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Aqua Expeditions has announced the expansion of its fleet of luxury boutique vessels with the introduction of Aqua Mare, the first true superyacht to sail the pristine Galapagos Islands.To begin operations on May 6th, 2022, the seven-suite Aqua Mare will offer a choice of two highly personalized seven-night itineraries exploring the Archipelagos’ East and West regions, as well as two 14-night voyages for the Galapagos’ ultimate bucket-list adventure.
The choice of the Galapagos as the destination for Aqua Expeditions’ fifth vessel holds special significance as it is where the company’s CEO and Founder, Francesco Galli Zugaro, began his professional career in luxury travel. This is the place which inspired him and co-founder Fred Brown to launch their own brand of immersive small-ship expeditions on the Peruvian Amazon River.
Designed and built by the world-renowned Italian CRN yard with custom interiors by François Zuretti, Aqua Mare accommodates a total of 16 guests in seven individually designed suites. The 80 square meter Owner’s Suite is the largest suite in the Galapagos with a 20 square meter bathroom. The other suites are a minimum 20 square meters each, showcasing the attention to detail of passionate Italian craftsmanship and design.
2 Aqua Mare Owner’s Suite © Aqua Expeditions At 50 meters and 640 gross tons, Aqua Mare boasts 30 percent more indoor volume than most yachts in her class. Spread over four decks featuring shaded and open sun decks,
a six-person jacuzzi, outdoor barbecue area and a workout zone, it is the perfect base from which to explore the marine and land-based endemic wildlife of the Archipelago.
Multiple indoor and outdoor dining venues provide a variety of settings for either private meals or groups up to sixteen. A highlight of the superyacht is its unique ’Beach Club’ located at the aft of the lower deck, complete with a hydraulic opening panoramic beam-to-beam window – Galapagos’ first and only.
3 Aqua Mare Al Fresco Dining © Aqua Expeditions
Sixteen crew including two naturalist guides ensure a world-class experience that is second to none in the Archipelago. Exceptional service is enabled by a one-to-one crew to guest ratio, the highest in the region. Two custom-made military-grade black rib tenders with central steering consoles ensure Aqua Mare’s twice-daily expeditions are a true adventure. Led by expert naturalist guides, each group is capped at only eight guests. Aqua Mare is also equipped with double kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkeling gear.
Award-winning Peruvian chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino — the long-time culinary mastermind behind the Amazonia-inspired menus of Aria Amazon and Aqua Nera — is once again Consulting Chef for Aqua Mare. Taking inspiration from the Coast to the Pacific, Chef Schiaffino will deliver a Peruvian Japanese-inspired menu consisting of only
the freshest sustainable ingredients sourced from local suppliers all the way to the Andes of Ecuador. Highlights include Galapagueña lobster lettuce wraps with Acevichado dressing, delicate potato llapingachos, tuna crudo, barbecued plantains, and shrimp ceviche.
The highly anticipated expansion of Aqua Expeditions into the Galapagos is a story come full circle not only in relation to the company’s origin but also tying together two of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems, the Galapagos and East Indonesian Archipelagos.
“It’s Darwin’s legacy that really gives meaning to my vision of 15 years ago. Today, who would have guessed that we would be bridging the gap between the Galapagos and Indonesia’s Coral Triangle, where Aqua Mare’s bigger sister yacht Aqua Blu navigates and where another British naturalist and explorer, Alfred Russel Wallace, co-discovered
the theory of evolution and natural selection,” remarks Galli Zugaro.
Together with the recent launch of Aqua Nera on the Peruvian Amazon, the announcement of Aqua Mare is a testament to the company’s steadfast commitment to the experiential travel niche.
Rates on Aqua Mare start from USD 9,450 per person for a 7-night itinerary including all meals and beverages (non-alcoholic, premium wines, and beer), local transfer to/from recommended flights; all excursions, Galapagos Park entrance fee and INGALA transit card; laundry service and internet. A 7-night charter for up to 16 passengers starts from USD 196,000, including house spirits and a private masseuse 5 hours per day.
Aqua Mare departs weekly from May 6th, 2022, onwards and is now open for booking via www.aquaexpeditions.com or your preferred travel agent. Contact Aqua Expeditions at www.aquaexpeditions.com/contact-us/ for more information.