Archipel Catamaran Galapagos
Archipel is a really good catamaran in the “Tourist Superior” class, the level above the otherwise ordinary tourist class. The catamarans are from 2004 and can only accommodate 16 passengers in eight nice cabins with double beds or twin (not bunk beds), private shower / toilet and air conditioning.
Like most catamarans in the Galapagos, one should not expect large cabins, but well-appointed and the level better than tourist class. All cabins have windows facing the sea which can be opened. The ship has a dining room, sun deck and a nice common room. Snorkeling equipment is included and wetsuits can be rented on board.
Anahi
If you want one of the Galapagos’ most charming and best boats, you should choose the first-class catamaran Anahi from 2006.
Anahi is a fantastic boat of just over 90 feet with room for 16 passengers in 6 cabins and 2 suites. All cabins are beautiful with central air conditioning and nice bathrooms. There is a lovely teak covered deck, bar and sun deck. There are good dining facilities and an information and lounge area.
In addition, the guides on the first-class boats are extremely competent and speak good English. Anahi of course has all the safety equipment on board as well as high quality snorkeling equipment.
All in all, a fantastic first class catamaran yacht that is worth all the money to say the least and at a very reasonable more price for this upgrade.
Eden
One of our regular boats is the “Eden” motor yacht of 24 meters. Eden is officially categorized as “Tourist Superior” ie the level above the tourist class boats we otherwise use. Eden can accommodate 16 passengers, divided into 8 cabins overlooking the sea, which of course has a private shower and toilet, separate beds and air conditioning. There is a cozy dining / living room, sun deck and snorkeling equipment are included and wetsuits can be rented. The boat is from 1996 and was completely modernized in 2002.
Eden is a good tourist class yacht and looks nice, the cabins with accompanying shower / toilet are relatively small, and although no luxury conditions are to be expected – Eden is a nice boat. The yacht has all safety equipment on board and is also certified as a diving ship.
Treasure of Galapagos
Treasure of Galapagos is a first class catamaran with room for a maximum of 16 people in the 8 cabins and the large suite.
There are spacious cabins of 20 square meters, each with its own balcony, air conditioning, shower and toilet.
The ship was originally built in 2009 and has a crew of 10 people (incl. The nature guide).
San Jose
The yacht San Jose is one of the slightly larger boats in the Tourist Superior category.
The boat can accommodate 16 passengers in the 8 cabins equipped with double beds, toilet, shower and aircondtion.
The indoor common areas consist of a dining lounge and lounge with sofas, TV, DVD and a small library.
Outdoors is a nice sun deck with sun loungers and aft of the yacht is an outdoor bar where you can sit and enjoy the view of the ocean and the Galapagos Islands.
Nemo I
Nemo 1 is a smaller catamaran boat with room for 14 people in 7 cabins. A catamaran with sails, which is used when the weather conditions allow.
Nemo 1 differs from other Galapagos cruise ships so that there are fresh outdoor experiences on the open deck, where you can hang out in the large net in front of the boat or enjoy the sun on the small sun deck. Meals are eaten both outdoors and indoors depending on the weather and wind.
There is an indoor lounge for relaxation and information meetings with the nature guide. The cabins have either a double bed or bunks and are equipped with toilet and shower.
Aida Maria
Aida Maria is a good tourist class boat of 66 feet, with room for 16 passengers in 8 cabins. The boat was built in 1996 and contains in addition to 8 cabins, dining room, cozy indoor common area and sun deck. The cabins are equipped with bunk beds and have their own shower / toilet and air conditioning. Snorkeling equipment is included. Aida Maria is a well-functioning ship, but you must not expect luxury, and the cabins and shower / toilet are small.
Travel times:
You can basically go to the Galapagos all year round, which is nice and warm, mostly without wind from December to May. From June to November it is cool morning and evening with a little more wind and a known poorer visibility. Calculate from 20 ° to 24 ° all year round.
The seasons are divided into two – the cool (our summer) and the warm (our winter):
From June to December there is the southern Tradewind which brings the Humbolt Current north towards the Galapagos. This means that the water is cooler (in July it is about 21 degrees) and there can sometimes be a bit of haze along the shores. The highlands are green and lush and delicious, the coastlines have little rainfall. So it’s the “dry” season with blue skies and a single shower. Here birds and animals are most active, the penguins are easier to find, ditto fish and seabirds as there is plenty of food in the sea. And this is where the blue-footed gannets find mage.
In December, the warmer Panama Current comes again towards the Galapagos, where the southern Tradewind is milder. This causes the cooling Humbolt current to disappear and the water to become warmer. It is the warmer period from December to May. Here there is a slightly more classic tropical climate, slightly more showers and clouds, slightly more flowers – and the water is calmer than in summer. The inland birds are very active during the period when there are not so many fish in the sea – in return, the sea turtles come up here. And swimming and snorkeling are a little warmer and nicer. .
High season is mid-June to early September and mid-December to late January.
Practical information :
It does not require a very good physique to be able to participate, but it should be noted that you must be able to climb down into the rubber boats and cope with a wet landing, where you wade ashore from the rubber boat. Likewise, there may be slopes that need to be climbed when going from the jetty beach and up to the island itself.
The long distances between the islands are always sailed at night, so the days can be used for adventures ashore (typically in the mornings), or at sea (which can typically be snorkeled from the boat in the afternoons). During the day, short distances are sailed when the anchorage is changed or between two islands that are close to each other.
A national park fee of approx. USD 110 pr. person. The mentioned sailing route is indicative, as the Darwin Institute reserves the right to change the sailing schedule right up to the departure due to local protection of the animals etc. On land you can usually only travel on the marked paths and you listen 100% to the instructions from the local English speaker guide, who is typically also a biologist. Many of the animals, like in Darwin’s time, are happily ignorant of the human threat, which is why they seem very tame – do not touch or get too close.
The guides on the Galapagos are of fluctuating quality and there is no doubt that the best guides are to be found on the best boats as ex. Anahi. They have better English skills, are more knowledgeable and to a large extent more service-minded. The Galapagos cruise can be upgraded – but beware, it’s expensive. Ask Tourist Travel about current prices.