 2026 → no independent guest reviews yet (sister ships Elite 9.9/10 and Endemic 9.6/10 are excellent) |
Day-by-day
Sat Jan 16 — Boston → Guayaquil
- Fly: Copa BOS 7:34am → Panama City → GYE 5:38pm (~$502 pp RT; American 2-stop $436 is cheaper but longer).
- Stay: TRYP by Wyndham Guayaquil Airport (4.5★, free shuttle). Guayaquil is State Dept Level 3 — stay airport-side, Uber/official taxis only. If you’re doing Isabela, leave a “city bag” here (anything beyond 35 lb each) and collect it on Jan 30.
- Eat: hotel restaurant; early night.
Sun Jan 17 — Fly to the Galápagos
- Fly: Avianca GYE ~9:50am → Baltra ~10:50am. Pay the $200 pp park fee in cash.
- Transfer: airport bus → Itabaca ferry → taxi across the island (~1 h) → water taxi to Angermeyer Waterfront Inn (4.5–4.6★, on the water across the bay from town, near Las Grietas; a short water taxi to the main pier — Scuba Iguana is on the town side).
- Afternoon: swim at Las Grietas (lava-crevice canyon, short walk from the hotel; go before ~3pm for light). Drop by Scuba Iguana to fit gear and hand over logbooks.
- Dinner: Almar Seafood & Grill (4.6★, 450+ reviews) — tuna, ceviche.
Mon Jan 18 — Dive Day 1
- ~6:30am water taxi to the pier → Scuba Iguana → van to Itabaca. Monday boat: Punta Carrión + South Mosquera — short ride, usually mild current (never guaranteed): sea lions, rays, reef sharks, garden eels. Check dive, 5/7 mm suit + hood, hot lunch included.
- Dinner: Charles Binford “kiosk street” (cash, walk-in, 7–10pm) — encocado de pescado, ceviche mixto, grilled catch.
Tue Jan 19 — Dive Day 2
- Book by default: Scuba Iguana’s Seymour Channel + Seymour Point boat (sharks, eagle rays, sea lions; occasional hammerhead).
- Upgrade to Gordon Rocks ×2 (hammerhead schools, strong current, 20–30 m) only if Scuba Iguana accepts you in writing beforehand. Their rule is AOW + 25 logged dives or comparable-condition experience; you’ll be ~22, so send logbooks and ask now rather than hoping to switch on the day.
- Dinner: The Point (4.7★ seafood/fusion fine dining — tuna tataki, seafood tower).
Wed Jan 20 — Honeymoon day (no diving)
- Morning (optional): walk to Tortuga Bay (opens 6am); kayak Playa Mansa with baby sharks and turtles.
- Afternoon: nothing booked.
- Dinner: Eloise at your hotel (4.9★ — the most romantic table in Puerto Ayora).
Thu Jan 21 → Thu Jan 28 — Monique
| Day |
Where |
What you’ll do & see |
| Thu 21 |
Baltra → Santa Cruz highlands |
Angermeyer-arranged taxi to Baltra airport (water taxi + car + Itabaca ferry ≈ 1.5 h; confirm the exact meeting time/point with Golden Galápagos). Wild giant tortoises. Board, welcome cocktail. |
| Fri 22 |
Floreana |
AM Champion Islet snorkel (sea lions, turtles, reef fish — one of the best snorkels in the islands), Cormorant Point flamingo lagoon / Devil’s Crown. PM Post Office Bay (leave a postcard to yourselves) / Baroness Lookout. |
| Sat 23 |
Española |
AM Punta Suárez: Nazca & blue-footed boobies, red-and-green marine iguanas at peak breeding color, the blowhole. PM Gardner Bay: sea-lion beach, snorkel, kayak or paddleboard. (Waved albatross are away until late March.) |
| Sun 24 |
San Cristóbal |
AM Interpretation Center. PM Witch Hill white-sand beach & lagoon, then Kicker Rock at sunset. |
| Mon 25 |
Santa Fe & South Plaza |
Santa Fe land iguanas + snorkel with sea lions & rays; South Plaza red sesuvium, land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls. |
| Tue 26 |
Santiago & Bartolomé |
AM Sullivan Bay lava fields. PM climb to the Pinnacle Rock viewpoint and snorkel — best penguin chance of the cruise. |
| Wed 27 |
Genovesa |
AM Prince Philip’s Steps: Nazca boobies, storm petrels, tropicbirds, short-eared owls; kayak/paddleboard. PM Darwin Bay: great frigatebirds with red pouches, red-footed boobies. |
| Thu 28 |
Black Turtle Cove → Baltra |
Dinghy through mangroves (rays, white-tip sharks, turtles). Transfer to Baltra airport — if doing Isabela, get Golden Galápagos to confirm drop-off by ~12:30. |
Optional extension: Isabela (Jan 28–30)
Do this only if confirmed quotes keep you under ~$29.5k total and Golden Galápagos confirms the Jan 28 airport timing. Otherwise fly Baltra → Guayaquil on Jan 28 and home Jan 29.
