Originally built as a private luxury yacht, the M/Y Passion has been refurbished to enhance her elegant features for small group Galapagos luxury cruises. Rose-colored Italian marble bathrooms, teak wood decks and a panoramic sky lounge and bar lend a luxurious private-yacht feel to her sailings in the archipelago. Measuring 159 feet with four decks and private bathrooms in every cabin, the Passion has ample space for her 14 guests. Add her one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio and this Galapagos cruise will certainly be one to remember!
When combined, the two 8-day itineraries create a 15-day/14-night comprehensive itinerary with no repeated landing sites. There is also a 5-day Eastern Islands itinerary (Saturday to Wednesday) or a 4-day (Wednesday to Saturday); contact AdventureSmith for availability and pricing.
The Passion offers onboard kayak and snorkeling gear for your use, as well as professional Galapagos Islands guides to inform you about the islands’ beautiful and fragile ecosystems. Spend an afternoon whale and dolphin watching while heading out west and discover diverse flora and fauna while visiting the islands of Santa Cruz, Floreana, Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago, Genovesa and more, all from the extreme comfort and refined atmosphere of the Passion.
On the 8-day Western Islands Galapagos Cruise aboard Passion, venture to the Galapagos’s far west, where astute dolphins, enormous whales, penguins and deep-sea creatures head to the wild seaward shores of these special islands, some of the archipelago’s youngest while sailing round-trip from Baltra, visit Santa Cruz, Floreana, Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago, North Seymour and Mosquera.
The 8-day Eastern Islands small ship cruise itinerary aboard the Passion takes you up to the northernmost Genovesa Island, down to Espanola and to Santa Cruz and Santa Fe Islands in between. There is a good chance of encountering giant tortoises in the wild with a visit to the Santa Cruz Highlands, and a stop at the Charles Darwin Station gives you a glimpse at the islands’ diversity of tortoises in semi-enclosed pens for conservation efforts. In addition, the abundance of wildlife will keep you searching for pelicans, golden rays, green sea turtles, great frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, greater flamingos, marine and land iguanas, Galapagos hawks and waved albatross. Watch your step! For there are no natural predators in the Galapagos and wildlife is so tame you have to take care that your encounters are not too close.
While each itinerary on Passion is incredible, they’re even more magical when experienced with friends and family. At only 14 guests, Passion is an AdventureSmith favorite for private Galapagos yacht charters.
Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Galapagos cruises and Galapagos trips.
A vessel of great character, the M/Y Passion offers her 14 Galapagos Island guests a sense of refinement and exclusivity while providing all the modern passenger comforts. Originally built in 1989 as a private luxury yacht, she has been refurbished to enhance her onboard experience for individual travelers, small groups and charters.
AdventureSmith Explorations’ Passion review includes a detailed description of the yacht including deck plans and a photo gallery. Our Galapagos experts have been aboard Passion firsthand. Please read our Passion review below then contact our experts to compare the Passion with other Galapagos cruise ships and upscale yachts offering Galapagos luxury cruises and private Galapagos yacht charters.
Choose this small cruise ship for her one-to-one guest-to-guide ratio and for a luxurious Galapagos experience. Passion is revered for her open spaces, offering four decks for only 14 guests and at least one bathtub in nearly every cabin. She also is unconventional in that she is solidly built of marine steel instead of the more common fiberglass and has two electronic stabilizers that keep her a comfortable and safe option for Galapagos travelers.
Motor Yacht Passion is one of the largest charter yachts in the Galapagos, boasting a length of 159 feet spread over four decks. She has generous space for her 14 passengers, with ample interior and exterior social areas including a panoramic sky lounge with bar and sliding glass doors and a separate dining room. The Passion has an impressive 2,000-plus square feet of fine teak wood decking, with a secluded sun deck featuring lounge chairs and a Jacuzzi.
The first-class galley produces gourmet cuisine of international standards, with a stainless steel galley kitchen and walk-in freezer facilitating a great variety of dishes. Breakfast, lunch and dinner can be served al fresco if the weather allows, to enjoy the amazing views of the Galapagos Islands where sunsets and moon rises are stunning. Water, coffee, tea and natural juices are all available on board, and vegetarian and vegan diets can be accommodated with advance notice.
With a service ratio of one crew member per guest, she ensures a service second to none. Guiding is in English and Spanish, with supplement options of German, French and Italian. Every guide aboard has level 3 guiding certifications, making them experts in their field and one of the first lines of conservation on the islands. The crew members know the seas and islands well, as many are Galapagos natives.
Kayak through mangrove forests alongside iconic wildlife and snorkel to get up-close encounters with underwater treasures. Kayaks, snorkeling equipment and wetsuits are included. Massages (additional fee) are available upon request.
There are five spacious staterooms and a Master and VIP Suite. All cabins are fully air-conditioned with amenities like hair dryers, high-definition TV systems, 110/220 volt outlets and USB chargers. Light laundry service is available (additional fee).
