MY Passion Navigating in the Galapagos, Ecuador
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Passion Yacht

Once private yacht turned VIP Galapagos vessel with unrivaled service and commitment to conservation.

Overview

Welcome home to the M/Y Passion. Once a private luxury yacht named Bellisima (beautiful in Italian) due to her elegant features, this 159-foot ship was carefully redesigned for touring the Galapagos Islands whilst maintaining her most stunning characteristics. Every inch of the vessel, from the rose-hued marble bathrooms to the teak decks, exudes relaxed sophistication.

Life Aboard The M/Y Passion

Step aboard the M/Y Passion as one of just 14 privileged guests. With four sprawling decks boasting spacious staterooms and numerous social areas, there is more than enough space to gather with friends or sneak in a private moment.

While each of the five staterooms offers everything you could hope for in a home at sea, the Master Suite and VIP Suite, with two bathrooms each, are the best of the best. While your cabin will provide a luxurious respite, the ship’s panoramic sky deck, which features both a bar and lounge, and the sun deck with its Jacuzzi, is where the action is. Solo travelers will also be pleased to find out the uppermost stateroom is also available for single occupancy without single supplement.

No matter where you roam, the onboard cruise director is available to ensure your every desire is met. Thanks to the ship’s culinary team, each meal is a treat, and you will dine al fresco on artfully prepared local ingredients, Ecuadorian cuisine, and decadent desserts all prepared fresh aboard the ship.

Excursions From Your Passion Yacht Galapagos Cruise

The team behind the M/Y Passion has spent years analyzing itineraries, perfecting routes, developing extensive knowledge of the area, and creating engaging activities. The result is two cruise itineraries, designed by Fiddi Angermeyer, a pioneer in Galapagos cruising, which aim to make the most of every precious moment in the Galapagos Islands.

The eight-day tour of the western Galapagos takes you to Fernandina and Isabela Islands, where you will explore the area’s shield volcanoes and have up-close and personal experiences with marine life while snorkeling and kayaking. The eight-day eastern route, which can be abbreviated into four- or five-day versions, features the far-flung islands of Genovesa and Española, is a favorite among bird watchers

In addition to searching for all three species of boobies, you will have an opportunity to swim with penguins, watch colorful land iguanas and peek into the lives of the area’s resident sea lions. With so many carefully crafted itineraries available, which is your perfect match?

Superior Service Aboard The M/Y Passion Galapagos

The team behind the M/Y Passion prides itself on offering first-class service. To provide the utmost in personalized service, this yacht sails with one staff member per guest. This one-to-one ratio is the lowest in the Galapagos Islands and ensures you will receive friendly, attentive care throughout your travels.

Other features and attention to detail that take the service on board the Passion to the next level include bathrobes, vanity kits, hand cream and more bathroom goodies and on private charters, the indulgent option for massages on board if requested in advance. Off the vessel there are also some great luxuries for the Passion’s lucky passengers. She has her own private ferry and transport on the islands, so no more sharing with other cruise passengers on limited public buses.

Your Cruise Contributes To Conservation

In 2016 the yacht embarked upon a partnership with the charity wildaid.org and is often referred to as “WildAid’s Passion”. The charity is famous for its celebrity ambassadors, and the yacht’s inaugural Galapagos cruise featured none other than Bo Derek, Maggie Q and Dylan McDermott. Every year, her owners donate a cruise to be auctioned at WildAid’s annual gala to raise funds, and additionally $100 USD per passenger is donated to WildAid to help support its conservation efforts in Galapagos.

Everyone is raving about the M/Y Passion, including large families seeking that little bit of extra luxury, as well as avid wildlife lovers looking to actively contribute to conservation in the islands. With scheduled routes and private charters available, this ship and its top-notch crew are ready to welcome you to the Galapagos.

Itineraries & Prices

All itineraries are subject to change due to seasonal weather conditions (and resultant variations in river and tributary water levels) affecting accessibility to locations. Thus navigation routes, times and excursions may need to be modified at the cruise captain’s or your guide's discretion.

1 / 2
8-Day Eastern
8-Day Western

8 Day - Eastern & Central Islands

itinerary map

Embarkation

PM: After arriving at Baltra airport, we will be greeted by our naturalist guide to then board the M/Y WildAid’s Passion and have lunch. Following our meal, we will navigate a short distance to Black Turtle Cove, a large mangrove lagoon on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. Pelicans and herons roost on the branches, while marine dwellers such as green sea turtles and golden rays may cruise right next to the panga as it makes its way through the mangroves.

