SS Mary Anne – Galapagos Sailing Ship

Cruise the Galapagos Islands in style. Mary Anne’s speedy and elegant design continues the legendary square rigger tradition. This large and truly romantic sailing-ship, takes on the waves majestically under full sail or power! For the true sailors-at-heart, the raise-the-sails moment is an exhilarating experience. With ample decks which provide splendid space to relax with friends, take in the sights or enjoy the breeze, she accommodates up to 16 guests.

With almost 1,000 square meter of canvas, our MARY ANNE is the best option for sail-ship lovers. Launched in 1997, this Barquentine is the most befitting way to visit these Islands in “Darwin’s footsteps!” A very important plus, the MARY ANNE was specially designed with sound, environmental-friendly cruising in mind.

As one of Ecuador’s leading conservation organizations, Conservacion y Desarrollo developed the Smart Voyager sustainable tourism certification program, which awards its seal of approval to tour boat operators and hotels in Ecuador who meet a set of strict conservation standards for protecting the environment, wildlife and the well-being of workers and local communities.

2018 Rates

Please Note:* All rates are in $US and per person

• All rates are in US dollars and subject to change at any time
• NO Single supplement (subject to availability)
• Shared cabins available at double occupancy rate
• Please inquire for child discount
• Christmas & New Year supplement = 10%

Itinerary

Western Islands

DAY 1 SATURDAY – First encounters

PM: After arriving at Baltra airport we will be greeted by an Angermeyer Cruises representant to then board a bus which will take us to Cerro Mesa, the first visit on the islands. Cerro Mesa is a private ecological reserve located in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island and dedicated to the conservation of the natural ecosystem. During this visit, we will have the opportunity to walk through the many forest paths, filled with endemic Galapagos vegetation, see the impressive and deep crater, watch the Galapagos ducks and rails, stilts and frigate birds usually present in the lagoon or closely follow the steps of the Galapagos Tortoises, present most of the year (on certain months, the tortoises go down to the coast to lay their eggs). The reserve is also a great place for bird watching, as mockingbirds, flycatchers, warblers, Galapagos doves and Darwin finches are usually present in the area.

DAY 2 SUNDAY – The Baroness’ domain

AM: We spend the day on Floreana, legendary homestead of infamous Baroness Boise Bosquet de Wagner Whereborn. Wet landing onto the olivine beaches of Punta Cormorant; we will be seeking Greater Flamingos on our way to another special beach with the finest sand you’ll set your foot on, a sea turtle nesting ground where sharks and rays also visit regularly. We end the outing on a short panga ride to Devil’s Crown, a key snorkeling site.

PM: After lunch we will visit Post Office Bay (wet landing), where you can drop your postcards in the barrel as the whalers did centuries ago.

DAY 3 MONDAY – Volcanic craters and green forests

AM: Dry landing at Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz Island. From here we will head to the highlands to see its many attractions, which include lava tunnels, the famous twin craters, impressive and deep, and the iconic Galapagos giant tortoises, which inhabit these forests seasonally. Who would have expected it to be so lush and green on these supposed arid islands?

PM: From Puerto Ayora we will walk approximately 45 minutes along a stone paved road which is surrounded by Galapagos coastal vegetation and its most eminent representants: the prickly pear cactus and the holy stick tree. This road, which also presents a very good opportunity to watch birds, especially Darwin finches, will take us to a beautiful, white sand beach known as Tortuga bay. From here it’s up to you to decide among the alternatives: swim or snorkel with marine iguanas, explore the coves surrounded by mangrove trees or simply lay back and relax while enjoying the magical landscape

DAY 4 TUESDAY – An initiation to the western islands

AM: We travel to Isabela, the largest island in the Galapagos. After breakfast, we step ashore at Punta Moreno (dry landing) onto a superb pahoehoe lava flow surrounded by giant shield volcanoes, some still active!