M/V Cachalote Explorer is a beautifully decorated motor vessel originally built in 1988 as a Canadian fishing ship and refurbished in 2018 with modern style and comfortable accommodations. With the capacity for 16 guests in 8 cabins, each with their own private bathrooms, showers and air-conditioning, Cachalote Explorer provides the perfect home away from home while sailing between the Galapagos Islands.
AdventureSmith Explorations’ Cachalote Explorer review includes a detailed description of the small ship including deck plan and photo gallery. Our small ship cruise experts have been aboard nearly every first-class Galapagos cruise ship. Read our Cachalote Explorer review below then contact our experts to compare the Cachalote Explorer with other small cruise ships, yachts and catamarans offering Galapagos cruises, including private Galapagos yacht charters.
Choose the Cachalote Explorer if you are interested in sailing the Galapagos aboard a stable and intimate vessel with a history of plying the Pacific all the way down from Canada. The Cachalote Explorer is the modern sister ship of the Cachalote I sailboat, which is no longer operating in the Galapagos Islands. Because some of her cabins can take up to 3 or 4 passengers, the Cachalote Explorer is an ideal ship choice for families.
Originally a fishing boat built in 1988 in Vancouver, Canada, the motor vessel Cachalote Explorer was made for plying the rough waters of the Canadian West Coast, so her stability and seaworthiness offers a smooth and relaxing ride. In 2018, she was remodeled by naval architects: Cabin 8 was added on the Lower Deck, the bridge remodeled and two brand new Isuzu/Stanford Generators were installed in addition to the existing generator and main Caterpillar engine. Today, she sails the Galapagos Islands as a first class motor vessel.
The sun deck provides a relaxing view between visitor stops, as does the main aft deck and viewing deck on the bow. Her salon and dining rooms are comfortably designed for socializing, having a drink and dining with fellow passengers. Her wooden interiors add comfort and charm.
While cruising through the Galapagos Islands, Cachalote Explorer offers the opportunity to observe unique wildlife while walking along unusual volcanic terrain, kayaking and snorkeling the turquoise seas, and spotting dolphins and whales from deck. The Cachalote Explorer carries four single-passenger, sit-on-top kayaks, as well as snorkel gear and two tenders for Zodiac cruising. Wetsuits are available.
The Cachalote Explorer’s crew consists of the captain, multilingual naturalist guide, cook, barman, engineers and four sailors, and the vessel complies with all international maritime regulations.
16 passengers can be accommodated in 8 cabins. Each cabin has a private bathroom with a hot shower, independent air-conditioning units, porthole and 110v power outlets.
Cruise the Galapagos Islands aboard the intimate and affordable Motor Yacht Beluga. The 16-guest Beluga features comfortable double cabins each with private bath and air conditioning. The Beluga is outfitted exclusively for the Galapagos Islands and has been awarded the Smart Voyager certification for adhering to conservation standards. Beluga also complies with all international maritime regulations and is SOLAS certified. A Galapagos cruise aboard the Beluga is an exceptional value for families, small groups and charters.
The Beluga operates two 8-day Galapagos cruise itineraries, which can be combined to create an all-encompassing 15-day cruise, or shortened to a 6-day portion of each 8-day. Contact AdventureSmith Explorations for more details.
The 8-day Fernandina itinerary explores the western Galapagos islands. Highlights include visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island and spotting flamingos in mangrove lagoons; walking along beautiful beaches, nearby a volcano, seeing abundant birds, sea lions, marine iguanas, land iguanas, Galapagos penguins, sea turtles and more on Isabela; and witnessing the impressive marine iguana colony on Fernandina. Guests may also book the 6-day Isabela itinerary that follows days 3-8 of the 8-day Fernandina itinerary.
The 8-day Tower itinerary focuses on the southern, central and northern Galapagos islands. Highlights include visits to Dragon Hill, Santa Fe and South Plazas; up-close encounters with land and marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, Galapagos penguins and perhaps the rare short-eared owls on Genovesa; walks along the white-sand beaches and a lagoon visit on San Cristobal; snorkeling with sea lions, viewing the blowhole and searching for waved albatross (April-December) on Espanola. Guests may also book the 6-day Hood itinerary that follows days 3-8 of the 8-day Tower itinerary.
Each itinerary aboard the Beluga is a treat, with wonderful wildlife viewing and exciting landing sites. Or make your own itinerary by booking the 16-guest Beluga for one of our private Galapagos yacht charters, to take in the magic of the enchanted archipelago with your own group.
Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Galapagos cruises and Galapagos trips. This cruise featured in National Geographic magazine.
