Aqua Mare

Ship Overview

Operated by: Aqua Expeditions

For a true super-yacht cruising experience in Ecuador's Galapagos Islands, the 50-metre Aqua Mare takes an iconic once-in-a-lifetime adventure to the next level. With her expansive size and world-class pedigree, Aqua Mare boasts 30 percent more indoor volume than most yachts her size, making her the perfect respite after active days exploring the remote wildlife and dynamic nature of this incredible natural destination.

Built in Italy in 1998 and fully-refurbished in 2021, aboard Aqua Mare guests will find seven large Zuretti-designed suites, including an 80 square metre Owner’s Suite. This outstanding accommodation comes complete with butler service, extravagant indoor and outdoor social spaces, elegant finishing, and immaculate attention to detail, making it the first of its kind in the region. Exclusivity is combined with the most personalised service enabled by two naturalist guides for 16 guests, on top of the islands’ most exclusive one-to-one crew to guest ratio.

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Key Facts

Crew

Officers

Ecuador

Guests

Length

163 Feet / 50 Metres

Width

30 Feet

Speed

10 Knots

Passenger Decks

Built

1998

Registry

Ecuador

Photos
Deck Plan
Room Grades
Dining
Features

Photos

Deck Plan

Room Grades

Owner's Suite

SIZE:80m2 / 861sqftSLEEPS:2

The exclusive Owner's Suite is one of the largest cabins available on any Galápagos Islands cruise. The Owner's Suite features ten windows for panoramic views, a king-size bed and en suite bathroom fitted with Italian marble, spacious walk-in shower plus rainshower. There's also wall-to-wall carpeting and full walnut veneer wood panelling. Throughout your cruise in the Owner's Stateroom you will also enjoy Butler Service to your suite.

Category II

SIZE:26m2 / 280sqftSLEEPS:2

Aqua Mare's single Category II cabin features a king-bed and window for panoramic views. There's also wall-to-wall carpets and luxurious wood panelling. The en suite is fitted with Italian marble, spacious walk-in shower plus rainshower.

Category III

SIZE:28m2 / 301sqftSLEEPS:2

The two Category III cabins feature a Queen-size bed and are located on the Lower Deck. They have three portholes for external views, wall-to-wall carpets and luxurious wood panelling. The en suite is fitted with Italian marble, spacious walk-in shower plus rainshower.

Category IV

SIZE:22m2 / 236sqftSLEEPS:2

The two Category IV cabins feature a Queen-size bed or Twin single beds and are located on the Lower Deck. They have three portholes for external views, wall-to-wall carpets and luxurious wood panelling. The en suite is fitted with Italian marble, spacious walk-in shower plus rainshower.

Category V

SIZE:16m2 / 172sqftSLEEPS:2

Located on the Bridge Deck, the single Category V cabin features a Queen-size bed and window. There's also wall-to-wall carpets and luxurious wood panelling. The en suite is fitted with Italian marble, spacious walk-in shower plus rainshower.

Dining

A born and bred Peruvian, chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino is known for being one of the first culinarians in his country to put local cuisine on the international map by bringing out the best of Peru’s regional flavors. Since 2007, he has partnered with Aqua Expeditions as Consulting Chef, overseeing the onboard menu and dining experience.

Blessed with a diverse and spectacular range of ecosystems thanks to its Pacific coastline, Amazonian rainforest, and high-altitude valleys, Ecuador has a dazzling array of local ingredients. With Aqua Mare’s cuisine, chef Schiaffino takes inspiration from the dramatic landscapes and flavors of the South American Pacific coast as well as the Peruvian Nikkei style to deliver a world-class dining experience, undoubtedly a highlight of all Aqua Mare itineraries.

Reflected throughout the menu, dining options showcase and combine Japanese technique and Peruvian seasoning using only the freshest local fish and seafood. An example of this is the Galapagueña lobster lettuce wraps with Acevichado dressing. Other delicious favorites are the delicate potato llapingachos, tuna crudo, barbecued plantains, and shrimp ceviche.

