Galapatours Logo without whitespace

Aqua Diving Cruise Galapatours

Aqua Galápagos Cruise

This small yacht offers amazing value for money

A Galápagos Cruise on board the Aqua

8 Reviews

Budget

What we love about the Aqua

Affordable and comfortable adventure cruising

Also offers fantastic diving tours (see below)

Fantastic chef that everyone loves

Plenty of space, with a 3 deck layout

Aqua Diving Cruise Galapatours
Aqua Diving Cruise Galapatours
Aqua Diving Cruise Galapatours

Aqua is a spacious, traditional motor yacht that offers excellent value for money. Uniquely, she offers both naturalist and diving itineraries - some guests stay on board to do both! (See below)
Aqua offers light and airy cabin accommodation to a maximum of 16 guests, and her charming and well appointed communal areas are lovely places to relax after the day’s excursions. Fully refurbished in 2015, her cabins are based on comfortable traditional bunks, individually air-conditioned, and offer private bathrooms. Lower deck cabins feature traditional portholes, whilst upper deck cabins have windows. All are decorated in a clean, bright style with natural wood and light walls.

Did you know the M/V Aqua is the ONLY authorized cruise ship to offer both naturalist tours and diving tours?

The Aqua is great value for money, a naturalist adventure option, and a “must do” diving option. Her chef is her secret weapon - we’ve yet to hear anything except high praise for the kitchen staff! Comfortable accommodation and a relaxed and friendly atmosphere make the Aqua an ideal candidate for dive fans or for naturalists on a budget.

Dates & Prices on board the Aqua

When do you want to travel?

Dates

Trip

Info

Status

Price

Could not find your preferred date?

Contact us

Amenities on board the Aqua

transfer

Transfers to and from ship

snorkeling

Snorkel gear (free of charge)

footprint

Travel for good: Your Each booking contributes to Ventura’s Conservation Project.

air conditioning

Air conditioning & private bathroom

drinks

Water, Coffee, Tea & fresh juices

DE guide

German guide possible

wetsuit

Wetsuits

EN guide

English guide

nitrox

Nitrox Course (approx. 200 USD)

Scuba diving icon

Complete set of Scuba gear (approx 250 USD)

Nitrox (free) icon

Nitrox fills (appprox. 150 USD)

meal

All meals

Food & Drinks on board the Aqua

Aqua’s meals are a highlight. Her kitchen staff cook excellent international and Ecuadorian dishes served in the air-conditioned dining room. Guests frequently single out their dining on board as a highlight of their trip.

Other amenities on board include a communal TV & DVD player, ship’s library and a selection of tabletop games. There’s also a well-stocked bar, and the upper sun deck is a perfect place to take your drink and soak up the Galápagos warmth

Sustainable Tourism

At Galapatours we love and respect the pristine ecosystems and fascinating wildlife of the Galápagos Islands. To protect the archipelago, all vessels in Galápagos must have sophisticated water filtration systems, modern, efficient engines, and strict maintenance schedules to minimize pollution. Furthermore, The Galápagos National Park authority defines exact cruising routes that dictate which ships can visit which highlights at what day and time, as well as limiting passenger numbers.

But at Galapatours we like to go even further: We voluntarily offset all the CO2 emissions of every cruise we sell - at no cost to you. You can also play your part by traveling responsibly and following our Eco Guidelines during your stay. Click here to find out more about these guidelines, our commitment to sustainable tourism, and the Galápagos National Park rules.

Cabins categories on board the Aqua

Aqua Main Deck Cabin
Maindeck Cabin

Type:

Matrimonial

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Aqua Lower Deck Cabins
Lower Deck Cabin

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Aqua Upper Deck Double Cabin Galapagos
Upper Deck Double Cabin

Type:

Matrimonial

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Aqua Cruise Galapgos Twin Cabin
Upper Deck Twin Cabin

Type:

Twins

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Technical details of Aqua

Category
Budget
Type
Small Yacht
Main Engines
2x Caterpillar (250 HP)
Length
25 m
Electricity
110 Volts
Cruising speed
8 noeuds
Beam
5.5 m
Capacity
16