PM: Panga ride in and around Elizabeth Bay, a salt-water lagoon surrounded by the largest red mangroves of the Galapagos.

DAY 5 WEDNESDAY – Marine abundance

AM: We disembark at Urbina Bay (wet landing) onto a black sand beach, nesting site for Green Sea Turtle. We take a brief hike inland in search of land iguanas and giant tortoises (seasonal) that migrate to and from the highlands. At the beach, we will admire the remains of a geological uplift exposing coral heads and marine fossils; a wonderful snorkeling site.

PM: We cross Bolivar Channel to Fernandina Island, one of the world’s most unspoilt sites, and disembark (dry landing) at Punta Espinosa. Strolling along the shoreline, we will be on the look out for Flightless Cormorants, Galapagos sea lions, sooty-coloured marine iguanas and bright red-orange Sally Lightfoot Crabs.

DAY 6 THURSDAY – Pirate’s abode

AM: Dry landing near Tagus Cove, historic pirate hideaway where names of countless ships are recorded for posterity on the cliff face. Hike through beautiful Galapagos landscapes to Darwin Lake, a salt-water crater lagoon surrounded by tuff stone.

PM: At Punta Albemrarle (dry landing), Flightless Cormorant and the largest marine iguanas of the Islands await to greet you at a site virtually untouched by Man.

DAY 7 FRIDAY – Grottos and fur seals

AM: After three days exploring the fabulous western islands, we head to central Santiago to disembark at Espumilla (wet landing), onto a golden-coloured sand Green Sea Turtle nesting site. A forest trail will take us through some of the largest specimens of Palo Santo on the islands to observe Yellow Warblers, the unbelievably tame Galapagos Flycatcher and the ever-intriguing Darwin’s finches.

PM: At Puerto Egas (wet landing) we disembark on a dark sand volcanic beach with an interesting history of human settlement. Sleepy Galapagos fur seals lounge under arches of lava carved by the ocean and occasionally dip into the crystalline pools, also known as “grottos”.

DAY 8 – SATURDAY – A last goodbye with the tortoises

AM: This is our last day on the islands. After breakfast we will disembark in Puerto Ayora to take our transport to Baltra Airport, doing a short stop to visit the Lava tunnels found in the highlands. These intriguing tunnels were formed b y a lava flow that hardened on the outside while still maintaining its fluid scolding state on the inside, leaving hollow tunnels where it passed. We will walk inside one of this tunnel (that are artificially illuminated to help visitors) to have a close look at the formations and learn more about the origin of these very volcanic archipelago. After this visit we will continue our ride to Baltra airport for the flight to mainland Ecuador.

Eastern Islands

DAY 8 SATURDAY

PM: After lunch, we will navigate a short distance to Black Turtle Cove, a large mangrove lagoon on the north coast of Santa Cruz Island. Pelicans and herons roost on the branches, while marine dwellers such as Green Sea Turtle or Golden Ray may cruise right next to the panga as it makes its way through the mangroves.

DAY 9 SUNDAY – Up north

AM: We travel to Genovesa Island and reach Darwin Bay (wet landing), a unique site lined with red mangrove and soft-haired prickly pear cacti where Red-footed Boobies and Great Frigatebirds perch tamely.

PM: At Prince Philip Steps (dry landing), we climb the edge of a cliff where Frigatebirds, Nazca Boobies, and Red-footed Boobies nest. We will be seeking out the impressive Red-billed Tropicbird amidst Galapagos Storm Petrels.

DAY 10 MONDAY – Contours of Sullivan Bay

AM: Dry landing at Bartholomew to climb up the wooden steps and reach the summit of this spatter cone for a most breathtaking panorama of the islands’ well photographed Pinnacle Rock, views of neighbouring Santiago and many other central islands in the distance.

PM: We head across to Sullivan Bay (dry landing) in Santiago to walk over a recent lava flow, including very fresh pahoehoe lava formations, lava bubbles containing crystallized minerals, and pioneer plants. Along the shoreline, we may find Galapagos penguins and herons going after small fish.

