Elite Luxury Catamaran
Award-winning catamaran with panoramic suites, private balconies, and curated itineraries across the Galápagos archipelago.
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Time
4–8 Days
Small Group
16 Guests
Travel Style
First Class Cruises
Activity Level
All Levels
Overview
Elite is an award-winning luxury catamaran custom-built in Ecuador’s Guayaquil shipyards and sailing the Galápagos since 2019. Sixteen guests are hosted in eight panoramic suites featuring floor-to-ceiling glass doors, private balconies, and convertible king/twin beds. Relax in the sky deck jacuzzi, enjoy cocktails from the bar, or take out the transparent sea kayaks and paddleboards for a closer look at the archipelago’s marine life. With four distinct itineraries — from 4 to 8 days — Elite covers both the remote western islands and the wildlife-rich eastern and southern routes, all guided by certified bilingual naturalists.
Cruise Itineraries
Choose your route through the enchanted islands
Western Islands Expedition
Islands: San Cristobal · North Seymour · Santa Cruz · Isabela · Fernandina · Rabida · Bartolome
Day 1Saturday
San Cristobal — El Junco Lagoon
Arrival · Freshwater crater lake · Frigatebirds
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Afternoon
Arrive at San Cristobal Airport and board the Elite. Walk up a rocky path surrounded by rich vegetation to the rim of El Junco Lagoon — the only freshwater lake in the Galapagos. Enjoy panoramic views of the island and watch frigatebirds diving and bathing in the crystal-clear water below.
Day 2Sunday
North Seymour & Santa Cruz — Dragon Hill
Blue-footed boobies · Frigatebirds · Land iguanas
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Morning
North Seymour is one of the most visited and wildlife-rich islands. Walk among nesting frigate birds with their inflated red pouches, blue-footed boobies performing courtship dances, and sea lions basking along the rocky shore.
Afternoon
Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz offers a trail through a landscape of Palo Santo trees where land iguanas have been successfully reintroduced. A brackish lagoon often hosts flamingos, and the higher viewpoints reveal sweeping coastal panoramas.
Day 3Monday
Isabela — Tintoreras, Sierra Negra & Breeding Center
Volcanic caldera summit · Penguins · Tortoise conservation
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Morning
Explore the Tintoreras islets where white-tipped reef sharks rest in the lava channels, then hike to the rim of Sierra Negra — one of the world's largest active volcanic calderas, offering spectacular views across the barren lava landscape.
Afternoon
Visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center to learn about giant tortoise conservation efforts, then walk through the Isabela Wetlands, a coastal lagoon system home to flamingos, stilts, and migratory shorebirds.
Day 4Tuesday
Isabela — Moreno Point & Urbina Bay
Volcanic lagoons · Penguins · Geological uplift
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Morning
Moreno Point features a dramatic landscape of black pahoehoe lava flows dotted with green coastal lagoons. Spot penguins, blue herons, and flamingos against the stark volcanic backdrop.
Afternoon
Urbina Bay was dramatically uplifted from the ocean floor in 1954, leaving coral fossils on dry land. Walk among land iguanas, giant tortoises, and flightless cormorants in this unique geological landscape.
Day 5Wednesday
Fernandina & Isabela — Espinoza Point & Vicente Roca
Marine iguana colonies · Flightless cormorants · Premier snorkeling
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Morning
Espinoza Point on Fernandina is the most pristine island in the archipelago — no foreign species have ever been introduced. Walk among hundreds of marine iguanas basking on black lava rocks, with Galapagos hawks overhead and flightless cormorants drying their wings on the shore.
Afternoon
Vicente Roca Point offers two sheltered coves with some of the best snorkeling in the Galapagos. The nutrient-rich upwelling waters attract seahorses, sea turtles, mola-mola sunfish, and large schools of tropical fish.
Day 6Thursday
Rabida & Bartolome
Red sand beach · Pinnacle Rock · Snorkeling with penguins
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Morning
Rabida Island is a birdwatcher's paradise — a striking maroon-red sand beach leads to trails where you'll find vermilion flycatchers, Galapagos hawks, brown pelicans, and flamingos in the salt lagoon. This is the only island where all nine species of Darwin's finches have been recorded.
Afternoon
Bartolome Island delivers the most iconic panorama in the Galapagos — Pinnacle Rock framed against turquoise waters and volcanic cones. Climb the boardwalk to the summit, then snorkel with Galapagos penguins in the bay below.
Day 7Friday
San Cristobal — Kicker Rock, Witch Hill & Tortoise Reserve
Iconic rock formation · White-sand beach · Giant tortoises
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Full Day
Snorkel around Kicker Rock, a dramatic volcanic formation rising from the ocean where reef sharks, rays, and sea turtles patrol the channel between its two halves. Visit Witch Hill's pristine white-sand beach, then head to the highlands to observe giant tortoises at the San Cristobal reserve.
