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Destination:
Galapagos
Click on the links below to view
the yachts in each class:
Superior Class
Yachts, Superior-Plus Class
Yachts,
Deluxe Class Yachts
Click here for more information on each yacht class
The
Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands, located 600 miles west of Ecuador and spanning the Equator, enchanted Herman Melville and Charles Darwin. You’ll be similarly moved. Walking among and photographing wild birds and animals which never learned to fear humans is a revelation and a daily delight. You’ll take home treasured portraits of boobies, marine iguanas, waved albatross, Galapagos hawks, sea lions, flamingos, giant tortoises and much much more. Swim and relax on white sand beaches, snorkel amid underwater volcanic formations – often accompanied by penguins or baby sea lions!
Choosing
the best yacht
 Let us help you choose the yacht that’s best for you for a Galapagos Cruise. We’ve been sending people to these enchanting islands since 1983. Now as before, the Galapagos continue to enthrall our passengers.
We work directly with a variety of boat companies, and are familiar with most of the yachts in Galapagos. We’ve seen many of them first-hand, cruised on some, and visit the islands regularly to update our information. We have selected the yachts listed here as the best yachts in each category, those that we use regularly and that meet our standards of safety, quality and reliability.
There are boats of all types and sizes and many from which to choose. Here are some criteria to help you think about what’s right for you:
Size. There is everything from 8-passenger boats to 100-passenger ships. To simplify, we’ve divided the yachts into 3 categories: small, medium and large.
Small yachts - from 8 to 22 passengers, from 66 feet in length to 140 feet long. Most yachts fit into this category.
Medium - 32-48 passengers, 166 ft - 237 ft. long. There are
3 in this category: The Eclipse, The Isabela, and the Mary Anne.
Large - 90-100 passengers, 238 ft -
300 ft. There are 3 in this category: The Galapagos Explorer, the Santa Cruz, and the Galapagos Legend.
Click on the links below to view
the yachts in each class:
Superior Class
Yachts, Superior-Plus Class
Yachts,
Deluxe Class Yachts
Click here for more information on each yacht class
Decide whether you like the intimacy and coziness of a small yacht, or if you prefer more space to roam and wander. Families with children usually prefer the larger ships since they have more space and choices of common areas. There are pros and cons to each. Smaller yachts can get closer to the beaches and require fewer panga
disembarkments. You tend to feel more motion in wavy seas. Common areas are fewer and smaller. But there’s a family feel and an intimacy between the other passengers and the crew.
The largest size ships will have a doctor or infirmary on board. Smaller boats would have a medical kit and someone trained in CPR. On larger boats, with more passengers, disembarkments take longer.
Class: comfort & style
We
have divided our yachts into three different classifications:
Superior, Superior-plus and
Deluxe. Please note, these are not
the same classifications used by the Galapagos yacht operators
Superior - (8-day cruises range from $1,288 per person in a double cabin, to $2,550 in the high season). There is every size of yacht in this category, including one of the large ships, the Ambassador, however most are 16-passenger yachts. Most of these yachts have "air conditioning", but the quality varies from boat to boat. Air conditioning at this level is usually modest. All cabins have private toilet/showers and should have hot water. Very good value.
Superior-Plus
-
There is a
broader range of yacht sizes in this category, however most are 16-passenger
yachts. 8-day cruises in the smaller yachts range from $1754-2450, with
lengths from 78-95 feet. These yachts use Class II & III guides. Common
areas and cabins are more spacious and more comfortable than in Superior
class. Certain yachts have choices of cabin sizes and styles from 2 lower
twin beds, one double bed, double lower/single upper. Hot water and air
conditioning works well
Deluxe -
These are
the best yachts in Galapagos. There is the widest range of sizes and styles.
Most of the mid-size and large ships fall into this category, and there are
quite a few. But there are also many 16-20 passenger yachts. 8-day cruises
range from $2191 to $4718 per person in a double cabin. In size, they range
from 74 feet to 300 feet long. These boats all have the best operating air
conditioning, reliable hot water, the best guides and food, tasteful decor,
more space and comfort. Many yachts offer a choice of cabin sizes and
prices, deck levels and styles. Some yachts offer suites, quads, triple and
single cabins. The large ships have small gift shops, wet suits and good
quality snorkel equipment for rental or for free.
