The Elite Galapagos Luxury Catamaran delivers a refined small-ship experience in the Galapagos Islands, combining contemporary design, expansive suites, and thoughtfully crafted wildlife itineraries. Accommodating a maximum of 16 guests, this modern catamaran maintains an intimate atmosphere where attentive service and elevated comfort remain central to the journey.
Floor-to-ceiling glass and private balconies in every suite create an ongoing connection to the surrounding seascapes, while carefully designed social areas encourage both relaxation and scenic enjoyment during navigation. Itineraries ranging from 4 to 8 days explore diverse ecological regions — from seabird nesting cliffs to remote volcanic shores. With limited suite inventory per departure, advance planning is recommended for preferred travel dates.
Suites aboard Elite are designed to provide the feel of a boutique hotel at sea, offering generous interior space and private outdoor access throughout the vessel. The primary Golden Suites measure approximately 35–37 m² (376–399 ft²) and feature sliding glass doors opening onto furnished balconies, creating bright, open interiors with panoramic ocean views. A dedicated single suite of around 19 m² (205 ft²) offers a comfortable option for solo travelers while maintaining the same modern design standards.
Elite is especially well suited for travelers who prioritize spacious accommodations and a polished onboard environment while exploring the Galapagos. Couples and honeymooners often appreciate the privacy of balcony suites, while small groups value the intimate guest count and attentive crew service.
This vessel appeals to guests who enjoy a balanced expedition pace — active wildlife excursions combined with generous downtime to relax on deck or in-suite. Travelers seeking a minimalist expedition-style program may prefer a more adventure-focused yacht, but those wanting elevated comfort paired with strong naturalist guiding will find Elite exceptionally well aligned with their expectations.
Many guests select Elite because of the uniform suite experience. Unlike vessels where only certain cabins offer balconies, Elite provides private outdoor space across its primary accommodation categories, ensuring consistent comfort onboard.
The open social layout — from the sky deck to the panoramic dining area — enhances scenic cruising time between islands. Combined with structured daily excursions led by licensed naturalist guides, Elite delivers a journey that feels immersive yet relaxed. Travelers who value generous interior space, modern design, and attentive service frequently shortlist this vessel during their comparison process.
Life aboard Elite follows a comfortable expedition rhythm. Mornings often begin with a guided wildlife landing or snorkeling activity timed around peak animal movement. After returning to the yacht for meals and rest, navigation hours allow guests to enjoy their balcony, relax on the sky deck, or unwind in the Jacuzzi.
Afternoons may include additional hikes, paddling excursions, or coastal exploration depending on the itinerary. Evenings are relaxed and social, beginning with a preview of the following day’s activities and concluding with dinner in an elegant yet informal setting. The overall cadence balances meaningful exploration with ample personal downtime.
An extended route combining biologically rich central islands with the dramatic volcanic landscapes of the western region. Guests experience diverse terrain, marine life, and varied snorkeling conditions across multiple ecological zones.
Your Galapagos Islands adventure on the Elite cruise ship begins today! You’ll be met at the airport and escorted to your Galapagos luxury yacht. After settling in, we will head up into the lush green highlands for a visit to El Junco Lagoon, offering a delightful taster of the treats in store for the rest of this week. This beautiful lagoon fills a large extinct volcanic crater.
Galapagos wildlife you can see on this day might include: San Cristobal mockingbird, white-cheeked pintail, frigate birds.
Read more on San Cristobal
On North Seymour Island, following a more or less flat trail, scrubby vegetation is home to fascinating array of Galapagos wildlife, as well as interesting cacti.
Later, observe “Cerro Dragon”, a hill that looks a bit like a sleeping dragon on Santa Cruz. Enjoy Galapagos wildlife among the desert-like landscape and around the salty lagoon.
Galapagos wildlife you might see today: Blue footed booby, land iguana, frigate bird, Pintail duck, Darwin finch, Galapagos dove, flamingos, sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crab, sharks, eels, rays, reef fish.
