Experiencing the Galápagos in a Way Only AQUA MARE Can Deliver

Charter director Natascha Weber and charter broker Diana Meza share their unforgettable journey through the Galápagos Islands aboard the 160’9” (49m) AQUA MARE.

There are few cruising grounds that leave seasoned charter professionals lost for words, but the Galápagos did exactly that. This year, both Natascha Weber from N&J’s Palma office and Diana Meza from the Fort Lauderdale office travelled to the archipelago aboard the 160’9” (49m) AQUA MARE and returned with memories beyond their imagination.

“We followed the yacht’s West Itinerary, the route most exposed to the powerful currents that sweep across the Pacific,” says Natascha. “Every morning began with a tender ride into what I can only describe as otherworldly landscapes, followed by snorkeling sessions that felt like we were swimming in another world.” If organized in advance, scuba diving is also an option—but only with a local dive school and strictly in designated areas.

Afternoon brought sea kayaking, guided hikes and more time in the water among turtles, manta rays, marine iguanas, vast schools of fish. “It’s a living showcase of untouched marine life,” says Diana. “The famous sea lions became our daily companions.”

For both brokers, the most striking aspect of the Galápagos is its purity. “Nothing can be brought into the islands, not even a grain of sand,” says Diana. “That level of protection enforced by the Ecuadorian government is remarkable and it is why the animal encounters are so unparallelled.”

“I quickly realised I knew nothing about the Galápagos,” says Natascha. “In just one week, I absorbed more than I thought possible. Our two naturalist guides from the Galápagos National Park were fantastic, their passion for the islands was genuinely moving.” When asked for a standout memory, both brokers agreed it had to be their encounter with wild orcas. “Three orcas – a female, her calf, and a male – circled our tender, from a distance at first, and little by little they drifted closer and closer,” says Nastacha. “The female was teaching the little one how to gauge whether we were a threat. The whole experience was so extraordinary that I completely broke down in tears, overwhelmed with gratitude for such a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”

AQUA MARE is purpose-built for the Galápagos. With accommodation for 16 guests, a Jacuzzi that becomes the perfect retreat after long days in the water, and two expert naturalist guides, the yacht elevates the experience. “The crew also made the charter unforgettable,” says Diana. “They brought the islands’ to life.”

And while many charter itineraries change at a moment’s notice, the Galápagos operates differently, with fixed schedules and designated activity windows designed to protect overcrowding. “Rather than limiting the experience, it heightened it, and letting go of control and allowing nature to lead was refreshing,” says Natascha.

“To me, it’s one of the most remarkable cruising grounds in the world,” Diana adds. You can’t get a better recommendation than that.

TOP 5 EXPERIENCES
Snorkeling with sea lions
Spotting giant tortoise
Diving with manta rays and turtles
Rabida Island
Kayaking and hiking