16 guests
15 knots
Luxury Catamaran
42 m
The Galapagos Elite Luxury Catamaran began operating on June 15th, 2019. When the Elite reached the azure waters of the Galapagos Islands as the newest mega-catamaran in the storied archipelago, it reinvented luxury, class and the entire Galapagos travel experience.
A sleek, twin-hulled vessel that provides its guests with a steady and safe cruise, the design of the Elite allows for more space per guest on board, including integrated social areas that blend indoor and outdoor designs and experiences. All Suites on the Galapagos Elite luxury catamaran are spacious, comfortable, and well-appointed: the perfect place to relax and recharge after a day spent exploring the islands. Each suite has panoramic windows providing guests with sweeping ocean views, a private outdoor balcony, as well as a frosted glass wall in the restroom of each suite, bathing it in natural light. All beds are convertible, allowing them to be configured with two twin beds or one king-size bed.
Our professional cuisine specialists aboard the Galapagos Elite prepare three delicious, nutritious meals per day: breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, with a more elegant sit-down dinner served in the al fresco dining area on the partially covered sky deck. Special dietary needs are never a problem and kids’ meals are available, including kosher food (barters). Guests of all ages enjoy the spacious, semi-covered sky deck, the al fresco dining area, and the cozy bar-salon while aboard the Elite, and its interior passenger lounge features a 180-degree panoramic view from its main deck.
Golden Galapagos Cruises has significant experience creating cruise experiences in the Galapagos, as well as understanding our guests’ needs. Our close-knit team of professionals are well-known in the industry for their perfectionism when it comes to planning and operating luxury cruises. Golden Galapagos makes a point of always hiring the best captains, guides, chefs and crew members for the vessels that we operate, believing that the people, not the ship itself, is what makes the trip memorable for our guests.
The Elite, a private luxury catamaran in the Galapagos, offers enviable itineraries with visits to the best visitor sites the Galapagos islands and Galapagos waters have to offer. Within the archipelago, we have long and short itineraries covering the Western, Central and Eastern islands.
Needless to say, the Galapagos Elite luxury catamaran features state-of-the-art navigation systems and safety equipment; safety and reliability are essential parts of any Galapagos luxury experience.
AM: Baltra Airport
Arrival to Baltra airport and transfer to the vessel.
PM: Charles Darwin Research Station
The Charles Darwin Research Station provides an unmissable opportunity to find out about the vital work that is being carried out to preserve the archipelago’s ecosystems. One element of this is a significant breeding programme for Galapagos tortoises, whose numbers have been in decline since the 1970’s. These captivating enormous reptiles are very accustomed to humans, so be sure to bring your camera for some close-ups.
Activities and Excursions:
Walk Difficulty: Easy
( -, L, D)
AM: Genovesa – Prince Philip’s Steps / El Barranco
El Barranco, also known as Prince Philip’s Steps, is a rocky stairway that will lead you past a colony of nazca and red-footed boobies leads up to a plateau of dried lava. Continuing through the thin Palo Santo forest and looking out over the plain, visitors are often treated to sites of storm petrels launching out over the ocean. A panga ride or kayaking/paddle boarding along the edge of the cliffs provides a good chance to see the elusive Galapagos fur seals nestled on the rocks, and snorkeling is a great activity if you fancy a dip with a variety of shark species.
Activities and Excursions:
Walk, Snorkeling, Panga ride, Kayak/Paddle
Boarding Difficulty: Moderate
PM: Genovesa – Darwin Bay
Darwin Bay has a small sand and coral beach that provides the perfect spot for snorkeling, kayaking or paddle boarding in calm, sheltered waters in the company of hammerhead sharks, rays and a plethora of colourful reef fish. Onshore, a short trail leads along a tidal lagoon and mangroves, home to a variety of land bird species, including Nazca and red-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. The trail culminates at a viewpoint that offers a stunning view overlooking the cliffs and the bay below.
Activities and Excursions: Walk, Snorkeling, Panga ride, Kayak/Paddle
Boarding Difficulty: Moderate
(B, L, D)
AM: Santiago – Espumilla Beach / Buccaneer Cove
Espumilla beach, located on the northern coast of Santiago island, is an exquisite white sand beach, whose name refers to the meringue-like trails of foam left by the lapping of the waves. Sally Lightfoot crabs are in abundance here and as a result, it is common to see predatory birds such as hawks, herons and pelicans. This idyllic location is perfect for snorkeling or kayaking/paddle boarding amongst a raft of marine life, including species of octopus, eels and sharks. Buccaneer Cove has an interesting history as it is where sailors, buccaneers and whalers frequently anchored their vessels in search for food and water. In more recent times it has become an important nesting site for turtles and is also popular with sea lions. A panga ride along the eroded shoreline provides views of intriguing rock formations that provide excellent ledges for boobies, pelicans and gulls.
Activities and Excursions: Walk, Snorkeling, Panga ride, Kayak/Paddle
Boarding Difficulty: Moderate
PM: Egas Port
Egas Port was once the site of a salt mine, but now this impressive black sand beach is an excellent location for snorkeling and observing shorebirds, Sally Lightfoot crabs and marine iguanas. A stroll along the wide trails inland leads you past tidal pools and rocky volcanic formations known as grottoes where it is possible to spot fur seals enjoying a spot of shade.
Activities and Excursions: Walk, Snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy
(B, L, D)
AM: Santa Cruz – Bachas Beach
Bachas Beach is a glorious white sand beach on which the remnants of a rusted barge, thought to have been abandoned by the Americans during WWI, can be seen. It is a popular nesting site for turtles, so if you go for a snorkel, you might find yourself sharing the water with these wonderful creatures. The beach is also full of vibrant Sally Lightfoot and hermit crabs and elegant pink flamingos that frequent the salt water lagoon behind. Activities and Excursions: Walk, Snorkeling Difficulty: Easy PM: Twin craters and the Highlands of Santa Cruz The best way to appreciate these remarkable, almost identical crater-like holes, caused by the collapse of empty lava chambers, is to take the trail that leads up and around the rims. From this vantage point, one can revel in the beauty of the surrounding highlands, lush with ferns and an abundance of Scalesia trees. Here, Bird enthusiasts can also enjoy spotting the distinct red feathers of Vermilion Flycatchers, Darwin’s finches, Galapagos doves and, with a bit of luck, an endemic short-ear owl.
Activities and Excursions: Walk
Difficulty: Easy
(B, L, D)
AM: San Cristobal – Kicker Rock
Kicker Rock, is an iconic feature of the Galapagos that has been formed over time by the erosion of the cone of an extinct volcano. The channel that runs between two imposing shards of rock is often described as one of the most thrilling sites for snorkeling and diving where it is common to see spotted eagle rays, sea turtles, marine iguanas, Galapagos sharks and even hammerhead sharks. In addition, on the rock formation itself, blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds and sea lions can often be seen perched on the ledges above.
Activities and Excursions: Snorkeling
Difficulty: Moderate
San Cristobal Airport
Depart from San Cristobal airport.
(B, -, – )
***End of cruise***