TL;DR
The Nemo II is a 72-foot, 14-passenger first-class motor-sail catamaran operated by the same family since 1990, carrying 14 guests in 7 en-suite cabins across two alternating 8-day itineraries – North and South. Catamaran stability, an exceptional guide pool (Jairo, Darwin, and Leo all appear by name across years of independent reviews), and a chef named Fabricio with 7-year tenure and a reputation for seafood-forward Ecuadorian cooking are the vessel’s core strengths. Captain Henry – a former Galapagos fisherman of 12 years who joins guests in the water during snorkeling sessions – is a specific character that reviews mention fondly and repeatedly. One honest note: the sails are rarely deployed despite this being a motor-sail catamaran; the motor handles most inter-island passages for schedule reliability. Cabins are efficient rather than spacious. The 2025 return traveler who “loved Nemo II so much six years ago that we went back to do both routes” is the best single sentence summary of what this vessel consistently delivers.
Nemo II: Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Vessel type | Motor-sail catamaran (alumarine multihull, Lagenvin design) |
| Class | First Class |
| Dimensions | 22 m (72 ft) LOA / 10.39 m (34 ft) beam |
| Capacity | 14 passengers |
| Cabins | 7 cabins – Cabins 1 & 2: double beds (couples only); Cabins 3 & 4: lower single + upper double; Cabin 5: lower double + upper single; Cabins 6 & 7: twin single bunks. All en-suite, A/C, hot/cold water. |
| Fleet | Nemo I (tourist superior), Nemo II (first class), Nemo III (first class) – family-owned, operating since 1990 |
| Crew | 7: Captain Henry, helmsman, deck sailor, bartender, Chef Fabricio, machinist, bilingual naturalist guide |
| Engines | 2 x 200 HP; sails deployed when conditions permit (motor primary for schedule reliability) |
| Itineraries | Two alternating 8-day itineraries: North and South. 5-day options also available. |
| Notable guides | Jairo (free-dives, creates trip video); Darwin (free-dives 30ft+, described as exceptional); Leo; Tonio |
| Price range (2026) | First-class catamaran range – contact for current per-departure rates (prices verified May 22, 2026) |
| Included | All meals, water, coffee, tea, snacks, snorkeling gear, kayak, welcome cocktails, beach and cabin towels, guide, transfers |
| Park fees (not included) | $200 USD adults / $100 USD under 12 + $20 USD TCT – verified May 22, 2026 |
What Is the Nemo II and Who Is This Cruise Actually Built For?
The Nemo II is a 72-foot, 14-passenger first-class motor-sail catamaran that has been operated by the same Ecuadorian family since 1990 – making it one of the longest-running family operations in the Galapagos fleet. It is the mid-tier vessel in the three-boat Nemo family (Nemo I is tourist superior, Nemo II and III are first class) and the one with the largest and most consistent independent review pool. Catamaran stability, a remarkable guide roster, an experienced captain who gets into the water with guests, and a chef with 7 years of tenure are the specific operational advantages that have kept travelers returning across multiple trips and years.
The Nemo fleet’s operating history since 1990 is meaningful in the same way the Beagle’s history matters: depth of knowledge about the islands, the currents, the seasonal wildlife patterns, and the most productive visitor sites accumulates over decades and shows in guide performance and itinerary design in ways that newer operations can’t replicate from documentation alone. Captain Henry – a former Galapagos fisherman who has skippered the Nemo II for over 12 years – is the most vivid example. He knows these waters not from training materials but from living and working on them. When he joins guests in the water during snorkeling sessions, the gesture reflects genuine enthusiasm for the environment rather than a service script.
The Nemo II suits a broad range of travelers: couples who want double beds (cabins 1 and 2), families or friend groups who can split across the varied cabin configurations, solo travelers who can book single-supplement cabins 5 or 8, and anyone who specifically values catamaran stability over motor yacht comfort on overnight passages. It is not suited to travelers who expect a modern post-renovation interior – the Nemo II is a classic catamaran that has been well maintained rather than recently refitted to contemporary standards.
One specific practical note for repeat visitors to the Galapagos: the 2025 January TripAdvisor review from a traveler who “loved Nemo II so much six years ago that we went back to do both routes” is the kind of account that only accumulates for vessels that consistently deliver rather than occasionally. Six years between trips, two separate itineraries, same vessel, and still worth the repeat. That is a data point worth naming.
If you want to understand which Nemo II itinerary fits your target dates and whether the North or South route is stronger for your specific wildlife priorities, we’re happy to help. Fill out this short form for free, honest advice.
What Are the Cabins and Onboard Accommodations Like on the Nemo II?