Thu Jan 28 (afternoon) — Fly to Isabela
- Emetebe 9-seat plane Baltra 1:30pm → Puerto Villamil (~40 min). Check-in opens 60 min before, closes 15 min before. Emetebe doesn’t guarantee schedules or connections.
- Baggage (official): 15 lb on Standard fares, 25 lb on Optimal/Promo, 35 lb on Flex Plus — including carry-on, weighed per person. Extra is $1.50/lb if bought >24 h ahead ($2/lb after) and still subject to payload. → Buy Flex Plus and pack to 35 lb each; leave the rest at TRYP in Guayaquil.
- Pay the $10 pp Isabela municipal fee in cash on arrival.
- Stay: Iguana Crossing Boutique Hotel (beachfront, marine iguanas crossing out front; ~$300/night + taxes).
- Afternoon (easy): snorkel Concha de Perla (by the pier — sea lions, turtles, often penguins) or walk the beach/flamingo lagoon.
- Dinner: Lighthouse Isabela Resto Bar or La Casa de Marita (beachfront).
Fri Jan 29 — Isabela penguins (your only full day)
- Morning: Los Túneles (~$120–140 pp): lava arches, turtles, white-tip sharks, seahorses, rays, often penguins. Boat ride can be bumpy.
- Afternoon: rest. Las Tintoreras (~$45–65 pp; penguins, iguana nursery, sharks in a lava crevice) only if you still feel like another boat.
- Dinner: El Cafetal or The Beach Restaurant for sunset.
Sat Jan 30 — Back to Guayaquil
- Emetebe Isabela 9:30am → Baltra → Avianca ~2:05pm → GYE (~5pm). (An 11:35 Avianca exists but leaves no slack.) Grab your city bag from TRYP on the way.
- Stay: Hotel del Parque (4.8★, Samborondón, inside the Parque Histórico) — the finale.
- Dinner: Casa Julián (riverside, at the hotel).
Sun Jan 31 — Home
- GYE → Panama → Boston (Copa). Last dive was Jan 19 — no flying-after-diving concerns.
Without Isabela: Jan 28 Baltra → GYE (Hotel del Parque, Casa Julián), Jan 29 home.
The luxury setup
Monique (Golden Galápagos)
- Boat: new 2026 catamaran, 34 m × 13 m beam, 16 guests, 8 cabins; hybrid solar/lithium engines; Wi-Fi included (cabins too) — Starlink not officially confirmed, though sister ships Elite/Endemic reportedly use it.
- Cabin: Golden Double Stateroom, ~23 m², panoramic windows, en-suite bathroom, A/C. Listed as “double or twin (convertible)” — ask for it made up as a double.
- Spaces: Sky Deck al fresco dining, sun deck with hot tub, outdoor lounges, indoor saloon with crystal chandeliers and a wine cabinet, bar, coffee station, massage area (massages extra).
- Included: all meals and snacks, wine with dinner, soft drinks, welcome cocktail, tea/coffee, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, snorkel gear + snorkeling guide, towels, toiletries, airport transfers, Wi-Fi.
- Not included: park fee ($200 + $20 TCT), $100 pp “domestic flight non-issuance fee” if you don’t buy GYE⇄Baltra flights through them, other alcohol, massages, tips.
- Photos: monique-photos.html (37 photos incl. stateroom, dining room, deck plan).
Land
- Santa Cruz — Angermeyer Waterfront Inn (4 nights): waterfront across the bay from town, near Las Grietas, sea lions and iguanas on the property, Eloise restaurant on site; a short water taxi to the main pier and dive shops. Upgrade: Finch Bay (4.7★, beachfront, spa) for ~+$1,200.
- Isabela (optional) — Iguana Crossing (2 nights): the island’s top boutique hotel, on the beach.
- Guayaquil: TRYP Airport (arrival) and Hotel del Parque (finale).
