“Even after decades in yachting, there are still places that stop me in my tracks — and the Galápagos are one of them,” says Nicolas Benazeth, Director of Charter at CharterWorld. “It’s one of the few destinations that still feels completely untouched, a living laboratory where nature takes centre stage and time seems to have paused.”
Scattered across the Pacific Ocean, the Galápagos Islands are a collection of volcanic marvels — raw, remote, and endlessly fascinating. For Nicolas, there’s no better way to experience them than aboard a private charter yacht. “A yacht here isn’t just transport; it’s your own floating base camp,” he explains. “You wake up to new horizons each morning — emerald bays, lava-black shores, and wildlife so close you can almost reach out to it.”
A Personal Expedition Above and Below the Water
Every Galápagos charter is a tailor-made adventure, shaped entirely around each guest’s interests. “The beauty of chartering here is how intimate it feels,” Nicolas says. “Your captain, crew, and onboard naturalist guides are experts — many of them locals who know every current and cove by heart.”
Under their guidance, guests explore the most captivating corners of the archipelago — tucking into quiet anchorages, uncovering hidden beaches, and gliding through remote coves where sea turtles drift beneath the surface and blue-footed boobies dance along the shore.
Each day unfolds with something remarkable: snorkelling alongside turtles, basking on white sands beside lounging sea lions, hiking volcanic trails among giant tortoises, or watching the sun sink behind the Pacific with a cocktail in hand.
“It’s adventure, but it’s never rushed,” Nicolas adds. “You can dive with turtles in the morning, free-dive through shoals of silver fish by afternoon, and finish the day stargazing under some of the clearest skies on Earth.”
Beyond the Water: Wellness, Culture, and Cuisine
The islands’ magic extends far beyond their coastlines. “One of the most surprising things about the Galápagos is the quality and creativity of what’s available ashore,” Nicolas notes. Spa and massage therapies, yoga sessions, and even photography workshops can all be arranged as part of your itinerary.
There’s also a growing focus on local culture and cuisine. “We can arrange for clients to cook with an Ecuadorian chef or take a salsa class in Santa Cruz — it’s all part of understanding this place in a deeper way.”
For something truly unforgettable, Nicolas recommends an evening in Santa Cruz unlike any other: “There’s a private cave dinner set in a natural lava tunnel — chefs create a bespoke tasting menu using island-grown ingredients. It’s magical, and it’s only possible here.”
And when the charter ends, there are exceptional places to linger. Guests can stay in sleek beachfront villas on San Cristóbal, elegant eco-retreats on Santa Cruz or Isabela, or even a safari-style tented camp high in the Santa Cruz hills. “Each stay gives you a new perspective — one last chance to slow down and take in the islands’ rhythm,” Nicolas says.
Sailing Through a Living Laboratory
For first-time visitors, Nicolas suggests an itinerary that traces the evolution of the islands — from the oldest to the youngest.
“Start in Santa Cruz,” he advises, “where giant tortoises roam and pelicans crowd the docks. Then head south to Floreana, one of the oldest islands. The sands here shift from white to olive-green, and the lagoons shimmer pink with flamingos. There’s even a barrel at Post Office Bay where travellers leave postcards for strangers to deliver — a centuries-old tradition that still continues.”
Further west, Isabela reveals a more dramatic side — a vast patchwork of volcanoes, lagoons, and lava flows where marine iguanas bask and Galápagos penguins dart through the waves. Diving here might bring encounters with rays or whales breaching in the distance.
Across a narrow channel lies Fernandina, the youngest and most pristine island. “You can still feel the heat beneath your feet from the volcanic rock,” Nicolas says. “It’s wild and pure — cormorants, sea lions, turtles everywhere. It feels like Earth before people.”
Turning northward, Santiago tells a story of renewal. Once damaged by invasive species, it now thrives again thanks to careful conservation. “It’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we give nature the chance to recover,” he reflects. Walking over its natural rock bridges or snorkelling among reef fish and rays, guests often find the quietest moments of the voyage here.
Finally, the yacht drifts past Seymour Norte and Mosquera, where colonies of sea lions and blue-footed boobies line the rocky shores. The journey closes at Baltra — “the gateway to this extraordinary world, and the place where most guests realise they’re not quite ready to leave.”
Sustainability at Sea
“Luxury here isn’t about excess,” Nicolas insists. “It’s about respect.”
The Galápagos are one of the most tightly protected ecosystems on Earth, and every yacht operates under strict sustainability regulations. Many go even further: eliminating single-use plastics, running low-emission engines, and sourcing food from sustainable farms in the highlands.
“Some yachts now take part in citizen science projects too,” Nicolas explains. “Guests can log wildlife sightings, help photograph whale sharks, or contribute to research databases. It’s an incredible feeling to know your trip is helping protect what you’re here to see.”
A Journey That Stays With You
By the time a yacht returns toward Baltra, guests have usually fallen under the islands’ spell. “It’s the kind of place that stays with you,” Nicolas says. “You remember the salt on your skin, the shimmer of rays beneath the tender, or that curious sea lion that followed you while you snorkelled. It’s more than just a charter — it’s a reminder of how powerful nature can be when we choose to explore it thoughtfully.”
“That’s what makes a Galápagos charter so special,” he concludes. “It’s not just travel — it’s evolution, experienced firsthand.”
