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Cachalote Explorer Yacht

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General Description

Originally built in 1988 in Vancouver, Canada, the Cachalote Explorer is a spacious motor yacht converted into a passenger vessel in the early 2000s. Accommodating 16 passengers in 8 cabins with private bathrooms and air conditioning, it features a large salon, dining area, and multiple deck areas for relaxation.

Designed for the rough waters of the Canadian West Coast, the yacht ensures a stable and smooth Galapagos expedition. The Cachalote Explorer offers 6, 8, and 15-day itineraries approved by the Galapagos National Park, led by an experienced naturalist guide. The two 8-day itineraries can be combined into a 15-day comprehensive tour.

Replacing the Cachalote I, the Cachalote Explorer, along with its sister ship Beluga, provides safari-style live-aboard cruises in the Galapagos National Park.

Specifications

  • Category: Standard First Class Motor Vessel
  • Capacity: 16 passengers
  • L.O.A.: 88 ft.
  • Beam: 24 ft. 
  • Salon Dimensions: 17.5 ft. x 35 ft.
  • Speed: 8 knots cruising.
  • Type: Motor vessel / Steel hull
  • Mechanical Equipment: 1 main Caterpillar Engine, 3 Generators (110v), 2 reverse osmosis water makers, sewage treatment plant.
  • Safety Equipment: VHF (DSC) & HF (DSC) radios. EPIRB, SART, Hunter satellite tracking device, 2 GPS’s, 2 radars, depth sounder, flares, basic first aid kits, 2 tenders with outboards, fin keels for extra stability, flotation rings, life rafts with surplus capacity for all passengers and crew, fire alarm system.
  • Guest Accommodation:  8 cabins each with private bath. Hot / cold water showers.  Combination of Queen, Double and Twin sized mattresses.
  • Crew: All crew are fully trained and certified. Captain, multilingual naturalist guide, cook, engineers, barman, and 4 sailors.
  • Cabins:
  • Upper deck cabins:
  1. Cabin 1 – lower queen / lower single / upper single
  2. Cabin 2 – lower queen / upper single
  • Lower deck cabins:
  1. Cabin 3 – lower single / upper single
  2. Cabin 4 – lower double / upper single
  3. Cabin 5 – lower queen 
  4. Cabin 6 – lower queen 
  5. Cabin 7 – lower double / upper single
  6. Cabin 8 – lower single / upper single
 

Itineraries

Fernandina Itinerary

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Start / End: Baltra / Baltra
Highlights: Land iguanas, marine iguanas, lava lizards, sea lions, flamingos, penguins, flightless cormorant, brown pelican, Darwin finches, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, Galapagos hawk, Darwin finches
Included: All meals and accommodation in double cabins, all excursions and activities, bilingual naturalist guide, use of wet suits & snorkeling gear
Not Included: Flights to/from Galapagos, Galapagos National Park entrance fee, Migratory card fee, extra beverages on board, wetsuit rental ($30 for full week), tips, personal expenses

Itinerary Highlights: Central and Western Islands, including Western Isabela and Fernandina Island

Detailed Itinerary:

  • Day 1: Santa Cruz Island (Highlands, Charles Darwin Station)
  • Day 2: Sombrero Chino Island, Rábida Island
  • Day 3: Isabela Island (Sierra Negra, Puerto Villamil)
  • Day 4: Isabela Island (Punta Moreno, Elizabeth Bay)
  • Day 5: Isabela Island (Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove)
  • Day 6: Fernandina Island (Punta Espinoza), Isabela Island (Punta Vicente Roca)
  • Day 7: Santiago Island (Puerto Egas), Bartolome Island
  • Day 8: North Seymour Island, Baltra

Tower Itinerary

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Start / End: Baltra / Baltra
Highlights: Land iguanas, marine iguanas, fur seals, lava lizard, Waved Albatross (Mar-Nov), frigate bird, blue-footed boobies, red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, lava herons, sea lions, Nasca boobies, Galapagos hawk, mockingbirds, flamingos, penguins
Included: All meals and accommodation in double cabins, all excursions and activities, bilingual naturalist guide, use of wet suits & snorkeling gear
Not Included: Flights to/from Galapagos, Galapagos National Park entrance fee, Migratory card fee, extra beverages on board, wetsuit rental ($30 for full week), tips, personal expenses

