Aqua Mare Galapagos

The 1998-built (originally named Pestifer) cruise ship Aqua Mare is a motorized superyacht operating year-round in Ecuador's Galapagos Archipelago. This luxury vessel was constructed in Ancona, Italy, by the Italian shipbuilder Italam 86 Srl (CRN Shipyard) and designed by Francois Zuretti of Studio Scanu Srl, a Viareggio-based company specializing in interior, exterior, and naval architecture design.

The vessel (IMO number 1005942) is currently Ecuador-flagged (MMSI 735060248) and registered in Guayaquil.

The ship’s previous registered owner and manager was White Eagle Yachting LLC, a Wilmington, NC USA-based company. Since 2021, Aqua Mare has been fully owned by Aqua Expeditions, following its acquisition in Istanbul, Turkey, on June 1, 2021. Aqua Mare entered revenue service with Aqua Expeditions in June 2022.

In January 2025, the French company Ponant acquired a majority stake in Aqua Expeditions, a cruise travel company founded in 2008 and headquartered in Singapore.

Following the acquisition, the superyacht underwent an extensive drydock refurbishment and refitting in 2021. The project included the addition of two staterooms, a full interior redesign, and exterior cleaning and repainting.

Francesco Galli Zugaro (the company’s owner) originally planned to commission a newbuild but canceled the order due to the Coronavirus crisis and instead acquired a second-hand superyacht. Compared to other yachts of similar size (LOA 50 m, beam 9 m), Aqua Mare has approximately one-third more interior volume/gross tonnage (641 GT).

Aqua Mare was christened by godmother Birgit Galli Zugaro, the owner's wife and the company's Director.

Among Galapagos-based small ships and yachts, Aqua Mare is one of the few that offers a private superyacht travel experience. With a maximum capacity of just 16 guests and a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio (16 crew serving 16 passengers), Aqua Mare is ideal for private charters and custom family or small-group vacations. The vessel is available for both voyage charters (hiring the yacht and crew for a single voyage) and time charters (hiring for a specific period).

The crew includes two naturalists who serve as tour guides for the twice-daily organized expeditions. These excursions use the yacht’s two custom-built tenders, each accommodating 10 people (8 guests and 2 crew).

Decks and Cabins

Aqua Mare staterooms (7 total) are all exterior-facing, though none has a private balcony.

The largest accommodation is the Owner’s Suite (80 m2 / 860 ft2), which includes the service of a dedicated steward.

All staterooms feature custom beds (king-sized double or twin configurations with premium-brand mattresses and linens), premium walnut veneer paneling, vintage artwork, and ensuite bathrooms with Italian marble countertops, walk-in glass showers, luxury towels, and organic toiletries.

The yacht has 4 decks, with passenger cabins located on three of them.

Shipboard Facilities and Amenities

The Beach Club (aft on the Lower Deck) serves as a multipurpose space for pre-excursion briefings, a bar lounge, and a cinema. It provides direct access to the Marina—a water-level platform for launching watersports activities. Complimentary snorkeling gear is provided for the duration of each cruise, including wetsuits, tubes, masks, and fins. In addition to the tenders, the yacht carries non-motorized water toys, including 8 double kayaks and 2 standup paddleboards.

All meals are served in the Indoor Dining Room (aft on the Main Deck), which features a large 8-seat Carrara marble dining table and two 4-seat round tables with marble tops. The largest public venue is the Panoramic Lounge (midship on the Upper Deck), which is adjacent to the Aft Outdoor Dining Area, where all guests can dine together at a communal table.

The yacht’s culinary program is overseen by Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, a 1976-born Peruvian chef known for his Amazonian cuisine. He is also the owner of the Malabar restaurant in Lima, Peru. Signature dishes include Llapingachos (Ecuadorian potato pancakes), Tuna Crudo, BBQ Grilled Plantains, and Shrimp Ceviche. As is customary for Aqua Expeditions, most ingredients are locally sourced from Ecuadorian farmers, fishers, producers, and merchants.

The Sundeck (Deck 4) includes a Sunbathing Area (aft, with padded loungers and a large 6-person jacuzzi), an Outdoor Gym and Barbeque Area (forward), and a Shaded Seating and Dining Area (midship).

Other onboard facilities include the Wheelhouse/Navigation Bridge (forward on the Upper Deck), Lobby Bar, Library, and onboard Shop (midship on the Main Deck).

The minimum age for passengers is 5 years. Children under 12 must be accompanied by two fully paying adults.

Both cash and credit cards are accepted at the bars.

The recommended daily gratuity is $25 per person for the crew and $25 for the tour guide.

Aqua Expeditions Galapagos Itineraries

Aqua Mare offers two 7-night/8-day Galapagos itineraries—East and West—which can be combined into a 2-week B2B (back-to-back) cruise roundtrip from Santa Cruz Island.

Fares range between ~USD 11,000 (Category 5 cabin) and ~USD 30,000 (Owner's Suite), per person. All-inclusive pricing covers satellite Internet, onboard WiFi and phone, locally sourced alcoholic beverages (house wines and beers; premium beer and spirits in the Owner’s Suite), laundry service, Galapagos Park entrance fee, transit control card, all meals, accommodations, unlimited beverages (bottled water, coffee, tea, soft drinks), guided excursions, one certified bilingual guide for every eight guests, snorkeling gear (mask, tube, fins, wetsuit), kayaks, paddleboards, and airport transfers.

West Galapagos Expedition Cruise Itinerary

The 8-day West Galapagos Expedition begins on Santa Cruz Island (embarkation in Puerto Ayora and Manzanillo Ranch) and ends on Baltra Island (debarkation).

DAY 2: Floreana Island (Punta Cormorant anchorage)

DAY 3: Isabela Island (Punta Moreno anchorage)

DAY 4: Fernandina Island (Bahia Urbina Bay, Punta Espinoza, Caleta Tagus Cove, Darwin Lake)

DAY 5: Santiago Island (Puerto Egas, Caleta Bucanero, Playa Espumilla)

DAY 6: Rabida Island and Santa Cruz Island (Caleta Tortuga Negra)

DAY 7: Seymour Norte Island (tender tour to Mosquera Island)

DAY 8: Daphne Island and Baltra Island (debarkation)

East Galapagos Expedition Cruise Itinerary

The 8-day East Galapagos Expedition begins on Baltra Island (transfer from Baltra Airport) and ends on Santa Cruz Island (debarkation and transfer back to Baltra).

DAY 2: Genovesa Island (El Barranco)

DAY 3: Santiago Island (Bahia Sullivan Bay) and Sombrero Chino Island

DAY 4: Bartolome Island (Pinnacle Rock), Santa Cruz Island (Cerro Dragon)

DAY 5: Santa Cruz Island (Puerto Ayora, Darwin Research Station, El Chato Ranch/Giant Tortoise Reserve)

DAY 6: Espanola Island (Punta Suarez)

DAY 7: Santa Fe Island and Plaza Sur Island

DAY 8: Santa Cruz Island (debarkation, transfer to Baltra)