The waters of the Galapagos Marine Reserve, which surrounds much of the Galapagos Archipelago, is just as rich in life as the islands themselves. The reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 133,000 sq km, and is home to some 3,000 different marine species.
Wildlife watching in the Galapagos begins the moment you step aboard your ship. From the deck you will have sightings of whale and dolphin, families of sea lion and fur seal, and diving from the sky into the waters in search of tropical fish are cormorant and albatross. Galapagos penguin hop from rocks onto the sand, and swim out from the beaches.
There’s no doubt that you’ll have a great sense of adventure sailing onboard a yacht like the Mary Anne, but with kids in tow you might benefit from something a little more spacious and with more facilities. Expedition vessels such as the MV Origin and La Pinta Yacht have got the balance just right; they are small and agile enough to pass through shallow waters, but have features such as interconnecting family cabins, hot tubs, and designated children’s activities.