The M/V Galapagos Explorer II has been designed to offer comfort and scientific information to the 100 passengers that visit the Galapagos National Park.
The vessel is designed to provide interesting itineraries offering the best of this pristine paradise.
Expert naturalist guides will promote an educational environment during the cruise, focusing on the Natural History of Galapagos.

The Galapagos Explorer II is a superb ship that offers only suites.
Our suites have an average of 250sqft/ 20m² and they are comfortable yet harmonious with the surroundings.
We offer four categories of suites:

The islands are visited twice a day and the groups are guided by their own naturalist guides, allowing for a close encounter with nature.

Upon arrival passengers are divided into groups of 16. Each group is guided by a naturalist guide authorized by the Galapagos National Park. The guides are bilingual and have a vast experience regarding island matters.
Each visit lasts approximately one hour and a half and is carried out on different types of terrain.

During the day:
• Cocktail Classes:
Our creative bartenders will teach you, step by step, how to prepare delicious cocktails in the elegant bar aboard the Galapagos Explorer II.

• Conferences about the islands:
Our guides, who are certified by the Galapagos National Park, will share all their knowledge about the islands’ natural history, wild life, vegetation and geology.

• Naturalist program:
On board the Galapagos Explorer II you will find a “Research Log book” a book where the naturalist guides register unique events of the marine and land life of the islands. You can also find literature about Galapagos’ natural history.

• Spanish lessons:
During your trip you can learn basic Spanish that will allow you to communicate with our crew and with the inhabitants of the Galapagos.

• Towel Folding:
A fun and creative activity is learning towel folding techniques. Our personnel will show you how to create the beautiful puppies and island birds that you will find everyday in your room.

• Ecuadorian Chocolate making:
Cocoa is known in Ecuador as “The Golden Bean” due to its exquisite flavor and quality. There’s an exhibition on the history of Cocoa in Ecuador and you can taste the different and unique varieties of cocoa that exist in our country.This is a joint program with Corpei (Corporación de Promoción de la Exportación e Inversión)

• Whale watching: It’s always worthwhile to be alert for whale sightings while traveling from island to island. However, Isabela’s northwest coast (where we sail to on Mondays) is the best place for seeing these mammals. Whale watching season: June to September.

At night:
• Karaoke nights:
You can relax in our bar and sing any of our more than 1500 songs in different languages.

• Theme Parties:
During your stay you will participate in a wonderful celebration while crossing the equator: The Pirate Attack party takes place once during the cruise. These original parties have been created by the Galapagos Explorer II staff.

• Stargazing:
The Galapagos offer cloudless skies most of the year making this activity an unforgettable experience. The crew offers conferences with audiovisual aids for stargazing. (Best time for stargazing: December to April).

• Briefing for the next day’s activities:
Since Galapagos offers cloudless skies most part of the year, and making this a unforgettable experience. The crew offers at night an interpretation  conference with the support of audiovisual media that increases the possibilities of star gazing (available from December to April)

Briefing for next days activities :
Before dinner our coordinator guide will give you information regarding the activities planned for the following day. Information includes, what to wear, type of terrain, weather, species to look at, etc.

All inclusive program

06:30 Wake up call.
07:00 Breakfast Buffet.
08:00 Disembarkation, morning excursion.

Return to ship

11:30 Optional conference or video presentation of next visit.
12:30 Lunch Buffet in the main restaurant or in the Jacuzzi area if the weather permits.
15:00 Disembarkation, afternoon excursion (second visit of the day), return to ship at 18h00.

Return to ship

19:45 Briefing regarding next day’s visit.
20:00 Dinner.
21:30 Lectures and activities.

* (Information subject to change)

Technical Features
• Vessel built in La Spezzia (Italy).
• GRT: 4077 Tons,
• length 88.16 m,
• Beam 15.3 m, Draft 4. 2 m
• Design speed 15.5 Knots
• Cruise speed 10 Knots
• Main engine MAN – B & W
• Bow Thruster: Brunvoll

Vessel Certificates of Safety and Navigation
• ISM Certificate
• ISPS Certificate
• SOLAS Passenger Safety Certificate
• International Load Line Certificate (ILLO)
• Marpol (Prevention of pollution) (IOPP)
• Classification: RINA  (Registro Italiano Navale)

Electronic Equipment
• Radar: Furuno FR-1510 Mark III
• Radar Arpa : Furuno FR-2125
• GPS: Furuno
• Sat. Navegador: Shipmate
• Gyro Compass: Anschutz
• Fire Alarm: Salwico
• Radio: GMDSS Raytheon
• SATCOM C.: Fax
• Sat Phone: Trane & Trane
• Phone: 874-762014651
• Fax: 874-762014652

Crew
Average size of the cruise; 70
Crew’s nationality; Ecuadorians
Renaissance
Officers: Ecuadorians
Hotel personnel and guides: Ecuadorians