Galaxy Galápagos Cruise

Tiburon Explorer

Tiburon Explorer heralds a new era in luxury Galápagos diving liveaboards. Designed and built purely for Galápagos cruising, Tiburon brings you the perfect balance between wonderful diving experiences and superb accommodation. Welcoming a maximum of only 16 guests, Tiburon Explorer offers you a truly intimate Galápagos diving adventure. Superb comfort: As you'd expect from a modern ship, Tiburon Explorer is a world away from older, often converted vessels that offer cramped accommodation with portholes and bunks. Here you'll enjoy beautiful staterooms with twin beds that convert to a single queen size bed, climate control, and en suite bathrooms. Wonderful picture windows let the light and stunning views come flooding in, while chic and modern decor with recessed accent lighting gives your room a real boutique hotel feel. If you'd like even more space, why not book one of three suites on board? Featuring a private lounge area and extra space, these offer you a level of comfort you simply can't find on other Galápagos diving liveaboards. Designed for diving: Tiburon Explorer features a state-of-the-art dive deck with everything you need to make the start and finish of your dives hassle free. With only 16 passengers on board at any one time there's plenty of space to get ready. A recessed stairway leads to the waterline for easy zodiac embarkation. The large camera table with charging points, separate rinsing stations for gear and cameras, personal storage lockers and a dedicated bathroom are all testament to the thought that went into her design. But as well as being a superb Galápagos diving platform, M/V Tiburon Explorer is also a luxurious home from home. Her saloon features comfortable sofas and side tables in a sociable layout. Dining is equally sociable, with a large table accommodating all guests and your dive guides. This bonds everyone over the day's dive adventures as well as making it easy to quiz your expert guides about everything you have seen. When it comes to relaxing between dives there aren't many places better than the Tiburon Explorer's sun deck. This amazing space has loungers for sun-worshippers, shaded sofas for cooler relaxing, a fantastic alfresco bar, and even a whirlpool jacuzzi. This is the perfect place to watch the equatorial stars appear as the sun sets over the horizon. Our comments: This is a fabulous luxury dive vessel. Calling it a liveaboard doesn't really do it justice compared to others. If you are after a Galápagos diving experience that marries remarkable dive sites with luxurious accommodation then this is the vessel to book. Her dive guides are among the most experienced in Galápagos, and you will dive at the iconic Wolf and Darwin sites. This package really has it all!.

Master

Galápagos Master prides itself as being one of the most eco-friendly Galápagos diving boats in the fleet. This sturdy, all-steel vessel is the perfect choice for getting you to some of the world’s best diving sites at the remote Wolf and Darwin islands. With only 16 guests maximum per trip and a crew of 12, she offers one of the best guest-to-crew ratios of any live aboard dive boat in the Galápagos, and her equipment is first class. Comfortable cabins Master has nine modern and well-appointed cabins, including four twins on the lower deck, and four on the upper deck. There is an additional single cabin which is available for solo travelers. Lower deck cabins may be preferable for those who suffer from motion sickness, as the ship’s movement will be less apparent in the swells that sometimes occur as you cruise the waters around the Galápagos. Lower deck cabins feature traditional portholes, while upper deck cabins have larger windows. All have en suite bathrooms with shower, and rooms are air-conditioned for your comfort. A social experience Galápagos Master’s communal areas are the heart of the ship. The main deck houses the spacious indoor lounge. Comfortable social seating makes this a great place to relax and swap stories about the day’s adventures and your Galápagos diving experience. You’ll also receive your safety and naturalist briefings here. There’s a large flat screen TV with HDMI inputs, which is perfect for watching your diving movies or taking a look at your photos. Also, on the main deck is the dining area and cocktail bar. Your chef Angel produces a great range of mouthwatering dishes, including his specialty ceviche, which is truly delicious, and can be enjoyed with a range of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks from the bar. Another great touch is the dedicated “camera station” where you can charge and store cameras - there are several North American power sockets available here, ensuring you’ll always be ready to capture the marine life that thrives in the Galápagos. For sun worshipers, the upper deck open-air lounge is perfect. Comfortable seating and loungers are available to help you soak up the equatorial sun. If you prefer a little more privacy, Galápagos Master’s bow area offers a quieter place to relax, with room for four sun loungers. The boat is very informal and relaxed, and you’re always welcome to use any of the gangways to move around the boat, and the captain is always happy to receive visitors on the bridge. High quality dive experience The dive deck on Master is very well-equipped, with everything you need for a first class Galápagos diving experience. Everyone is allocated their own equipment set up area, with storage for personal items. Generously sized rinse tanks are centrally located for washing down your dive equipment and camera gear, and there are 2 shower heads if you want a quick post-dive rinse. When you return from a dive, you’ll find a large dry towel waiting for you at your dive station, as well as a welcoming selection of warm drinks and snacks. **Stunning diving itineraries** With a choice of seven night and ten night itineraries, a Galápagos Master diving cruise offers something for everyone. Most days include four dives: two in the morning and two in the afternoon, but on some days you will have a shore excursion in the afternoon to allow you to see even more of the stunning Galápagos Islands and some of the land-based animals. This means that even on a seven night trip, you will enjoy 18-20 dives. However, the ten night trip means an amazing 28 dives are possible - if you can, this would be our recommendation for the ultimate Galápagos diving adventure of a lifetime. Galápagos Master offers you a wide range of dive equipment for rent at a reasonable daily rate, including full sets (excluding torch and dive computer) from $45 per day. Nitrox is available. **Our comments** Galápagos Master is a great option for seasoned divers who want to experience some of the best and most wildlife-rich diving in the world - including the world-famous Galápagos dive sites of Wolf and Darwin. Captain Javier and his dive team are highly experienced and very welcoming, and we particularly like the additional thoughtful touches that Master’s operators have put in place, such as the dedicated camera charging station and the individual preparation stations. This is a very social boat, and her large and comfortable communal areas attest to this. The salon is a great place to spend the evening checking out everyone’s photos and videos on the big screen - pictures from Galápagos you’ll treasure forever!