The day ends with dinner and a briefing for the next day’s activities on board the yacht.

Passion (ED) - Eastern & Central Islands
Location
Baltra - Santa Cruz
Day
1 / 8

Darwin Bay & El Barranco

AM: We travel to Genovesa Island and for a wet landing on Darwin Bay, a unique site with a beautiful beach, lined with red mangroves and soft‐haired prickly pear cacti, where red‐footed boobies and great frigatebirds perch tamely.

PM: After a dry landing at El Barranco, we will climb to the edge of a cliff where frigatebirds, masked boobies, and red-footed boobies make their nests. The trail will take us to the inner part of the island, populated by palo santo trees and cacti. We will be seeking out the impressive red‐billed tropicbird amidst Galapagos storm petrels and the endemic short-eared owl.

Passion (ED) - Eastern & Central Islands
Location
Genovesa
Day
2 / 8

Bartolome & Chinese Hat

AM: We will have a dry landing on Bartolome, followed by a mild climb up a set of wooden steps to reach the summit of a spatter cone for a breathtaking panorama of the island’s iconic Pinnacle Rock and views of neighboring Santiago, and other central islands in the distance. Afterward, we will visit the white sand beach used as a nesting site by sea turtles, followed by snorkeling in the waters of Bartolome Island, where it is not unusual to spot Galapagos penguins.

PM: Less than a quarter of one square kilometer in size, this island gets its name from being shaped like a Chinese hat. The hat shape is best appreciated from the north side. Lava formations can be seen on the western side of the island, formed under the sea and later raised upward, making it possible to observe coral heads on the lava. Be amazed by the landscapes covered by sea lions’ colonies, marine iguanas, and Galapagos penguins.

Passion (ED) - Eastern & Central Islands
Location
Bartolome
Day
3 / 8

Rabida & Dragon Hill

AM: Wet landing onto Rabida’s deep‐red beaches to explore the red island’s fascinating interior and saltwater lagoon, where flamingos are usually present. Darwin’s finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, and yellow warblers feed off the vegetation. Given the right time of the year, we may see brown pelicans nesting on salt bushes that fringe the beach.

PM: In the afternoon, we navigate a short distance to Cerro Dragon on Santa Cruz’s northwestern shore with a dry landing to visit a saltwater lagoon, home to greater flamingos, black‐necked stilts, and white‐cheeked pintails. Further inland we will find a fantastic land iguana nesting site.

Passion (ED) - Eastern & Central Islands
Location
Rabida - Santa Cruz
Day
4 / 8

Highlands & Charles Darwin Station

AM: After breakfast, we will disembark in Puerto Ayora and make a stop to visit the highlands. We will visit one of the local ranches where it is possible to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. As these animals migrate from the highlands to the coastal areas and back, the chosen ranch will depend on the presence of the tortoises since they roam free and change locations. The farms are also great places to see the Santa Cruz ground finch which populates these forests, where it is also possible to see the yellow warbler.

PM: This afternoon we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here, we will see tortoises from different islands. The animals are found in large semi-natural pens for their protection, but also to ensure an easy view for visitors.

Passion (ED) - Eastern & Central Islands
Location
Santa Cruz
Day
5 / 8

Plaza Sur & Santa Fe

AM: We will have a dry landing on one of the oldest docks of the archipelago on colorful Plaza Sur, home to vibrant green prickly pears, deep red Sesuvium, and coppery‐orange land iguanas. Impressive seaward cliffs make the perfect perching spot for a variety of coastal birds. This is also a great place to observe the sea lion adult and pups swimming along the shores.

PM: After a wet landing on Santa Fe, we will encounter a white beach where sea lions are usually resting. We will be looking for the endemic species of land iguana, which is larger with a deeper shade of yellow than land iguanas on other islands. The biggest prickly pear cacti in the Galapagos are also found here.

Passion (ED) - Eastern & Central Islands
Location
Santa Fe
Day
6 / 8

Gardner Bay & Punta Suarez

AM: Following a wet landing, we will spend the morning in Española Island’s Gardner Bay, an outstanding beach with sea lions, marine iguanas, and the bold Española mockingbird. Close to Española, there is a beautiful array of islets ideal for observing marine life. While snorkeling at one of these locations, we will come face to face with the marine reserve’s endemic species including the playful sea lions.

