Tip Top IV - Galapagos Naturalist Cruise (non-diving)

Tip Top IV is a first-class, 16-guest yacht launched in 2006, cruising the Galápagos Islands out of Santa Cruz Island, Ecuador. It's worth saying up front: this is a naturalist cruise rather than a diving vessel. What it does offer is a calm, comfortable way to see the islands, with kayaks and snorkelling gear — masks, snorkels and fins — on board, and wetsuits available for rent with advance notice.

Life on board

The yacht has ten air-conditioned cabins, each with a private bathroom, safety box and internal phone. Communal spaces include a bar, dining room, lounge and sun deck, with the Main Deck lounge stocked with board games, videos, books, music and a desktop PC. The dining room serves freshly prepared Ecuadorian and international cuisine, and purified water, coffee and herbal teas are complimentary around the clock. Warm-water showers and a battery charging station round things out.

A crew of eight, including a multilingual guide, handles briefings on safety, park rules and the itinerary. The naturalist guides are certified by the Galápagos National Park and lead excursions using two Panga boats. The yacht holds Smart Voyager certification from the Rainforest Alliance, and English, Spanish and other languages are spoken — a good fit for travellers who want close-up island exploring above the waterline.