Read more on Santa CruzYour Galapagos luxury cruise ship sails overnight for Isabela Island. The first stop in the morning is Tintoreras, an area of small islands, which teems with marine wildlife. Option to hike Sierra Negra, for fit hikers.
The afternoon visit heads to the Isabela Wetlands / Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center, where numerous giant tortoise species can be seen.
Galapagos wildlife you may enjoy today: Giant tortoises, penguin, blue footed booby, pelican, sharks, pintail duck, egret.
Read more on IsabelaLava rock formations at Moreno Point make way for brackish water, enjoyed by wading birds, as well as lizards in the rocky areas.
Urbina Bay offers equally delightful scenery and Galapagos wildlife, with large chunks of coral visible following volcanic activity driving it out of the sea. The visit follows one of the most interesting trails in the Galapagos Islands and an excellent opportunity to observe a range of wildlife.
Galapagos wildlife to see today includes: Flamingo, heron, stilt, pintail duck, lizards, snakes, penguin, giant tortoise.
On this, one of the most far-flung of the Galapagos Islands, the Elite cruise ship visits Espinosa point first to enjoy fascinating geological lava formations where Galapagos wildlife has made its home.
Later, at Vincent Roca Point, the rocky coastline provides a home for nesting sea birds and a variety of other intriguing wildlife.
Galapagos wildlife you can see on this day might include: Galapagos hawks, snakes, stingrays, marine iguana, flightless cormorant, Galapagos sea lion, fur sea lion, penguin, turtle.
Rabida Island provides a photographic treat at this next stop on your Galapagos luxury yacht. The red landscape comes about due to a lot of iron in the soil. This Galapagos site visit heads to a salty lagoon and up a small hill, and finally along a cliff top.
At Bartolome Island Galapagos visitor site, the trail which is partly along a boardwalk, leads to panoramic views of Santiago Island.
Today’s Galapagos wildlife may include: Pelican, flamingo, finches, boobies, Galapagos dove, Yellow warbler, mockingbird, rays, sea lions.
Read more on Bartolome IslandOne of the best Galapagos beaches is a feature of the Witch Hill Galapagos visitor site, first on the agenda today. Sea birds and marine life snooze on the beach and bustle in the rocky pools.
Isla Lobos is named after the many sea lions that live in a large colony there, and lots of other wildlife can be seen on this walk later on today too.
Galapagos wildlife to spot today: Vermilion flycatcher, sea egret, heron, sea lion, blue footed booby, Nazca booby, marine iguana, lava lizard.
Before your flight back to mainland Ecuador enjoy a visit to the San Cristobal Interpretation Center. Learn from exhibits that explain the natural and human history of these fascinating islands. There is also detailed information explaining the ocean currents. Descriptions are available in both English and Spanish.
Your Galapagos cruise is over after this and you will be escorted to the San Cristobal Airport.
This itinerary links wildlife-rich southern islands with northern seabird nesting areas, offering strong geographic contrast and broad biodiversity exposure.
Your Galapagos luxury yacht trip experience gets off to an exciting start on San Cristobal Island today. After escorting you to the Elite cruise and settling in, visit the Jacinto Gordillo Breeding Center to observe the giant tortoise breeding program here. The first tortoises were hatched in 2005. The center is surrounded by low, thick woodland, home to an array of different birds around this Galapagos visitor site.
Galapagos wildlife to look out for today: Giant tortoises, finches, yellow warbler, Galapagos dove.
Read more on San CristobalHead out along the rocky clifftops this morning at the Suarez Point Galapagos site with a chance to see a lot of Galapagos bird-life. The highlight during April to December is likely to be the fascinating waved albatross.
At Gardner Bay later in the day, enjoy the stunning beach along with the endemic wildlife.
Galapagos wildlife to see today includes: Blue footed booby, Nazca booby, red-billed tropic bird, Galapagos dove, Galapagos hawk, waved albatross, sea lions, crabs, mockingbirds.
