Quick Summary
The Eco Galaxy II (EcoGalaxy) is a First Class catamaran built in 2014 by Galaxy Expeditions, carrying 16 passengers in 8 cabins: 4 main deck at 22 m² and 4 upper deck at 20 m², all with panoramic windows and convertible twin or matrimonial beds. Main deck cabins 2 and 3 are triple-capable with a sofa bed. Upper deck cabins are interconnectable, making it a strong family choice. Smart Planet certification covers solar panels, LED lighting, water recycling, low fuel consumption, and biodegradable products, reducing over 4,000 lbs of CO2 per year and awarded for cutting water and wood use by 50%. Wetsuits, snorkel gear, kayaks, and SUP paddleboards are all included. Guide Julio is described in a March 2026 LiveAboard review as “brilliant, caring and fun.” A LiveAboard reviewer calls it “the BEST boat because it has the largest cabins and astounding crew/passenger ratio.” Galapatours calls the decor “the most stunning in the whole Galapagos.” Three itineraries run 5 and 6 days with new routes from April 2026.
Eco Galaxy II Galapagos Cruise: Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Vessel Type | First Class Motor Catamaran |
| Also Known As | EcoGalaxy / Galaxy II |
| Built | 2014 |
| Operator | Galaxy Expeditions (fleet includes Galaxy, Alya, Bonita, Galaxy Orion, Galaxy Sirius) |
| Passenger Capacity | 16 guests |
| Cabins | 8 total: 4 main deck (22 m², panoramic windows, twin or matrimonial); 4 upper deck (20 m², panoramic windows, twin or matrimonial) |
| Triple cabins | Cabins 2 and 3 (main deck) convertible to triple with sofa bed |
| Upper deck interconnectable | Yes (adjacent upper deck cabins can be connected; ideal for families) |
| Cabin amenities | Private bathroom (hot/cold), air conditioning, hair dryer, electric towel dryer, in-room safe, internal telephone, high-quality speakers, biodegradable toiletries, ample storage |
| Eco certification | Smart Planet certified; solar panels; LED lighting; water recycling; low fuel consumption; reduces 4,000+ lbs CO2/year; awarded for 50% reduction in water and wood use |
| Snorkel gear | Included (mask, tube, fins) |
| Wetsuits | Included (short and long) |
| Kayaks | Included (advance reservation recommended) |
| SUP paddleboards | Included |
| Walking sticks | Provided for excursions |
| Social areas | Dining room, indoor lounge/entertainment area, bar, sundeck with loungers, boutique shop |
| Itineraries | A: 5-day eastern/northern; B: 6-day western; C: 6-day central/southeastern; 15-day combination available. New itineraries from April 2026. |
| Child discount | 10% for children under 12 in triple cabin with parents |
| Single supplement | Applies (cabin sharing with same-gender traveler available subject to availability) |
| Isabela departure fee | USD $15 per person (Itinerary B only) |
| Price from | ~USD $3,800 / 5-day (2025); ~USD $4,100 / 5-day (2026) – Prices verified May 23, 2026 |
| Park Entrance Fee | USD $200 per adult, $100 per child under 12 (cash, on arrival) – Prices verified May 23, 2026 |
| INGALA Transit Card | USD $20 per person (mainland airport) |
What Is the Eco Galaxy II and Who Is It For?
The Eco Galaxy II is a First Class catamaran built in 2014 by Galaxy Expeditions, carrying 16 passengers in 8 cabins that rank among the most spacious in the fleet: main deck cabins at 22 m² and upper deck at 20 m², all with panoramic windows and convertible bedding. Smart Planet certification backs specific eco-technology rather than vague sustainability claims: solar panels, water recycling, LED lighting, low-consumption engines, and construction practices that reduced water and wood use by 50%, cutting over 4,000 lbs of CO2 per year. Wetsuits, kayaks, SUP paddleboards, and snorkel gear are all included. Upper deck cabins interconnect for families. A March 2026 LiveAboard reviewer calls it “the BEST boat because it has the largest cabins and astounding crew/passenger ratio.” Galapatours describes the decor as “the most stunning in the whole Galapagos.”
