EOS (99)
Athala Catamaran
Built to cruise the Galapagos Islands in style, the Athala catamaran provides exceptional comfort, speed, and stability. Fully refubished in October 2011, the Athala offers the generous comfortable accommodations of a larger boat while preserving the relaxed exclusivity of a smaller vessel. Itineraries, food, furnishings, service, and crew are all of the highest standards. A highly recommended luxury option.
Eclipse
The Eclipse carries 48 passengers, but emphasizes individual attention and excellent service with a high level of environmental and social responsibility in its operations. With 4 guides on board for each cruise, passenger excursions are in groups of only 12 guests. Excellent itineraries focus on the pristine natural areas of the islands, with only one landing in a populated area during the 8 day itineraries. Family departures on selected dates.
Luxury Class Yacht Cruises
For those who are looking for the ultimate in creature comforts and service on their Galapagos cruise, the yachts on this page live up to the highest of expectations. Spacious cabins, view windows, jacuzzi, balconies and a number of other luxury touches including room amenities and top quality gourmet dining are typical in this category.
M/Y Passion
Originally built as a private luxury yacht, the M/Y Passion has been completely renovated and refitted for the Galapagos while retaining many of her original elegant touches. Carrying only 12 passengers and defined by character, refinement and exclusivity, she provides the best in passenger comfort while maintaining a relaxed, personal environment perfect for a cruise in the Galapagos islands.
Ocean Spray Catamaran
One of the newest and most modern vessels in the Galapagos, the Ocean Spray catamaran is among the most comfortable and best performing catamarans cruising the islands. More than ample common areas inside and out, indoor and outdoor dining areas, jacuzzi well situated for stargazing, and an outside bar complement the luxury features of this yacht.
Cormorant Evolution
One of the newest catamarans operating in the Galapagos, this smooth and fast yacht offers private balconies, a huge sun deck with jacuzzi, and very spacious cabins which can be connected for families traveling on board. An excellent reputation and excellent itineraries.
Athala Catamaran
Built to cruise the Galapagos Islands in style, the Athala catamaran provides exceptional comfort, speed, and stability. Fully refubished in October 2011, the Athala offers the generous comfortable accommodations of a larger boat while preserving the relaxed exclusivity of a smaller vessel. Itineraries, food, furnishings, service, and crew are all of the highest standards. A highly recommended luxury option.
Eclipse
The Eclipse carries 48 passengers, but emphasizes individual attention and excellent service with a high level of environmental and social responsibility in its operations. With 4 guides on board for each cruise, passenger excursions are in groups of only 12 guests. Excellent itineraries focus on the pristine natural areas of the islands, with only one landing in a populated area during the 8 day itineraries. Family departures on selected dates.
Galapagos Explorer II
The largest ship we sell, carrying 100 passengers, the Explorer is a beautiful ship with a great reputation and excellent itineraries, and highly responsible operators. While we prefer smaller vessels for Galapagos tours, this ship is ideal larger groups or for those concerned about seasickness, offering a maximum level of comfort during your tour and an exceptionally smooth ride.
RESPECTING THE ISLANDS
Since the European discovery of the Galapagos Islands, humans have had a negative impact on the delicate life of the Galapagos. Over the years, the human population on the islands has risen dramatically, bringing problems of garbage, water pollution, habitat destruction, and introduced species from the smallest seeds to livestock. Today, annual visitors to the islands vastly outnumber residents. Thus, for the preservation of the islands, it is essential that every visitor treat the islands with care, ensuring that the impact of their visit is as close to zero as possible.
GALAPAGOS CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY
The Galapagos islands are of volcanic origin, with the younger islands of Isabela and Fernandina remaining volcanically active. The islands are young in geological terms; the oldest of the islands was formed about 5 to 10 million years ago during the Pliocene era. The climate of the Galapagos Islands is mild year round, contrary to what one might expect given the islands location at the equator, and the water temperatures are typically between about 17 and 23 degrees.
THE ISLANDS OF GALAPAGOS
The Galapagos islands consist of 13 main islands, 3 smaller islands and 107 tiny islets. Not all of these islands are open to visitors, but those that are offer one or more visitor sites approved by the National Park. Information about these sites can be found on this page.
FLORA AND FAUNA OF GALAPAGOS
While the land environment of Galapagos appears harsh, characterised by parched, rocky desert-like terrain, the islands support several species of land animals and birds. About a quarter of all plant species and nearly all of the reptiles found here are endemic, species that are found nowhere else and have adapted to the harsh environment of the Galapagos Islands.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE GALAPAGOS
Fray Tomás de Berlanga, the Bishop of Panama, accidentally discovered the Galapagos Islands in 1535 when his ship drifted off course. He was on his way to Peru, and at the time considered the islands to be all but worthless. But in his writings he described the harsh conditions of the islands, the tortoises, iguanas, sea lions and birds of the islands, and the tameness of the animals. The first crude maps including the islands appeared in 1570. They were drawn by the Belgian cartographer Abraham Ortelius and the Flemish mathematician and cartographer Gerardus Mercator, and showed the islands as “Insulae de los Galopegos”, or Islands of the Tortoises.
