Galapagos Photo Workshop, West Islands Route | Small-Group Galapagos Photography Tours

The incredible diversity of the Galapagos Islands will amaze you. It’s unlike any other location on the planet!

The animals have little fear of humans or other predators, providing nature photographers with up-close and personal opportunities to encounter the species that call this amazing place their home.

Galápagos West Islands Route: Photo Tour Highlights

• The Galapagos Islands, a small archipelago, have been preserved to the highest conservation standards. They’re a pristine environment where life flourishes, famous for inspiring Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection during the legendary voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle.
• Many species are only found in the islands’ untouched beauty, such as the Galapagos Penguins and Sea Lions and the prehistoric-looking Marine Iguanas.
• During the day, we’ll take the yachts’ two zodiacs (pangas) and land at multiple island locations to find the best photo opportunities. Our destinations have no signs of civilization — just wildlife photography as it should be. These efficient boats quickly get us to the locations, maximizing our time ashore.
• We’ll visit many locations during the week to photograph a wide range of animals, such as the Galapagos penguin, the only one in the Northern Hemisphere. We’ll also get chances to shoot beautiful beaches and volcanic landscapes.

Why Choose Our Galapagos Workshop?

• Each day, you’ll receive expert guidance from professional nature photographer Matt Shetzer in the field and learn from him in the evenings during our workshops.
• Our Galapagos photography tours are limited to 14 guests, with two photography guides and a naturalist so that everyone gets personal attention from our instructors and crew.
• Photography is our priority, and we schedule our shoots for the best light and conditions to get you those award-winning images.
• Smaller tours, like ours, are better for wildlife photography. They reduce the impact on the animals and produce superior images.
• Our naturalist on the yacht will share information about the island’s geology, history, and the animals we photograph. They’ll also guide us on the islands to help protect the wildlife, find the best locations, and follow all the rules that keep the Galapagos such a magical and natural place.

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What Photography Skills You’ll Gain

• While in the field, you’ll have hands-on photographic instruction to help you obtain the best possible images.
• Once the sun sets, we’ll spend our evenings in photo workshops, discussing techniques for photographing the wildlife and landscapes we see each day. We’ll discuss camera settings, compositional ideas, and different techniques to create those stunning, once-in-a-lifetime images.
• As the week progresses, we’ll focus on image post-processing techniques that help you get the most out of your images.

Wildlife Photos From Our Galapagos Photo Tour

Wildlife photography here is spectacular. We get so close to the wildlife, sometimes just feet away, that you don’t need long lenses for this photography tour.

If you join us snorkeling, you’ll be amazed at the colorful underwater wildlife. Large marine creatures, such as sea turtles, sea lions, stingrays, and colorful tropical fish, swim right by you.

Marine Iguanas hanging out on the Fernandina Island

Galapagos Islands Land Iguana showing off its colorful scales and long, powerful claws

The Galápagos penguins are not bothered by the paparazzi. But can it help being such a charismatic bird?

A Galapagos Green Turtle comes up to our group while snorkeling

The colorful Sally Lightfoot Crabs are everywhere

The West Route Species List

The islands have the highest level of endemic species of any location on the planet. Endemic species exist only in one geographic region and can be found nowhere else on Earth.

The islands’ endemic species include 22 birds, 19 reptiles, and seven mammals. In addition to all the endemic species, many species found elsewhere are native to the Galapagos. And they live naturally without any human influence.

Trip Itinerary: Created by a Photographer for Photographers

From the moment you arrive in Quito, Ecuador, we take care of everything. You can concentrate on your photography and have a fantastic time in the wildlife photographer’s dream location.

• We’ve designed the workshop to put you in the best locations, with superb comfort and fantastic food during the trip.
• Our nine-day, eight-night photography tour includes eight days and seven nights aboard our specially chartered catamaran. For those who get a little queasy, a catamaran is the best option, as it does not pitch and roll like a monohull.
• When we visit the islands each day, beach landings will be easy and quick. The ship sports a pair of ten-person Zodiac pangas (dinghies) with eco-friendly Yamaha engines.
• When we have clear skies at night, enjoy the rare equatorial chance to see Northern and Southern Hemisphere stars in the sky overhead.
• In addition to photography, we offer many other activities, such as hikes and snorkeling, making this trip ideal for both couples and non-photographers.

Your Floating Hotel for the Week: Luxury Meets Adventure for a Unique Experience

Our yacht for the week blends luxury and comfort. With only 14 guests and eight crew, the ship provides excellent service, accommodations, and fine dining over the course of the trip.

The crew of 8 includes a captain, first mate, machinist, two sailors, cook, auxiliary cook, and naturalist, mostly locals from the islands.

The yacht has ten cabins, all with private bathrooms, hot water, and air conditioning.

On the top floor of the yacht is a roomy sundeck, where you can take in the views and relax in the warm sunshine. Next to the dining room is the comfortable main salon, which doubles as our workshop meeting room.

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

More Nature Images From Our Workshop

Galápagos Sea Lions On Mosquera Island

Snorkeling with the abundance of colorful reef fish

The Galápagos penguin is one of five species of flightless birds on the Galápagos Islands

The Vermillion Flycatcher, this tiny version is a subspecies endemic to the Galápagos Islands.

A Greater Flamingo And Black Necked Stilts at a fresh water lagoon

Enjoy the white sands and colorful water of Chinese Hat beach, followed by a little snorkeling.

Ready to Start Your Photographic Adventure?

This workshop is a can’t-miss experience for wildlife and nature photographers. It’ll surpass your expectations and help you capture your dream images with thoughtful, expert guidance.

Join us at one of the best wildlife photography locations in the world, for our nine-day, eight-night Galapagos photo workshop!

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