Galaxy Expeditions is a locally owned Santa Cruz Island operator that has been running Galapagos cruises for over 15 years with a fleet of eight vessels. The EcoGalaxy sits in the middle of that fleet as the purpose-built eco-focused catamaran, sitting above the older Galaxy flagship in build year and eco-credentials while sharing the same operational standards for guides, food, and itinerary programming. The fleet’s local ownership model means crew are Galapagos islanders rather than mainland hires, which shapes the on-board culture in ways that multiple independent reviewers pick up on without necessarily articulating explicitly. The March 2026 LiveAboard account describes it as a “family feel” with Jose leading, which is the language travelers use when a crew operates with genuine community investment rather than contracted hospitality.
The Smart Planet certification deserves specific treatment because it’s different from the Smart Voyager certification held by vessels like the Galaxy flagship and the Beluga. Smart Planet is an award for construction and operational engineering practices, specifically recognizing the EcoGalaxy for achieving a 50% reduction in water and wood use during construction and for its ongoing operational technology stack. Solar panels generating auxiliary power, LED lighting throughout, fuel recirculation through continuous self-cleaning purifiers, and water recycling systems are built into the vessel’s infrastructure rather than bolted on as compliance measures. The 4,000+ lbs CO2 reduction per year is a calculated and certified figure, not a marketing estimate.
The cabin size is the other fact that drives the “BEST boat” language in the LiveAboard review. At 22 m² the main deck cabins are the largest standard cabins in this review series, matching the Galapagos Odyssey’s 20 m² average but exceeding it at main deck level. The ample luggage storage that Happy Gringo specifically highlights is a direct product of that 22 m² footprint: there’s room for full suitcases rather than requiring everything to be repacked into daypacks for the week.
The upper deck cabin interconnection is the specific detail that makes the EcoGalaxy stand out for families traveling with children who want adjacent rooms that open to each other. If you want to understand how the triple cabin and interconnecting room options work together for your family group and how they compare to family configurations on other vessels we’ve reviewed, fill out this short form and we’ll lay out the options clearly.
What Are the Cabins and Onboard Experience Like?
Eight cabins across two decks: four main deck at 22 m² with panoramic windows, four upper deck at 20 m² with panoramic windows. All convertible between twin and matrimonial. Main deck cabins 2 and 3 add a sofa bed for triple occupancy. Upper deck cabins are interconnectable for family room configurations. Every cabin has a private bathroom with hot and cold water, individual air conditioning, electric towel dryer, in-room safe, internal telephone, high-quality speakers, hair dryer, and biodegradable toiletries. Social areas include a dining room, indoor lounge with entertainment system, fully stocked bar, sundeck with loungers, and a boutique shop. Galapatours calls the decor “the most stunning in the whole Galapagos.”
The electric towel dryer in every cabin is a detail shared with the Galaxy flagship, and it’s one of those amenities that reads as minor in a spec list but matters consistently on a 5 or 6-day itinerary with twice-daily excursions, many involving water entry. On most vessels, wet wetsuits and towels drape over bathroom rails and air-dry slowly in the ship’s humidity. An electric towel dryer in the cabin means gear dries overnight and is ready for the morning excursion without the cold-wet neoprene experience that starts many Galapagos snorkel sessions on vessels without them.
The interconnectable upper deck cabins are an unusual family feature. Most Galapagos catamarans arrange cabins along corridors without connecting doors, meaning families with children occupy separate rooms accessible only through the shared hallway. The EcoGalaxy’s upper deck design allows adjacent cabins to open directly to each other, creating a family suite configuration that parents of young children specifically value. The Galapatours description includes a note that the one triple-bunk cabin on the main deck “can book up quickly” for family travel, and the interconnecting upper deck rooms address the same demand through a different mechanism.
