Golondrina Yacht

Golondrina Yacht

Golondrina Yacht
4.5
Multi-day ToursBoat ToursNature & Wildlife Tours
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
About
THE GOLONDRINA YACHT WELCOMES YOU ON BOARD The Golondrina is a spacious and comfortable motor yacht that accommodates 16 passengers in comfortable double cabins, all furnished and equipped to provide guests a relaxing cruise in the Galapagos Islands. The Golondrina welcomes you aboard and invites you to discover the unique animals pristine habitat and lush flora and fauna of the Galapagos Archipel
Puerto Ayora, Ecuador

Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles73 reviews
Excellent
45
Very good
15
Average
5
Poor
5
Terrible
3

Liz M
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Friends
My sister and I joined the Golondrina for two cruises, one five day cruise to the Western islands and an eight day cruise to the Eastern islands.
Although the boat is small (it's an older sailboat rather than a fancy new catamaran), the accomodation was all we needed. The beds were very comfortable, the storage space sufficient and the bathroom (with shower) worked well. The cabin is small, but, there is a dining room (which can be used outside meal times), and plenty of covered outdoor space with seating.
The chef must be a magician to create such diverse meals for sixteen passengers and ten crew in such a small kitchen! Including accomodating the vegetarians!
The crew were wonderful, cheerful, helpful and polite!
The icing on the cake was our guide Roberto. Fluent in English and very knowledgeable and personable, he obviously loves the islands and their inhabitants. He can speak to the animals, calling in the finches by mimicking a baby finch in distress, or talking to the sea lions. He has a keen eye for spotting everything from birds to insects to unusual marine life on the snorkeling excursions. Even when the National Park closed various islands (due to avian flu), Roberto was able to put together an itinerary that was spectacular.
Both cruises exceeded my expectations!
Written November 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Liz: It was such a pleasure having you as our guest! Our team works hard to ensure that every guest has an exceptional stay while cruising the Living Laboratory of Evolution, and we're so glad that we exceeded your expectations. You can be sure we'll pass your compliments along to our crew. Thank you for your kind review, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another incredible journey soon! Best, José David Cáceres, Director of Marketing
Written November 22, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

michael m
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
We had an amazing time on Golondrina, the whole trip was gorgeous and swimming with so many animals, chilling with sea lions on the beach was unforgettable.

Though the boat is small it had everything someone might need, hot water, great food. Roberto, our guide was awesome, very knowledgeable and funny, also a great diver with good eyes.
The crew members were very helpful and friendly. Our room was cleaned everyday.

One thing that could be helpful, paying directly to the company that runs the boat, we had an issue with paying through an agency and in general it was a common issue among other guests. Please make it easy to pay you directly.

