A Galapagos crewed yacht charter is the only kind of charter allowed in the islands: bareboat sailing is not permitted inside the national park. When you charter a yacht, you get the boat plus a licensed captain, crew, a certified naturalist guide and a galley team. Knowing who does what helps you plan requests and set expectations. For the bigger picture on ships, itineraries and prices, see our Galapagos cruises guide.
Galapagos crewed yacht charter: what is the quick answer?
Quick answer: a typical 16-guest yacht carries 8 to 10 crew: captain, first officer, engineer, deckhands and panga drivers, a chef and kitchen help, a bartender or steward, and one or two naturalist guides. They run the boat, the excursions and the meals. You choose the boat and dates; the park sets the route.
Read how Galapagos charters work and why a Galapagos bareboat charter is not allowed. For all options, see Galapagos charters.
What does the naturalist guide do?
The guide is licensed by the Galapagos National Park and must accompany every shore visit. Guides lead walks, explain wildlife and geology, keep groups on trails, run snorkeling briefings and give evening talks about the next day. Groups on shore are limited to 16 guests per guide.
Learn more in Galapagos naturalist guides and group size limits on shore.
How does the galley handle meals and dietary needs?
Meals are usually three a day plus snacks after excursions, with Ecuadorian and international dishes. On a charter you can send dietary needs in advance: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergies or children’s menus. Most kitchens handle these well with notice. See food on a Galapagos cruise.
GIC Expedition Atlas · Who is on board
All Galapagos charters are crewed; bareboat sailing is not allowed in the park.
Who drives the pangas and keeps you safe?
Panga drivers are deckhands trained for wet and dry landings. The captain decides when sea conditions are safe for a landing or snorkel. Life jackets are required on pangas. Read Galapagos cruise safety for more.
How do you tip the crew and guide?
Tips are customary and usually given at the end. Many charter groups pool a total per guest per day, then split it between the crew box and the guide. A common guideline is US$15 to 25 per guest per day for crew and a similar amount for the guide, but tipping is voluntary. Ask the operator for their suggested range.
What can you ask the crew to adapt?
On a charter, the crew can adapt many details within the park rules: wake-up times, the order of activities on a given day, extra snorkeling instead of a walk, meal times, music, and special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries. They cannot change the visitor sites or add sites outside the permit, and the guide must always be present on shore.
Send a short brief before departure with the ages, interests and needs of your group. Our charter brief builder creates one in a few minutes.
How many guides does a charter carry?
Boats with up to 16 guests usually carry one guide; larger boats need more to keep shore groups at 16 or fewer. Some charters request an extra guide for mixed groups, such as children and keen hikers, so the group can split. Ask whether that is possible and what it costs.
About us: we are the team behind GalapagosIslands.cruises, local experts who have traveled the islands more than 40 times. We are not a travel agency or a cruise operator. We publish independent guides and, when you write to us, we help you narrow the options and point you to the right vessels and next steps.
Frequently asked questions about crewed Galapagos yacht charters
Are all Galapagos yacht charters crewed?
Yes. Bareboat charters are not allowed in the Galapagos National Park; every charter includes captain, crew and a guide.
How many crew are on a Galapagos yacht?
A 16-guest yacht usually carries 8 to 10 crew plus one or two naturalist guides.
Can the galley handle food allergies?
Yes, with advance notice most boats handle allergies, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menus.
Is the naturalist guide included in the charter?
Yes. A licensed guide is required for every shore visit and is included in the charter price.
How much should we tip on a crewed charter?
A common guideline is US$15 to 25 per guest per day for crew plus a similar amount for the guide.
Planning a group trip? Email hola@galapagosislands.cruises with your group size and needs. Compare boats on Galapagos charters.
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