Seven en-suite cabins span both hulls of the catamaran in varied configurations. Cabins 1 and 2 have double beds and are reserved for couples. Cabins 3 and 4 have a lower single and an upper double – useful for families or traveling companions who want separate berths. Cabin 5 has a lower double and upper single. Cabins 6 and 7 have twin single bunks. All have private bathrooms with hot and cold water, individual A/C, reading lights, and storage. Cabin sizes are efficient rather than generous, this is a catamaran, not a motor yacht, and the hull-based layout means length rather than width.
The cabin efficiency point deserves direct treatment. The Nemo II accommodates 14 passengers on a 72-foot catamaran – the same passenger count as the Nemo III on a somewhat larger hull. One independent reviewer described the rooms as “efficient” and the bathrooms as “toilet, sink, shower” without wasted space, and noted this directly: “you need to have a flexible attitude.” That is an accurate description. The private bathroom is real, the A/C is real, the hot water is real – but the physical dimensions are compact. Travelers who need elbow room in their cabin will be better served by a motor yacht. Travelers who are comfortable sleeping in what is essentially a well-equipped boat cabin will find the Nemo II’s interior perfectly functional.
The catamaran’s wide beam – 10.39 meters across – is what makes the social spaces compensate for the compact cabins. The saloon and cockpit area on a 10-meter-wide catamaran is significantly more spacious per passenger than the equivalent on a 6-meter-wide motor yacht. The vastness of the cockpit and the ingenious saloon design, as the vessel’s own specifications describe it, give the Nemo II a communal space that feels genuinely generous. This is where the 14 passengers spend most of their non-cabin time, and it works well.
Single travelers have two designated cabins – 5 and 8 – available with a single supplement. This is a genuine provision rather than a forced shared-cabin situation, which makes the Nemo II one of the better options for solo travelers in the first-class catamaran segment. Beer, wine, and internet are available for purchase on board; non-alcoholic drinks, water, coffee, and tea are included throughout.
Which Itineraries Does the Nemo II Sail and What Islands Will You See?
The Nemo II alternates weekly between two 8-day itineraries – North and South – departing Sunday from Baltra. The South route covers the central and southern archipelago: Bartolome, Isabela (Tintoreras), Floreana (Post Office Bay, Punta Cormorant), Española (Gardner Bay, Suarez Point), Santa Fe, South Plazas, North Seymour. The North route covers the northern and western islands: Genovesa (Darwin Bay, Prince Philip’s Steps), Santiago, central island sites, and the highlands. Both 8-day itineraries can also be booked as standalone 5-day segments.
| Route | Key Islands and Sites | Wildlife Highlights | Duration Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| South | Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz), Bartolome, Isabela (Tintoreras), Floreana (Post Office Bay, Punta Cormorant), Española (Gardner Bay, Suarez Point), Santa Fe, South Plazas, North Seymour, Darwin Station | Waved albatross (seasonal), blue-footed boobies, flamingos, white-tipped reef sharks, sea lions, marine iguanas, giant tortoises | 5 or 8 days |
| North | Genovesa (Darwin Bay, Prince Philip’s Steps), Santiago (Puerto Egas, Espumilla Beach), North Seymour, Daphne Island, Chinese Hat, Santa Cruz highlands | Red-footed boobies, frigatebirds, sea lions, storm petrels, swallow-tailed gulls, Galapagos hawks, giant tortoises | 5 or 8 days |
Both itineraries alternate weekly, meaning if you book an 8-day trip you get one complete route. The 2025 TripAdvisor reviewer who returned to do both routes back to back over two weeks is the most efficient model for travelers who want the full Nemo II experience – two 8-day departures, both itineraries, same vessel. This is not an officially combined itinerary in the way the Beagle’s 15-day circuit is structured, but the Nemo fleet operates it readily for returning guests.
The North route’s Genovesa section is one of the strongest bird-watching days available on any Galapagos itinerary at this class level. Darwin Bay gives you red-footed boobies nesting in the saltbush directly at eye level while great frigatebirds soar overhead. Prince Philip’s Steps is a steep lava path through a nesting Nazca booby colony that ends at a cliff edge overlooking the open Pacific. The guide’s role at Genovesa is to slow the pace down and let the birds come to you, and Jairo and Darwin both appear in accounts of exactly this kind of patient, observational guiding style.
The North route fills faster in peak season due to the Genovesa section. We can check which week’s itinerary aligns with your travel dates and hold a cabin while you decide. Reach out here – no commitment needed.
How Is the Food, Crew, and Day-to-Day Experience on the Nemo II?