Islander

\- Twin hulls for superb stability \- Medical officer on board \- Superb naturalist guides and expedition equipment \- Fantastic social spaces A purpose-built expedition ship, Islander is truly worthy of wearing the "National Geographic" name. With big ship facilities like a doctor's office and email station, yet the intimacy provided by only 24 cabins, you get the best of both worlds from a Galápagos cruise on National Geographic Islander. **A range of comfortable accommodation** National Geographic Islander was built as a naturalist expedition ship, but not at the expense of your comfort! With five classes of cabins to choose from, there's something for everyone on this [Galápagos islands](https://www.galapatours.com/en/island) cruise. All of her cabins feature two full-size single beds that can be converted to generous queen-size doubles if you prefer. For families, or those traveling as a group, there are two cabins that can sleep a third person. Every accommodation enjoys at least one standard window with ocean views, and some offer an enclosed private balcony area. The largest cabins on the upper deck provide superb wrap-around windows offering you unrivalled vistas as you cruise the Galápagos islands. Every room features a private bathroom with a shower, individual climate control, power sockets, and a desk. The decor is classic, with plenty of beautiful natural wood, and the walls feature unique wildlife photography of the Galápagos from National Geographic's stunning photo libraries. **Social spaces in which to relax and discover** Despite being "built for adventure", National Geographic Islander offers high levels of comfort while you are on board between excursions. You'll find that you will bond quickly with your like-minded fellow guests thanks to her large dining room, which accommodates everyone in a single sitting. You will swap tales of your Galápagos discoveries while enjoying the freshest local and international cuisine prepared by the on board chefs. Breakfast and lunch are usually buffet-style, with dinners being served to you. There's no formality on National Geographic Islander, and guests freely mingle. You'll often be joined for dinner by your naturalist guides, giving you an even deeper insight into the Galápagos as you enjoy this relaxed ambiance. The ship's large and comfortable lounge bar quickly becomes the social hub of your trip, and this is where you'll gather daily for your briefing and the National Geographic tradition known as "Recap". There's plenty of comfortable seating here for relaxing, reading, or just watching the world outside the panoramic windows. If you want some quiet time to yourself, why not select a book from the well-stocked and cosy library? Or perhaps head out to the decks and enjoy one of the hammocks that are rigged for guests - what could be better than basking in the Galápagos warmth like a [marine iguana](https://www.galapatours.com/animals/galapagos-marine-iguana) while the ship gently sways beneath you? For an even more indulgent experience, why not book the ship's wellness specialist to give you a relaxing - or invigorating - treatment in the on board spa? You can also enjoy a guided stretching session on the open decks every morning. **Extras that help you really explore Galápagos** Given all the creature comforts that Islander offers you may forget that she is a National Geographic Galápagos expedition ship. But exploration and discovery are at the heart of what she offers. Her naturalist guides are among the most experienced in the islands, and she carries four zodiacs (known locally as "pangas") which means the whole ship's company can be transported to excursions at once, eliminating waiting times on board, and increasing your time on the Galápagos islands themselves. As well as pangas, National Geographic Islander carries 8 sea kayaks (a mix of singles and doubles) for guests to use. These offer a unique way to explore shallow inlets and mangroves, as well as to enjoy an "up close and personal" ocean experience. You will also be issued with your own snorkel gear for use during your cruise, including 3mm "shorty" wetsuit, allowing you to spend longer in the water with the amazing Galápagos wildlife, such as [Galápagos sea lions](https://www.galapatours.com/animals/galapagos-sea-lion), [green turtles](https://www.galapatours.com/animals/galapagos-green-sea-turtle), and [Galápagos penguins](https://www.galapatours.com/animals/galapagos-penguin). Other unique facilities include a high definition underwater camera and a video microscope - both of which are used to great effect by the ship's naturalist experts to enhance your understanding of the flora and fauna of Galápagos. **Our Comments** There is no bigger name in natural history than "National Geographic", and we love the focus that this cruise puts on giving you a deep and rich understanding of the Galápagos islands and its wildlife and landscapes. Complimentary full snorkel gear, sea kayaks, and even a video microscope will bring you closer to Galápagos than other cruises. When you add to this the luxurious cabins, "big ship facilities", and the superb food and attentive crew, this Galápagos cruise really does offer it all.

