We regularly are asked by clients to charter yachts in various locations in Latin America. There are great options in the Amazon, in Antarctica, along the Brazilian coastline and in the Chilean fjords however by far the most popular area is the Galapagos.
With multi-generational travel very much on the rise in popularity, there are very few places on the planet more perfect for a truly unique luxury family holiday than in the Galapagos Islands. All yachts in the Galapagos run on fixed schedules so arranging a charter for a family or group of friends requires perhaps a little bit more pre-planning than in other destinations in the world. Many yachts have dedicated charter only weeks when they reserve the yachts specifically to be chartered whereas for the rest of the year if you want to charter a yacht then you need to find a period of time when no one else is booked on the yacht.
The Galapagos cruises, depending on the yacht, will operate 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 night itineraries or a combination of these nights if you want a longer cruise but 5 to 10 nights is an optimum amount of time to spend exploring the islands.
Below are our top 5 small luxury Galapagos yachts, perfect for a charter hire, and ideal for a family or group of friends who are looking to explore the islands in style and comfort.
Passion
WildAid’s Passion Yacht was originally built as a private luxury yacht until it became a Galapagos cruise in 2015. It accommodates up to 14 people so is perfect for a small group or family charter. The Passion yacht has been completely refurbished yet still retaining many of its original elegant features such as its rose coloured marble bathrooms and teak wood decks that make the vessel one of a kind. The Passion’s wide passageways, panoramic lounges, comfy bar and dining room, open decks, and secluded sun deck with a hot tub come together to create a space that is the perfect combination of luxury and simplicity.
A 7-night private charter in the Galapagos Islands aboard the Passion Yacht costs from £67,200.
You can read more about the Passion here.
Grace
The Grace yacht is arguably the most sophisticated yacht for private hire in the Galapagos. It was given as a wedding gift from Aristotle Onassis to Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco. The couple enjoyed their honeymoon aboard the vessel. A number of years later the yacht was taken to the Galapagos and today is a wonderful option for a cruise. The Grace operates 7-night cruises, departing on a Saturday, so charter rentals generally have to fit around these dates too.
A 7-night private charter in the Galapagos Islands aboard the Grace costs from £110,000.
You can read more about the Grace here.
Origin
Combining sophisticated design with world-class service and amenities, the award-winning Galapagos cruises on the MV Origin provide understated luxury. It’s the only vessel in the Galapagos to have the Relais et Chateaux seal of approval and offers superb service on what is arguably the best small ship in the Galapagos Islands. The MV Origin also has an identical sister ship, the MV Theory, which is due to set sail in mid-2019. The MV Origin operates 7-night cruises, departing on a Saturday, so charter rentals have to fit around these dates too.
A 7-night private charter in the Galapagos Islands aboard the Origin yacht costs from £119,300.
You can read more about the MV Origin yacht here.
Infinity
The Infinity launched in 2018 and this brand new yacht offers unrivalled comfort, excellent environmental credentials and stunning design. Ideal for a private charter, accommodating up to 20 people, the Infinity offers guests a spacious and luxurious option for discovering the natural treasures of the Galapagos. You can charter the yacht for 3, 4 or 7 nights so it offers more flexibility than most.
A 7-night private charter in the Galapagos Islands aboard the infinity yacht costs from £95,560.
You can read more about the Infinity yacht here.
Seastar Journey
The Seastar Journey is an all suite boutique yacht, ideal for families or friends to charter for that trip of a lifetime to the Galapagos. The yacht won the title of best boutique yacht in the Galapagos in 2017 and 2018 and you can see why. This contemporary yacht, which has a capacity of just 16 people, offers guests comfort and privacy with 7 spacious suites, which boast panoramic windows allowing guests to observe the surrounding landscapes. You can charter the yacht for 4 or 5 nights (or a combination of the two) so it offers great flexibility.
A 5-night private charter in the Galapagos Islands aboard the infinity yacht costs from £45,135.
You can read more about the Seastar Journey here.