Pura’s opinion
Eric, Famingo and Letty really are brilliant boats. Very comfortable, lots of crew and only ten passengers per guide (regulations allow a ratio of 1:16).

Each of Ecoventura’s alternating 7 night itineraries is very strong indeed, amongst the most comprehensive and well thought out of any Galapagos boat. As a 14 night itinerary it wouldn’t be the first choice.

The food is a real plus – buffet breakfasts and lunches, two choices at each course for dinner.

You do not book onto a particular boat – the three are identical. On any given week there may be one, two or occasionally three of them operating. When this is the case, the boats keep some distance between each other to avoid crowding.

If you are a water baby then this is a great choice for you – with options for snorkeling and sea kayaking on almost every day.

In 2008 the boat owners won the Responsible Tourism award for ‘Best in a Marine Environment’.

Star rating
Eric, Flamingo and Letty are superior first class motor boats. Crew numbers mean that you are very well looked after.

Accommodation
All cabins are a fair size. All are outside with lower beds, some twin, some double. All have a/c controls within the cabin which is unusual. All have wardrobes.

The Iguana deck is at the bottom – that’s where you find the two triple cabins (made up of two lower single beds and an upper single bunk) as well as two twins.

Up on the Booby deck there are two double cabins. This is the same deck as the dining room, galley, conference room and other social spaces. However, cabins are accessed from the deck and are therefore quite private.

On the Dolphin deck you have four cabins, three twin (convertible to double) and one fixed double. This is the same level as the bridge and the observation decks.

Cabin size doesn’t really vary though on the Igauna deck, cabins are slightly irregularly shaped. On Booby there is some slope to the ceiling above the bed.

The communal areas are large and very comfortable with plenty of different seating areas including two observation decks as well as a sun deck up top. Interior spaces are substantial since most of the Booby deck is given over to communal areas.

Noise
You should be aware that on any small boat you will have noise from generators and from the engine when travelling. This noise will be greatest on the Iguana deck.

Stability
Being a motor cruiser, the boats are fairly square hulled and therefore relatively stable in the water. In addition, the boats follow a route which is relatively protected from the prevailing winds (coming from the south west).

However, you will get movement in the water. This will be most noticeable between July and October in the more exposed waters between Genovesa and the northern tip of Isabela.

Itinerary
The itinerary is unusual in that you get to see Genovesa Island and that’s relatively rare, particularly for a smaller boat. The combination of Espanola, Genovesa and Fernandina/Isabela islands is a very strong one giving a good overview of the Galapagos islands.

Responsible travel
This is probably the most responsible outfit in the Galapagos Islands – certainly amongst the boats.

The boat owners and most of the crew come from the islands which makes the enterprise sustainable.

On top of that Eric has been converted, as of late 2008, to operate largely from its own solar panels and a couple of small wind turbines. It is the first hybrid boat in the Galapagos.

Ecoventura (the owners of Eric, Flamingo and Letty) were the first to gain the SmartVoyager environmental certification – and have kept it ever since.

They have set up a scholarship scheme on the islands to educate the children of fishermen, giving them the chance to move out of the fishing industry which challenges the marine balance in the Galapagos Islands.

Ecoventura are also working in collaboration with fishermen to help set up micro-businesses, again with a view to moving them away from depleting fish stocks.

Ecoventura is a carbon neutral company, offestting all of its emissions from the boats and from its offices.

Who is it for?
The boats are comfortable, very comfortable actually but without being ‘luxurious’ so the atmosphere is very relaxed, friendly and informal.

The boat is an excellent choice couples, pairs or threes travelling together.

Good too for families with children 7 to 17 on designated family departure dates. These are usually over Easter, summer and Christmas holidays – please ask us for details.

The boats are not great for solo travellers who don’t need their own cabin as they reserve the right to charge you for a single cabin even if you are willing to share.

Basically they take the booking as a male or female ‘willing to share’ but if they fail to find a second person with whom you can share, they charge you. There are plenty of boats who do not do this and may therefore be a better/safer choice for solo travellers.

Eric, Flamingo, Letty Galapagos boat specifications
Length on deck: 25m/83ft
Boat width (beam): 7m/24ft
Hull depth underwater (draft): 1.8m/6ft
Average speed: 10-12 knots
Crew: 9 plus 2 guides

Built in 1991 and refurbished anually.

Eric, Flamingo and Letty accommodation information
Passengers: 20 maximum
Cabins: 10 with single upper/small double lower bunks

All cabins have en suite facilities (shower with hot/cold water, toilet and sink).

Air conditioned throughout including individual controls in each cabin.

Inside dining area and salon. Two observation decks and a sun deck.

Equipment on board
Sea kayaks: two glass bottomed for use only at certain snorkel sites.

Snorkel equipment: included in the cruise rate, as is use of wetsuit.

For further information you can also visit the boats’ own website at www.galapagosconnection.com

Useful Links

As you already know, Pura Aventura is dedicated to safe and responsible travel. The links below provide useful content and more information about Ecuador. Please call us of any special requirements on 01273 676 712.

Country Information

FCO

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides useful travel advice on Ecuador.

BBC News

BBC News provides useful information about Ecuador. Read more about it.

Official Government website

Find out more about Ecuador, by visiting its official government website.

Prepare your holiday

Health

Before you go on your holiday to Ecuador, please ensure you have the correct vaccinations. Check out the NHS website for advice, visit your GP or a travel clinic.

Weather

For the forecast in Ecuador, visit wunderground.

Pura’s Amazon shop

Browse our own Ecuador selection in Amazon.co.uk for a wide range of travel essentials, such as books, gadgets, clothing, etc. in preparation for your upcoming holiday.

Flight deals

Find the best flight deals for your holiday to Ecuador with Kayak, Expedia, or Opodo.