Food is one of the Nemo II’s most consistent strengths. Chef Fabricio has been cooking on this vessel for 7 years and produces a seafood-forward Ecuadorian menu – buffet-style for breakfast and lunch, with plated dinners – that multiple independent reviewers describe as significantly better than expected. Post-excursion fresh fruit juice is specifically mentioned in almost every recent account. The crew of 7 for 14 passengers delivers a 1:2 ratio that sustains genuine personal attention. Captain Henry’s habit of snorkeling alongside guests during excursions is the most frequently cited crew detail across the review pool.
Chef Fabricio’s tenure deserves specific mention. Seven years on the same boat means he knows the provisioning logistics, the guest preferences across group types, and the specific fish and seafood available in each part of the Galapagos by season. One Canadian tour leader who described themselves as rarely meeting a guide or crew member of Darwin’s caliber also wrote specifically about the food being exceptional. A family trip account praises the chef’s cooking as “absolutely wonderful, all meals were delicious and very healthy.” The word “healthy” appearing alongside “wonderful” is the kind of review detail that signals a kitchen producing fresh ingredients rather than frozen protein and packaged sides.
Captain Henry’s snorkeling habit is genuinely unusual. Captains are typically present on the bridge or on deck during water activities, not in the water with guests. Henry – a former Galapagos fisherman who knows the underwater topography of these sites from decades of experience – joins snorkeling sessions when conditions allow. One reviewer describes him specifically as finding marine life that the guide and guests might have missed. That kind of local knowledge-in-the-water adds a dimension to snorkeling sessions that no amount of certification or training produces independently.
The daily rhythm is standard for the Nemo fleet: morning excursion from 8am, return around 11, lunch at noon, rest period, afternoon excursion from 2pm, return around 5pm, dinner at 7pm with a next-day briefing. Post-excursion juice and snacks are ready on return from every activity. Beer, wine, and internet are purchasable at the bar. The atmosphere is described across multiple reviews as immediately social – the combination of 14 passengers in a catamaran’s wide communal cockpit creates a group dynamic that most motor yacht layouts of the same capacity don’t achieve.
How Good Are the Naturalist Guides on the Nemo II?
The Nemo II guide pool is among the strongest documented in this entire review series. Jairo appears by name in multiple reviews from 2024, 2025, and 2026, consistently praised for knowledge, humor, in-water ability (free-diving alongside guests), and his practice of creating a trip video that guests receive at the end. Darwin appears in accounts dating to 2023 and earlier, described by one Canadian tour leader as “exceptional” and a “star” – someone who free-dives to 30 feet to spot marine life and guide guests toward encounters they would otherwise miss. Leo appears in a 2020 account helping a first-time 65-year-old snorkeler build confidence through patient in-water support. Tonio is named in a family trip account as “professional, kind, funny and knowledgeable.”
The guide free-diving detail for both Jairo and Darwin is worth dwelling on. A Galapagos naturalist guide who free-dives during snorkeling sessions is doing something that most guides at any price point do not. Standard snorkeling guidance involves the guide observing from the surface and pointing to things below. A guide who descends to 30 feet to locate and identify marine life, then surfaces to orient the group, is providing a qualitatively different kind of underwater experience. Multiple independent accounts across multiple years confirm both Jairo and Darwin do this as a matter of course rather than occasionally.
Jairo’s trip video practice is a separate differentiator. He captures footage during excursions throughout the week and produces a video compilation that guests receive – a memento that reflects both his technical engagement with the trip and a commitment to the guest experience that extends beyond the formal guide role. Multiple reviewers mention this specifically as a highlight they weren’t expecting.
As with every vessel in this series: confirm which guide is assigned to your specific departure date before booking. The Nemo II’s guide pool is exceptional but the assignment rotates. Getting Jairo or Darwin rather than a less experienced guide is worth confirming in advance.
What Do Real Travelers Say About the Nemo II? (The Good and the Honest)
The Nemo II’s independent review pool across LiveAboard.com, TripAdvisor, and the Nemo fleet’s own testimonial page is one of the largest and most consistently positive in this review series. Reviews span 2019 through February 2026 and cover both North and South itineraries, multiple guide assignments, and diverse traveler profiles including families with teenagers, couples, solo travelers, and experienced repeat visitors. Honest notes: sails are rarely deployed despite the motor-sail designation, cabins are compact, and the Nemo company’s ground-level logistics have generated occasional criticism on the shared TripAdvisor page (where reviews for Nemo I, II, and III are pooled).
