Galapagos Cruise
Adventure across volcanic islands for up-close encounters with epic wildlife found nowhere else on Earth
Reward yourself with an adventure of a lifetime expedition to islands born of fire, the Archipelago of Galapagos. Witness one of history’s greatest scientific discoveries by experiencing the extraordinary power of nature to adapt to its environment: evolution.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, this remote Archipelago of 18 islands and more than 100 small islets lies around 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. Its proximity to the equator, volcanic activity, and influence from three ocean currents (Humboldt, Panama, and Cromwell) created a distinctive set of environmental conditions that allowed for a unique land and marine ecosystems to develop over the course of four million years.
The Galapagos Islands were created as a result of centuries of volcanic eruptions caused by the gradual movement of the Nazca tectonic plate. Today, each island offers a different landscape, from mountainous terrains scattered with shield volcanoes and lava fields, arid zones covered with endemic cacti, to beautiful white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. The Galapagos Islands represent the world’s richest marine biosphere reserve.
What sets the Galapagos truly apart is the remarkable levels of endemic plant and animal life, more than anywhere else in the world. Nearly 80 percent of land birds and mammals, over 90 percent of reptiles, more than 30 percent of plants and around 20 percent of marine life are native to the Galapagos Islands.
While visiting the archipelago’s most iconic islands you will have the rare opportunity to observe some of these species as they go about their daily life completely undisturbed by human presence. Through snorkeling excursions, you’ll have the opportunity to encounter marine life including sharks and seals which are endemic to the archipelago. Those who are lucky might even have the opportunity to swim alongside Galapagos Penguins, the only equatorial species of penguins in the world.
Over on land, Aqua Mare guests will embark on guided hiking adventure to some of the islands’ hotspots for spotting wildlife. There’ll be opportunities to spot land and marine iguanas — striking creatures which look like they were descendants of the mythical dragons. There’ll also be visits to see the remarkable Giant Tortoises which make for one of the highlights of an expedition to the Galapagos Islands.
Finally, we’ll look to the skies for even more exciting sightings. The archipelago is home to unique species of birds such as flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, and Darwin’s finches — named after the biologist, who used his experiences on the islands as the foundation for his theory of evolution.
As nature has not introduced danger and competition from outside their territory, many of these animals don’t have the natural instinct to flee from humans. It is fascinating to observe many animals so unusually close-up.
Whether you choose to hike along the natural volcanic formations of Los Gemelos (Twin Craters), encounter the Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat, go snorkeling with penguins, sea turtles, and marine iguanas in Espinoza Point, witness the courtship dance of blue-footed boobies in North Seymour, or be greeted by groups of sea lions lounging in the rocks at Suarez Point, we guarantee a wildlife adventure you won’t soon forget.
Discover what a journey of a lifetime is like aboard the Aqua Mare
Embark on a lifetime superyacht expedition aboard the Aqua Mare and admire the natural wonders found in one of the most pristine and remote corners of the world.
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Discover the destination
Discover colonial centers dotted by majestic churches, dramatic Andean peaks and mystic cloud forests, as well as unique biodiverse islands that make Ecuador one of South America’s most coveted destinations.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site of unique value and rich biodiversity inspired Darwin’s evolutionary theory, and today, visitors follow in his footsteps to discover what makes exploring this destination one of life’s greatest adventures.
What was once a group of hostile and isolated lands completely deprived of life is now home to a plethora of exotic and unusual animals and plants, many of which are found nowhere else in the world.