Reviews of Aqua

Stef H. - Berlin, Germany

Aqua Galapagos Cruise

Budget

Best cruise on the best yacht Die Astrea-Yacht hat die höchstmögliche Bewertung verdient. Wir verlebten im Rahmen der Naturalist Cruise eine wunderbare Woche, wurden von einer tollen, sympathischen Crew rund um die Uhr hervorragend versorgt (besonders vom Koch, der eine super Arbeit geleistet hat). Unser Guide war Jimmy, der einen tollen Humor hat und alles über die Insel wusste und unserer Gruppe dieses Wissen in angenehmer Weise vermittelt hat. Täglich sind wir 1-2 an verschiedenen Stellen an Land gegangen sowie außerdem 1-2 täglich schnorcheln gewesen. Jede der Inseln ist eine Welt für sich und sehr sehenswert. Man begegnet Eidechsen, Leguanen, Vögeln, Seelöwen und anderen Tieren hautnah und kan beim schnorcheln Schildkröten, Rochen und auch Haien begegnen. Das Schiff an sich ist ebenfalls super, die Kabinen sind klein, aber fein, jede verfügt über ein eigenes Bad. Es gibt ausreichend Sitzmöglichkeiten im Freien (überdacht und nicht überdacht), neben dem Speisesaal gibt es eine kleine Lounge mit Fernseher und Büchern. Es sind maximal 16 Passagiere an Bord, sodass es keineswegs überlaufen ist und man ausreichend Möglichkeiten hat, sich der fantastischen Natur zu widmen. Wir würden diese Reise jederzeit wiedermachen, es gibt keinen vergleichbaren Ort auf der Erde und die Astrea Yacht hat uns dieses Erlebnis besonders versüßt.

Treveire - Sydney, Australia

Aqua Galapagos Cruise

Budget

5 Stars with best diving ever Overall I am now going to give 5 stars, I would have gave 3 but everything was sorted in the end by Dennis, his response time I found to be very good.The actual trip represented good value for money as I got an inclusive deal. The diving overall even with average visibility was out of this world. The guide Luis was good, the food was very nice and the crew made a lot of effort. ACTUAL DIVING : I can only say that Wolf and Darwin Island is the best diving I have ever experienced in the World for "Big Stuff" ..massive schools of Hammerhead Sharks, Galapados Sharks, more Turtles than you can shake a stick at :-) Playful Sea lions with unreserved energy and beautiful eyes dancing through the water. The best underwater experience with 8 or 9 Dolphins, we could hear them before they torpedoed through the water... and more and more life everywhere. Then the ultimate underwater arrival that literally landed on us at 30 m @ Darwin island was a giant female Whale shark ..the biggest fish in the sea... she gracefully said her hello and was gone within less than a minute, aqua gliding away with no chance of keeping up in the current and depth. Words cannot describe this week of diving and the connection to this raw beauty in this volcanic wonderland. This was worth all the $ and effort to get here. Put it on your bucket list and if you don’t dive, perhaps consider learning but make sure you get your experience up or maybe the Wolf might swallow you whole. I can say hand on heart, I will have to return some day.. it was that good

Catherine LeBlanc

Aqua Galapagos Cruise

Budget

Decided for a Cruise above Island Hopping and don't regret it! I have dreamed of coming to the Galapagos Islands. When we were then staying in the Hotel "The Roof Galapagos" Enno, the Hotel Manager of, recommended us to book a stay on a boat if we wanted to make most of our stay in Galapagos. His hotel was booked out anyway, so we contacted his friend Benno (the names!) and he found a great Last-Minute Deal for us! We don't regret it at all, this was such a magical experience! The Boat itself is a bit older and the cabins are small but me and my wife enjoyed the fact that we could also do a few dives. Apparently, this is not possible on other boats at all, who would have thought! Thanks again, Benno, for the organization!

Gordon Slohan

Aqua Galapagos Cruise

Budget

Once in a lifetime trip Best trip of my life! I am still very thrilled about the decision to go the Galapagos Islands. I chose the Astrea (Naturalist Programme) because of its size. It was a cozy boat with everything you need. Staff was very friendly and spoke very well English. The food was very delicious and more than filling!

