Galapagos Adventures on Ecoventura’s Relais and Chateaux Luxury Expedition Yacht

Top Ten Reasons Why Ecoventura is the Best Way to Explore the Galapagos Islands

A luxury expedition yacht is the ideal home base after a day of adventure. Ecoventura’s three luxury expedition yachts are virtually identical and are each equipped with ten designer staterooms featuring two unobstructed panoramic windows, and a third to catch the ocean view from the shower. Room options include double twin beds or a single king. Two rooms can be interconnected for families and a pullman berth is also available for triple accommodations. A relaxing “hotel” scent is pumped into the room from a diffuser under the bed. Bathrooms are modern and bright with rainfall walk-in showers big enough for two. The large shower was a true highlight after a day of hiking and snorkeling. Full bathroom amenities include plush towels, robes, slippers, hair dryer, and bath products. Blackout curtains (with remote control), a memory foam mattress, and climate control add to the room's experience. The satellite WiFi works well and is free 24/7.

Enjoy at least three daily excursions

While participation isn’t mandatory for the day's adventures, you may not want to miss out. Guests explore several locations each day with three planned excursions, often 1-2 hikes and 1-2 deepwater snorkels. Get ready to be super active starting at 7-9 AM. I love how thoughtful the itinerary is, as you cover a lot of ground and visit islands that many larger boats are not visiting. I was thrilled to visit tiny North Seymour Island, Floreana Island, and Bartolome Island.

Less people, more animals

With groups of 10-12 guests per guide, you really feel like an adventurer when landing on islands without other visitors and are offered every opportunity to ask questions and learn about the details. The small size lends to more flexibility and time to explore. If you spot a particular animal that you want to observe longer, there is no rush to move along. Many larger ships do not offer such accommodations.

The yacht's lounge areas are magical places to unwind

After a day of exploring, the rooftop lounge is always ready to serve cocktails, refreshing teas and juices, and a smorgasbord of local healthy bites. This is a nice post-activity break, to witness a sunset on the open ocean or admire the islands as the ship sails. Some guests love heading to the rooftop jacuzzi to take in the tranquil view. Others may relax on one of the rear lounge decks or enjoy the temperature-controlled vibe indoors. The morning sunrises are equally amazing and the lounges provide a quiet respite with coffee or tea before the day’s activity.

Safety is a top priority at all times

I was super impressed by the consistent attention paid to safety – not only with the naturalist guides on excursions – but also with the captain, crew, and boatsmen who guide you into some difficult, remote island landings, into caves, and stand watch over open-water snorkels. They make you feel comfortable when seas become rough and even when landing on islands that don’t have a beach. The boatsmen keep an eye on you while snorkeling and the guides stay with you, offering flotation rings for those who need it in rougher waters. The captain happily greets you every time you return to the yacht, helping with a hand-up to get back onboard.

Friendly staff provide outstanding service

Every time you leave the room, the bed is made, the bathroom tidied and linens refreshed. There are always at least two crew members available in the bar/lounge to assist with any needs you may have. Paddle boards and kayaks are available onboard and are pulled in to the best spots to launch from a zodiac with ease. When returning from a hike or a deep-water snorkel, you are greeted with hot chocolate (which I happily took straight to the warm shower). These little touches are very appreciated.

Naturalist guides offer a wealth of knowledge

Expert guides come with a deep knowledge of the species and their behaviors. Especially where to best spot certain birds or creatures. Most islands are only available to visit with a naturalist guide and permit, and each guide’s daily visits are scheduled by the Galapagos National Park, so no one area is ever too crowded. While the park limits each guide to a maximum of 16 guests in each group, Ecoventura employs two naturalist guides with every expedition regardless of size. Each evening they provide a briefing on the next days animals and excursions. While in the “wild,” naturalist guides help you understand the wildlife behaviors, which really adds to the overall experience.

Elevated cuisine with local flavors is the Relais and Chateaux way

All three daily meals are sensational and offer a plethora of options. Dinners are 5-star gastronomy experiences created in a small galley, with over half of the ingredients harvested from the islands. Dietary restrictions and vegetarian options are accommodated.

Breakfast and lunch are gourmet buffet style and the menus are highly varied. A typical lunch might consist of several salad and entrée options or a rooftop BBQ or grilled seafood and vegetable extravaganza. Expect the chef to offer interactive demonstrations like preparing local Jipijapa ceviche, while the bartender may demonstrate how to craft an espresso martini with local coffee.

Order from a multi-option dinner menu that begins with an amuse bouche, followed by an appetizer, main course, and dessert. Dinner menu options might include Ecuadorian “encebollado” (fish stew); grilled octopus, tournedos of beef, fish soup sancocho; Galapagos “prawn”/lobster, trout carpaccio, and sea bass.

Wine options are poured each evening to pair with the dishes, but full wine, beer and cocktail menus are available any time. Over-the-top desserts (chocolate chip banana bread, banana foster, mille-feuille, apple crumble, lemon cheesecake) are presented at every meal.