Read more on Española IslandDon’t be fooled by the name – you will not see cormorants at Cormorant Point, but you will land on a beautiful, green colored beach. Behind this sits a salty lagoon, home to bright pink flamingos.
A visit to the Galapagos visitor site of Post Office Bay, a long-used point for dropping and collecting mail the old-fashioned way.
Galapagos wildlife to look out for: Flamingo, sharks, stingrays, turtles, Sally Lightfoot crab, Floreana mockingbird.
Read more on FloreanaA stop at the tiny islet of Mosquera in the morning gives rise to opportunities to view abundant wildlife adorning the rocky landscape.
Later on, enjoy a fascinating visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station Galapagos visitor site, and learn about the giant tortoise breeding program there. Hundreds of tortoises have been successfully released into the wild from this well-run program.
Galapagos wildlife observable today: Sea lions, bulls, marine iguana, Sally Lightfoot crab, giant tortoise, finches, warblers, lava lizard.
Read more on Santa CruzYour Galapagos cruise tour today offers many delights for birdwatchers, but strangely there are no large land mammals in residence.
At Prince Philip’s Steps a walk through a low forest comprised of scrub to a rocky ravine offers up an array of bird-life. At Darwin Bay, a large sandy beach with rocky outcrops is home to red footed boobies, which you may not get to see elsewhere.
Galapagos wildlife to watch for today: Red footed boobies, gulls, blue footed boobies, frigate birds, herons.
Buccaneer Cove was a favorite pirate haunt for stocking up back in the day, and today is an interesting spot for red rock formations. After a visit to the cove, Playa Espumilla is the next stop, and this beach is well known for its red colored sand.
Later, the Galapagos visitor site of interest today is Egas Port, with a good deal of history to learn about, and lots of bird and animal life along the trail.
Galapagos wildlife to see today: Gulls, boobies, pelicans, sea lions, Galapagos fur seal, crabs, marine iguana, finches, smooth-billed ani.
Bachas Beach is an interesting site part of your Galapagos tour as it was used by the Americans in World War Two, but today is a nesting site for sea turtles.
Later in the day there is a trip to see the “Twins” – a pair of collapsed lava tunnels, and a visit to the highlands of Santa Cruz to see giant tortoises crashing through the flora in the wild.
Today you might see interesting Galapagos wildlife such as: Finches, sea turtles, giant tortoise, doves, vermillion flycatcher, mockingbirds, yellow warbler, Galapagos rail, paint billed crake.
Kicker Rock got its name because it looks like a boot, though some say it looks like a sleeping lion, hence its other name, “Leon Dormido”.
After your visit, your trip on your luxury Galapagos cruise ends, and you will be escorted to the airport for your journey back to Ecuador’s mainland.
There is a chance to spot the following Galapagos wildlife today: Rays, hammerhead sharks, fish.
A shorter program centered on southern visitor sites known for scenic beaches and distinctive species encounters. Ideal for travelers seeking quality experiences within limited time.
The excitement starts today as you begin your Galapagos luxury yacht cruise on San Cristobal Island. After arrival you will be escorted to the Elite ship./
Following a chance to get settled, your first Galapagos visitor site will be the Jacinto Gordillo Breeding Center, where there is a program for breeding giant tortoises. The tortoises are released into the wild when they are ready. The visitor site is surrounded by dense woodland where a variety of bird-life can be spotted.
Galapagos wildlife to look out for today: Giant tortoises, finches, yellow warbler.
Read more on San CristobalEspanola Island offers two Galapagos visitor sites, both of which are a real treat. Firstly, at Suarez Point, the trail winds past a lot of bird life, with the highlight of the site, a chance to see waved albatross (April – December).
After all that excitement, in store for the afternoon is Gardner Bay, one of the most beautiful Galapagos beaches.
Galapagos wildlife opportunities today include: Waved albatross (in season only), lava lizards, marine iguana, Galapagos snake, sea lions, crabs, mockingbirds, blue footed booby, Nazca booby, red-billed tropic bird, Galapagos dove, Galapagos hawk.