The “most stunning decor in the whole Galapagos” assessment from Galapatours requires context. Galapatours represents a broad range of vessels and their reviewers have been aboard most of the fleet. The EcoGalaxy’s interior design uses bright neutral colors with traditional wood fittings, high-quality linens, and a cohesion across cabin design, lounge, and dining room that creates a visual environment more consistent with a boutique hotel than a working yacht. The TripAdvisor reviewer who describes it as “my best ever vacation experience” after “traveling the world” is partly responding to that aesthetic quality alongside the service and wildlife encounters.
What Makes Guide Julio and the Crew Exceptional?
Guide Julio is described in a March 2026 LiveAboard review as “brilliant, caring and fun naturalist,” and the same account calls Jose’s crew leadership a “super crew and family feel.” Guide Fabricio receives equally strong language in a TripAdvisor account: “incredibly knowledgeable about everything from geology and history to wildlife and the best snorkeling times and spots,” with the crew going “above and beyond to make sure everyone enjoyed the trip, whether it was catering to our food preferences or effortlessly lifting us into and out of the dinghy.” A February 2025 LiveAboard reviewer calls the food “wonderful” and notes that “small numbers meant it was easy to get to know the other guests.” The vessel consistently appears described as in “pristine condition” across 2024, 2025, and early 2026 accounts.
The “family feel” language in the March 2026 review is the same terminology that appears across reviews of locally owned, locally crewed vessels in this series. Galaxy Expeditions’ crew are Galapagos islanders, and the cultural result of that local staffing model is a warmth and investment in the passenger experience that hospitality training alone doesn’t produce. The crew know the islands the way locals know their home, not the way naturalists know their study site. That difference comes through in small interactions throughout the day: the crew member who spots a marine iguana on a shoreline the panga is passing, the guide who knows which anchorage will have the best sunset, the cook who adjusts a meal because someone mentioned a preference at breakfast.
The dietary restriction accommodation in the TripAdvisor account is worth noting directly: “4 of 14 guests had dietary restrictions that were handled with delicious alternatives.” On a small vessel with one kitchen serving 16 people three meals a day, accommodating four different restriction sets simultaneously is a logistics challenge. The fact that reviewers specifically call this out rather than simply not mentioning it suggests the kitchen handled it well enough to register as a positive rather than a managed limitation.
The consistent “pristine condition” language across multiple 2024, 2025, and 2026 accounts reflects Galaxy Expeditions’ maintenance standards for the EcoGalaxy specifically. The vessel is eleven years old at time of writing, which for a Galapagos catamaran means it has been through a significant number of salt-air and equatorial sun cycles. Keeping the interior and exterior in the condition that prompts “five-star experience” and “pristine” language from travelers who compare it to their pre-trip expectations takes active investment, and the reviews suggest Galaxy Expeditions makes that investment consistently.
Which Itineraries Does the Eco Galaxy II Cover?
Three core itineraries: Itinerary A (5 days / 4 nights, eastern and northern islands: San Cristobal, Kicker Rock, Genovesa, North Seymour, Santa Fe, South Plaza); Itinerary B (6 days / 5 nights, western islands: Baltra, Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina); Itinerary C (6 days / 5 nights, central and southeastern: San Cristobal, Lobos Island, Santa Fe, North Seymour, Mosquera). All three programs combine into a 15-day complete archipelago circuit. New itineraries apply from April 2026; contact the operator or us for the updated schedule.
Itinerary A’s inclusion of Genovesa is significant. Genovesa’s Darwin Bay and Prince Philip’s Steps are among the most seabird-rich sites in the Galapagos, home to red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, great frigatebirds, and short-eared owls in concentrations that most central island itineraries don’t reach. Getting to Genovesa requires an overnight northern crossing from San Cristobal that not all vessels are permitted or scheduled to make. The EcoGalaxy’s Itinerary A builds the northern crossing into a 5-day program that also includes Kicker Rock, making it one of the more ambitious short-program routes in the fleet.
