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Darwin Galapagos Cruise

Darwin Galápagos Cruise

Attentive crew & superb itineraries

A Galápagos Cruise on board the Darwin

15 Reviews

Budget
Darwin Galapagos Cruise
Darwin Galapagos Cruise
Darwin Galapagos Cruise

The Motor Yacht Darwin is the perfect example of how you can enjoy an intimate experience of the Galápagos without needing a huge budget. This charming little motor Yacht was built here in Galápagos in 1995 and offers all you need to be comfortable combined with superb wildlife itineraries, making a Galápagos cruise on Darwin the ideal choice for budget-conscious travelers. - Great value Galápagos cruise - Sundeck - Excellent choice of itineraries - Relaxed and cosy ambience Small, but perfectly formed Darwin's reputation as a friendly boat with a family feel is well known in the Galápagos cruise fleet. She even looks friendly, with our guests commenting to us that she has a "cute" design when they arrive on the dockside! Although she's one of the smaller yachts in her class, Darwin offers Galápagos wildlife lovers a really comfortable yet affordable way to experience the extraordinary animals and birds that call Galápagos home. To maximise use of space, the 8 cabins are arranged across all decks. We would advise that guests who may be prone to motion sickness should opt for cabins on the lower deck. However, if you are after stunning views, the upper deck cabins next to the sundeck are perfect! The 8 double cabins are laid out as traditional bunks, but every cabin enjoys a private bathroom with hot shower, environmentally-friendly toiletries, linens, and air conditioning. Lower deck cabins feature traditional portholes, but their decor is bright and fresh which makes them light and airy. Upper cabins enjoy larger windows and external doors, giving you a fantastic sea view as you wake ready for a hearty breakfast. All the cabins feature traditional wood fittings and ceiling panels, and this warm, natural theme is continued throughout the whole boat. This gives Darwin a really cosy feel, and it makes it easy to share stories with your fellow guests in the lovely lounge area at the end of a day of Galápagos adventure. The lounge also features 110v power for charging your devices and a TV/DVD system. You'll also find the bar here, with it's wonderfully carved wood panels. A taste of the islands Darwin's chef has a passion for local and Ecuadorian cuisine alongside a superb repertoire of international dishes. He's particularly happy to cater to vegetarian guests - just let us know your dietary requirements when you book. Meals are served in the cosy dining room on the main deck, and you can enjoy sharing breakfast, lunch and dinner with your fellow guests around the dining tables. After dinner, why not relax with a drink at the bar? Or perhaps take it up to the large upper sundeck where you can watch the remarkable Galápagos stars? On this relaxed Galápagos cruise, you can make yourself entirely at home. Adventure or Discovery? Choice of itineraries Darwin's owner, Manuel Villacís, came to Galápagos in the 1940s and fell in love with their incredible wildlife and remarkable habitats. It was this passion that led him to enter the responsible tourism industry and led to the design and build of Darwin. His enthusiasm shows in the two styles of cruise you can choose from on Darwin, named the Adventure and Discovery itineraries. Both styles have multiple variants, and each will allow you to get a different flavor of the unique volcanic islands that make up the Galápagos and the stunning wildlife that you can find there. For the ultimate value-for-money Galápagos cruise why not combine Adventure with Discovery for a 2 week Galápagos cruise of a lifetime? As well as island excursions and landings by “panga” (the inflatable boats used as tenders in Galápagos) you can also go snorkeling with Galápagos sea lions and green turtles. Quality snorkel gear and wetsuits are available to hire on board for a small additional charge. Our comments With attentive staff and great itineraries, Darwin is a really popular choice for those looking for an affordable yacht with an intimate feel. Having 7 crew for a maximum of only 16 guests, you are always well looked after, and the owner Manuel treats his staff very well which is reflected in their attention to detail, friendliness and passion for their jobs. You also have the services of a bilingual Level III Galápagos National Park naturalist to guide you on all your excursions, meaning your understanding and appreciation of Galápagos will be more profound and more enjoyable. We love her cute styling, her warm and cosy interiors and her exceptional value for money.

