Darwin Galapagos Cruise

The Motor Yacht Darwin is the perfect example of how you can enjoy an intimate experience of the Galapagos without needing a huge budget. This charming little motor Yacht was built here in Galapagos in 1995 and offers all you need to be comfortable combined with superb wildlife itineraries, making a Galapagos cruise on Darwin the ideal choice for budget-conscious travelers.

- Great value Galapagos 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 Galapagos 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 Galapagos wildlife lovers a really comfortable yet affordable way to experience the extraordinary animals and birds that call Galapagos 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 Galapagos 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 Galapagos stars? On this relaxed Galapagos cruise, you can make yourself entirely at home.

Adventure or Discovery? Choice of itineraries
Darwin's owner, Manuel Villacís, came to Galapagos 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 Galapagos and the stunning wildlife that you can find there. For the ultimate value-for-money Galapagos cruise why not combine Adventure with Discovery for a 2 week Galapagos cruise of a lifetime?

As well as island excursions and landings by “panga” (the inflatable boats used as tenders in Galapagos) you can also go snorkeling with Galapagos 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 Galapagos National Park naturalist to guide you on all your excursions, meaning your understanding and appreciation of Galapagos will be more profound and more enjoyable.

We love her cute styling, her warm and cosy interiors and her exceptional value for money.Click here to read less