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2-Day / 1-Night Coastal Adventure

Southern Star Cruises

2-Day / 1-Night Coastal Adventure

Bahía de Caráquez • Isla de la Plata • Puerto López

Discover Ecuador’s Coast Like Never Before

Leave the ordinary behind and experience one of Ecuador’s most unforgettable coastal adventures aboard the Southern Star. This exclusive weekend cruise combines spectacular scenery, incredible wildlife, comfortable accommodations, delicious food, and the relaxed charm of Ecuador’s beautiful Pacific coast.

Saturday – The Adventure Begins

Your journey begins at 7:00 AM Saturday morning as we depart from Puerto Amistad in Bahía de Caráquez.

Relax aboard Southern Star as we cruise south along Ecuador’s beautiful coastline while enjoying a freshly prepared buffet breakfast and breathtaking ocean views.

Throughout your voyage you’ll enjoy complimentary beer, wine, standard cocktails, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and bottled water. (Premium and top-shelf alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.)

After approximately five hours of scenic cruising, we arrive at the famous Isla de la Plata, often called the “Poor Man’s Galápagos.”

A light lunch will be served aboard before we disembark to explore one of Ecuador’s most spectacular National Parks.

Choose Your Adventure

Explore the island on a guided three-hour hike through protected trails leading to breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

Along the way you’ll encounter some of Ecuador’s most fascinating wildlife, including:

Blue-Footed Boobies
Magnificent Frigate Birds
Waved Albatross (seasonal)
Pelicans
Sea birds and other native wildlife

Not interested in hiking?

Enjoy snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters surrounding the island, Diving with Giant Manta

or simply relax on the beach, or simply unwind aboard the Southern Star on the spacious sundeck while taking in the spectacular scenery.

Saturday Evening – Puerto López

Later in the afternoon we continue with a relaxing two-hour cruise to the charming fishing village of Puerto López.

Once docked, you’ll have the evening free to experience the beautifully renovated Puerto López Malecón, now one of Ecuador’s most attractive waterfront destinations.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll, browse local shops, listen to live music, and soak up the lively Saturday evening atmosphere.

You’ll also have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of excellent waterfront restaurants.

Dinner is enjoyed ashore and is not included in the cruise price, allowing you the freedom to select the restaurant and cuisine that best suits your tastes.

After an enjoyable evening, return to the Southern Star for a peaceful night’s sleep aboard the vessel.

Sunday – Homeward Bound

Wake to another beautiful morning aboard Southern Star and enjoy a freshly prepared breakfast.

Spend the morning exploring Puerto López, relaxing on the beach, shopping for local crafts, or simply enjoying the waterfront before we depart around 12:00 noon for our return voyage to Bahía de Caráquez.

As we cruise north along Ecuador’s magnificent coastline, keep your camera ready.

During whale season (June through September), you’ll have the unforgettable opportunity to witness the majestic humpback whales that migrate thousands of miles from the cold waters of Antarctica to the warm Ecuadorian coast to mate, give birth, and nurture their newborn calves.

Watching these magnificent giants breach, slap their tails, or swim alongside the Southern Star is an experience few people ever forget and often becomes the highlight of the entire cruise.

Weather and sea conditions permitting, we’ll also troll a few fishing lines on our return journey—you never know when the catch of the day might strike!

By early evening we’ll arrive back at Puerto Amistad, bringing an unforgettable weekend adventure to a close.

🐋 Seasonal Highlight

Every year, thousands of humpback whales migrate to Ecuador’s warm coastal waters to mate, give birth, and raise their newborn calves.

Few places in the world offer the opportunity to witness these gentle giants in such a spectacular natural setting. Seeing a mother whale swimming with her calf—or watching a massive humpback launch itself completely out of the water—is an experience that will stay with you forever.

Your Cruise Includes

✅ Comfortable overnight accommodations aboard Southern Star

✅ Buffet breakfast on Saturday

✅ Light lunch on Saturday

✅ Breakfast on Sunday

✅ Complimentary beer, wine, standard cocktails, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and bottled water

✅ Visit to Isla de la Plata National Park

✅ Guided hiking or free time for snorkeling and relaxation

✅ Overnight in Puerto López Harbor

✅ Free time to explore Puerto López and its beautiful Malecón

✅ Scenic coastal cruising

✅ Seasonal humpback whale watching

✅ Recreational trolling on the return voyage (weather and sea conditions permitting)

Not Included

• Dinner in Puerto López (guest’s choice of restaurant)

• Premium and top-shelf alcoholic beverages

• National Park entrance fees (if applicable)

• Personal purchases ashore

Why Choose Southern Star?

Unlike crowded day tours, Southern Star offers an intimate cruising experience with a limited number of guests, spacious accommodations, personalized service, and the opportunity to truly experience Ecuador’s spectacular coastline.

Whether you’re hiking among Blue-Footed Boobies on Isla de la Plata, enjoying cocktails on the sundeck, strolling the Puerto López Malecón at sunset, watching humpback whales with their newborn calves, diving with the Giant Manta, or simply relaxing under the stars at anchor, every moment has been designed to create memories that will last a lifetime.