The 16-passenger Beluga is a spacious and comfortable superior first-class motor yacht. This 110-foot, steel-hulled motor vessel is equipped with the most modern safety and mechanical equipment and is known to be one of the fastest small ships in the Galapagos and is equipped with four single kayaks on board. Her professional and experienced crew takes extremely good care of their guests at all times aboard and ashore.
AdventureSmith Explorations’ Beluga review includes a detailed description of the boat including deck plans and a photo gallery. Our Galapagos experts have been aboard the Beluga firsthand. Please read our Beluga review below, then contact our experts to compare the Beluga with other Galapagos cruise ships offering Galapagos cruises and private Galapagos yacht charters.
Choose the Beluga if you are seeking a smaller motor yacht at an affordable price. The Beluga is clean and comfortable with excellent guides and service at a price that is the same or lower than other comparable yachts. She is outfitted exclusively for the Galapagos Islands and has been awarded the Smart Voyager certificate for adhering to conservation standards as well as maritime regulations and is SOLAS certified. Equipped with the most modern safety and mechanical equipment, Beluga accommodates 16 passengers in 8 double cabins, one of which has an additional berth, perfect as a triple for families.
With panoramic windows in the salon and ample deck space, Beluga is a fantastic way to cruise the Galapagos Islands in speed and style. Beluga is fully air-conditioned, has spacious social areas with all the comforts and facilities of a superior first-class motor yacht and large view windows in the salon/dining area. The spacious sundeck and shaded top deck are perfect for relaxing, sightseeing and sunbathing while cruising between the islands. Snorkel gear is provided and wetsuits are available to rent.
Beluga accommodates 16 passengers in 8 double cabins, one of which has an additional berth that becomes a triple room suitable for families. Each cabin has its own private bathroom equipped with hot and cold water showers and a security safe.
A Galapagos cruise aboard the Cachalote Explorer is an intimate adventure. With the capacity for 16 guests in 8 cabins, each with their own private bathroom, shower and air-conditioning, M/V Cachalote Explorer provides the perfect home away from home while motoring between the Galapagos Islands.
Cachalote Explorer operates two main 8-day Galapagos cruise itineraries, which can be combined into an all-encompassing 15-day cruise, or shortened to a 6-day portion of each 8-day. View the itinerary section for more details and contact our Galapagos small ship cruise experts for the inside scoop on which route is best for you. AdventureSmith Explorations’ award-winning crew has personal experience sailing in the Galapagos Islands and can recommend the best options to suit your travel interests and timeline.
Cruise the Galapagos with an experienced captain, dedicated crew members and an English-speaking naturalist guide attending to every detail, while relaxing aboard the tastefully decorated motor vessel on the sun deck and in the salon and lounge.
At only 88 feet, the Cachalote Explorer is well suited to anchor in small coves and gain access to all the best visitor sites, some of which are closed to bigger cruise ships. Cachalote Explorer is outfitted with kayaks and snorkeling gear. Daily hikes and shore excursions offer close exploration of the islands’ famed giant tortoises, Darwin finches, marine iguanas, reef sharks and more. Sail up close to nature and experience the rugged beauty of the Galapagos Islands aboard the stable and smooth Cachalote Explorer.
Snorkeling, kayaking and hiking all occur from one home base: the 16-passenger Cachalote Explorer. With bilingual guides, spacious accommodations, a comfortable sun deck and large common areas, the M/V Cachalote Explorer provides a stable and smooth tour of the Galapagos Islands.
The 8-day Fernandina itinerary navigates from the central islands to the younger, western islands of the Galapagos. Highlights include snorkeling at Chinese Hat; walking the red-sand beaches of Rabida; exploring volcanoes, the town of Puerto Villamil, a flamingo lagoon, and a Galapagos penguin breeding site on Isabela Island; learning about geological uplifts at Urbina Bay; lunching near the pirate graffiti at Tagus Cove; spotting Galapagos hawks on Fernandina; swimming with colorful fish at Punta Vicente Roca; exploring tidal pools on Santiago; and birding on North Seymour. Guests may also book the 6-day Isabela itinerary that follows days 3-8 of the 8-day Fernandina itinerary.
The 8-day Tower itinerary explores the northern, central, and southern Galapagos Islands. Highlights include seeing yellow, spiked land iguanas on Santa Fe; snorkeling near sea lions, marine iguanas and pelicans on San Cristobal; lounging with sea lions on the beach of Gardner Bay; witnessing the blowhole and waved albatross at Suarez Point; learning about buccaneers and whalers on Floreana; sending a post card at Post Office Bay; feeling the lava textures of Sullivan Bay; birding on Genovesa; and spotting short-eared owls at El Barranco. Guests may also book the 6-day Hood itinerary that follows days 3-8 of the 8-day Tower itinerary.
Every Cachalote Explorer itinerary offers amazing visitor sites and experiences. However, you can set your own agenda by booking this yacht as one of our private Galapagos yacht charters for your group of 16 or fewer.
Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Galapagos cruises and Galapagos trips.