Food plan
| Night |
Where |
Order |
| Jan 16 |
TRYP Guayaquil |
Easy dinner |
| Jan 17 |
Almar (Puerto Ayora) |
Tuna, ceviche |
| Jan 18 |
Charles Binford kiosks |
Encocado de pescado, ceviche mixto |
| Jan 19 |
The Point |
Tuna tataki, seafood tower |
| Jan 20 |
Eloise |
Chef’s menu — the romantic dinner |
| Jan 21–27 |
Monique |
Plated Sky Deck dinners with wine; buffet breakfast & lunch |
| Jan 28 |
(Isabela) Lighthouse Isabela / La Casa de Marita — or Casa Julián in Guayaquil if skipping Isabela |
Seafood, sunset |
| Jan 29 |
(Isabela) El Cafetal / The Beach Restaurant |
Fresh tuna |
| Jan 30 |
Casa Julián, Hotel del Parque (with Isabela) |
Ecuadorian coastal tasting |
Notes: lobster season is closed Jan–Aug (anything served is frozen); drink bottled/filtered water; book Eloise and The Point 1–2 days ahead.
Budget (for two)
Core trip (Jan 16–29, no Isabela)
| Item |
Cost |
| Monique, Golden Double Stateroom, Jan 21–28 |
$17,380 |
| Monique domestic-flight non-issuance fee ($100 pp, unless flights bought via Golden Galápagos) |
$200 |
| BOS ⇄ GYE, Copa economy |
~$1,000 |
| GYE ⇄ Baltra, Avianca with checked bag |
~$680 |
| Park fee + Transit Control Card |
$440 |
| TRYP (Jan 16) + Hotel del Parque (finale night) |
~$580 |
| Angermeyer Waterfront Inn, 4 nights |
~$1,500 |
| Diving: 2 days × 2 people at ~$295 pp/day + tips |
~$1,240 |
| Monique crew & guide tips (~$40 pp/day) |
~$560 |
| Trip insurance (comprehensive w/ scuba) + DAN |
~$1,500 |
| Land dinners & lunches |
~$850 |
| Taxis, water taxis, Baltra transfer, misc |
~$500 |
| Extra drinks on board |
~$200 |
| Core total |
≈ $26,630 (≈ $3,400 under the cap) |
Optional Isabela extension (adds Jan 29–30)
| Item |
Cost |
| Emetebe Baltra ⇄ Isabela, Flex Plus fares (35 lb), 2 legs × 2 people — confirm fare |
~$1,050 |
| Prepaid extra baggage, if needed |
~$60 |
| Iguana Crossing, 2 nights incl. taxes |
~$740 |
| Los Túneles (+ optional Tintoreras) |
~$370 |
| Isabela municipal fee ($10 pp, cash) |
$20 |
| Isabela meals & misc |
~$300 |
| Extension total |
≈ $2,540 → trip ≈ $29,170 (≈ $800 cushion) |
Rule of thumb: add Isabela only once you have firm quotes (Monique invoice, Emetebe Flex Plus fares, hotels) that keep the committed total ≤ ~$28,500, so ~$1,500 stays free for surprises inside the $30k cap.
Levers
| Change |
Effect |
| Skip Isabela |
−~$2,540 |
| American 2-stop ($436 pp) instead of Copa |
−~$130 |
| Credit-card trip coverage instead of a purchased policy |
−$900–1,300, only if your card’s benefit certificate covers the full trip cost, medical and evacuation for this trip — otherwise don’t count on it (DAN covers dive accidents, not cancellation) |
| Finch Bay instead of Angermeyer |
+~$1,200 (core trip only) |
Diving plan & safety
- Operator: Scuba Iguana (4.7★, 560+ reviews, PADI 5-star, max 6 divers/guide, ~$295 pp/day incl. gear, hood, boots, gloves, hot lunch). Bring your own mask and dive computer (or rent one for $15/day).
- Their published weekly boats: Mon Floreana · Punta Carrión/S. Mosquera — Tue Gordon Rocks · Seymour Channel/Point — Wed N. Mosquera/Seymour Channel · Daphne/N. Mosquera. (Confirm when booking.)
- Gordon Rocks gate: AOW + 25 logged dives or comparable-condition experience; get written acceptance before the trip, otherwise stay on the Seymour boat. If your last dive will be >12 months old, do a pool refresher in Boston.
- Timing: last dive Jan 19 → Monique’s highlands visit Jan 21 (~48 h) → first flight Jan 28 (9 days). DAN minimum after multi-day diving is 18 h. Dive-day vans cross the Santa Cruz highlands — standard locally; ask the shop about their post-dive protocol.
- Chamber: Puerto Ayora hyperbaric chamber (Protesub / SSS network, +593 98 448 8231).
- Insurance: make sure your policy covers scuba to 30 m and evacuation, or add DAN.