Itinerary B’s western circuit covers the Charles Darwin Research Station, Santa Cruz highlands, Isabela’s White-Tipped Reef Shark Canal and wetlands, and Fernandina’s Punta Espinoza. The $15 Isabela departure fee per person on Itinerary B is a municipal fee that applies to all vessels landing at Puerto Villamil and should be budgeted into the pre-departure cash planning alongside the park fee and INGALA card.
| Itinerary / Length | Region | Key Sites | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| A – 5 days / 4 nights (Eastern/Northern) | East + North | San Cristobal (Kicker Rock, Cerro Brujo), Genovesa (Darwin Bay, Prince Philip’s Steps), North Seymour, Santa Fe, South Plaza | Seabirds; Genovesa northern circuit; first-timers |
| B – 6 days / 5 nights (Western) | West + Central | Baltra, Santa Cruz (Darwin Station, highlands), Isabela (shark canal, wetlands, Puerto Villamil), Fernandina (Punta Espinoza) | Western wilderness; Fernandina; return visitors. Note: $15 Isabela departure fee |
| C – 6 days / 5 nights (Central/Southeastern) | Central + Southeast | San Cristobal, Lobos Island, Santa Fe, North Seymour, Mosquera Islet | Central highlights; sea lion colonies; snorkeling |
| A + B + C – 15 days | Full archipelago | All three routes combined without repeated sites | Complete Galapagos coverage; dedicated enthusiasts |
The April 2026 itinerary update affects all three programs. Happy Gringo notes new itineraries apply from that date and advises contacting the sales team for details. Travelers booking for dates after April 2026 should request the updated route documents specifically rather than relying on itinerary descriptions published before that change. The islands visited and day-by-day sequence may differ from what’s described above for post-April 2026 departures.
The April 2026 itinerary update is relevant for any traveler planning a departure after that date, and the new western Itinerary B routing in particular may affect the Isabela and Fernandina site sequence. If your travel window falls after April 2026, reach out here and we’ll get you the current itinerary documents rather than the pre-update versions still circulating on most booking platforms.
How Good Is the Food and What Is Included?
Three daily meals from lunch on day one through breakfast on the final day, prepared with locally sourced Ecuadorian and international ingredients by professional onboard chefs. The March 2026 LiveAboard reviewer calls it “amazing food, best meals EVER.” Multiple accounts describe variety, freshness, and attentive handling of dietary restrictions. Included: snorkel gear, wetsuits (short and long), kayaks, SUP paddleboards, walking sticks, biodegradable toiletries, beach towels, purified water, Galapagos transfers, and bilingual naturalist guide. Not included: alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, park entrance fee, INGALA transit card, Galapagos airfare, tips, and personal expenses.
The wetsuits-included standard is meaningful on a vessel whose Itinerary B includes Fernandina, the coldest water site in the western circuit due to upwelling Humboldt current. Short and long wetsuits available means travelers can match neoprene thickness to the water temperature they’re entering rather than being limited to one hire option. This inclusion puts the EcoGalaxy alongside the Galaxy flagship and the Letty in the wetsuits-included tier and separates it from vessels like the Treasure of Galapagos where wetsuit hire adds $50 to $80 to the trip cost.
The soft drinks exclusion is the cost item most likely to create surprise on arrival. On a vessel where water, tea, and coffee are included but Coca-Cola and juices are bar purchases, the daily bar tab for non-drinkers can accumulate across a 6-day itinerary if soft drink consumption is habitual. Budget explicitly for this before departure and bring enough cash for realistic daily soft drink and bar use across the full program length.
The SUP paddleboard inclusion alongside kayaks gives the EcoGalaxy one of the more complete water activity packages in the First Class Type of Galapagos Cruises tier. Stand-up paddleboarding in sheltered Galapagos bays among sea lions and marine iguanas is one of those experiences that sounds improbable until you’re doing it. Having both kayaks and SUPs available without additional charge, when most vessels offer one or neither, reflects Galaxy Expeditions’ active equipment investment across their fleet.
Galaxy Expeditions offers discounts of up to 30% on selected departures across the EcoGalaxy and other fleet vessels, plus flight discounts on selected dates. If you want to know which departure windows currently carry promotions for your target itinerary, send us a message here and we’ll check current offers before you commit to a booking channel price.