PM: After this visit, we will head to Punta Suarez, one of the most popular landing sites in the Galapagos. The highlights include sea lions near the landing place (sometimes seen body‐surfing in the large breakers) large marine iguanas, with red‐colored males in the breeding season, oystercatchers, blue-footed and masked boobies, Galapagos hawks, Galapagos doves, swallow‐tailed gulls, red-billed tropicbirds, and three species endemic to Española: the waved albatross (present only from April to December), the Española mockingbird, and the Española lava lizard. The trail ends in El Soplador, a blowhole that sprays water some 25 meters (75 feet) into the air.

Passion (ED) - Eastern & Central Islands
Location
Española
Day
7 / 8

Disembarkation

AM: This is our last day on the islands. After breakfast we will disembark in Puerto Ayora to take our transport to the Baltra airport, making a short stop to visit the Twin Craters. The Gemelos are two deep craters located to the side of the road that leads from Puerto Ayora to the other side of the island in order to arrive to the airport. These huge craters were most likely created in a volcanic explosion or by magma chambers having collapsed underneath the island ́s surface. This is also an excellent place to see the Galapagos hawk and the Santa Cruz barn owl. The surrounding forests are also filled with birds such as the vermilion flycatcher and the yellow warbler.

After this visit, we will continue our way to the Baltra airport for the departing flight to mainland Ecuador.

Passion (ED) - Eastern & Central Islands
Location
Santa Cruz
Day
8 / 8
1 / 8

8 Day - Western & Central Islands

itinerary map

Embarkation

AM: After arriving at Baltra airport, we will be greeted by our personnel to then cross the Itabaca channel and reach Santa Cruz Island for our first visit in the Archipelago: The Highlands of Santa Cruz. We will visit one of the ranches of the area where it is possible to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. As these animals migrate from the coastal area to the highlands and back, the chosen ranch will depend on the presence of the tortoises since they roam free and change locations. We will then head for the M/Y WildAid’s Passion for lunch and to freshen up to then head back to Puerto Ayora for our second visit of the day, the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center. Here, we will see tortoises from different islands. The animals are found in large semi-natural pens for their protection, but also to ensure an easy view for the visitors. The pens are divided according to four different stages: eggs, neonates, juveniles (held here until they are mature enough to be "repatriated"), and adults. Afterward, we will head back to Puerto Ayora, where we will have some time to explore the town and shops by ourselves (this is the only chance of shopping during this itinerary) before boarding the M/Y WildAid’s Passion at around 17:00.

Once onboard, the crew and captain will welcome us, have a short security drill and enjoy dinner and the briefing for the next day ́s activities.

Passion (ED) - Western & Central Islands
Location
Santa Cruz
Day
1 / 8

Punta Cormorant, Devil's Crown & Asilo de Paz

AM: We spend the day on Floreana, the legendary homestead of infamous Baroness Eloise Von Wagner de Bousquet. Wet landing onto the olivine beaches of Punta Cormorant, where we will be seeking Greater Flamingos on the brackish lagoon on our way to another special beach with the finest sand you’ll set foot on, a sea turtle nesting ground where sharks and rays also visit regularly. We end the outing with a short panga ride to snorkel in the Devil’s Crown, an old volcanic crater, and a key snorkeling site.

PM: In the highlands of Floreana Island we will find a freshwater spring that historically was a hideout for the pirates and whalers.

Passion (ED) - Western & Central Islands
Location
Floreana
Day
2 / 8

Asilo De La Paz & Navigation

AM: After breakfast, we will visit Post Office Bay (wet landing), where you can drop your postcards in the barrel as the whalers did centuries ago and select cards to hand-deliver when you return home.

PM: This is an excellent time to keep an eye out for whales and dolphins.Furthermore, enjoy the landscape of Isabela Island.

Passion (ED) - Western & Central Islands
Location
Floreana - Isabela
Day
3 / 8

Punta Moreno & Urbina Bay

AM: This morning we will visit Floreana Island ́s Black Beach to learn about the intriguing human history of the island and its first inhabitants. We will visit this freshwater source known as Asilo de La Paz, as well as the caves that served as hideouts for pirates and where the first Galapagueño was born, according to the stories of Floreana, which involve the infamous Baroness Eloise Wagner von Bousquet and her lovers who mysteriously began to disappear after settling on the island.

PM: After our visit, we will have the best opportunity for a not‐so‐common yet well beloved activity in the archipelago, full afternoon navigation to look for whales and dolphins. This afternoon is completed by the impressive landscapes of Isabela and the Cerro Azul volcano.

Passion (ED) - Western & Central Islands
Location
Isabela
Day
4 / 8

Tagus Cove & Punta Espinosa

AM: Dry landing near Tagus Cove, a historical pirate hideaway where names of countless ships are recorded for posterity on the cliff face. Hike through beautiful Galapagos landscapes to Darwin Lake, a salt‐water crater lagoon surrounded by tuff stone.