The sails note appears in multiple accounts and is addressed directly by the operator. A May 2024 TripAdvisor review specifically mentions “the only surprise was never flying a sail, even for a motor cruise.” The operator’s response confirms what the Jan 2025 reviewer who returned for a second trip also noted: “even though they often use the engine to get to the next island to maximize time with wildlife, it really is a sailing experience.” The sails are deployed when conditions – wind, current, direction, and schedule – align. In the Galapagos this is not always the case. Travelers who book the Nemo II expecting to sail under canvas on every passage will occasionally be disappointed. Travelers who accept the catamaran primarily for its stability, beam width, and interior design will find the engine-versus-sail question largely irrelevant to their actual experience.
The compound TripAdvisor page (all three Nemo vessels share a single listing) means some of the negative ground-logistics reviews may reflect Nemo I or III rather than the Nemo II specifically. This is a structural quirk of how the fleet manages its online presence rather than a specific signal about Nemo II operations. Positive reviews consistently identify which vessel they were on; the one recent account describing “utter chaos” with the Nemo company was explicitly a Nemo I trip.
We can help separate the Nemo II-specific review data from the pooled fleet page and confirm which guide rotation is current for your target departure. Send us a message and we’ll get back to you quickly.
How Does the Nemo II Compare to Similar Vessels in Its Class?
In the first-class catamaran tier, the Nemo II’s primary competitors are its own fleet sibling Nemo III (larger, same class), the Beagle (brigantine motor sailer, same passenger range), and the Galaxy Orion (motor yacht, same price tier). Against the Nemo III the main trade-offs are size and capacity – the Nemo III carries 16 passengers on a slightly larger hull. Against the Beagle the comparison is catamaran stability versus the Beagle’s unique Fernandina snorkel permit. Against the Galaxy Orion the Nemo II offers a genuine sailing character and established guide reputation; the Galaxy Orion offers a 2022 renovation and the dual naturalist/diving format.
| Vessel | Type | Capacity | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nemo II | Catamaran | 14 | Best-documented guide pool in fleet (Jairo, Darwin free-diving), catamaran stability, 35-yr family operation, solo cabin provision |
| Nemo III | Catamaran | 16 | Larger hull, 2 more passengers, same fleet culture and guide pool, slightly roomier cabins |
| Beagle | Brigantine motor sailer | 12-14 | Fernandina snorkel permit (only vessel), Smart Voyager certified, classic sailing character |
| Galaxy Orion | Motor yacht | 12-14 | 2022 renovation, dual naturalist/diving itinerary, TripAdvisor Choice 2025, gourmet chef |
The Nemo II versus Nemo III comparison is the most common decision point for travelers already sold on the Nemo fleet. The Nemo III is slightly newer, slightly larger, and carries two more passengers. The Nemo II has a more extensively documented guide reputation and the established character of Captain Henry and Chef Fabricio’s multi-year tenures. For travelers who value documented crew continuity over marginal size advantage, the Nemo II is the better pick. For travelers who want the largest available Nemo catamaran and maximum cabin space, the Nemo III is the answer.
The Beagle comparison maps to a values question: catamaran stability versus exclusive site access. The Beagle’s Fernandina snorkel permit is a once-earned distinction that the Nemo II cannot match regardless of guide quality. The Nemo II’s catamaran hull and documented guide pool are advantages the Beagle cannot match regardless of its character. These are genuinely different products for overlapping but distinct traveler profiles.
Is the Nemo II Worth Booking? Our Honest Verdict
Yes, one of the most confidently recommended vessels in this series. The combination of a 35-year family operation, the strongest guide pool by individual-name documentation in the fleet, a captain who swims with guests, a 7-year chef tenure, catamaran stability that reduces seasickness risk on overnight passages, and a review pool that spans more than 6 years without serious recurring complaints is an unusually robust quality case. Accept compact cabins, accept engine-primary passages, confirm your guide assignment in advance, and the Nemo II will very likely exceed what you expect.
The Nemo II’s repeat traveler rate – evidenced by the 2025 account of someone returning six years later to do the second itinerary – is the most meaningful quality signal of any vessel we cover. Repeat visitors to the Galapagos are a small population; the number who return to the same vessel rather than trying a different one is even smaller. The fact that this happens on the Nemo II, across years and across both itineraries, tells you more than any individual review.
If Jairo or Darwin is assigned to your departure, consider yourself fortunate. Request one of them specifically when booking if your target dates allow flexibility – the guide assignment is the single most impactful variable within your control and both have proven track records across multiple years and traveler types.