We had a beautiful time and awesome companions for the journey. So we highly recommend!
Written January 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Michael, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a detailed review of your experience with us! We are thrilled there were so many of our team members who helped create such a memorable stay for you. We are definitely looking forward to having you again the next time you are visiting the Galápagos Islands! Your feedback, suggestions and comments are highly appreciated. This will help us to improve. Best regards, José David Cáceres, Director of Marketing
Written January 23, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Ben L
7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Solo
Going for an 8 day tour on the Golondrina was the most amazing experience. The boat is great, crew were all friendly, helpful and professional, captain is a legend, food was some of the best I’ve eaten in my 4 month trip, and couldn’t have asked for a better guide with Jorge. He was really knowledgable, passionate, good to chat to and a great laugh. I was not expecting an experience like this for the cheapest galapagos 8 day cruise option I could find. Definitely exceeded expectations! Plus an amazing group of people to share it with.
Written May 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Ben: Thank you so much for your kind words! We feel so proud of the work we do and are absolutely thrilled when people such as you write back and tell us about the memorable experiences. Thank you for recognizing Jorge, we will pass on the kudos! We look forward to have you visit again and we feel sure that your next experience will be even more extraordinary. Best regards.
Written May 22, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sjoen S
2 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
Wow, can't believe this got the Travelers Choice award. I mean, it is a nice old charming ship, but unsafe as hell. We slept in the upper-deck cabin and at night when the ship was moving, we didn't dare to go out, as it was so dark outside and the railing was about knee high. Even with life jackets, they would never find you if you went overboard. In rough seas, water would come into our cabin through the air vent in the ceiling. We received a very uninterested response when we commented on it with the crew. No one cared 1 bit. The Galapagos are amazing, but this "cruise" is below average.
Written August 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Esteemed Sjoen: While our yacht is, as you say, charming, our highest priority is the safety of our passengers on board; we comply with all national and international regulations for open sea navigation. Our yacht undergoes rigorous annual inspections and tests to ensure it meets the necessary certifications for operating in the Galápagos, including railings that are standard for all tourist yachts. However, despite all our compliance with the regulations and satisfactorily passing continuous inspections, our guide emphasizes the need to take precautions, especially in those seasons when the ocean can be harsh; it is also important to emphasize that Golondrina Yacht has sealed windows on board, which prevents water from entering on board. If you felt that your safety at any point of your cruise in September 2023 was compromised, it would have been extremely important for us to receive immediate feedback through your travel agent or directly to us. We are very proud to have received multiple TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards, which reflects our outstanding service on board. Thank you for choosing to sail with us. We hope that, despite these personal concerns, you were able to enjoy the other aspects of your trip, and that we may have the pleasure of welcoming you back again in the future. Best regards, Golondrina Yacht Team & Crew
Written August 12, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

BCribb1962
Liverpool, UK41 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
It was an excellent once in a life time experience. The crew were really motivated and the standard of service was excellent. Each day was really well planned with a mixture of tours around an island and snorkelling activities. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and were saw all the wild life we would expect to see. The food was very healthy and wholesome with lots of lovely fruit juices. Accommodation was clean and comfortable. We would definitely recommend.
Written October 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Ben: It was such a pleasure having you as our guest! Our team works hard to ensure that every guest has an exceptional stay while cruising the crystal clear waters of the islands, and we are ecstatic that we exceeded your expectations. You can be sure we'll pass your compliments along to our crew. Thank you for your kind review, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another incredible journey soon! Best, José David Cáceres, Director of Marketing
Written October 25, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Casey P
6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021 • Friends
What a wonderful trip! I can’t say enough about how amazing the crew of the Golondrina was. The boat is simple, but perfect for the experience. The rooms were small, but perfectly comfortable and there was plenty of places to relax and socialize. As small as the rooms may seem in the pictures my father is 6’4” and was able to stretch out and sleep comfortably in the bunks. The top floor is definitely worth the extra money. Everyone was so attentive to our needs and absolutely a joy to be around. The crew went out of their way to make sure we always had everything we needed and that we were having fun. When we mentioned we were eager to improve our Spanish, the crew would spend a huge chunk of their downtime patiently teaching us. It led to an incredible relationship with everyone on board. Our guide Ivan was so incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about the Galapagos. We were a hard group to manage, so many questions and interests and Ivan was always available and patient with us. I will be recommending a trip to the Galapagos to anyone who listens and I will tell them all that the realest, most interesting way to do it is on the Golondrina. A special thank you to funny Miguel, sweet Pablo, and kind Washington. You made the trip amazing!
Written November 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear cpowersharrison, Thank you so much for trusting Golondrina Yacht to create extraordinary memories for your vacations. We're so happy to read you had an amazing stay! We appreciate your kind words about your overall experience and particularly the service you received from Miguel, Pablo and Washington. We pride ourselves on providing quick and friendly service in every interaction. We hope to see you again in the future! Tierra Verde team
Written November 29, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Anne G
France7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
We spent 8 days on the Golondrina and visited:
San Cristobal
Santa Cruz Island
Floreana Island
Genovesa Island
Santiago Island
Sullivan Bay
Espanola Island
Gardner Bay
Santa Fe Island
Bartolome Island
North Seymour
Darwin Bay

We saw plenty of rare birds, sea lions, turtles, sharks, lizards, ... We were impressed by both our land and snorkeling excursions.