Aqua Mare's menus are adaptable to any food allergies or dietary requirements guests might have whether it is vegetarian, vegan, or pescatarian options. Aqua Mare's chefs are also happy to whip up special requests for both older and younger explorers, aside from our proposed menu in order to please everyone onboard.

Aqua Mare’s cocktail list also displays this localised influence with the Aqua Bloody Mary, utilising the high Andean mashua and tree tomato in place of the traditional horseradish and tomato. The curated wine list is tailored to the menu with careful attention to South American vineyards.

Whatever your preferences, the Aqua Mare dining experience promises refined dishes served on specially designed Gaya ceramic plateware decorated with the flora and fauna of the Archipelago. Expect convivial al fresco barbecues and relaxed indoor dining courtesy of magical days and serene evenings aboard. While the calm morning and afternoon feasts are juxtaposed against dramatic coastal landscapes, nightfall assures an entirely exceptional affair. Illuminated by the stars from both northern and southern hemispheres, you will begin your gastronomic voyage with canapes of red crab and champagne, ending the night with a silky and light 70 percent chocolate mousse, made with one of the world’s best Ecuadorian cocoas.

In the spirit of Galapagoan conservation, Aqua continues to do its part sourcing only the finest ingredients with a focus on ethical sustainability and supporting local and regional farmers, fishermen and providores.

Features

Aqua Mare comes equipped as a true super-yacht. Here are just some of the amenities you can expect to enjoy onboard.

Panoramic Main Lounge

An impressively large space with beam-to-beam windows, the main lounge is the heart of Aqua Mare. The centre of the space is furnished with a stately U-shaped sofa where guests may find respite after morning and afternoon excursions, watch lectures on two large flatscreen televisions presented by the ship's expert naturalist guides, or curl up with a signature Assouline edition of Darwin’s ‘On The Origin of Species’.

Aft Outdoor Dining Area

The diverse and dynamic cuisine served onboard Aqua Mare deserves to be presented in a spectacular setting, and the Aft Outdoor Dining Room is the perfect location with its sweeping views. Enjoy communal meals at the grand 16-seater table or simply watch the surrounding islands from the comfortable daybeds at the aft of the yacht.

Beach Club

Located at the lower deck, this multipurpose room is one of the highlights of Aqua Mare. Named the ‘Beach Club’ because it is located at water level, it serves as an extension of the dynamic Galapagos Islands landscape and boasts a swimming platform from which many excursions are launched. This room serves as a pre-excursion briefing space and is also ideal for guests to come together to swap stories after a busy day of activities, or simply take advantage of the wraparound sofa, large panoramic windows and flatscreen TV for a lazy family movie night indoors.

Sun Deck

The Upper Deck’s teak sun deck is the ideal spot to take in the stunning panorama of the Galapagos Islands. Offering spectacular 360-degree views, it is furnished with a shaded al fresco dining area, barbecue section, outdoor seating with wraparound lounge sofa, jacuzzi, and convertible workout zone. It is the ideal space for an early morning guided meditation, sunset cocktails, evening grill party, and to enjoy the clear night skies of both northern and southern hemispheres.

Jacuzzi & Lounge Day Beds

Cool down from your active excursions by plunging into the six-person jacuzzi while enjoying exceptional volcanic views of the Archipelago. Soak up the warmth of the Galapagos sun on the lounge daybeds and while lazy afternoons away with your favourite show on the large television screens on either side of the jacuzzi.

Outdoor Dining on the Sun Deck

The sun deck panoramic dining area is ideal for al fresco lunches, sunset cocktails, evening barbecues and breath-taking stargazing, thanks to its two communal dining tables. Enjoy all-day dining here or simply admire the surrounding landscape views in absolute comfort.

Watersports and Exploration Craft

Aqua Mare carries a comprehensive suite of top-of-the-line, non-motorised watersports equipment, including snorkelling gear that guests choose for the duration of their itinerary including masks, fins, snorkels, as well as optional shorty wetsuits, eight double kayaks and two stand-up paddle boards.