Seasickness plan
- December: travel-medicine visit (e.g., MGH Travel Medicine) for a written plan covering the whole cruise and both dive days. Scopolamine patch takes ~6–8 h to work (put it on well before sailing); meclizine is less drowsy, not non-drowsy.
- Trial every med at home ≥24 h on a non-dive day. Nobody dives impaired or nauseated.
- On Monique: a catamaran is steadier at anchor but doesn’t guarantee smooth passages; ask for the lowest, most central cabin. Rougher nights are the crossings into Española (Fri→Sat), to Genovesa (Tue→Wed) and back from Genovesa (Wed→Thu) — the last one is right before the Isabela flight.
- Small extras: the dive-boat rides, the Los Túneles ride and the Emetebe plane can all be bumpy — plan doses accordingly, and keep Isabela’s afternoon free.
Questions to send Golden Galápagos before paying
- Can our Golden Double Stateroom be made up as a true double/queen? Which cabin number/deck would we get (we’d like midship for seasickness)?
- Dinner: is there a choice of mains nightly? Dietary handling? Is the Wi-Fi Starlink, available in cabins, with any data limits?
- Wetsuits included? (Not listed on LiveAboard.) Massage prices?
- Baltra meeting time and point on Jan 21 and how luggage is handled; and on Jan 28, can you get us to Baltra airport by ~12:30 for a 1:30pm Emetebe flight?
- Domestic flights: can you issue our GYE⇄Baltra flights (Jan 17 out; Jan 30 back, or Jan 28 without Isabela) to waive the $100 pp fee, and at what price?
- Honeymoon: cake, cabin decoration, private dinner on deck?
- Payment & cancellation: deposit, final-payment date (Jan 21 is ~100 days out — full payment may be due within weeks), refund rules.
Booking timeline
| When |
Do |
| This week |
Hold Monique Jan 21–28 on LiveAboard (book now, pay later — obligation-free). Send the questions above. Book everything in the names on the passports you’ll travel with (you marry Jan 1 — don’t change passport names before this trip). |
| Within 7 days of first payment |
Comprehensive trip insurance (pre-existing-condition waivers need it within 7–15 days) + DAN. |
| Next 2 weeks |
Copa BOS⇄GYE (Jan 16 / Jan 31, or Jan 29 without Isabela); Avianca GYE⇄Baltra (Jan 17 / Jan 30) or via Golden Galápagos; hotels (Angermeyer 4 nts, TRYP, Hotel del Parque). Pay by credit card. If adding Isabela: Emetebe Flex Plus fares Baltra→Isabela Jan 28 1:30pm & Isabela→Baltra Jan 30 9:30am, plus Iguana Crossing 2 nts — only after the quotes pass the budget rule above. |
| November |
Book Scuba Iguana: Mon Jan 18 (Punta Carrión/S. Mosquera) and Tue Jan 19 on the Seymour boat; send logbooks and ask whether they’d accept you for Gordon Rocks instead. |
| December |
Travel clinic + seasickness trial; pool refresher if needed. |
| Jan 1 |
💍 |
| Jan 13–15 |
Buy the TCT online ($20 pp); file the online biosecurity (DJM) declaration; print insurance proof; withdraw cash. |
| Before Jan 17 |
Book Almar, The Point, Eloise; ask Angermeyer to arrange the Jan 21 Baltra transfer and Los Túneles/Tintoreras via Iguana Crossing. |
Packing (warm/wet season, water 24–26°C)
- Soft duffels. If doing Isabela: Emetebe Flex Plus allows 35 lb per person including carry-on, weighed individually — pack to that and leave a city bag at TRYP. Diving gear is rented, which helps.
- Reef-safe SPF 50 (oxybenzone banned), rash guards, hats, polarized sunglasses · own masks + dive computers · water shoes for wet landings · light rain jacket · daypack + dry bag · binoculars · GoPro + spare batteries · earplugs · tested motion-sickness meds · printed insurance + passports (6+ months validity) · ~$1,500 in clean small bills (park fee, tips, kiosks — island ATMs are unreliable).
Late-January wildlife
Marine iguanas in peak breeding color (Española), green sea turtles nesting, frigatebird courtship starting, calm warm seas with occasional showers. Waved albatross absent (back late March). Penguins: chance at Bartolomé, good odds on Isabela.
If Monique falls through
- Natural Paradise, Feb 2–9, Upper Deck Suite (king, stabilizers, 9.5/10 from 26 reviews; buffet) — ≈ $29k.
- Reina Silvia Voyager, Feb 20–27, Main Deck Balcony (catamaran, 9.6/10, food 9.9; buffet) — ≈ $24.4k. Full plan in galapagos-honeymoon-plan.md.
Sources