Read more on EspañolaDon’t expect to see cormorants at Cormorant Point, but this Galapagos site will not disappoint thanks to its green sandy beach, salty lagoon and white sand beach too.
Later on, your Galapagos luxury cruise heads to Post Office Bay where you can learn about and experience the old-fashioned postal system still in operation today.
Wildlife for today includes: Flamingo, stingrays, Sally Lightfoot crab, mockingbirds, sharks, turtles.
Read more on FloreanaThis morning there is the chance to go to one more last-minute Galapagos visitor site, which is Mosquera, located between Baltra and North Seymour Islands. This rocky site is a Galapagos delight with plenty of bird-life and a healthy sea lion colony.
Following your visit your Galapagos adventure will come to an end, and you’ll be escorted to the airport for your return flight back to the Ecuadorian mainland.
Wildlife you might see today: Sally Lightfoot crab, sea lion, gulls, marine iguana, shore birds.
A balanced five-day route exploring classic central and northern islands with accessible trails, coastal landings, and rewarding marine life observation — particularly well suited for first-time visitors.
Your Galapagos adventure gets off to an exciting start after arrival, as you’ll head to the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about what is in store for you on your voyage ahead. The station is home to a giant tortoise breeding program, and you can see many varieties of giant tortoise at different stages of development. You’ll board your luxury Galapagos yacht following your visit to this site.
Galapagos wildlife to look for today: Giant tortoises, finches, lava lizards.
Read more on Santa CruzOn your first full day you’ll wake up close to Genovesa Island, and your first Galapagos visitor site for the day will be Prince Philip’s Steps. There are no large land animals here, but you’ll enjoy splendid views during your trail walk, and lots of bird life.
Darwin Bay is a large sandy beach with a delightful sheltered bay and a diverse array of birds to spot.
Look for the following Galapagos wildlife today: Blue footed booby, frigate birds, lava gull, herons, swallow-tailed gull, red footed booby, rays, short-eared owl, sea lion, turtles, reef fish.
Buccaneer Cove is steeped in history as it was a good spot for pirates to restock, centuries ago. The area is noteworthy for its red rock formations, and the trip to this Galapagos site culminates in a visit to Playa Espumilla. This beach is also a glorious red color which makes for stunning photographs.
The trail at Egas Port later on also offers fascinating history, as well as a delightful coastal section of the trail before you get back to the Elite Galapagos cruise.
Galapagos wildlife to observe today: Gulls, boobies, pelicans, sea lion, Galapagos Fur Sea Lion, crabs, marine iguana, finches, smooth billed ani, octopus, stingray.
Today’s morning visit is Bachas Beach, thought by some to be one of the most stunning Galapagos beaches, and it has salty lagoons nearby too. It was used by the Americans during the Second World War, but today it is home to nesting sea turtles.
Later on, heading into the Santa Cruz Highlands, a visit to the Twins (lava formations) and to see giant tortoises in the wild are both superb highlights of the day.
Look out for the following Galapagos wildlife today: Sea turtle, flamingo, giant tortoise, short eared owl, finches, yellow warbler, Galapagos rail, paint billed crake.
One last sites before your Galapagos luxury cruise comes to an end is scheduled for this morning. Kicker Rock is either shaped like a boot or a sleeping lion (its other name is “Leon Dormido”). You can decide for yourself.
Following your visit, you will be escorted to the airport ready for your flight back to mainland Ecuador, and your Galapagos tour will come to an end.
Wildlife you might see today: Hammerhead sharks, rays.
Read more on San Cristobal
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Type: Power Motor Yacht
Length: 37.5 mt / 123 ft
Beam: 13.5 mt / 44.5 ft
Draft: 1.90 mt / 6.25 ft
Capacity: 16 passengers
Suites: 35 mt2 / 376 ft2
Main engines: 2 x High Power Engines – 500 HP each
Max speed: 12 knots
10 Crew members:
Safety & Navigation: All equipment meets or exceeds the international SOLAS standards
