Editor’s Choice Award: Ecoventura Plans Fun & Unique Romantic Getaways in the Galapagos

The Short Version: If you’re looking for a first-class adventure, Ecoventura has a yacht for that. This eco-friendly travel company takes guests to the coasts of the Galapagos Islands and gives them a front-row seat to the amazing wildlife in the area. Guests can go snorkeling with penguins and sea turtles, capture photos of rare birds, and enjoy guided nature walks through lava fields and beaches. Thanks to Ecoventura, couples can dive into a romantic, intimate getaway and savor a once-in-a-lifetime experience on the water.

In September 2017, John L. and his wife celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary on the deck of a yacht called Origin. They’d booked a trip to the Galapagos with a travel company called Ecoventura in hopes of having a one-of-a-kind experience, and they weren’t disappointed.

John praised Ecoventura’s naturalist guides for their knowledge and sense of humor, and he said he couldn’t wait to return for another luxury cruise.

Ecoventura enchants couples with cruises to the Galapagos Islands.

“The food and service on the ship were superb, and you should be commended for providing such a comprehensive cruise,” John said. “It’s great to see that you’re excelling in providing a wonderful travel experience for your customers.”

Ecoventura is a luxury cruise company that arranges travel experiences for up to 20 guests at a time. Its intimate voyages to the Galapagos are perfect for couples seeking romance and adventure.

Unlike many of its competitors, Ecoventura is family-owned and family-operated, and the team brings a personal touch to every excursion. Because the cruises are so small, the staff can get to know everyone aboard and customize its service to meet their standards. That means the bartender knows your favorite drink, and the naturalist guide always has time to stop and answer questions.

As an eco-friendly cruise, Ecoventura invites guests to witness the natural beauty of the Galapagos without negatively impacting the delicate ecosystem there. Guests can get the best of both worlds on these cruises — strapping on hiking boots or snorkeling gear during the day and then lounging in the lap of luxury by night. Many couples choose to book an Ecoventura cruise to celebrate life’s milestones and share an experience they’ll never forget.

In the early 1990s, the Dunn family founded Ecoventura to offer tourists an immersive seven-night cruise through the Galapagos. The company launched a fleet of yachts equipped with every luxury, and people went wild over it.

Thanks to Ecoventura, many adventurous travelers have had the chance to explore the Enchanted Islands. The yachts gave people access to an untouched land, and passionate nature guides helped them explore it on intimate nature hikes, kayaking trips, and other excursions. The company can plan an array of exciting activities, including stand-up paddleboarding and whale watching, to capture the imagination of even seasoned travelers.

Whether you’re looking at marine life from a glass-bottom boat or diving down to swim among the reefs, you will be surrounded by astonishing wildlife throughout this transformative week-long tour.

Ecoventura’s unique adventures appeal to photographers, bird watchers, scuba divers, and other outdoorsy folks, and the yacht’s luxury setting makes everyone feel right at home. Doris Welsh, Director of Sales & Marketing at Ecoventura, said the majority of guests are between 34 and 69 years old. These guests typically have a taste for the finer things in life and come on board with high expectations.

Couples can travel in style on board Ecoventura’s luxury yachts.

The Origin and Theory are the pride of Ecoventura’s fleet. These two vessels have tasteful and cozy staterooms with connecting cabins for groups traveling together. The yachts also feature an open bar, hot tub, lounge, hammocks, and a fitness center with a treadmill, elliptical, free weights, and yoga mat.

Guests can look out over the water from their panoramic windows, or they can take a seat on deck and breathe in the cool saltwater air. A 13-person crew sees to it that the 20 guests aboard have everything they need to enjoy themselves. A local guide will even pick guests up from the airport and take them to the dock.

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly trip, you can book a double or triple room on The Letty, a first-class yacht. The yacht has 10 ocean-facing cabins spread across three decks, and cruise rates include all meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages. It offers a low-key experience on the water, and twice daily excursions to the shores of the Galapagos.

Ecoventura’s yachts have gained recognition for the crew’s high quality of service, incomparable local cuisine, and luxurious amenities, and environmentalists have praised its sustainable practices as well.