Henry Wolfham

Aqua Galapagos Cruise

Budget

Great trip I went with my wife and son on the Naturalist Cruise of the Astrea. We all loved it so much and hope to be able to come back to the islands one day. My son still thinks he saw dinosaurs! Nature there is magnificent. The Astrea is a relatively small boat compared to the other ones you can find around Galapagos, but we didn't mind at all. Everyone was very nice and helpful. The food was great and the kitchen could deal with my wife's allergies (nuts and certain fruits). If you want to get to know the Galapagos Islands on a lower budget, I can definitely recommend the Astrea Cruise!

WGMitch

Aqua Galapagos Cruise

Budget

Affordable Diving in Galapagos I stayed on this live-a-board during my recent visit to the Galapagos (July 12-19). The Astrea is not a luxury cruise, but an affordable very comfortable live-a-aboard with an exceptional cook, outstanding crew, and awesome guides. Just to name a few of the events experienced, we dove with whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, galapagos sharks, mola mola, orca whales, dolphins, and playful sealions. If you are looking for an affordable diving experience in the Galapagos then book a week on the Astrea. Everything a diver needs to enjoy diving the Galapagos you will find on the Astrea. I booked my Astrea tour through Dive the Galapgos. They were awesome in setting everything up including flights from Guayaquil to Baltra. I highly recommend booking your Galapagos trip on board the Astrea.

Similar Ships

Encantada Galapagos Cruise
Budget

Encantada

Unfortunately, the beautiful "Encantada" was decommissioned in March 2018 and will sail other parts of the world now. Please click here for comparable [economic cruises to the Galápagos Islands](https://www.galapatours.com/fr/trips/budget).If you still want to read on about the Encantada, this was our product description of this beautiful sailship: Previously known in the Islands as “The Little Red Sailboat”, visiting the Galápagos on this 69ft schooner is pure romance! With a maximum of only 12 guests - yet a crew of 6 - you get luxury levels of service and attention at a budget-friendly price. Almost all the boats in the Galápagos fleet accommodate 16 guests, some higher end vessels have 14 guests, but a cruise on Encantada will see you among only 12 companions for a truly intimate view of the archipelago. You’ll get a very personal view of the Islands from your bilingual National Park naturalist guide who would normally work with larger groups, and the crew on board become more like friends as they look after you during your trip. There are 6 cabins on Encantada, all living up to your expectations of the age of sail with traditional wooden bunks and hand-crafted wooden furniture and fittings. Despite her smaller size and traditional looks every cabin enjoys air conditioning and a private en suite bathroom with hot water. Culinary secret The lounge and dining area are full of natural wood and classic example of the boatbuilders craft. Dining onboard is relaxed and sociable, with all guests enjoying one large table the conversation flows as easily as the beer and wine! There is also an al fresco dining table on the stern deck where you can eat and enjoy the cool sea breezes. What Encantada’s kitchen may lack in size it more than makes up for in the talents of its chef. The food on Encantada is consistently praised by our guests, and some who’ve traveled on the luxury boats in the Galápagos fleet have felt it was just as good! The sun deck is large enough for sitting and relaxing as well as simply lying in the sun. When the night comes, there is nowhere better in Galápagos to be than on the open deck of “The Little Red Boat” with the sails up and the stars out. The naturalist itineraries are varied, and some venture further north than most of the fleet. Thanks to her smaller size, Encantada can visit places larger vessels can’t. Our comments The romance of a traditional motor sailboat, the intimacy of only 12 guests, the ability to visit places larger boats can’t, and budget friendly prices… this a lot to this little red boat! We can’t get enough of the food on Encantada, and in our opinion we think the “sacrifice” of a smaller cabin is more than worth it considering the benefits