Day 8Saturday
Departure
Transfer to San Cristobal Airport
Eastern & Northern Islands Expedition
Islands: San Cristobal · Espanola · Floreana · Mosquera · Santa Cruz · Genovesa · Santiago
Day 1Saturday
San Cristobal — David Rodriguez Breeding Center
Arrival · Giant tortoise conservation
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Afternoon
Arrive at San Cristobal Airport and board the Elite. Visit the David Rodriguez Breeding Center, where you'll learn about the origin and evolution of giant tortoises and see baby tortoises being reared in semi-natural conditions — a demonstration of the commitment to preserving the species.
Day 2Sunday
Espanola — Suarez Point & Gardner Bay
Waved albatross · Blowholes · White-sand paradise
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Morning
Suarez Point is a wildlife spectacle — blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and waved albatrosses nest along the trail, while powerful blowholes shoot seawater high into the air from the rugged coastline.
Afternoon
Gardner Bay is one of the finest white-sand beaches in the Galapagos. Snorkel at Gardner and Osborn Islets surrounded by sea lions, tropical fish, and rays in crystal-clear waters.
Day 3Monday
Floreana — Cormorant Point, Devil's Crown & Post Office Bay
Flamingo lagoon · Underwater crater · Postal tradition
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Morning
Cormorant Point features two contrasting beaches — green olivine sand and fine white coral — with a flamingo lagoon between them. Snorkel at Devil's Crown, a submerged volcanic crater teeming with colorful reef fish, rays, and sea turtles.
Afternoon
Post Office Bay preserves an 18th-century tradition where sailors left letters in a wooden barrel for passing ships to deliver. Continue the custom, then visit the Baroness Lookout — a panoramic viewpoint tied to the island's mysterious history of disappearances in the 1930s.
Day 4Tuesday
Mosquera Islet & Santa Cruz — Bachas Beach
Sea lion colony · Turtle nesting · Flamingos
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Morning
Mosquera Islet is a narrow strip of sand between Baltra and North Seymour, home to one of the largest sea lion colonies in the Galapagos. No fixed trail allows free exploration along the shore.
Afternoon
Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz is a key sea turtle nesting site with a long stretch of white sand. Two nearby saltwater lagoons are often visited by flamingos, and the beach's name comes from a mispronunciation of "barges" — remnants from WWII lie nearby.
Day 5Wednesday
Genovesa — Prince Philip's Steps & Darwin Bay
Seabird paradise · Red-footed boobies · Caldera beach
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Morning
Prince Philip's Steps is a steep stone staircase carved into the cliff, leading to a plateau where red-footed boobies nest in Palo Santo trees, storm petrels gather, and the elusive short-eared owl hunts in the Scalesia forest.
Afternoon
Darwin Bay sits inside a flooded volcanic caldera. Walk along the coral beach past Great Frigatebirds displaying their inflated red pouches and swallow-tailed gulls. A mangrove trail leads to excellent birdwatching viewpoints.
Day 6Thursday
Santiago — Espumilla Beach, Buccaneer Cove & Egas Port
Red cliffs · Tide pools · Fur seals
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Morning
Espumilla Beach features white sand, marine iguanas, and excellent snorkeling. Buccaneer Cove reveals dramatic red cliffs and eroded rock formations once used as hideouts by 17th-century pirates.
Afternoon
Egas Port on Santiago offers a coastal hike past tide pools and lava grottos where Galapagos fur seals rest in shaded rock shelters. Spot Galapagos hawks, lava lizards, and marine iguanas along the black lava shoreline.
Day 7Friday
Santa Cruz — Black Turtle Cove, Highlands & Darwin Station
Mangrove estuary · Giant tortoises · Conservation research
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Morning
Black Turtle Cove is a peaceful mangrove estuary accessible only by dinghy. Glide past spotted eagle rays, mustard rays, white-tipped reef sharks, and Pacific green sea turtles in the calm, sheltered waters.
Afternoon
Head to the Santa Cruz Highlands to observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat, then visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the ongoing conservation and breeding programs that have helped save multiple tortoise species from extinction.
Day 8Saturday
Departure
Transfer to San Cristobal Airport
Southern Islands Discovery
Islands: San Cristobal · Espanola · Floreana · Mosquera
Day 1Saturday
San Cristobal — David Rodriguez Breeding Center
Arrival · Giant tortoise conservation
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Afternoon
Arrive at San Cristobal Airport and board the Elite. Visit the David Rodriguez Breeding Center to see giant tortoises in various growth stages and learn about the vital conservation work protecting these iconic creatures.
