Cruise
Discover Galapagos on Cachalote Explorer
The Cachalote Explorer is an 88-ft, 16-passenger First Class expedition motor yacht operated by Enchanted Expeditions in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. Built with a sturdy steel hull, it offers 8 air-conditioned cabins with private bathrooms, a panoramic salon, spacious sun decks, and expert multilingual naturalist guides. Five distinct itineraries are available — Rabida (3 days/2 nights), Plazas (3 days/2 nights), Isabela (6 days/5 nights), Hood (6 days/5 nights), Fernandina (8 days/7 nights), Tower (8 days/7 nights), and the Tower + Fernandina Combo (15 days/14 nights) — all departing from Baltra or San Cristobal. Daily activities include guided land excursions, snorkeling, kayaking, and wildlife observation across inhabited and uninhabited islands.
Discover Galapagos on the Cachalote Explorer
Nestled in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Galápagos Islands stand as a testament to the sheer wonder of nature. Renowned for unparalleled biodiversity and otherworldly landscapes, this UNESCO World Heritage site beckons both adventurers and nature enthusiasts. Each moment spent in this remote archipelago feels like stepping into an untouched realm where time stands still and endemic species thrive in splendid isolation.
Uncover the secrets below the water in one of the world’s largest and most renowned marine reserves. This enchanting archipelago is not just a destination, but an experience unlike any other — a journey into the heart of our planet’s natural heritage.
The Cruise Experience
Embarking on a boutique cruise through the Galápagos Islands is one of the most immersive ways to experience this extraordinary destination. With fewer passengers on board, these intimate journeys create a relaxed, personal atmosphere, inviting genuine connections with fellow travellers while enjoying the comforts of a live-aboard vessel.
As your yacht travels overnight, each day begins in a new location, maximizing your time exploring these remarkable islands. Guided by expert naturalists, you’ll encounter wildlife found nowhere else on Earth, set against dramatic volcanic landscapes, with opportunities to snorkel in one of the largest and most biodiverse marine reserves on the planet.
Adventure in Comfort: The Cachalote Explorer
The Cachalote Explorer is a classic expedition-style yacht built for adventure and exploration. Originally constructed in Vancouver, Canada for the rough North Pacific waters, its sturdy steel hull provides exceptional stability, ideal for navigating the archipelago in comfort.
Accommodating just 16 guests in eight air-conditioned cabins with private bathrooms, the yacht offers a relaxed, small-group atmosphere with personalized service. Guests can unwind in the panoramic salon, dine together after a day of exploration, or take in the views from the spacious sun decks.
With expert naturalist guides and thoughtfully designed itineraries, the Cachalote Explorer delivers an authentic Galápagos experience — combining close wildlife encounters, active excursions, and the charm of a small expedition vessel.
Vessel Specifications
- Category: First Class
- Type: Motor Yacht, Steel Hull
- Capacity: 16 Passengers
- L.O.A.: 88 ft | Beam: 24 ft
- Cruise Speed: 9 Knots
- Engine: 1 main Caterpillar Engine (850 HP), 3 Isuzu generators (110v/220v)
- Guest Accommodations: 2 upper cabins, 6 lower deck cabins
- Crew: Captain, Multi-lingual Naturalist Guide, Chef, 2 Engineers, Barman, and 4 Sailors
A Typical Day of Exploring
Your day begins with breakfast around 7:00 am, followed by a dinghy ride to your first guided land excursion. After exploring with your naturalist guide, you’ll return to the yacht for your first snorkel session. Lunch is served on board as the yacht cruises to the next destination. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a second land visit and another opportunity to snorkel, with kayaking available at select sites. The day ends back on board with dinner and an evening briefing from your guide. All excursions and water activities are optional.
Wildlife & Activities
- Land Animals: Giant tortoises, land & marine iguanas, lava lizards
- Marine Animals: Tropical fish, eels, sea turtles, sharks, rays, sea urchins, seahorses, sea lions, whales, dolphins
- Birds: Boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, hawks, finches, mockingbirds, flamingos, flightless cormorants, frigatebirds, penguins, albatross (Apr–Dec, select itineraries)
- Activities: Walking, hiking, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, relaxing
Available Itineraries
Rabida Itinerary — 3 Days / 2 Nights (Baltra to Baltra)
- Day 1: Baltra, Santa Cruz — Highlands, Darwin Station
- Day 2: Sombrero Chino, Rabida
- Day 3: Isabela — Sulphur Mines, Pto. Villamil
Plazas Itinerary — 3 Days / 2 Nights (Baltra to San Cristobal)
- Day 1: Baltra, Santa Cruz — Highlands + Darwin Station
- Day 2: South Plazas, Santa Fe
- Day 3: San Cristobal — Kicker Rock, Cerro Brujo
Isabela Itinerary — 6 Days / 5 Nights (Isabela to Baltra)
- Day 1: Isabela — Pto. Villamil
- Day 2: Isabela — Pta. Moreno, Elizabeth Bay
- Day 3: Isabela — Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove
- Day 4: Fernandina — Pta. Espinoza; Isabela — Punta V. Roca
- Day 5: Santiago — Buccaneer’s Cove, Bartolomé
- Day 6: N. Seymour / Baltra
Hood Itinerary — 6 Days / 5 Nights (San Cristobal to Baltra)
- Day 1: San Cristobal — Pto. B. Moreno, El Junco
- Day 2: Española — Gardner Bay, Punta Suarez
- Day 3: Floreana — Pta. Cormorant, Devil’s Crown, Post Office Bay
- Day 4: Santa Cruz — Cerro Dragon; Santiago — Sullivan Bay
- Day 5: Genovesa — Darwin’s Bay, Prince Phillip’s Steps
- Day 6: Santa Cruz — Black Turtle Cove, Baltra
Fernandina Itinerary — 8 Days / 7 Nights (Baltra to Baltra)
- Day 1: Baltra / Santa Cruz — Highlands + Darwin Station
- Day 2: Sombrero Chino & Rabida
- Day 3: Isabela — Sulphur Mines, Pto. Villamil
- Day 4: Isabela — Pta. Moreno, Elizabeth Bay
- Day 5: Isabela — Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove
- Day 6: Fernandina — Pta. Espinoza; Isabela — Pta. V. Roca
- Day 7: Santiago — Buccaneer’s Cove, Bartolomé
- Day 8: N. Seymour / Baltra
Tower Itinerary — 8 Days / 7 Nights (Baltra to Baltra)
- Day 1: Baltra, Santa Cruz — Highlands + Darwin Station
- Day 2: Plazas, Santa Fe
- Day 3: San Cristobal — Kicker Rock, Cerro Brujo, El Junco
- Day 4: Española — Gardner Bay + Punta Suarez
- Day 5: Floreana — Pta. Cormorant, Devil’s Crown, Post Office Bay
- Day 6: Santa Cruz — Cerro Dragon; Santiago — Sullivan Bay
- Day 7: Genovesa — Darwin’s Bay, Prince Phillip’s Steps
- Day 8: Santa Cruz — Black Turtle Cove, Baltra
Tower + Fernandina Combo Itinerary — 15 Days / 14 Nights (Baltra to Baltra)
- Day 1: Baltra / Santa Cruz — Highlands + Darwin Station
- Day 2: Sombrero Chino & Rabida
- Day 3: Isabela — Sulphur Mines, Pto. Villamil
- Day 4: Isabela — Pta. Moreno, Elizabeth Bay
- Day 5: Isabela — Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove
- Day 6: Fernandina — Pta. Espinoza; Isabela — Punta Vicente Roca
- Day 7: Santiago — Buccaneer’s Cove, Bartolomé
- Day 8: N. Seymour; Santa Cruz — Highlands + C. Darwin Station
- Day 9: South Plazas + Santa Fe Island
- Day 10: San Cristobal — Kicker Rock, Cerro Brujo, El Junco, Pto. B. Moreno
- Day 11: Española — Gardner Bay, Punta Suarez
- Day 12: Floreana — Pta. Cormorant, Devil’s Crown, Post Office Bay
- Day 13: Santa Cruz — Cerro Dragon; Santiago Island — Sullivan Bay
- Day 14: Genovesa — Darwin’s Bay, Prince Phillip’s Steps
- Day 15: Santa Cruz — Black Turtle Cove, Baltra
- Cruise
- Baltra
- Ecuador
- Española
- Fernandina
- Floreana
- Galápagos Islands
- Genovesa
- Isabela
- Rabida
- San Cristobal
- Santa Cruz
- Santa Fe
- Santiago
- South America
- enchanted-expeditions
- 16 passengers maximum
- Boutique expedition
- Expert naturalist guides
- First Class category vessel
- Kayaking
- Live-aboard yacht
- Overnight cruising between islands
- Small group
- Snorkeling
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Wildlife & nature
Details
- Cruise Line
- Enchanted Expeditions
- Ship Name
- Cachalote Explorer
- Departure Port
- Baltra
- Arrival Port
- Baltra
What’s included
- Expert multilingual naturalist guide
- All guided land excursions
- Snorkeling excursions
- Kayaking at select sites
- All meals on board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Accommodation in air-conditioned cabins with private bathrooms
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Dinghy/panga transfers to shore
- Evening briefings by naturalist guide
Day by day
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Day 1
Baltra / Santa Cruz — Highlands + Darwin Station
Arrive at Baltra and transfer to Santa Cruz. Visit the highlands and the Charles Darwin Research Station.
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Day 2
Sombrero Chino & Rabida
Explore the distinctive volcanic landscapes of Sombrero Chino and the red-sand beaches and wildlife of Rabida Island.
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Day 3
Isabela — Sulphur Mines, Pto. Villamil
Visit the sulfurous volcanic craters and the charming port town of Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island.
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Day 4
Isabela — Pta. Moreno, Elizabeth Bay
Explore Punta Moreno\\\'s lava fields and lagoons, then cruise into Elizabeth Bay to observe wildlife by panga.
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Day 5
Isabela — Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove
Discover the uplifted marine terraces at Urbina Bay and the historic Tagus Cove with its dramatic cliffs and marine life.
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Day 6
Fernandina — Pta. Espinoza; Isabela — Pta. Vicente Roca
Visit Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, home to marine iguanas and flightless cormorants, then explore the snorkeling-rich waters of Punta Vicente Roca.
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Day 7
Santiago — Buccaneer\\\'s Cove, Bartolomé
Explore the pirate anchorage of Buccaneer\\\'s Cove on Santiago, then visit Bartolomé Island for its iconic Pinnacle Rock and panoramic views.
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Day 8
N. Seymour / Baltra
Morning visit to North Seymour Island to see frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies before transferring to Baltra for departure.