ABOUT THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Our informational section about the Galapagos Islands, with information about their history, wildlife, and climate. This section also includes a brief description of each major island.
FLORA AND FAUNA OF GALAPAGOS
While the land environment of Galapagos appears harsh, characterised by parched, rocky desert-like terrain, the islands support several species of land animals and birds. About a quarter of all plant species and nearly all of the reptiles found here are endemic, species that are found nowhere else and have adapted to the harsh environment of the Galapagos Islands.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE GALAPAGOS
Fray Tomás de Berlanga, the Bishop of Panama, accidentally discovered the Galapagos Islands in 1535 when his ship drifted off course. He was on his way to Peru, and at the time considered the islands to be all but worthless. But in his writings he described the harsh conditions of the islands, the tortoises, iguanas, sea lions and birds of the islands, and the tameness of the animals. The first crude maps including the islands appeared in 1570. They were drawn by the Belgian cartographer Abraham Ortelius and the Flemish mathematician and cartographer Gerardus Mercator, and showed the islands as “Insulae de los Galopegos”, or Islands of the Tortoises.
GALAPAGOS CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY
The Galapagos islands are of volcanic origin, with the younger islands of Isabela and Fernandina remaining volcanically active. The islands are young in geological terms; the oldest of the islands was formed about 5 to 10 million years ago during the Pliocene era. The climate of the Galapagos Islands is mild year round, contrary to what one might expect given the islands location at the equator, and the water temperatures are typically between about 17 and 23 degrees.
RESPECTING THE ISLANDS
Since the European discovery of the Galapagos Islands, humans have had a negative impact on the delicate life of the Galapagos. Over the years, the human population on the islands has risen dramatically, bringing problems of garbage, water pollution, habitat destruction, and introduced species from the smallest seeds to livestock. Today, annual visitors to the islands vastly outnumber residents. Thus, for the preservation of the islands, it is essential that every visitor treat the islands with care, ensuring that the impact of their visit is as close to zero as possible.
The Galapagos Islands are Ecuador’s most important tourist attraction, and with good reason. Located about 1000 km off the Ecuadorian coast, there is no place on earth quite like these amazing islands, where numerous unique species of mammals, reptiles and birds have developed in a harsh environment, separated from the mainland. A living laboratory for the evolution of species, the delicate ecological balance of the Galapagos Islands reveals both the beauty and cruelty of the natural world like no other place on the planet.
Eos Ecuador offers only what we consider to be the best quality yachts and cruises in the Galapagos islands, with an emphasis on those that operate in an ecologically and socially responsible manner. We also offer land based tours (also known as Island Hopping tours), perfect for those looking for an alternative and more economical option to visit the Galapagos and who want a bit more adventure and variety in their activities on the islands. These tours also directly help local businesses and communities on the islands by offering them an economic alternative to fishing.
The Galapagos Islands are considered among the best sites in the world for scuba diving; we can arrange diving cruises on live aboard yachts or, for diving before or after your Galapagos tour, we offer a range of diving day tours to spectacular sites in the islands. If you would like to arrange a hotel for any independent days on the islands, we can arrange stays at first class hotels or simple hostels as well.
We strive to offer the best pricing available on the Internet for all of our Galapagos cruises and tours, but purchasing your tour with us also helps protect the islands--remember that part of our total agency profits will be donated to promote sustainable development work in all of Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands.
Galapagos Yacht Cruises
Perhaps the best way to really experience the Galapagos, we offer cruises from simple and economical (tourist superior class) to the most comfortable and luxurious yachts cruising the islands. Tour the Galapagos Islands on the best yacht cruises in their categories, at the best prices we think you'll find anywhere.
- Tourist Superior Yachts - Simple and basic, very good service and economically priced.
- First Class Yachts - Comfortable and spacious, excellent service.
- Luxury Yachts - Finest service and top notch comfort.
- Frequently Asked Questions
Island Hopping Tours (Land Based tours)
See the Galapagos with one of our Island Hopping Tours (Land/sea combination). These are active tours, with nights spent in hotels instead of on board a yacht. Generally less expensive and more locally based than yacht cruises, varied activities can include hikes, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, biking and more at a variety of great visitor sites. Diving can be included in some of these tours.
Scuba Diving in the Galapagos
Interested in scuba diving during or after your Galapagos tour? The Galapagos Islands are considered among the best scuba diving sites in the world.
There are multiple options for scuba diving in the islands (with PADI certification), including:
- Live aboard diving cruises - Multi day cruises aboard comfortable yachts specially equipped for diving. Cruises include Wolf and Darwin islands, among the best diving sites in the world.
- Diving Day Tours - off the coast of Santa Cruz or Isabela
- Land based tour - A specially designed tour combining island visits with diving, with nights in hotels.
We can also arrange scuba diving classes for those who wish to learn to dive, either in the Galapagos or with schools based on the continent.
HOTELS
Planning a more independent visit to the Galapagos Islands, or want to spend more time enjoying the islands after your tour?
Let us help you find the perfect hotel for you. Galapagos hotels range from basic to luxury, and many are located right on the beach. All provide confortable accommodations, and apart from the most basic, all have air conditioning and hot water. View some options here.