Tip Top IV

- Flights to and from Galápagos included (from Quito or Guayaquil); - Ample sun decks with shade and open skies; - Sea kayaks and snorkeling gear on board. - Most prices already include your flight tickets from and to the Galápagos Islands (from Quito or Guayaquil). Tip Top IV is a beautiful 125ft first class motor yacht. Launched in 2006, she was designed and built specifically to offer the very best Galápagos adventure cruises and is one of the “Tip Top” fleet operated by the Ecuadorian Wittmer family. Captain Rolf Wittmer was one of the original pioneers of sustainable Galápagos tourism, founding the business in 1982. Tip Top IV continues the legacy by offering superb accommodation to only 16 guests, giving you a first class yet intimate experience of the Islands Service and local knowledge With a crew of 8 looking after a maximum of only 16 guests on board you’ll receive exceptional levels of service and comfort. The family-run Tip Top IV looks after her crew extremely well, and this means they always go out of their way to make sure you have a fantastic experience. Naturalist guides aboard Tip Top IV are certified by the Galápagos National Park and fully bi-lingual. Their knowledge of the wildlife and marine and on-shore habitats are second to none, and they provide daily briefings and informative talks that really bring the Islands and their ecosystems to life, as well as guiding you on fantastic land- and water-based excursions. Elegant accommodation Tip Top IV has one of the freshest, brightest decor schemes of all the yachts in her class. Her communal social areas are light and airy with panoramic windows and crisp white wall and ceiling finishes, softened tastefully by neutral earth shades. Fabrics and furnishings are modern and of the best quality. The boat’s whole ambiance feels like an exclusive New England beach club, and relaxed evenings on board enjoying the well-stocked bar are filled with smiles and laughter. The 10 cabins are equally well appointed. Each is available with twin beds or can be converted to a king size at your request. Individual air conditioning and plenty of storage makes them pleasant places to unwind and relax as well as sleep soundly while cruising to your next remarkable location. Each enjoys a large, private en suite bathroom with full-size shower, large mirrors, vanity unit and hair dryer. The elegant dining salon has been laid out with a more informal arrangement that encourages a social feel - the perfect place to relive the day’s wonders with new friends. The chef produces a delicious range of local specialities and international cuisine, all freshly prepared using locally sourced ingredients. Snacks can be enjoyed inside or on deck in the fresh ocean air. Outdoors the clean lines continue, with beautiful teak decks contrasting with the dazzling and crisp whites of the yacht’s hull and bulkheads. Shaded corners with comfortable chairs are perfect for a cooling drink or a relaxing read. There is also a fully-exposed sun deck with recliners for soaking up the Galápagos sun, or drinking in the wonderful star-filled night skies. Ready for adventure Tip Top IV’s excursions are designed to let you experience the real Galápagos in all her guises. As well as expert guides, the yacht carries complimentary snorkeling gear to allow you view the amazing marine life. She also carries ocean-going kayaks for a totally different experience from above the waterline. Your on-shore excursions will bring you close to the amazing and unique wildlife of the Islands, providing you with once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities. Our Comment The Wittmers’ Tip Top IV is one of our favourite motor yachts in the islands - she always looks so crisp, fresh and clean and her interior spaces are light and bright, we just can’t help feeling good when we step on board! We love the flexible cabins that can be made up as twins or a kingsize, and the large communal lounge with its panoramic windows. Kayaks on board are a great bonus and the happy and conscientious crew really make you feel welcome - and special.