Itinerary Highlights: Central, Southern, and Northern Islands, including Tower and Hood Island

Detailed Itinerary:

  • Day 1: Santa Cruz Island (Highlands, Charles Darwin Station)
  • Day 2: South Plaza Island, Santa Fé Island
  • Day 3: San Cristóbal Island (Witch Hill, Galapaguera & El Junco)
  • Day 4: Española Island (Gardner Bay, Islote Garnder, Punta Suarez)
  • Day 5: Floreana Island (Punta Cormorant, Devil’s Crown, Post Office Bay)
  • Day 6: Santa Cruz Island (Dragon Hill), James Island (Sullivan Bay)
  • Day 7: Genovesa Island (El Barranco, Darwin Bay)
  • Day 8: Daphne Mayor Island, Baltra

Isabela Itinerary

Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Start / End: Baltra / Baltra
Highlights: Land iguanas, marine iguanas, lava lizards, sea lions, flamingos, penguins, flightless cormorant, brown pelican, Darwin finches, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, Galapagos hawk, Darwin finches
Included: All meals and accommodation in double cabins, all excursions and activities, bilingual naturalist guide, use of wet suits & snorkeling gear
Not Included: Flights to/from Galapagos, Galapagos National Park entrance fee, Migratory card fee, extra beverages on board, wetsuit rental ($30 for full trip), tips, personal expenses

Itinerary Highlights: Western Islands, including Western Isabela and Fernandina Island

Detailed Itinerary:

  • Day 1: Transfer to Isabela Island (Puerto Villamil)
  • Day 2: Isabela Island (Punta Moreno, Elizabeth Bay)
  • Day 3: Isabela Island (Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove)
  • Day 4: Fernandina Island (Punta Espinoza), Isabela Island (Punta Vicente Roca)
  • Day 5: Santiago Island (Puerto Egas), Bartolome Island
  • Day 6: North Seymour Island, Baltra

Hood Itinerary

Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Start / End: Baltra / Baltra
Highlights: Land iguanas, marine iguanas, fur seals, lava lizard, Waved Albatross (Mar-Nov), red-footed boobie, frigate bird, blue-footed boobies, lava herons, sea lions, Nasca boobies, Galapagos hawk, mockingbirds, flamingos, penguins
Included: All meals and accommodation in double cabins, all excursions and activities, bilingual naturalist guide, use of wet suits & snorkeling gear
Not Included: Flights to/from Galapagos, Galapagos National Park entrance fee, Migratory card fee, extra beverages on board, wetsuit rental ($30 for full week), tips, personal expenses

Itinerary Highlights: Southern, Central, and Northern Islands, including Hood and Tower Islands

Detailed Itinerary:

  • Day 1: San Cristóbal Island (Galapaguera & El Junco)
  • Day 2: Española Island (Gardner Bay, Islote Garnder, Punta Suarez)
  • Day 3: Floreana Island (Punta Cormorant, Devil’s Crown, Post Office Bay)
  • Day 4: Santa Cruz Island (Dragon Hill), James Island (Sullivan Bay)
  • Day 5: Genovesa Island (El Barranco, Darwin Bay)
  • Day 6: Daphne Mayor Island, Baltra
Important Information
Our rates are per person and include: accommodation (sharing double cabins), meals, excursions, guides, wetsuits, and snorkel equipment.
Charter and FIT rates do not include: air ticket, National Park fees, Migratory Card (USD 20), and bottled & alcoholic beverages on board.
Discounts: We offer special discounts for children under 12 (one child per adult maximum), please contact us for these rates. This discount is not applicable over Christmas and New Year’s departures.
Special departures: We do not offer the 6-day cruises over Christmas and New Year’s departures.
Single supplement: 50% increase over sharing accommodation rate.
Surcharges: Fuel surcharge in effect, $55 for a 6-day trip, $75 for an 8-day trip. A surcharge of $200 per person is applicable during Christmas and New Year’s weeks.
Flight Costs (not included in Galapagos cruise costs): Contact us for current rates for flights from Quito or Guayaquil to the Galapagos Islands. Our yacht Cachalote Explorer is scheduled to operate in connection with Avianca airlines.
National Park Entrance Fee: US$100 / Migratory Card Fee: US$20 (subject to change).