About Ecoventura
Ecoventura's fleet of three expedition yachts, Origin, Theory, and Evolve, was named after Darwin’s book, “On the Origin of Species,” and his Theory of Evolution. Determined to make one of the world’s most remote destinations responsibly explorable, the company was born from Santiago Dunn’s vision to preserve and share the unique beauty of the Galápagos Islands. This legacy was passed down from his father’s efforts in the 1980s to share this remote and diverse place with others from around the world.
Well before the era of Ecoventura, in the 1990s, the Dunn family already had a fleet of custom-built yachts, offering intimate experiences through the Galápagos. Today, as a member of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux and in partnership with A&K Travel Group, the brand continues to make strides in conserving the islands. Part of that initiative means partnering with the Charles Darwin Foundation to fund research and sustainability initiatives.
Ship Snapshot
Origin, Theory, and Evolve are sister ships designed for stability and seamless exploration. Cruising up to 14 knots, each expedition maximizes time ashore while ensuring a smooth ride thanks to its curved bows, bilge keels, and advanced stabilizing fins. As someone who took the trip, I can tell you that the ride was smooth even in rough waters.
Ecoventura offers two distinct seven-night itineraries. The southern and central route focuses on beaches and bays, while the western and northern route centers on volcanic wonders. Guests can also opt to combine both for a 14-night journey exploring remote islands, untouched beaches, volcanic landscapes, and wildlife-rich habitats. My mom and I journeyed on the former. We spent our days scuba diving, snorkeling with playful sea lions, exploring the flora and fauna on remote beaches, and kayaking alongside penguins swimming in coves. Ecoventura also offers a series of themed departures throughout the year, curated specially for families, wellness enthusiasts, photographers, foodies, and more.
Onboard Amenities
Stepping onto an Ecoventura yacht feels like entering the lobby of a five-star hotel. The interiors are inspired by the islands, with exotic stone, petrified wood, and agate accents. The outdoor deck is furnished with daybeds, chaise lounges, tables, and chairs, a four-person Jacuzzi, an outdoor shower, and a wet bar. Finch Deck houses a small fitness center, a boutique with Ecoventura swag, and a library stocked with literature on Darwin and the species found on the islands. If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss, it’s relaxing in the Jacuzzi as the ship sails into the sunset.
Staterooms
All 10 luxury staterooms on the main deck feature large windows with unobstructed views. The view from the bedroom was breathtaking, but the real luxury was taking a shower with a full window view from head to toe! Our accommodations had all the trappings of a five-star stay: a pillow menu, a memory foam mattress, a Nespresso machine, a tea kettle, personalized climate control, a closet with drawers, reading lights, blackout curtains, a vanity table, and a lighted mirror.
You don't need to bring an adapter, since each room has a universal docking station and USB outlets. Wi-Fi is available on board and in the rooms, as are flat-screen TVs with pre-installed movies, but you’ll likely find yourself too beat after an active day to bother with either one.
The bathrooms boast Relais & Châteaux-branded toiletries, waffle bathrobes, and slippers. Each room has two twin beds that can be combined into a king bed, and triple accommodations feature a Pullman berth. Interconnecting rooms are available for larger families.
Aside from the views, I loved that the room came with refillable water bottles and a pair of binoculars. Another convenience that’s most likely overlooked but definitely worth mentioning was that the room had plenty of storage for overpackers (like me). My mom and I were even able to slide our large checked suitcases under the bed.
Each yacht also has two Premium Suites, which are essentially two linked Deluxe Staterooms. The Premium Suites have two full bathrooms, a bedroom with a king-size bed, and a living room with a sitting area.
What's Included
Luxury meets the classroom on Ecoventura’s fully all-inclusive expedition yachts. Ecoventura ensures guests get the most out of their time on the islands through twice-daily, naturalist-led, full-nature immersions, including guided hikes to see endemic species, snorkeling with marine iguanas, penguins, and sea lions, kayaking, and more.
Enrichment briefings, lectures, and presentations were offered daily by two naturalist guides to deepen understanding of the archipelago, offering an intimate naturalist-to-guest ratio. Stargazing and night socializing took place on the sundeck some evenings. I recommend downloading the Sky Guide app to spot various constellations and planets sans light pollution.
You won’t be nickel-and-dimed here: all meals and refreshments are included, as well as transportation within the islands and all necessary gear, such as wetsuits, fins, masks, and snorkels. With a 24/7 concierge, the expeditions truly combine luxury, eco-conscious traveling, and an in-depth educational experience on the islands, all while cruising stylishly on an eco-yacht.
Food & Drink
Breakfast and lunch are served on board in a buffet-style setting, whereas dinner is a more formal four-course experience with an amuse-bouche and wine pairing. While breakfasts and dinners were served indoors on the Darwin Deck, I always looked forward to lunch, which was served al fresco on the sundeck.
A little over half of the food served comes directly from the islands, including the locally caught fish and seafood, meats from nearby farms, breads, seasonal vegetables, cheeses, and some fruits. Items such as bananas, coffee, cacao, and pineapple come from mainland Ecuador. The grilled octopus was always delicious and slightly charred. My mom enjoyed the spiced duck filet, and I found the pistachio-crusted mahi-mahi to be a savory blend, crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside. All the dishes were incredibly fresh and always left us sated. And if you’re vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free, no probably. The culinary team will make you whatever you want.
You’ll be served delicious canapés after every excursion, and an afternoon tea service is offered daily. The bartenders in the indoor bar pour cocktails, red, white, and rosé wine, beer, sodas, juices, coffee, tea, and snacks- all of which are included in your stay. Ecoventura also partners with the 100% local, premium Ecuadorian wine label Bodega Dos Hemisferios to showcase Ecuadorian wines.
For special occasions, let the concierge know in advance, and the chef will happily bake a sweet celebration cake to devour on your own or share with other guests! We celebrated my mom’s birthday on board with a freshly baked chocolate cake.
Commitment to Sustainability
Ecoventura is committed to sustainability through initiatives that protect the ecosystem and support the local community. To ensure that no waste from its ships is ever landfilled in the Galápagos, Ecoventura has partnered with Avianca Airlines to invest in two advanced recycling compressors that condense recyclables that are flown to mainland Ecuador on existing passenger flights, adding no extra CO₂ emissions. The materials are fully recycled and repurposed.
Ecoventura has also launched a program that allows guests to give back through a Plant-a-Tree initiative, aimed at supporting reforestation efforts at a giant tortoise sanctuary on Santa Cruz Island. Passengers are also invited to support “Pack for a Purpose” by bringing educational supplies to be donated to local schools and community projects. We brought a suitcase full of crayons and coloring books for elementary school-level children.
By partnering with the Charles Darwin Foundation, Ecoventura has supported research and provided scholarships to local students.
Fast Facts
Location: Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Vibe: Luxury, adventure, intimate
Rating: Five-star
Starting Rate: From $10,950*++ per person, double occupancy cabin (2026 prices)
Room Count: 10
Crew Count: 13
Naturalists: 2
Our Favorite Thing About the Ship: The sundeck, unrivaled wildlife access
Dining: Elevated Ecuadorian-inspired cuisine complemented by international options
Amenities: Jacuzzi, outdoor shower, board games, small library, unlimited Ferrero Rocher
Best For: Wildlife lovers, multi-generational families, active travelers, photographers, lifelong learners, bucket-listers
Closest Airports: Passengers fly into Quito or Guayaquil and then take a domestic flight to Seymour or San Cristóbal Airports- about 1.5 hours from Guayaquil and 2.5 hours from Quito.
