Choosing a boat for Galapagos
 

We are looking into going to the Galapagos the end of June and are feeling a little overwhelmed with the boat selection. Any suggestions on choosing a boat? We would like to go on one of the smaller boats (10-20 passengers).

Hi 2CR

I was on the Isabella 11(two) when I went to the Galapagos.

It is a 40 passeneger luxury yacht but there were only 36 people because some came as singles.

The Isabella 11 is very lovely in every respect.

I had a fellow who owns a Travel Company in Quito book the whole trip for me.

I can send you a few pictures of the inside of the Isabella ll if you want.

Take Care
Percy

On April 1-8, my family and I went on a Galapagos cruise on the Letty, one of the Ecoventura boats and a sister ship to the Flamingo and the Eric.

3 out of 4 members of my family and 7 out of 22 people on the boat contracted a stomach virus with symptoms including fever, diarrhea and vomiting.


It was a Sunday to Sunday cruise and the sickness didn’t start until Friday, which makes me think it was something on the yacht instead of something people caught in Ecuador before the trip.

You may want to consider this in choosing a boat.

Sagitta was lovely. 16 passengers. The other 16 passenger vessel I was on was equally good. That one is not in operation anymore. I think you are choosing from a good selection. I'd focus more on the itinerary and # of days than which boat. Have a wonderful trip.

Get Barry Boyce's book, A Travelers Guide to the Galapagos. Not only will he help you with boat selection, but will tell you what to expect and what to bring, etc. A must read in my humble opinion.

I was on the Explorer II and it was a wonderful wonderful experience. The agent who booked our trip is in Panama City, Fl and booked us with General Tours. They were perfect. If you are looking for a smaller boat, then this is not for you, but when the sea got a bit choppy, I was glad to be on it. The Galapagos Islands are spectacular, but be prepared for a very physically challenging experience--unless you are already very athletically experienced. Best wishes, Susan

Another vote for the Boyce book. I ended up booking with his company twice.

BillJ

Your opinion is not very humble!!! .

You are at the Galapagos now and having a wonderful time.

Keep enjoying and posting your reports.

Percy

Hi,

I have just started to think about a trip to SA at the end of this year. Colombia and Ecuador - and of course, the Galapagos. I have wanted to go there since I was a child!!

Early days - lots of reading, thinking, to do. But would those of you who have been care to share how much the boats you mention cost? And do boats have a range of accommodation?

This might seem like a strange question - but let me give you an example of what I mean.

Last week I was in the Whitsunday Islands (Australia). Another place where you travel by boat. There are loads of boats to choose from, but very few in that range between cheap and cheerful and seriously lux.

I'm a middle range sort of person, and best of all is a boat that is mainly lux but just has one or two cabins for people who don't mind sharing. So you get an upmarket trip and surroundings, but pay less cos you don't mind a bunk.

Do any of the boats mentioned so far qualify? If not - any suggestions?

Cheers, and happy travels all.

My wife and I was on the Spondylus, which is a 16 passenger ship for an 8 day cruise from Dec 4 - 11 ,2006. We booked on the internet with a travel agent from Quito. The site is nuaticagalapagos. Carmen was very helpful in answering all my questions because I could not run a Better Business check on the company.

Galapagos Travel, which is the Barry Boyce company, auses approx 16-passenger boats has this policy.

http://www.galapagostravel.com/

If you are willing to share and no roommate materializes you get your own cabin no SS. That's what happened to me on my second trip. I went with a friend on the first trip.

This company spends a minimum of 11 days IN the islands for a 14 day trip. Plus they offer even longer trips. I'll do the 11-day or longer itinerary when I go again because you really get an in depth view of the islands and their wildlife. But that assumes you want such an in depth experience.

I hightly recommend the larger boat, Polaris. On a larger boat there are many options to choose. Polaris was wonderful!

Just returned from Galapagos. We were on the Linblad Islander (loved it) and saw many of the other boats that ply the waters.
Consider this: access to the islands is highly regulated by the Park Service. Shore groups maximum 16. Ship arrival at islands is regulated so that too many ships don't end up at the same island at one time.
You cannot go off on your own. You must be with a guided group. All ships basically have very similar itineraries. Smaller ships can get into some islands that larger ships cannot.
You may be more suseptible to seasickness in the smaller ships.
You may like the intimacy of 10 other shipmates, or be more comfortable with 40 or more strangers (no matter, you will be close friends at the end of the tour).
The selection of boats is, I think, intensly personal. You must research and know what you want to do and your expectations.
So like the poster above re: Whitsundays, you have many alternatives. It can be daunting, as you say, it was overwhelming when I started. I can only say again get Barry Boyce's book, read the section on boats and surf the net. Only then can you begin to narrow down target boats that match your interests, budget and concerns.
Good luck.

Thank you for all the responses. We have booked the Sea Cloud, an 8 passenger boat. Has anyone ever been on this boat?

No, but I will be most interested in your experience and observations. Have a super trip.