Sailing the Galápagos in Style on an Ecoventura Yacht Cruise

The first thing that struck me about the Galápagos wasn’t just the wildlife at every turn. It was the clarity and color of the water.

As our plane descended over a scattering of volcanic islands rising from the Pacific, I could see straight through the sea. Turquoise shallows faded into deep sapphire channels. Waves broke against black lava rock in ribbons of white foam. From the air alone, it was obvious this was a place defined by nature at its most vivid and unfiltered. Stepping onto the islands felt like stepping into a world that existed entirely on its own terms. And, actually, it does. Sea lions lounged on docks and beaches as if they were residents rather than wildlife. Marine iguanas stretched across sun-warmed rocks. Frigatebirds soared overhead. Nothing felt staged or curated. The Galápagos were simply alive, and astonishingly so.

Seeing the islands from the water, on a weeklong cruise aboard the Ecoventura yacht Evolve, only strengthened that first impression and proved that small-ship elegance and untamed intensity can coexist. Ecoventura sails exclusively to the Galápagos, and Evolve is the newest vessel in its fleet, launching in 2023 and joining sister ships Origin (2016) and Theory (2019). Together, the three Relais & Chateaux yachts represent the cruise line’s commitment to small-ship luxury combined with serious environmental stewardship.

Highlights of an Ecoventura Cruise to the Galápagos

Each Ecoventura yacht carries a maximum of just 20 guests, an intentional decision that defines the entire experience. In the Galápagos, visitor site restrictions limit how many people can land at once. Larger ships carrying up to 100 passengers must rotate groups, meaning some guests stay onboard while others go ashore. On Evolve, every guest participates in every excursion (unless they don’t want to). No rotations. No waiting turns. If we landed somewhere, we went together, but even then, we were split into two groups to minimize our presence near the wildlife.

The intimate group fosters connection, and every one of us exchanged numbers and followed each other on social media to stay in touch after the trip, fast friends as if we had attended summer camp together.

Evolution, Conservation and Extraordinary Wildlife

The Galápagos are not just beautiful; they are globally significant. This isolated archipelago, part of Ecuador, famously inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. The islands’ remoteness allowed species to adapt in extraordinary ways, resulting in wildlife found nowhere else on earth. Blue-footed boobies, flightless cormorants, Galápagos penguins and giant tortoises evolved without fear of predators, which is why they often show little concern for humans today.

But that accessibility comes with responsibility. Strict regulations govern tourism here. Visitor numbers are capped. Landing sites are controlled. Trails are clearly defined. The Galápagos National Park, established in 1959, protects nearly 97 percent of the landmass, and the surrounding marine reserve safeguards one of the richest ocean ecosystems in the world.

The Galápagos are extraordinary precisely because they are protected, and throughout my journey, conservation was central to everything we did. Our naturalist guides explained how invasive species threaten native wildlife, how breeding programs have revived tortoise populations and how marine protection preserves shark and turtle habitats. Every step ashore followed park rules and every snorkel site was carefully selected.

And then there were the animals.

The wildlife encounters in the Galápagos were constant and unscripted. I stood feet away from giant tortoises grazing in misty highlands. I watched sea lions nap beside hiking trails. I snorkeled in waters where sea turtles glided beneath me and reef sharks cruised along the rocks. One afternoon, I found myself swimming alongside a Galápagos penguin … near the equator. It still feels surreal to write.

Purposeful Luxury at Sea

Onboard, Evolve blends modern design with expedition functionality. Floor-to-ceiling windows keep the outside world in constant view. Cabins are spacious and filled with natural light from panoramic windows, well-integrated storage and understated luxury finishes. Bathrooms, also with floor-to-ceiling windows, feel more boutique hotel than boat cabin. The ten staterooms can be connected to accommodate families, and there are triple rooms with a fold-down Pullman berth in addition to twin beds.

Public spaces include a sun deck with loungers and a four-person Jacuzzi, an inviting indoor lounge for briefings and evening talks, and open dining areas that encourage conversation. The atmosphere is refined yet relaxed — barefoot luxury rather than formal cruising.

The culinary program was another highlight. Meals, all included, featured Ecuadorian influences (it’s required to source locally in the Galápagos), fresh seafood and flavorful produce, all beautifully presented but never fussy. Breakfasts began before morning excursions, with light and fresh lunches awaiting upon our return. Dinners were multi-course affairs, and there were afternoon tea, snacks and happy hours to ensure that there wasn’t a free moment onboard that we weren’t eating.

The guest profile was equally interesting. All of our fellow travelers were curious and engaged travelers who wanted depth rather than spectacle. My husband and I had feared we might be the youngest travelers as many Galápagos visitors skew older, but our entire group was about the same age, with kids ranging from 8 to 22.

The crew-to-guest ratio was generous, and service was intuitive and warm. By day two, they’d memorized our coffee and wine preferences, and every departure and arrival included Captain Leo gesturing with heart hands and a big smile to send us on our way or welcome us back.

And underpinning it all was sustainability, from energy-efficient systems to responsible sourcing and waste reductions. Ecoventura’s operations align with the fragile ecosystem within which it operates, and that alignment feels genuine.

Immersion on Land and Underwater

Each day with Ecoventura followed a rhythm that quickly became addictive: Explore, return, rave about our experiences, repeat. Heading out by Zodiac to a remote landing site, one day we hiked across hardened lava flows; another day we trekked into the highlands to see giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat. One morning, we were the first on a beach filled with nesting sea turtles, with dozens on the sand as the sun came up.

But it was the snorkeling that was truly unforgettable. We slipped into clear, cool water where sea lions immediately approached, twisting and darting playfully around us. Sea turtles floated serenely past. Reef sharks patrolled below. One day, we found a cove filled with so much marine wildlife that I simply floated and stared in wonder while trying to keep up with all the creatures swimming around me, including hundreds of fish in thick schools that made me feel like I was in a National Geographic film.

Snorkeling was offered daily, sometimes twice, with wet suits and snorkel gear assigned to us for the duration of the sailing. Other activities included kayaking, paddleboarding and scenic Zodiac rides around bird-covered islands and mangrove-filled estuaries. Everything was bundled into the price, which is a splurge but also worth every penny.

The diversity of terrain and experiences at each island we visited was astonishing. Volcanic landscapes, white sand beaches, mangrove lagoons, rocky cliffs — no two islands felt alike.

Seamless from Start to Finish

One of the most impressive aspects of sailing with Ecoventura was how streamlined the entire journey felt. From the moment we arrived in mainland Ecuador, the staff handled all the logistics for us, from pre- and post-cruise hotel stays in Quito to transfers and group flights to the islands (with staff escorting us through airport procedures). Arrival in the Galápagos requires a transit control card and payment of the national park entrance fee, steps that can feel overwhelming in a remote destination. Ecoventura guided us through the process smoothly and efficiently.

Instead of managing the details, guests can entirely focus on the experience. That level of orchestration matters, especially for families who want immersion without complexity. The islands feel remote because they are, but traveling with Ecoventura removes the friction.

Why Families Should Consider Ecoventura

People often describe the Galápagos as a once-in-a-lifetime destination. Sailing aboard Evolve made it feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience done right. After a week onboard, we didn’t want to leave; we could have spent another week! Upon leaving, we didn’t just carry memories of wildlife encounters. We carried a renewed respect for the delicate ecosystems that shape our planet and for the kind of travel that honors them.

The Galápagos are extraordinary on their own. Experiencing them aboard Ecoventura’s Evolve ensures you experience them as they were meant to be: wild, protected and unforgettable.

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Photos by Lissa Poirot except where noted.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.