PM: We cross Bolivar Channel to Fernandina Island, one of the world’s most pristine sites, and disembark (dry landing) at Punta Espinosa. Strolling along the shoreline, we will be on the lookout for flightless cormorants, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos penguins and hawks, sooty‐colored marine iguanas and bright red‐orange Sally Lightfoot crabs.

Passion (ED) - Western & Central Islands
Location
Isabela - Fernandina
Day
5 / 8

Puerto Egas, Buccaneer's Cove & Espumilla Beach

AM: At Puerto Egas, we arrive by wet landing and disembark on a dark sand volcanic beach with a fascinating history of human settlement. With luck, we will see the Galapagos fur seals lounging on the edges of the lava fields and playful sea lions under arches of lava carved by erosion from the ocean. In these crystalline pools known as “grottos,” we walk along the shore observing the abundant marine life and shorebirds they attract.

PM: At Buccaneer Cove we can enjoy a panga ride around the beautiful coastline. This place is named so as it was once a refuge for British Buccaneers who anchored here to collect supplies and clean their ships. The cove is scenic with views of the cliffs and a dark beach, and unusual rock formations known as ‘the monk’ and ‘elephant rock.’

After Buccaneer’s Cove, we are en route to central Santiago Island to disembark at Espumilla Beach with a wet landing onto golden-colored sand. This area is also used by green sea turtles as a nesting site. A trail through the forest will take us through some of the largest specimens of Palo Santo on the islands to best observe yellow warblers, the Galapagos flycatcher, and Darwin finches.

Passion (ED) - Western & Central Islands
Location
Fernandina
Day
6 / 8

Sullivan Bay & North Seymour

AM: We will have a dry landing on Sullivan Bay in Santiago Island to start our walk over a recent lava flow, including very fresh pahoehoe lava formations, lava bubbles containing crystallized minerals, and pioneer plants. Along the shoreline, we may find Galapagos penguins and herons going after small fish.

PM: We disembark on North Seymour Island directly onto this small, uplifted island. We will walk through a large bird nesting colony of two different species of frigatebirds, blue‐footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls. Depending on the season we will be able to watch the spectacular mating rituals being displayed.

Passion (ED) - Western & Central Islands
Location
Santiago
Day
7 / 8

Disembarkation

AM: Mosquera is a small islet located between Baltra and North Seymour Islands, measuring about 160 meters wide and 600 meters long. We will visit this islet to view the shorebirds and aquatic life that frequent this area.

After this visit, the yacht will sail to Baltra Island where passengers will disembark and be assisted to the airport for their departing flight.

Passion (ED) - Western & Central Islands
Location
Santa Cruz
Day
8 / 8
1 / 8

Accommodations

Social Areas

Dining
Bow Deck
Outdoor Jacuzzi
Alfresco Dining Area
Exterior Corridor
Sky Lounge
Living

Suites & Cabins

Passion (ED) - Stateroom Passion (ED) - Stateroom Passion (ED) - Stateroom Passion (ED) - Stateroom Passion (ED) - Stateroom Passion (ED) - Stateroom
5 Cabins

Stateroom

Guests
2
Size
10 m² / 107 ft²
Beds
Queen / Twin

All five staterooms are fully air-conditioned, equipped with a 110/220V & USB charger and their own private bathroom with bathtub and hairdryer. Four on the lower deck have 2 small rectangular "porthole"-style windows, while Stateroom 5 on the uppermost deck has 1 large landscape window. Staterooms #3 and #4 can accommodate three people, featuring a double bed and a sofa bed.

Passion (ED) - Suite Passion (ED) - Suite Passion (ED) - Suite Passion (ED) - Suite Passion (ED) - Suite
2 Cabins

Suite

Guests
2
Size
17 m² - 21 m² / 187 ft² - 232 ft²
Beds
King / King + Sofa Bed

One Suite is located at the bow of the main deck, and feature no fewer than two en-suite bathrooms and boast two large portrait windows and a delightful alcove bed head.

While the other features en-suite bathrooms and come with an additional sofa bed. Located at the stern of the ship on the lower deck, featuring 2 small rectangular "porthole"-style windows.

Technical Information

Deck Plan

Features

  • Air conditioning
  • Pool / Jacuzzi
  • Lecture room
  • Kosher Meals

Equipment

  • Satellite phone
  • Snorkeling gear
  • Wetsuits
  • Kayaks / Canoes
  • Yoga mats
** Use of certain equipment at additional cost, ask for details
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