The Golondrina is comfortable. We had bunk beds in cabins for two people with private bathrooms. There is a sun deck and spacious room where you have your meals. We were 9 people on the cruise but there can be up to 16. The food was excellent. Local, healthy, diverse with great options for vegetarians and vegans.
Written August 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Anne, Thank you for this lovely review! We're glad we could make your honeymoon memorable. We look forward to welcoming you back. Until next time! We wish you all the best.
Written August 22, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Paul-Emile G
1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Couples
We booked a cruise with Tierra Verde Tours in early November.
we booked a room on the Golondrina. The staff and the captain of the boat were excellent. The boat in itself is a bit old and only has bunk beds rooms but was comfortable.
Unfortunately, we were highly disappointed by the guide who accompanied our group. Mr. Victor Rizzo is highly unprofessional. He did not respect the schedule and skipped several snorkeling activities during the cruise. Furthermore, his knowledge of the Galapagos islands and its flora and fauna was pretty low.
I would advise you to book a cruise on the Golondrina only if Mr. Rizzo is not your guide.
Written December 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Paul Emile: Thank you very much for taking the time to share your comments regarding your voyage with us. Remarkable service is what we strive to be known for; therefore, your feedback is extremely important as it helps us to continually improve our service and provide an unforgettable experience. Rest assured that after your review, we addressed the situation of Mr. Rizzo with our training and human resources team. All of our naturalist guides are certified by the Galapagos National Park and have extensive experience, but your feedback has been very valuable to develop a roadmap to train them regarding the needs and expectations of our valued guests. Best regards
Written December 14, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Flor
2 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2024 • Solo
I liked the experience, as Galapagos is a wonderful Island. But the experience with Golondrina was not a the expected level.
- First of all, they say 5 days, when i fact are 3 days. First day they pick you up early at the Airport, but we stayed just 1.30 hours in a bay, the rest was at the boat fixed at the port.
- Second, the yatch is very old, very slow, with very tiny rooms and with oil smell.
- The jo of the workers was excellent. But I can not understand that We have to leave a tip, because if not their salaries are very low. We paud a huge amount for the trip, who is keeping this money?
Written September 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Flor, Thank you for sharing your feedback and for choosing to explore the Galápagos Islands with us. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the beauty of the islands and appreciated the excellent service provided by our crew. Regarding the duration of the tour, we always strive to provide clear itineraries outlining the structure of each day. Based on your feedback, we'll review them to ensure future guests have a better understanding of what to expect. We would also like to clarify that our yacht fully complies with the regulations set by the Galápagos National Park, both in terms of age and cruising speed. Although the yacht is smaller in size, we aim to create a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere for all our guests. To improve transparency, we are enhancing our travel agents' training to ensure they accurately communicate all details about our vessels, including bed sizes, room dimensions, and the layout of social areas. As for the smell of oil you experienced, this was an isolated incident that was promptly addressed during your cruise. Lastly, while our staff is committed to providing exceptional service, we would like to emphasize that tipping is always voluntary and entirely at the discretion of our guests. Thank you once again for your valuable feedback. We hope to welcome you back in the future. Warm regards, José David, Director of Marketing
Written October 5, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

DeeDee B
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023
Though the sleeping quarters were small, everything on board was kept extremely tidy and clean. The crew were absolutely wonderful and kind, especially Carlos. The food was delicious. And that doesn't even begin to cover how amazing the Galapagos Islands themselves are. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
Written July 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear DeeDee: It was such a pleasure having you as our guest! Our team works hard to ensure that every guest has an exceptional stay while cruising the crystal clear waters of the islands, and we are ecstatic that we exceeded your expectations. You can be sure we'll pass your compliments along to Carlos. Thank you for your kind review, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another incredible journey soon! Best, José Cáceres, Director of Marketing
Written July 24, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Golondrina Yacht - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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