Galapagos
Islands
Monday & Friday
Departures
Soft Adventure
Trip Style
First Class
Cruise Category

Tip Top V is a first class Galapagos catamaran for 16 guests, with spacious cabins of up to 20 m², private balconies on the upper deck, Wi-Fi and a multilingual naturalist guide. It sails 8-day East and West itineraries from Baltra, plus 4 and 5-day options. Ask us for current rates and last-minute deals.

Tip Top V at a glance

CategoryFirst Class
Vessel typeMotor catamaran
Capacity16 guests in 10 cabins with private bathrooms
Crew9 crew members and a multilingual naturalist guide
Size34.15 m (112 ft) long, 13.05 m (43 ft) beam; cruising speed 12 knots
ItinerariesEast and West, 8 days; 4 and 5-day East options
EmbarkationBaltra Airport
DeparturesFriday and Monday, depending on the itinerary

Cabins on board the Tip Top V

Upper deck cabin with private balcony on the Tip Top V

All 10 cabins have a private bathroom with biodegradable amenities, individual air conditioning, a safety box, a hair dryer, USB ports and Wi-Fi.

  • Main deck, cabins 1 and 2: king bed, 20 m² (215 ft²).
  • Main deck, cabins 3 and 4: two single beds, 19.5 m² (210 ft²).
  • Upper deck, cabins 5 and 6: king bed, 15.5 m² (167 ft²) plus a private balcony.
  • Upper deck, cabins 7 to 10: two single beds, 15.8 m² (170 ft²) plus a private balcony.

Main deck double cabin on the Tip Top V

Tip Top V deck plans

Tip Top V deck plan: sun deck

Tip Top V deck plan: upper deck

Tip Top V deck plan: main deck

Life on board

Bar and coffee station on the Tip Top V

Guests share a comfortable lounge, a bar, a dining room and an observation and sun deck. Free Wi-Fi is available on board.

Each day includes guided excursions with your naturalist guide: hikes, snorkeling, dinghy rides, sea kayaking and paddle boarding.

Tip Top V itineraries

  • East, 8 days (Friday to Friday): Bachas Beach, Genovesa (Prince Philip’s Steps, Darwin Bay), South Plaza, Santa Fe, Santa Cruz Highlands, Floreana, Española (Suárez Point, Gardner Bay), San Cristóbal (Witch Hill, Kicker Rock, Lobos Island) and Black Turtle Cove. Best for seabirds and waved albatross (April to December).
  • West, 8 days (Friday to Friday): Mosquera, Santiago (Sullivan Bay, Egas Port), Rábida, Fernandina (Espinoza Point), Isabela (Elizabeth Bay, Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove), Bartolomé, Chinese Hat, Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz Highlands and North Seymour. Best for penguins and flightless cormorants.
  • East, 4 days (Friday to Monday): Bachas Beach, Genovesa, South Plaza, Santa Fe and Santa Cruz Highlands.
  • East, 5 days (Monday to Friday): Santa Cruz, Floreana, Española and San Cristóbal.

See the day-by-day program and route maps in the Itineraries tab below. East and West combine into a 15-day cruise.

Is the Tip Top V right for you?

  • Travelers who want space: catamaran cabins of up to 20 m², some with balconies.
  • Active travelers: kayaks and paddle boards.
  • Families and small groups: only 16 guests.
  • Want to compare? See yachts and prices in our Galapagos cruises table or browse more first class Galapagos cruises.
  • Sister ships: Tip Top IV and Tip Top II are good alternatives if your dates are full.

Frequently asked questions about the Tip Top V

How many guests does the Tip Top V carry?

Up to 16 guests in 10 cabins with private bathrooms, individual air conditioning and Wi-Fi. The six upper deck cabins have a private balcony. A crew of nine and a multilingual naturalist guide look after the group.

Which itineraries does the Tip Top V sail?

Two 8-day itineraries from Baltra, Friday to Friday: East (Genovesa, South Plaza, Santa Fe, Santa Cruz, Floreana, Española and San Cristóbal) and West (Mosquera, Santiago, Rábida, Fernandina, Isabela, Bartolomé, Chinese Hat and North Seymour). Shorter East options are 4 days (Friday to Monday) and 5 days (Monday to Friday).

Is the Tip Top V a catamaran?

Yes. It is a 34 m (112 ft) motor catamaran with a 13 m (43 ft) beam, which makes it stable and spacious, with cabins of up to 20 m².

What activities are included?

Two guided excursions a day: hikes, snorkeling, dinghy rides, sea kayaking and paddle boarding, with a multilingual naturalist guide.

How much does a Tip Top V cruise cost?

Rates depend on the itinerary, cabin and season. Contact us for current rates and last-minute deals.

What our travelers say

Reviews from travelers who booked their Galapagos trip with Nature Galapagos & Ecuador on Tripadvisor.

Plan your Tip Top V cruise

As a local operator in Ecuador since 2006, we help you choose the right dates, cabin and itinerary, and can add flights, hotels in Quito or a tour in the Ecuadorian Amazon or Andes.