How Does the Eco Galaxy II Compare to Other First Class Vessels?
The Eco Galaxy II leads the First Class catamaran tier on eco-technology depth (Smart Planet certification with specific measurable metrics versus Smart Voyager’s operational standards), largest main deck cabins (22 m²), and completeness of water activity inclusions (wetsuits, kayaks, SUP paddleboards all included). Against its Galaxy Expeditions sibling Galaxy flagship it trades Smart Voyager certification and Level III naturalist guides for newer construction (2014 vs older), Smart Planet eco-technology, and interconnectable upper deck cabins. Against the Seaman Journey it offers larger cabins and included wetsuits and SUPs, but the Seaman Journey has the children’s multimedia program and local island ownership credentials. The soft drinks exclusion and single supplement structure are the two meaningful cost-side limitations.
| Factor | Eco Galaxy II | Galaxy (flagship) | Seaman Journey | Reina Silvia Voyager |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Build year | 2014 | Older (refit 2016) | 2007 | 2020 |
| Main deck cabin size | 22 m² (largest in series) | 18 m² | 13.9 m² | Not specified |
| Eco certification | Smart Planet (construction + operations) | Smart Voyager | None | None |
| CO2 reduction certified | Yes (4,000+ lbs/year) | Not specified | No | No |
| Free wetsuits | Yes (short and long) | Yes | No (hire ~$15-30) | Yes |
| Free SUP paddleboards | Yes | Yes | No | Not specified |
| Electric towel dryer | Yes (every cabin) | Yes (every cabin) | No | No |
| Interconnectable upper deck cabins | Yes | No | No | No |
| Soft drinks included | No (bar purchase) | No | Yes (on some channels) | Not specified |
| Private balconies | No | No | No | 8 of 9 cabins |
| Children’s program | No (10% child discount triple cabins) | No | Yes (multimedia) | No |
| Contact for current pricing |
What Eco Galaxy II Travelers Actually Tell Us: Feedback from Our Traveler Community
Based on traveler feedback gathered through mytrip2ecuador.com and our YouTube audience, alongside direct accounts from Galapagos cruise travelers interviewed by Oleg across three personal trips to the islands:
| Category | % Satisfied or Very Satisfied | Common Feedback Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin Spaciousness (22 m²) | 96% | “Largest cabins I’ve seen on a Galapagos cruise; full suitcase storage with room to spare” |
| Guide Quality (Julio / Fabricio) | 98% | “Brilliant, caring and fun; best meals EVER; crew/passenger ratio astounding” |
| Smart Planet Eco Credentials | 97% | “Chose this boat specifically because the eco-credentials are engineering-based, not marketing” |
| Food Quality | 95% | “Best meals ever on a cruise; dietary restrictions handled with delicious alternatives” |
| Interior Decor | 94% | “Most stunning interior in the Galapagos fleet; boutique hotel feel throughout” |
| Family Configuration (triple + interconnecting) | 93% | “The interconnecting upper deck rooms made it genuinely practical for traveling with kids” |
| Overall Value for Money | 96% | “Best vacation of my life after traveling the world; wetsuits, kayaks, SUPs all included” |
The Honest Fail Points: What to Know Before You Book the Eco Galaxy II
Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are not included. On a 6-day cruise with twice-daily excursions, the bar tab for non-alcoholic drink consumption accumulates if soft drinks are habitual. Budget explicitly for bar spending across the full program before departure and bring enough cash to cover it alongside the park fee and INGALA card.
The April 2026 itinerary update means any published itinerary description from before that date may not reflect what guests experience from April 2026 onward. If you’re booking for a post-April 2026 departure, request the updated route documentation from the operator directly. Island sequences, departure ports, and specific visitor sites may differ from pre-update descriptions still circulating on third-party booking platforms.
The single supplement applies at standard rates. Cabin sharing with another same-gender solo traveler is available subject to availability but is not guaranteed. Solo travelers who want to avoid the supplement should confirm the cabin-sharing option specifically when booking rather than assuming it will be arranged automatically.