The custom-built Origin and Theory have fuel-efficient hulls that significantly reduce fossil fuel consumption and set new standards for eco-friendly yacht travel.

The Ecoventura team is committed to providing an unforgettable experience from start to finish, and its tailored services check every box.  The experienced crew includes a captain, a concierge, a chef, and two naturalist guides, all of whom are on a first-name basis with guests. Ecoventura strives to maintain a low naturalist-to-guest ratio, employing at least one expert guide for every 10 guests.

Due to the small number of guests, Ecoventura’s naturalists have the freedom and flexibility to cater excursions to their guests and create experiences that will resonate with them.

Ecoventura’s competent, experienced, and friendly crew can personalize your trip to the Galapagos.

“Our on-the-ground crews are absolutely fantastic,” Doris said. “Based on our passenger feedback, the crew is a key component of shaping our on-board experience.”

Many of Ecoventura’s nature guides have been with the company for decades, and they have an intimate knowledge of the island’s flora and fauna. If you want to see penguins, iguanas, birds, or other critters, all you have to do is let the nature guides know, and they’ll offer recommendations to make it happen.

“I am in charge of bringing top-notch customer service to the passengers,” said Daniela Munoz, Concierge at the Origin. “I have to identify and anticipate their needs. Making them feel that they are always taken care of is my main priority.”

Ecoventura’s team will gladly tailor trips to its guests upon request. They can arrange specialty cruises that offer additional enrichment opportunities, including yoga classes, photography excursions, and private meals prepared by a Relais & Chateau chef. The company also offers a Private Moments VIP package, so couples can have a private nature guide and experience a romantic sunset Zodiac tour.

Such breathtaking experiences are what the Galapagos Islands are all about, and Ecoventura makes it easy for guests to travel in style.

For nearly 30 years, Ecoventura has arranged many unique excursions and created wonderful memories for people from all walks of life. The picturesque landscape, diverse wildlife, and luxury service all combine to create an unforgettable experience in the Galapagos. Many guests have written positive reviews and thanked the team for taking them on an extraordinary trip.

“This was the trip of a lifetime,” said Mike and Wendy Rawlings in a review. “We will never forget the weeks we spent in the Galapagos and at the Sacha Lodge — and the wonderful people who made the trip so memorable. Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who made this fabulous adventure possible.”

Gwen W. and her husband Andy traveled from Raleigh, North Carolina, to enjoy an Ecoventura cruise, and they said everything was to their liking. They enjoyed the delicious cuisine and appreciated the attentive service of the naturalists, chef, and other crew members.

“Fabricio and Pepe, were highly knowledgeable and engaging; we could not have asked for more,” Gwen wrote. “Each man combined the right combination of education, humor, kindness, patience, and enthusiasm in his role.”

Ecoventura yachts include every luxury from a hot tub Jacuzzi to a fully stocked library.

A couple in their 60s said they enjoyed getting to know the staff members and other guests on the cruise. “The staff love the Galapagos and share that love and knowledge with the guests, while creating an atmosphere of warmth and friendship,” according to their review. ” If I am lucky enough to return to the Galapagos, I’d go on the Origin again.”

Doris said the team takes pride in receiving so much positive feedback from guests. Ecoventura goes the extra mile to see to it that guests see everything they want to see and have an amazing time in the Galapagos.

During an Ecoventura cruise, sightseers can swim, hike, and recline in a beautiful setting like no other. The Galapagos Islands are full of natural wonders, and the expert crew can give guests an up-close-and-personal look at the wildlife in the area.

Ecoventura has proven that luxury doesn’t have to come at the cost of sustainability, and its fuel-efficient yachts have turned heads wherever they go. The yachts also feature on-board amenities that make guests feel right at home, bringing modern comforts to the shores of an ancient archipelago.

Ever since the first Ecoventura yacht launched in the 1990s, the company has continued to evolve and expand to meet the needs of its guests while protecting the environment. In 2019, Ecoventura plans to start construction on a third luxury yacht that will replicate the design and success of the luxurious Origin and Theory.

As Doris said, “We work diligently to ensure our guests’ expectations are met by catering to their every fancy during their voyage in paradise — without compromising our commitment to sustainability.”