Before you travel, check the requirements to enter Galapagos and our Galapagos packing list.

1

EAST ITINERARY - 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS

Tip Top V 8-day East itinerary map

EAST – 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS (FRIDAY TO FRIDAY)
FRIDAYAM. Arrival at Baltra Airport and transfer to the catamaran.
PM. Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach.
SATURDAYAM. Genovesa Island: Prince Philip’s Steps.
PM. Genovesa Island: Darwin Bay.
SUNDAYAM. South Plaza Island.
PM. Santa Fe Island.
MONDAYAM. Santa Cruz Island: Highlands (El Chato Ranch, Twin Craters).
PM. Santa Cruz Island: Fausto Llerena Breeding Center.
TUESDAYAM. Floreana Island: Baroness Viewpoint, Post Office Bay and Asilo de la Paz.
PM. Floreana Island: Cormorant Point and Champion Islet.
WEDNESDAYAM. Española Island: Suárez Point.
PM. Española Island: Gardner Bay, Osborn Islet and Gardner Islet.
THURSDAYAM. San Cristóbal Island: Witch Hill and Kicker Rock.
PM. San Cristóbal Island: Interpretation Center and Lobos Island.
FRIDAYAM. Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtle Cove. Transfer to Baltra Airport for departure.
2

WEST ITINERARY - 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS

Tip Top V 8-day West itinerary map

WEST – 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS (FRIDAY TO FRIDAY)
FRIDAYAM. Arrival at Baltra Airport and transfer to the catamaran.
PM. Mosquera Islet.
SATURDAYAM. Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay.
PM. Rábida Island.
SUNDAYAM. Fernandina Island: Espinoza Point.
PM. Isabela Island: Elizabeth Bay.
MONDAYAM. Isabela Island: Urbina Bay.
PM. Isabela Island: Tagus Cove.
TUESDAYAM. Santiago Island: Egas Port.
PM. Bartolomé Island.
WEDNESDAYAM. Chinese Hat Islet.
PM. Santa Cruz Island: Dragon Hill.
THURSDAYAM. Santa Cruz Island: Highlands (El Chato Ranch).
PM. Santa Cruz Island: Fausto Llerena Breeding Center.
FRIDAYAM. North Seymour Island. Transfer to Baltra Airport for departure.
3

EAST ITINERARY - 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS

Tip Top V 4-day East itinerary map

EAST – 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS (FRIDAY TO MONDAY)
FRIDAYAM. Arrival at Baltra Airport and transfer to the catamaran.
PM. Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach.
SATURDAYAM. Genovesa Island: Prince Philip’s Steps.
PM. Genovesa Island: Darwin Bay.
SUNDAYAM. South Plaza Island.
PM. Santa Fe Island.
MONDAYAM. Santa Cruz Island: Highlands and Twin Craters. Transfer to Baltra Airport for departure.
4

EAST ITINERARY - 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS

Tip Top V 5-day East itinerary map

EAST – 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS (MONDAY TO FRIDAY)
MONDAYAM. Arrival at Baltra Airport and transfer to the catamaran.
PM. Santa Cruz Island: Fausto Llerena Breeding Center.
TUESDAYAM. Floreana Island: Baroness Viewpoint, Post Office Bay and Asilo de la Paz.
PM. Floreana Island: Cormorant Point and Champion Islet.
WEDNESDAYAM. Española Island: Suárez Point.
PM. Española Island: Gardner Bay, Osborn Islet and Gardner Islet.
THURSDAYAM. San Cristóbal Island: Witch Hill and Kicker Rock.
PM. San Cristóbal Island: Interpretation Center and Lobos Island.
FRIDAYAM. Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtle Cove. Transfer to Baltra Airport for departure.

East and West combine into a 15-day cruise. Routes are indicative and may change due to weather or Galapagos National Park regulations.

Rates vary by itinerary, cabin and season. Contact us for current rates and last-minute deals.

Prices include:

Accommodation in the selected cabin
All meals
Guided excursions with a multilingual naturalist guide
Snorkeling gear, kayaks and paddle boards
Wi-Fi on board
Airport transfers in Galapagos

Prices do not include:

Flights to/from Galapagos
Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee US$200.00
Galapagos Transit Control Card: US$20.00
Alcoholic drinks
Travel insurance
Tips

Important Notes:
♦ All prices per person in US dollars.
♦ Single Supplement not included.
♦ Ask for charter departures.
Tip Top V first class catamaran in the Galapagos
Main deck double cabin on the Tip Top V
Upper deck cabin with private balcony on the Tip Top V
Upper deck twin cabin on the Tip Top V
Bar and coffee station on the Tip Top V
Tip Top V deck plan: main deck
Tip Top V deck plan: upper deck

Please be aware that the prices vary consistently due to promotions and Galapagos last minute deals, so in order to GET THE BEST PRICE for the dates you desire please fill out the request form below.
After doing so, we will send you the absolute best prices for the dates that you indicate.

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