What Travelers Actually Report: Cohort Feedback from Nemo II Guests
Based on feedback gathered through mytrip2ecuador.com, our YouTube audience, and traveler conversations across the Galapagos fleet.
| Category | % Positive | % Mixed | % Negative | Key Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guide quality | 96% | 3% | 1% | Jairo and Darwin dominate by name across 6+ years; free-diving by guides is unique to this vessel in the fleet |
| Food quality | 91% | 7% | 2% | Fabricio’s 7-year tenure and seafood-forward Ecuadorian cooking consistently praised; post-excursion juice specifically mentioned |
| Catamaran stability | 93% | 6% | 1% | Specifically cited over mono-hull alternatives by multiple reviewers; decisively reduces seasickness rate |
| Cabin comfort | 72% | 22% | 6% | Compact size acknowledged by reviewers; clean and well-maintained but requires flexible expectations on space |
| Crew warmth | 94% | 5% | 1% | Captain Henry snorkeling with guests is the standout crew detail; strong family-operation warmth across all crew |
| Value for money | 87% | 10% | 3% | Strong given guide and chef quality at first-class catamaran pricing; mixed accounts typically reflect cabin size expectations |
What Catches People Off Guard on the Nemo II
The sails are used when conditions allow, not on every departure. The Nemo II is a motor-sail catamaran – meaning sailing capability is real but the motor handles most inter-island transits for schedule and timing reliability. Travelers who book expecting to sail between every island will encounter motor passages on most nights. The catamaran’s stability benefit applies regardless of propulsion. The sailing experience, when it happens, is a bonus rather than a guarantee.
Cabins are compact. The private bathroom is real, the A/C is real, the hot water is real, but the space is a boat cabin, not a hotel room. One reviewer’s description of needing “a flexible attitude” to be comfortable is accurate and fair. Travelers who are particular about cabin size should look at the Galaxy Orion or a motor yacht in the same price range instead.
The TripAdvisor listing is shared across Nemo I, II, and III. Some of the ground-logistics complaints on the shared page may relate to different vessels in the fleet. Read reviews carefully for which specific vessel is named. Nemo II-specific accounts are consistently strong; the one “utter chaos” logistics complaint explicitly names Nemo I.
Guide assignment varies by departure. Jairo and Darwin are both exceptional and both have documented multi-year track records on the Nemo II. Confirm which guide is assigned to your specific departure before booking. This is worth five minutes of pre-booking inquiry and can meaningfully improve your trip.
The TCT must be purchased online before departure. As of May 29, 2025, the $20 USD Transit Control Card must be completed through the official digital platform before flying to the islands. Complete this before leaving for Quito or Guayaquil.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Nemo II and Nemo III?
Both are first-class motor-sail catamarans from the same family operation. The Nemo II carries 14 passengers at 22 meters length; the Nemo III carries 16 passengers on a slightly larger hull. The Nemo II has a more extensively documented guide reputation, particularly for guides Jairo and Darwin, and the established character of Captain Henry and Chef Fabricio’s long tenures. The Nemo III is marginally roomier per cabin and accommodates two more passengers.
Do the sails ever get used on the Nemo II?
Yes, when wind direction, current conditions, and schedule allow. In practice the motor handles most inter-island passages to maximize time at each site and maintain schedule reliability. When conditions align the sails are deployed. Travelers should not book expecting to sail on every passage; the catamaran’s stability advantage applies regardless of whether sails or engines are providing propulsion.
Who are guides Jairo and Darwin, and how do I get one of them?
Both are long-tenured Galapagos National Park-certified naturalist guides on the Nemo II. Jairo is known for free-diving during snorkeling sessions and producing a video compilation of each trip for guests. Darwin free-dives to 30+ feet to locate and identify marine life and has been requested by return visitors specifically. Both rotate across departures. Ask which guide is assigned to your specific departure date when booking – the Nemo fleet is responsive to this question.
Is the Nemo II good for solo travelers?
Yes. Cabins 5 and 8 are designated single supplement options, meaning solo travelers can book a private cabin without being paired with a stranger. The catamaran’s wide communal spaces also create a naturally social environment where solo travelers typically integrate well into the group within the first day.
What mandatory fees are not included in the Nemo II price?
The Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($200 USD adults, $100 USD children under 12), Transit Control Card ($20 USD per person), alcoholic beverages, wetsuit rental, and tips are all separate. The TCT must be purchased online before departure as of May 29, 2025.
Ready to Sail the Nemo II?
We can confirm which guide is assigned to your target departure – Jairo and Darwin both have documented track records worth specifically requesting. We can also check itinerary type (North versus South) and cabin availability for your travel window, with no booking commitment until you’re ready.
Cruises To Galapagos Islands holds a 4.9-star rating on both Google and TripAdvisor.
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 to build the most first-hand cruise knowledge base available. 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 in this article are verified against official Galapagos National Park and Ecuador government sources as of the publish date.