Golondrina Galapagos Cruise
Budget

Golondrina

Golondrina is a tourist class motor yacht that offers some of the best cruise itineraries for those who really want to discover the true Galápagos. This makes her exceptional value and she is a popular choice for those who want a comfortable and relaxed way to see the best of the islands. Golondrina is a motor yacht with classic lines that oozes friendly charm. There is always a great relaxed atmosphere on board and the main lounge and dining area with bar is the perfect place to get to know your fellow guests and relax after your day’s excursions. There is also a TV with DVD player and a music system for entertainment. There are plenty of outdoor areas both under cover and with full sun for socializing and watching the ocean life. For the most adventurous a leap from the top sundeck into the Pacific ocean is recommended! There are 8 cabins on board, and each has traditional wooden twin bunks. The cabins are individually air conditioned, and each has its own private bathroom with full size hot water shower, sink and vanity. Welcome additional service includes fresh towels each day and plentiful food served in a buffet style to refuel after your adventures. Her crew of 5 includes a bilingual naturalist guide who will brief you on the islands and their wonderful wildlife and lead you on various excursions. The Golondrina has some of the most interesting itineraries of any of the tourist class fleet, and many people choose her for this very reason. Excursions include island visits, exploring by panga, swimming and snorkeling - with masks, fins and snorkels available for guests. Golondrina is always a fun boat. Her crew look after everyone really well and they encourage you to relax and enjoy yourself - this is not a formal boat, and if you enjoy having fun in relaxed surroundings whilst seeing the very best of the older Galápagos islands then a Golondrina cruise will suit you perfectly.

Aida Maria Galapagos Cruise
Budget

Aida Maria

What better way to experience the Galápagos Islands than on board a yacht that was designed and built right here in the islands from local materials and using local craftsmen? The Aida Maria was launched in 1997, and her owner's family have been a part of Galápagos life since the 1930s. A Galápagos cruise aboard Aida Maria gives you a unique perspective on these unique islands. We think Aida Maria gets the balance just right between affordable Galápagos cruising and having an enjoyable, comfortable and stylish experience. When you step on board, it's remarkable to think that the entire ship was made using local Galápagos timbers and that beautifully polished wood takes pride of place in Aida Maria's decor. She boasts 8 double cabins with traditional-style bunks. The cabins are decorated in lovely light and airy style, and they all have a private bathroom with shower, air conditioning, and classic porthole windows. The communal areas on board have simply stunning polished wood floors and ceilings, but the ship doesn't feel dark because of this. In fact, her saloon boasts large panoramic windows that span the entire length of this deck, flooding her with equatorial light, and providing you with first-class views of the islands as you dine or relax with fellow guests. Unusually for a ship of this class, Aida Maria has 2 sundecks where you can soak up the Galápagos rays. The upper sundeck gives delightful views and has a canopy for shade, but you can also choose to relax on the bow of the main deck - but don't forget your sunblock! As befits a boat with so much local provenance, the dining experience sees your chef use the freshest ingredients to prepare a wide range of delicious local and regional specialties in addition to a great variety of international favorites. Wonderful wildlife Aida Maria's owners have used their intimate knowledge of their home to design a range of superb itineraries for you to choose from. The Aida Maria's itineraries are among the most flexible in her class in terms of sites visited and length of Galápagos cruise - there are currently 6 different options you can take! You can even choose the combine her two best itineraries into one 15-day Galápagos cruise of a lifetime. Whichever you choose, you can be assured of seeing a wide range of stunning [Galápagos wildlife](https://www.galapatours.com/animals) and remarkable [Galápagos islands](https://www.galapatours.com/en/island/). Her onboard naturalist guides are all highly experienced National Park approved locals, and they speak English and Spanish. They will go out of their way to bring you closer to the wildlife and habitats of the islands, and they will be a fascinating source of information for you throughout your trip. Our comments This is a genuinely local ship, and her crew are one of the most dedicated in the fleet. With 8 members to serve a maximum of 16 guests, you are ensured of levels of service beyond your expectation for a Galápagos cruise of this class. We love to sit on her bow sundeck as we cruise along, and we can't help but have a soft spot for her as a true Galápagos "local". However, her crowning glory is the wonderful range of itineraries. If you need help to choose the perfect one for you, contact one of our expert Galápagos travel advisors today.

