Golondrina Galápagos Cruise

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

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.

Danubio Azul

The Danubio Azul is a budget class yacht with amazing service on board. She offers some superb naturalist and diving itineraries, including some of the more intimate and less frequented sites the Galápagos have to offer. The vessel carries complimentary snorkels and wetsuits, and is equipped with two tenders (or "pangas"). With a maximum of 14 guests, as opposed to the more common 16, the Danubio Azul really does give you are more intimate and friendly experience. We personally cruised with this vessel. Featuring 5 double cabins, each with air-conditioning and en suite bathrooms, the Danubio Azul features modern, bright and comfortable decor throughout. The cabins were spacious and clean, and all of them had functioning air-conditioners and hot water, and we slept wonderfully on comfortable beds. We chose an eight-day cruise that included South Plaza, Santa Fe, San Cristóbal, Floreana and Bartolome - an exceptional itinerary for a short cruise. The captain, cook and guide were extremely friendly and very attentive, as were the two other staff on board. The food was first class with a really excellent variety - something you would only expect on much more expensive classes of vessel. At Galapatours we were impressed by the Danubio Azul and its staff The Danubio Azul Yacht is one of the smallest and most intimate vessels on the Galápagos Islands with only 5 cabins (up to 14 people) that makes for an ideal cruise experience for families or friends. All in all, this ship, the cabins, the meals, the itineraries and the staff are a perfect combination to visit the Galápagos Islands with an intimate setting.

Aqua

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.