Galápagos Photo Tour– East

The Galápagos Islands are one of nature’s most stunning works of art. With wild scenery, rare birds, and abundant animal habitats, they practically demand to be photographed. Our Galápagos Photo Tour is the best way to get close to these stunning sights.

The volcanic islands of the Galápagos have the largest number of endemic species in the world: reptiles like the famous giant tortoise, mammals like the Galápagos fur seal, and birds like the Galápagos penguin — the only penguin that lives in the Northern Hemisphere! — can be found nowhere else.

Only four of the Galápagos Islands are inhabited by humans, making them one of the best places in the world to see nature in its true wild state. Animals on the wild islands have no fear of people. They will walk, fly, or swim directly up to you, almost like they are posing for that perfect photograph.

Trip Discounts: Save $500.00 when you book the Two-Week Galápagos Photo Tour combining our Galapagos East and Galapagos West itineraries.

Save $500.00 when booking one of our Ecuador hummingbird photo workshops:
Hummingbirds of Ecuador Photo Workshop #1
Hummingbirds of Ecuador Photo Workshop #2 – Mindo and Beyond

The landscapes and scenery of the Galápagos are entrancing as well, with stark volcanic rocks, teeming mangrove bays, awesome marine sunsets, and the rare sight of both northern and southern constellations in the sky on clear nights.

The Galápagos Photo Tour will not just give you the chance to experience the majesty of the islands. You will also learn how to take photographs and bring that majesty home with you. With professional instruction, and a luxury yacht whose crew works diligently to keep you safe and comfortable, you will have nothing to worry about but taking the best photographs of your life.

Even non-photographers will find the Galápagos Photo Tour a thrilling experience, as they get the chance to hike, snorkel, and explore in landscapes unlike any other on Earth.

The trip starts in Quito, Ecuador, a lively and historic city where we will meet up to fly to the Galápagos Islands. After meeting the yacht on Balta Island, we will set off to tour the eastern isles of the Galápagos.

Using two eco-friendly zodiac rafts, we will cruise into narrow inlets and up to remote islands.

At each destination, trip leader professional wildlife photographer Matt Shetzer (Read more about Matt) will be onhand to give you personal guidance on taking the best possible photograph, while our trip’s Galápagos naturalist will discuss the history, geology, and ecology of this unique archipelago paradise.

Galápagos Photo Tour – East Route

After the sun goes down, and we have enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by the onboard chef, we will gather for photography workshops in the comfortable salon. Matt will draw on his decades of experience to teach you about composition, lighting, camera settings, and other techniques to bring out the best in your photographs.

At every stop along the way, we will be following best practices to preserve the Galápagos ecosystem for future generations. Our expert crew of Galápagos locals will make sure we photograph the landscape and scenery with a respectful, low-impact approach — so you can return to the Galápagos Islands again and again to make new memories.

A prehistoric looking endemic Marine Iguana poses for a photo showing all its colors

Galápagos Sea Lions are extremely curious about us and certainly not shy. This species is only found in the Galápagos Islands.

Galápagos Penguins are the only penguins in the North Hemisphere and call the Galápagos Islands their home

Vibrant greater flamingos call home to the Galápagos Islands many salt water lagoons

With a maximum of 14 guests served by 8 crew, and 2 photography instructors, we can promise you that our Galápagos photography workshop is like no other trip you will ever take.

The First Class Yacht – Our Galápagos home for the week

Our luxury yacht for the week blends luxury and comfort over its entire 104-foot length and 40-foot beam. Taking only 14 guests supported by 8 crew the yacht provides excellent service, accommodations, and fine dining.

There’s nothing rustic about our floating base for this Galápagos adventure. The yacht combines the luxury of a fine hotel with the ability to go places a bigger cruise ship could only dream of. Featuring 10 passenger cabins , air conditioning, and private bathrooms, the yacht also includes a beautiful sundeck and a combination dining-room salon. Two 12-person zodiac rafts will ferry us to and from our destinations every day.

Our First Class charter for the week. A 104′ beautiful catamaran.

The crew includes a captain, a mate, an engineer, two deckhands, two cooks, and a naturalist, many of whom are native to the Galápagos Islands.

Double Stateroom

The chartered yacht next to Kicker Rock

Dining Room

Comfortable Staterooms

Open bar on the main deck

All state rooms have private bath and shower

Salon where we host our photo workshops and Galapagos presentations

Everyone needs a bit of relaxation while we navigate to our next destination.

Enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Galapagos

One of the double rooms

Spacious Double state room

Dining Room on the 104' Yacht

The Galápagos Photo Tour Route Species List – East Route

The Galápagos East Route takes us to some of the best locations in the world to photograph rare birds in nature. On the islands we visit, you will see great frigatebirds nesting and displaying their red pouches, blue-footed boobies trying to impress mates with their striking blue feet, and Galápagos penguins leaping into the water to fish. Catch a glimpse of the Galápagos finches, whose distinctive beaks inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Flamingos are always a favorite of the Galápagos photo workshops

Galápagos Sea Lion pups are so enjoyable to watch as they hop around exploring their new world

Galápagos Penguins waving to the photographers. This species is only found in the Galápagos Islands.

Come hang out with the Galápagos Land Iguanas

Galápagos Tortoises live to be over 100 years old

We typically photograph 3 different species of boobies. Red, Nazca and Blue-footed boobies

Blue-footed booby poses for a quick portrait

Galápagos Yellow-Crowned Night Heron looking for its next meal

Sign up for a Galápagos Photo Tour today, and experience what it is like to photograph wildlife so unafraid of humans that you will not even need a long lens.

If you have been looking for a chance to see new vistas while growing in your favorite hobby, our Galápagos Islands expedition is the trip you have been looking for.

Two-Week Galápagos Photography Workshop
Want to see even more Galápagos and save $500.00 USD

Consider joining us for both of our Galápagos workshops, and explore the East and West of the Galápagos Islands at a discounted rate.

We offer two different itineraries for the Galápagos Islands as there is much diversity in the islands and each location is very unique.

Consider the Two-Week Galápagos Photography Workshop experience as we explore the East and West over two weeks.

The Red route is our West Itinerary, with the Yellow route being our East Itinerary

Read More about our Two-Week Galápagos Photography Workshop