Angelito Galapagos
Budget

Angelito

The Angelito is a lovely budget-class Galápagos cruise yacht that has been family-owned and operated since her launch in 1992. She's been lovingly cared for, and the dedication of her owners is visible in everything she does. This is a budget-class cruise with first-class passion from the operator. \- Family-owned and run \- Superb naturalist guides \- Complete refit in 2013 **Dedicated to your experience** Angelito isn't just a business, she's part of a family - and that shows. From her beautifully clean exterior to the stunning waxed wood interior fittings to the quality of service - everyone on board is obviously proud of the yacht. Every trip has at least one member of the family on board to ensure that their exacting standards never slip. Her accommodation is made up of 8 double cabins that are bright and airy - and remarkably for this class of Galápagos cruise, all enjoy lovely big windows for stunning sea and island views. Angelito is fully air conditioned, and every cabin enjoys a private bathroom with shower and hot and cold water. All this combined with the lovely decor makes her cabins charming places to retire to at the end of the day. **Great food, great company** Communal areas on board are no less charming. Angelito's main saloon and dining room is comfortable and cosy and flooded with Galápagos sunshine thanks to large windows throughout. Beautiful wood finishes and comfortable furniture make this a great place to chat with like-minded fellow travelers, enjoy a superb meal, and relax with a well-deserved drink from the bar. As well as a rich array of meals from the kitchen, covering Ecuadorian specialities and international favorites, there is a never-ending supply of complimentary tea, coffee and water available at all times. If you would like something a little stronger, your dedicated barman will be only too pleased to assist, and he'll even be happy to deliver your drinks to the substantial upper sundeck if that's where you'd prefer to take them! **Take the time to take it all in** Angelito's philosophy is not to rush. They would much rather you had wonderful long and intimate encounters with the islands' wildlife than hurry you to try and "tick off" as many islands as possible. On Angelito, quality is more important than quantity. Given this philosophy, it's no surprise that one of your naturalist guides may well be Maya, who has been a member of Angeito's crew for over 30 years experience. First she worked as a Tour leader and Translator on board and has the licence as a National Park naturalist since 1992. With a maximum of only 16 guests per trip and a total of 8 crew, Angelito will provide you with an extraordinary experience that can't be bettered by any other ship in her class. The Angelito offers two different 8-day itineraries, each of which has it's own attractions in terms of wildlife and habitat. For advice on the best one for you, contact one of our Galápagos specialist travel advisors today who can help pick the perfect itinerary for you. As a flavor, the Angelito “A” itinerary visits Espanola, Bartolome, North Seymour, and Genovesa Islands, and gives the opportunity to snorkel with [penguins](https://www.galapatours.com/animal/galapagos-penguin), walk among hundreds of [Blue-Footed boobies](https://www.galapatours.com/animal/blue-footed-booby) and witness the mating dance of the endangered [Waved Albatross](https://www.galapatours.com/animal/galapagos-waved-albatross). The “B” itinerary stays in the western part of the archipelago to explore [Fernandina](https://www.galapatours.com/island/fernandina) and the many diverse sites on [Isabela](https://www.galapatours.com/island/isabela), without missing snorkeling at Floreana or exploring the white-sand beaches of Santa Cruz. Isabela is the largest Galápagos island and is home to 60% of the region’s land wildlife, as well as beautiful snorkeling with green sea turtles, penguins, flightless cormorants, and [Galápagos sharks](https://www.galapatours.com/animal/galapagos-sharks). **Our comments** Angelito is all about passion, quality, and a love and respect for the islands - and this shines through from the moment you step on board. We adore the full-length sundeck on this yacht - it's one of the biggest in her class and is a stunning place to drink in the Galápagos ambiance. Her naturalist guides are among the most experienced, most qualified and most knowledgeable in the Galápagos, and their emphasis on long and intimate wildlife encounters means this is a "must do" Galápagos cruise for nature lovers.


2024 Galapatours, a Ventura TRAVEL GmbH brand

All rights reserved

go picture

Your contact

Micaela

Book a video consultation

15min face to face consultation

go picture