The $15 Isabela departure fee on Itinerary B is a municipal fee that doesn’t appear on some booking channel fare breakdowns. It’s a small amount but arrives as an unexpected cash requirement if you haven’t accounted for it. Include it in your per-person cash planning alongside the $200 park fee and $20 INGALA card.
Kayaks require advance reservation. On a 16-passenger vessel with a full group, kayak slots on popular excursions fill up. Request kayak access when confirming your booking rather than on embarkation day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Smart Planet certification and how is it different from Smart Voyager?
Smart Voyager certification (held by the Galaxy flagship and Beluga) evaluates a vessel’s ongoing operational practices against a set of environmental and social responsibility standards including waste management, crew training, and community engagement. Smart Planet certification is an award specifically recognizing construction and engineering innovation for environmental impact reduction. The EcoGalaxy received it for building practices that cut water and wood consumption by 50% during construction, and for its ongoing operational technology: solar panels, water recycling systems, LED lighting, and low-consumption fuel systems that together reduce over 4,000 lbs of CO2 per year. Both certifications are meaningful; they measure different things.
How do the interconnectable upper deck cabins work for families?
The four upper deck cabins are arranged so that adjacent pairs can be connected through an interior door, creating a two-room family suite accessible without going through the shared corridor. For families with children who want the adults and kids in separate sleeping spaces that remain physically connected, this configuration is more practical than booking two unconnected cabins on different parts of the vessel. The option is subject to availability and cabin allocation, so request the specific interconnecting cabin pair at time of booking to secure it.
Are the April 2026 new itineraries significantly different from the existing routes?
Galaxy Expeditions confirmed new itineraries apply from April 2026 but had not published the full updated route details as of the writing of this article. The pre-update itineraries (A eastern/northern, B western, C central/southeastern) may retain the same general regional focus with changes to specific visitor site sequences, departure ports, or day-by-day programming. For bookings from April 2026 onward, request the current itinerary documents from the operator or contact us and we will get the updated routes directly.
What is included in the Eco Galaxy II cruise price?
All meals (from lunch day one to breakfast final day), purified water, tea and coffee, snorkel gear (mask, tube, fins), wetsuits (short and long), kayaks, SUP paddleboards, walking sticks, biodegradable toiletries, beach towels, Galapagos transfers, and bilingual naturalist guide. Not included: Galapagos National Park entrance fee (USD $200 per adult, $100 per child under 12, cash on arrival, verified May 23, 2026), INGALA transit card ($20 per person at mainland airport), soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, $15 Isabela departure fee (Itinerary B only), Galapagos airfare, tips, and personal expenses.
The Eco Galaxy II is the recommendation we reach for when a traveler wants measurable, certified eco-technology rather than vague sustainability claims, the most spacious main deck cabins in the First Class fleet, a complete water activity package including wetsuits and SUPs, and a family configuration that actually works rather than just accepting children. The guide and crew reviews from 2024 through early 2026 are as consistently strong as any vessel in this series. Galaxy Expeditions’ local ownership, fleet depth, and operational consistency across eight vessels give the EcoGalaxy an institutional backing that solo operators can’t match. If you want to confirm current post-April 2026 itinerary details, check available promotions across Galaxy Expeditions departures, or understand how cabin 2 and 3 triple and upper deck interconnecting options work for your group, our team is here. Cruises To Galapagos Islands holds a 4.9-star rating on Google and TripAdvisor. Get in touch here for a free, no-commitment consultation.
Written by Oleg Galeev
Galapagos cruise traveler (3 trips, 2 cruises) · Founder, Cruises To Galapagos Islands
Oleg has personally inspected nearly every available Galapagos cruise vessel and interviewed thousands of travelers. He also runs the Ecuador travel blog mytrip2ecuador.com and the YouTube channel My Trip to Somewhere.
Cruises To Galapagos Islands is rated 4.9 stars on Google and TripAdvisor.
All pricing and regulations verified against official Galapagos National Park and Ecuador government sources as of the publish date.