Explore with like-minded people

Ecoventura tends to attract active travelers who are excited for the adventures and appreciate the luxe comforts in-between. The guests on our boat were friendly, fun, smart, and interesting with a similar curiosity for nature and appreciation of wildlife. One couple were avid birders enjoying their retirement. About a third were solo travelers – an even mix of men and women. Everyone respected each other and had a great time learning in this awe-inspiring destination.

Commitment to sustainability

Sustainable hospitality is at the heart of Ecoventura’s mission, and their commitment to minimizing the environmental impact on the planet is demonstrated throughout the operation. With thoughtful yacht design that reduces carbon emissions, programs to eliminate plastic waste and pollution, and promotion of low-volume tourism and high-impact conservation, Ecoventura is at the forefront of eco-conscious tourism. Their commitment to local communities is equally admirable – with almost every crew member an Ecuadorian national or local Galapagueño, and sponsorship of educational programs that benefit local youth and schools.

Pro-Tips:

Get rested before departure, as every day is a full-on adventure. Bring Dramamine, seasickness patches, or motion bands if needed when the boat is traversing the open ocean at night. Get familiar with your Go Pro camera if you plan to take underwater video or photos. Bring hiking shoes and active waterproof sandals. And be sure to book a 2-night hotel stay in Ecuador before the journey, just in case a connecting flight is delayed – you definitely do not want to miss the boat!

Who is this cruise for?

Active travelers, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, adventure seekers, bird lovers, and foodies who can live at sea for a week.

Additional costs:

Roundtrip airfare to Quito or Guayaquil with a hotel for 2 nights before the flight to the islands.

Key takeaways:

This is the most extraordinary trip due to the unique features of the Galapagos Islands – the sheer diversity of species, the friendliness and curiosity of the wildlife, and the thoughtful approach to outstanding hospitality. If you love birds, sea creatures, and wildlife, this is one of the bucket-list trips, as most species you’ll see are endemic to the Galapagos islands. If you love luxury and comfort, Ecoventura makes the moments in between adventures equally amazing.

Best time to travel:

Summer and Christmas are the most popular dates to travel to the Galapagos, often selling out a year or more in advance. The shoulder seasons – April/May and November/December – are the best times, according to our guides, as the weather is perfect, waters are calm, and crowds are few. However, the Galapagos is a year-round destination. August is considered the best time for wildlife, but waters can be choppy and air/water temps will often dip below 70. September/October often have the fewest visitors due to windier and colder conditions.

Pre-and post-cruise stay options

Ecoventura charters air transportation to the islands from Quito and Guayaquil and covers all necessary park fees. Your travel advisor can help you book hotels for pre-and post-departure.

Contact me for 2024 promotions and 2025 Solo Supplement Sale if you book before December 2024.

Animal encounters:

A black torpedo zoomed by my snorkel mask as my eyes widened to witness a Galapagos penguin, one of the smallest types of penguins in the world and the most surprising endemic resident of the islands. Just a few seconds earlier, I admired this adorable animal as it sat on the rocky shoreline. The penguin – with its white belly and black feathers – looked right at me and dove playfully into the ocean in my direction. Here, on volcanic Bartolome Island, we watched penguins groom themselves, lounge on the rocks, and perform their mating rituals.

Our group of twelve – living aboard an Ecoventura luxury expedition yacht with a staff of 11 and two naturalist guides – had become familiar with deepwater snorkeling, as we let the currents move our bodies like sea lions. On previous islands, we snorkeled with schools of tropical fish, numerous sea turtles, sea lions of all sizes, a Galapagos shark, and a marble sting ray laying on the ocean floor with a tail bigger than my body. Vibrant-hued parrot fish in colors I’ve never seen and puffer fish the size of my forearm dazzled in shades of banana yellow, teal, and black with white polka dots.

If this wasn’t enough animal adventure, earlier in the day, we watched whales surface in the distance, a turtle make a beach landing, and seals play with a puffer fish like it was a ball. Pink and black flamingos stood majestically on an island lagoon as they preened themselves. We observed in awe as two juvenile flamingos left the lagoon to prance along the beach among us while prehistoric-looking marine iguanas sat still like rocks. Blue-footed boobies and frigates squawked around us. Each island presents many delights. From albatross performing their mating rituals and launching themselves off cliff sides, to red-footed boobies nesting, blue footed boobies keeping an egg warm, and giant Galapagos land tortoises munching on guava fruit.

What surprised me the most was how the animals acted like we were welcome among them – as they seem to have no anxiety – coming closer with curiosity. And the young are playful by nature. Perhaps this was how it was at the beginning of time, with every day an extraordinary awakening and an understanding of life among animals with few predators and little to fear. Every day felt like a scene out of Jungle Book.

To see more photos and videos of our Galapagos adventure, visit my @lalascoop Instagram. You can also read about my adventure in my articles on JohnnyJet.com and MSN.com.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Galapagos Islands. In need of further inspiration? Check out Sandy Kirk’s guide, Adventure Travel to the Galápagos Islands.