Amenities on board the Darwin

transfer

Transfers to and from ship

footprint

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

air conditioning

Air conditioning & private bathroom

shared bedroom

Single travellers can share cabin

drinks

Water, Coffee, Tea & fresh juices

EN guide

English guide

children

-10% for children ≤ 7

meal

All meals

Food & Drinks on board the Darwin

The food on our Galapágos Cruises is among the very best you will find in South America. Most of the on-board chefs are internationally trained and have prior experience working in the best hotels and restaurants in Ecuador and indeed around the world.

You can expect a first-class selection of food, including a good variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, locally sourced poultry and fish/seafood, rice and pasta dishes. Most boats will always include some typical Ecuadorian dishes on the menu during your cruise. If you have specific dietary requirements then these can usually be accommodated by the chef providing you have given advance notice. Please make sure you tell us about any allergies or dietary requirements you have at the time you book with us. If you leave it until you arrive at the dockside, then it may well be impossible to accommodate your needs.

Most boats serve a range of options at meal times in a relaxed buffet-style. At the first class and luxury end of the market, some boats have more formal dining where you will be served at your seat. However the atmosphere is always relaxed on board our cruises, and never stuffy or formal.

Sustainable Tourism

At Galapatours we love and respect the pristine ecosystems and fascinating wildlife of the Galápagos Islands, and we insist that our cruise partners do too. To protect the archipelago all our cruise vessels must have sophisticated water filtration systems, modern efficient engines, and strict maintenance schedules to minimize pollution.

The Galápagos National Park authority also defines exact cruising routes that dictate which ships can visit highlights at specific times, as well as limiting passenger numbers. These measures ensure that animals and habitats are not disturbed by too many visitors.

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. And 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 Darwin

Double twin
Standard Double

Type:

Matrimonial

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Technical details of Darwin

Category
Budget
Type
Small Yacht
Length
60fts / 18m
Cruising speed
9 kt.
Beam
18fts / 5m
Capacity
16

Reviews of Darwin

Tanja J.

Darwin Galapagos Cruise

Budget

A wonderful time on board the Darwin Dear Babett We had a wonderful and very exciting time on board the Darwin. Thanks again for the good organisation in advance! The crew was attentive, the food was always fresh and well cooked. The choice was large for every menu considering that all this was prepared in a very small kitchen. Our guide gave us a plenty of information about nature and wildlife on the Galapagos. As soon as someone got seasick, the crew took care of them very well. Our cabins were small, but always clean (freshly cleaned every day). We also think it was great that each cabin had its own small bathroom. On deck there was enough space to stay and relax. All in all a wonderful time, which ended much too fast. But we will remember it for a long time to come. Best regards Tanja

daerix

Darwin Galapagos Cruise

Budget

Darwin Wir verbrachten traumhafte 8 Tage auf der Darwin. Das Essen wurde immer frisch zubereitet und schmeckte fantastisch. Die Kabinen sind klein, aber man hat ein eigenes Bad. Der Guide war sehr lustig und wusste viel zu erzählen (Wiliam/Leo).

tanjajoerg

Darwin Galapagos Cruise

Budget

Darwin Kreuzfahrt 5Tage/4Nächte Wir hatten eine wunderbare und sehr erlebnisreise Zeit auf der Darwin. Abholung im Hafen von Puerto Ayora war kein Problem, da wir unseren Aufenthalt vorverlängert haben. Die Crew war aufmerksam, wir wurden immer frisch und gut bekocht. Die Auswahl war bei jedem Menü gross und man bedenkt, dass dies alles in einer sehr kleinen Küche zubereitet wurde. Unser Guide hat uns viele spannende Informationen über die Natur und das Leben auf den Galapagos weitergegeben. Sobald jemand z.B. Seekrank wurde haben sich alle wahnsinnig gut um einem gekümmert. Unsere Kajüten waren klein, jedoch immer sauber (jeden Tag frisch geputzt). Super fanden wir auch, dass jede Kajüte ein eigenes kleines Bad hatte. An Deck gab es genug Platz zum verweilen und die Seele baumeln zu lassen. Einfaches Schiff, wer jedoch kein Luxus braucht ist hier genau richtig! :-)

Maresa V.

