All of the Luxury Charter Group team have been fortunate enough to visit the Galapagos Islands. Radek Gendek most recently experienced the magic and majesty of the area on a charter onboard the customised, Italian-built explorer charter yacht, STELLA MARIS. The Galapagos islands are a living laboratory that offers charter guests astounding diversity of nature and experiences.
Located around 600 miles (1,050kms) off the coast of Ecuador in South America, the Galapagos Islands are a pristine sanctuary for native and unique species.
Each of the 20 islands that make up this archipelago have their own character both in terms of wildlife and the natural environment and a private crewed charter yacht allows you to see as many of these distinct areas as possible and in a level of luxury that you would not experience any other way.
Biologist and naturalist, Sir Charles Darwin first introduced the world to the Galapagos Islands in 1859, through his book “The Origin of the Species”, and presentations of his theory of evolution which he gleaned from five weeks studying the flora and fauna on the Galapagos Islands.
Since that time, the Galapagos have intrigued scientists from many fields, as well as intrepid travellers and seafarers mesmerised by the myriad natural wonders found only there.
Blessed with mild weather all year round, the natural splendours of the Galapagos can be enjoyed at any time of year, although January to June is known as the warm/wet season and July to December as the “garúa” or cool/dry season. During a normal year, temperatures range between 15°C (59F) and 29°C (84F).
Sir David Attenborough, naturalist and the father of the nature documentary, which he has been perfecting since 1954, describes the Galapagos Islands as “a place populated by extraordinary and beautiful creatures, some of which are found nowhere else on the planet”.
“I have now returned three times to the Galápagos Islands since my first visit in 1978 and each time the excitement has been undiminished,” he says in the introduction to his latest documentary (“Galapagos, 3D, Origin”).
The allure of these volcanic and isolated islands is as strong today as it ever was, and luxury charter guests are enthralled by this pristine wonderland with a unique dose of creatures only found in this ecosystem: marine iguanas and land iguanas, both of which are unique to the Galápagos; waved albatrosses, penguins, sea lions, giant cacti, finches, flightless cormorants, and the famed giant tortoise, whose average lifespan of 100 years makes it the longest living vertebrate on earth.
For bird enthusiasts, the Galapagos is heaven on earth, for although there are just 29 resident species of land birds on the islands, 22 are endemic (found nowhere else). Surrounded by miles and miles of open ocean, the islands provide seabirds with an important place to roost.
There are many activities charter guests can enjoy on and around the islands, suited to all ages, levels of fitness and interests. Trekking offers the best opportunity to observe the native wildlife in its habitats. The Galapagos National Park provides local guides with the expertise to lead you on trails that span all kinds of flora and fauna that will bring out the naturalist in everybody!
The best way to experience the aquatic life of the Galapagos is on or under the water. From your yacht’s tender, you will be able to observe oceans brimming with life, including inquisitive sea lions and seals, and penguins unafraid of their human visitors.
Galapagos is a world-class snorkelling and diving destination, with a variety of sites that vary from close to the beach to deep among the currents of the Devil's Crown – all teaming with species of reef fish like the King Angel Fish and Parrot Fish, as well as sea turtles, sharks, rays, moray eels, octopi and crustaceans.
STELLA MARIS offers the ideal way to explore the Archipelago allowing you to immerse yourself in the astounding diversity of each island group, under the expert guidance of your charter yacht Captain and crew who have official National Park clearance to conduct charters to approved itineraries. She was designed to be as ecologically-friendly as possible so as not to disrupt the delicate balance of flora and fauna that make this region so special.
There are two different cruising itineraries (A and B), designed to limit the number of people on a given island at the same time. This well-thought-out schedule also allows guests to enjoy private time savouring their own ‘piece of paradise’ while also enjoying the spacious and elegant interior of the luxury motor yacht STELLA MARIS.
For guests’ ultimate comfort and viewing pleasure, STELLA MARIS boasts a spacious sun deck with jacuzzi and sun loungers, the ideal vantage point for spotting marinelife and taking the breathtaking panoramas.
With accommodation for 14 guests in 7 cabins including a huge Master Cabin with its own private deck area STELLA MARIS has a spacious, comfortable, and practical interior perfect for families; yet elegant and intimate for couples or friends.
Let the charter experts at Luxury Charter Group manage every aspect of your Galapagos Islands charter adventure, including choosing the best yacht to charter, preferred itinerary and activities, onboard menus and any other special requests and requirements to make your charter unforgettable. Contact us today.
Disclaimer: The information about luxury yachts displayed on this page is merely informational and these yachts are not necessarily available for yacht charter or for sale, nor are they represented or marketed in anyway by Luxury Charter Group. This web page and the superyacht information contained herein is not contractual. All yacht specifications and information is displayed in good faith but Luxury Charter Group does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the current accuracy, completeness, validity, or usefulness of any superyacht information and/or images displayed. All boat information is subject to change without prior notice and may not be current.
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