Day 2Sunday
Espanola — Suarez Point & Gardner Bay
Waved albatross · Blowholes · Snorkeling · Kayaking
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Morning
Suarez Point delivers one of the most dramatic wildlife experiences in the Galapagos — nesting boobies, waved albatrosses, and blowholes shooting seawater high into the air along the rugged cliffs.
Afternoon
Gardner Bay is a pristine white-sand beach shared with playful sea lion colonies. Hike, snorkel, or kayak in the turquoise waters surrounded by endemic wildlife.
Day 3Monday
Floreana — Cormorant Point, Devil's Crown & Post Office Bay
Flamingo lagoon · Underwater crater · Historic postal barrel
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Morning
Cormorant Point features green and white sand beaches with a flamingo lagoon between them. Snorkel at Devil's Crown — a nearly submerged volcanic crater with vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life.
Afternoon
Continue the centuries-old postal tradition at Post Office Bay. A panga ride along the shore reveals rays and turtles, then hike to the Baroness Lookout for panoramic views and the ruins of a 1930s film set.
Day 4Tuesday
Mosquera Islet & Departure
Sea lion colony · Transfer to Baltra Airport
Central & Northern Islands Voyage
Islands: Santa Cruz · Genovesa · Santiago · San Cristobal
Day 1Tuesday
Baltra & Santa Cruz — Charles Darwin Research Station
Arrival · Conservation research · Tortoise breeding
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Afternoon
Arrive at Baltra Airport and board the Elite. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the vital conservation work being carried out to preserve the archipelago's ecosystems, including the significant breeding program for Galapagos tortoises.
Day 2Wednesday
Genovesa — Prince Philip's Steps & Darwin Bay
Seabird colonies · Red-footed boobies · Caldera snorkeling
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Morning
Climb Prince Philip's Steps to a plateau teeming with masked boobies, frigatebirds, and storm petrels. The Scalesia forest hosts the elusive short-eared owl hunting among the branches.
Afternoon
Darwin Bay is a white-sand coral beach inside a flooded caldera. Walk past nesting red-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. A mangrove trail leads to viewpoints overlooking the dramatic cliffs and bay below. Snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard in the sheltered waters.
Day 3Thursday
Santiago — Espumilla Beach, Buccaneer Cove & Egas Port
Pirate coves · Fur seals · Tide pools
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Morning
Espumilla Beach on Santiago is an exquisite white-sand beach with great snorkeling. Buccaneer Cove reveals the dramatic red cliffs and eroded formations that once sheltered 17th-century pirates.
Afternoon
Egas Port features a coastal trail along tide pools and lava grottos where Galapagos fur seals rest. Spot hawks, lava lizards, and marine iguanas along the black volcanic shoreline.
Day 4Friday
Santa Cruz — Bachas Beach, Twin Craters & Highlands
Turtle nesting · Volcanic sinkholes · Giant tortoises
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Morning
Bachas Beach is a key Pacific green turtle nesting site with flamingo lagoons nearby. The name comes from WWII-era barges that were left on the shore.
Afternoon
Visit the Twin Craters (Los Gemelos) — two massive volcanic sinkholes surrounded by lush Scalesia forest — then head to the highlands to walk among giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat.
Day 5Saturday
San Cristobal — Kicker Rock & Departure
Snorkeling · Transfer to Airport
The Vessel
Award-winning luxury catamaran with panoramic suites
Yacht Specifications
| Operating Since | 2019 |
| Type | Luxury Catamaran |
| Length | 37.5 m / 123.03 ft |
| Beam | 13.5 m / 44.29 ft |
| Draft | 1.9 m / 6.23 ft |
| Speed | 12 knots |
| Engines | 2 x Marine Generator Drive Engines |
| Guests | 16 passengers |
| Cabins | 8 panoramic suites (35m², private balconies, convertible king/twin) |
| Crew | 10 members |
Onboard Amenities
- Sky Deck & JacuzziPartially covered sky deck with circular sunbathing platform and jacuzzi
- Al-Fresco DiningOpen-air dining with gourmet cuisine and house wine at dinner
- Bar SalonFull bar on the sky deck with cocktails and refreshments
- Transparent Sea Kayaks & SUPSee-through kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for exploring marine life
- Waterproof Cameras Per SuiteAction cameras included in every suite to capture underwater moments
- Expedition BinocularsHigh-quality binoculars provided for wildlife observation
- Full Snorkeling & Wetsuit KitMasks, fins, snorkel, wetsuits, and exercise mats included
Award-winning excellence. Custom-built in Ecuador's Guayaquil shipyards, Elite was designed by the Freire family — a tradition of high-quality Galápagos tourism from San Cristobal Island. Combine itineraries C+D for an 8-day experience, or A+B for an epic 15-day archipelago exploration.
Ready to begin your Galápagos family adventure?
Let nature lead. Let purpose guide.