DAY 11 TUESDAY – Mars on Earth

AM: Wet landing onto Rábida’s deep-red beaches to explore the red island’s fascinating interior and saltwater lagoon. Darwin’s finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, and yellow warblers feed off the vegetation; given the right time of the year brown pelicans nesting on salt bushes that fringe the beach.

PM: We head across to Cerro Dragón on Santa Cruz’s north-west shore (dry landing); we visit a saltwater lagoon, home to Greater Flamingos, Black-necked Stilts, and White-cheeked Pintails. Further inland we find a fantastic land iguana nesting site.

DAY 12 WEDNESDAY – The islets

AM: We will step ashore (wet landing) onto a beautiful white coralline beach, on Mosquera Islet, home to the largest Galapagos sea lion colony in the archipelago. Here we will do a short hike to explore the surroundings before snorkelling around the beach.

PM: After a leisure lunch, we will hop on board our dinghy to do a panga ride around Punta Carrión to take in the beautiful landscape and observe the wildlife. We will then end the day with snorkelling in these shallow and colourful waters.

DAY 13 THURSDAY – Heading Eastward

AM: Dry landing on one of the oldest docks of the Archipelago, colourful Plaza Sur is home to vibrant green prickly pears, deep red Sesuvium and coppery-orange land iguanas; impressive seaward cliffs are excellent for a variety of coastal birds.

PM: Arrive at Santa Fe (wet landing) where we will be looking for the endemic species of land iguana, larger and yellower than land iguanas on other islands. The largest prickly pear cacti in the Galapagos are also found here.

DAY 14 FRIDAY – From albatrosses to blowholes

AM: We will spend the day in fantastic Española, starting with Gardner Bay (wet landing), an outstanding beach with sea lions, marine iguanas, and the intrepid Española Mockingbird.

PM: Punta Suárez (dry landing) is a spectacular walk into the intimacies of life at sea, with nesting sites of Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, as well as the fascinating breeding rituals (April to December) of Waved Albatross. Lined with neon-colored marine iguanas (January), and lazy Galapagos sea lions, we walk up to an amazing viewpoint of the famous blowhole.

DAY 15 SATURDAY – A last goodbye with the tortoises

AM: The Fausto Llerena breeding station, also known as the Charles Darwin Research Station was created in 1964. Here, we will see tortoises from different islands, including the most famous of them all, “Lonesome George”, the last survivor of the Pinta Island tortoises. The animals are found in large semi natural pens for their protection, but also to ensure an easy view for the tourists. The pens are divided according to four different stages: eggs, neonates, juveniles (held here until they are mature enough to be “repatriated”), and adults. After this visit we will take a bus to Baltra airport for the flight to mainland Ecuador.

Deck Plan

Specifications

Year of construction: 1995-1997
L.O.D: 177 feet
L.O.W: 119 feet
Beam: 25.90 feet
Draft: 16.7 feet
Height above WL: 118 feet
Max. Speed: 12 knots
Cruise Speed: 7.3 knots
Sail Area: 3.018.33 square feet ( 920 square meters )
Fuel Capacity: 23 Tons
Water Capacity: 10 Tons
Holding Tank: 12 Tons
Passenger Decks: 3
Electric current: 220 V

Navigation and Safety Equipment:

HF radio
Automatic pilot
Depth sounder
GPS Navigaro
VHF marine radio
VHF marine transceiver
RADAR
EPIRB

Safety Equipment:

Two 20 passenger life rafts with all regulation safety equipment, Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), central smoke and fire detector systems

Accommodation:

10 double cabins with private bathroom and air conditioning

Public Areas:
The three decks that are related to your activities on board are:
The Sun Deck, where the bridge, open air dining table and kayaks are located,
The Main Deck where the dining room, galley, library and TV with video equipment are located,
The Cabin Deck where all the passengers’ cabins are located.