Endemic
Nine suites, every one with a private balcony, on a catamaran fourteen metres wide. Thirteen crew for sixteen guests, and transparent kayaks that turn a surface interval into an excursion.
A balcony each
All nine suites are Golden, all with private balconies. There is no lesser category to be put in.
Thirteen crew
Ten crew plus a guide, a cruise service officer and a cuisine specialist, for sixteen guests.
The gear
Transparent kayaks, paddleboards, wetsuits, binoculars and an action camera, all included.
Wide, new and evenly good
Endemic launched in 2018: thirty-five metres long and fourteen wide, which is the number that matters on a catamaran. Two hulls that far apart barely roll, and the space goes sideways instead of upwards. Sixteen guests in nine Golden suites, four on the main deck and five on the upper, every one with a private balcony.
What stands out is the staffing. Ten crew, plus a bilingual National Park guide, a cruise service officer and a cuisine specialist — thirteen people for sixteen guests. The expedition gear is included rather than rented: wetsuits, snorkel kit, binoculars, an action camera, paddleboards and transparent sea kayaks, which are worth more than they sound when you are floating over a ray you can watch through the floor.
At a glance
The western route, day by day
Arrival and Bachas Beach
Met at Baltra and taken to the boat, then an easy first afternoon on the white sand at Bachas — a turtle nesting beach, and a swim before dinner.
Darwin Bay and El Barranco
The seabird island, and the long night crossing to reach it. Frigatebirds displaying in the mangroves at Darwin Bay, then Prince Philip’s Steps up to the lava plateau with the red-footed boobies.
Highlands and Sullivan Bay
Giant tortoises in the wild up in the highlands, then Sullivan Bay in the afternoon: a lava flow from the 1890s that still looks like it cooled last week.
Sierra Negra and the breeding centre
The climb to the rim of Sierra Negra, one of the largest active calderas on earth, then the Arnaldo Tupiza centre where the island’s tortoises are bred.
Elizabeth Bay and Urbina Bay
A dinghy ride through the mangrove channels at Elizabeth Bay, where turtles and penguins gather, then Urbina Bay: uplifted coral, land iguanas and giant tortoises.
Tagus Cove and Espinosa Point
The walk to Darwin Lake past the names whalers carved into the cliffs, then across to Fernandina for the largest marine iguana colonies in the world, with penguins and flightless cormorants alongside.
Buccaneer Cove, Espumilla and Rabida
Eroded cliffs and nesting turtles at Buccaneer Cove, the beach at Espumilla, then Rabida’s red sand in the afternoon — the best birdwatching day of the week.
Mosquera and farewell
A last stop at Mosquera Islet with the sea lions, then the transfer to Baltra and the flight to the mainland.
Landing sites are set by the National Park and can shift with conditions or park scheduling. The guide adjusts the day; the islands do not take requests.
Six ways to sail her
- A — 8 days, Sunday to Sunday. The western route above: Genovesa, Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago and Rabida.
- B — 8 days, Sunday to Sunday. The southern and eastern islands: San Cristobal, Espanola, Santa Fe, South Plaza, Bartholomew and Floreana.
- C — 6 days, Thursday to Tuesday. Bartholomew, Floreana, Chinese Hat, North Seymour and Genovesa.
- D — 6 days, Tuesday to Sunday. The volcanic west: Sullivan Bay, Sierra Negra, Elizabeth Bay, Tagus Cove and Fernandina.
- E — 5 days, Sunday to Thursday. Dragon Hill, San Cristobal, Espanola, Santa Fe and the Santa Cruz highlands.
- F — 4 days, Thursday to Sunday. Bartholomew, Floreana, Chinese Hat and North Seymour.
A and B together cover the archipelago without repeating a single site, which is why people who have the time book them back to back. If you only get one, B has Espanola — the waved albatross nests there and nowhere else, between April and December. Tell us your dates and we will say which one is sailing.
What she carries
- Private balcony on every suite
- Jacuzzi on deck
- Transparent sea kayaks and stand-up paddleboards
- Snorkel gear and wetsuits for every guest
- Expedition binoculars and an action camera
- Library, TV and DVD
- Wi-Fi on board
- Satellite phone
- Cruise manager and service officer
What the price covers
Included
- A Golden suite, single or double, with twin beds or a king
- All meals and snacks
- Soft drinks and juices
- The captain’s welcome and farewell cocktail
- Every guided expedition on the itinerary
- A top bilingual National Park guide and daily briefings
- Expedition gear: wetsuits, fins, snorkel kit, binoculars, action camera
- Transparent kayaks and paddleboards
- Airport reception, assistance and Wi-Fi
Not included
- National Park entrance fee and transit control card
- Flights to and from the Galapagos
- Alcoholic drinks
- Travel and health insurance
- Gratuities for the guide and crew
One thing to raise before you book flights: a surcharge applies if the airfare is not booked together with the cruise. Ask us first and we tell you which way works out cheaper for your dates.
Where you sleep
Nine Golden suites, four on the main deck and five on the upper, each with a private balcony and a choice of two twin beds or one king. There is no second category on this boat, which means no bad cabin and no negotiating over who gets the view.
Meals on board
A cuisine specialist on board, meals and snacks throughout, and soft drinks and juices included. The captain’s cocktail opens and closes the week; other alcohol is charged separately. With sixteen guests and thirteen crew, the galley works to order rather than to a fixed buffet — tell us about dietary needs before you sail.
Is this your boat?
Book it if
- A private balcony and no second-class cabin is what you are after
- Stability at anchor matters — fourteen metres of beam barely rolls
- You want the kayaks, paddleboards and wetsuits inside the fare
- Four to eight days lets you pick the trip around the holiday
Choose another cruise if
- You came to dive — this is a naturalist cruise, not a dive boat
- You need a fixed published price before you enquire
- You want alcohol included in the fare
- Long walks on uneven lava are not for you
Comparing catamarans? Look at the Monique. Prefer a monohull with balconies? The Tribute. Came for the sharks instead? See our Galapagos diving cruises.
Ask us for a quote
Six routes run on the Endemic, from four to eight days, and the rate moves with the season and the suite. Send us your dates and we come back with what is sailing, what is open, and the full cost with park fees included.