Darwin Galapagos Cruise

Budget

Un Voyage incroyable ! Les Galapagos ont été incroyables ! Les meilleures vacances que j'aie jamais eues. Tout était si bien coordonné et les membres de l'équipage ont fait un travail extraordinaire. Mon partenaire et moi avons eu la plus belle première expérience de vacances ensemble. Luis, notre hôte sur le bateau, était extrêmement énergique et très divertissant. Les guides, Victor et Enrique, étaient aussi fabuleux. Leur expérience de l'histoire et de la science des Galapagos était incroyable. Toutes les îles que nous avons visitées étaient formidables. Les vues les plus spectaculaires que nous ayons jamais vues. Notre île préférée était l'île Rabida où le sable était rouge en raison de sa teneur élevée en fer. Mon partenaire, qui ne sait pas nager, était impatient de sauter dans l'océan clair pour faire de la plongée avec tuba ! Avec l'aide d'un gilet de sauvetage, bien sûr. Les autres membres de l'équipage qui ont piloté les zodiacs ont également fait preuve d'une grande vigilance en veillant à ce que le groupe reste ensemble dans l'océan. Nous avons eu l'occasion de faire de la plongée avec tuba et de nager avec des tortues de mer, des otaries, des requins, de magnifiques poissons colorés, et même un pingouin ! Merci de votre aide pour la réservation de ces vacances magiques ! Le seul regret que j'ai, c'est de ne pas être restée plus longtemps !

Maressa V.

Darwin Galapagos Cruise

Budget

Amazing trip Galapagos was amazing! The best vacation I've ever had. Everything was so well coordinated and the crew members did an amazing job. My partner and I had the most wonderful first vacation experience together. Luis, our host on the boat, was extremely energetic and very entertaining. The tour guides, Victor and Enrique, were also fabulous. It was amazing how much experience they had on the history and science behind Galapagos. All the islands we visited were amazing. The most spectacular views we've ever seen. Our favorite was Rabida Island where the sand was red from the high iron levels. My partner, who doesn't know how to swim, was eager to jump into the clear ocean to snorkel! With the help of a life vest of course. The other crew members who steered the dingys were also excellent in keeping watch, making sure the group stays together in the ocean. We got a chance to snorkel and swim with sea turtles, sea lions, sharks, beautiful colorful fish, and even a penguin! Thank you for all your help in booking this magical vacation! The only regret I have is not staying longer!!

Maressa V.

Darwin Galapagos Cruise

Budget

Ein großartiger Urlaub Galapagos war unglaublich! Der beste Urlaub, den ich je hatte. Alles war so gut koordiniert und die Crewmitglieder habe wirklich hervorragende Arbeit geleistet. Mein Partner und ich hatten einen wunderbaren ersten Urlaub gemeinsam. Luis, unser Gastgeber auf dem Boot, war sehr freundlich und unterhaltsam. Auch die Reiseleiter, Victor und Enrique, waren fabelhaft. Es war großartig, wie viel Kenntnisse die beiden zu der Geschichte und der Wissenschaft rund um die Galapagos-Inseln hatten. Alle Inseln, die wir besucht haben, waren wunderschön und der Blick von Bartolomé war wohl die spektakulärste Aussicht, die wir je genossen haben. Unser Favorit war Rábida, wo der Sand aufgrund der hohen Eisenwerte knallrot war. Mein Partner, der nicht schwimmen kann, war begierig darauf, in den klaren Ozean zu springen, um zu schnorcheln! Natürlich mit Hilfe einer Schwimmweste. Die anderen Besatzungsmitglieder, die die "Pangas" gesteuertt haben, waren immer für uns da und haben dafür gesorgt, dass die Gruppe im Meer zusammen blieb. Wir hatten die Möglichkeit zum Schnorcheln und Schwimmen mit Meeresschildkröten, Seelöwen, Haien, schönen bunten Fischen und sogar einem Pinguin! Vielen Dank für Ihre Hilfe bei der Buchung dieses magischen Urlaubs! Das einzige Bedauern, das ich habe, ist, nicht länger zu bleiben.

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