On any boat, you may have a choice of inside or outside cabin, window or porthole, windows that open or not. Berths may be upper and lower, 2 lower singles, a "double" lower and single upper, or double bed. (There are few if any queen size beds). Some offer single cabins, triples and quads. You may also have a choice of decks: some have only two, others as many as six.
Time vs. Price
The prices listed above are per person in a double cabin for 8-day cruises. However, you can spend even less money by taking a shorter cruise. Some yachts offer 4 and 5 day cruises. Likewise, if money is not a problem but time is the issue, shorter cruises will fit the bill. Also, the time you travel could save you money – most yachts have low and high season rates . Regardless of your cruise length, the flight cost from the mainland to the islands is the same. But the flights also have low and high season rates.
Seasons.
Although the Galapagos Islands straddle the Equator, it has a surprisingly cool,
sub-tropical climate. Basically, the Galapagos has two seasons, both of which
receive some precipitation. But the islands are actually in a dry zone,
receiving only ten inches of rain a year. December to May is the hotter,
sunnier and dryer season with occasional showers. Air temperatures range from
68-88 and average ocean temperature ranges from 74-76 degrees. In June to
November the trend is toward cooler temperatures and moderate breezes. This
season is often referred to as the “garua” season, meaning “misty”. Air
temperatures range from 62-78. Average ocean temperature ranges from 66 to 74.
During this season a short wetsuit would be helpful for snorkeling.
Availability
After all is said and done, if you have flexibility in your dates, and you start looking at least four months in advance, you should have many choices available to you. However, for travel during peak travel times, certain boats can fill up to a year in advance. The later you look, the fewer choices you’ll have. Holiday periods, school vacation times are popular and fill up quickly. So, to ensure you have your choice of boat, as soon as you think about traveling to Galapagos, call us! We can easily hold a space for you with a deposit.
Custom groups / Charters
Any boat can be chartered. If you are traveling with a group, it’s possible to charter a whole boat for yourselves. Allow plenty of advance planning to find an available charter.
Itinerary
All yachts have their own itinerary which is set by the Galapagos National Park. All itineraries are subject to change. However, if you are looking for a certain island to visit, or prefer a certain itinerary, we can try to accommodate you, and chances are the itinerary will stay that way, but it’s not guaranteed.
Again, there are 4, 5, and 8 day itineraries. If you are on an 8 day itinerary on a yacht that offers the 4 and 5 day itineraries, you should understand that your yacht will make a stop in either Santa Cruz or San Cristobal island on the 4th or 5th day to drop off and pick up passengers. Those on the 8 day program usually disembark and have the day to visit one of the towns and then travel overland into the highlands of the island with a guide. Most people find this to be an interesting trip which makes for a welcome, refreshing change from the yacht. A few yachts offer longer cruises. Check with us.
Diving
Scuba diving cruises are available. Some yachts are designed specifically for diving cruises. Others allow a small number of divers for "occasional" diving on a naturalist cruise. There are additional charges. You must be a strong and experienced diver for Galapagos. There are many strong currents and difficult areas.
Whatever yacht you choose, you will have the experience of a lifetime seeing the Galapagos Islands. After all, that is the main point. You really spend little time in your cabin, and these cruises are not like the big cruise lines. The emphasis is not on partying on the boat, spectacular service or haute cuisine, but enjoying and appreciating the spectacular wildlife and natural beauty of these pristine islands.
Galapagos Airfares:
High
Season:
From Quito,
round-trip: $392 adults; $200 children under age 12
From Guayaquil: $346 adults; $177 children
Quito/Galapagos/Guayaquil (or vice versa): $368 adults; $190 children
Low Season:
From Quito, round-trip: $335 adults; $172 children under 12
From Guayaquil: $301 adults; $155 children
Quito/Galapagos/Guayaquil (or vice versa): $318 adults; $164 children
(airfares based on rates as
of Oct 13, 2006, and are subject to change)
High
season:
Jan 1 to Apr 30, Jun 15 to Sep 14, Nov 1 to Dec 31
Low season: May 1 to Jun 14, Sep 15 to Oct 31 | 
