Discover the Magic of the Galapagos Islands aboard Our Exclusive Catamarans

  Fantastic trip- but some things to note if you are thinking of booking…  - I will start by saying we had a fantastic trip- the excursions were amazing, the food delicious, our guide and crew outstanding. That being said, this is not for... read more everyone.

This sailboat carries a maximum of 14 passengers. We only had 11 on our cruise - With such a small group you get to know your fellow travelers pretty well. We felt fortunate that we had a fun and interesting group to travel with. You would have to be OK mingling with new people.

Also, sleeping quarters are tight! We really only used them for sleeping, changing clothes and showering. Do not expect to sit in your cabin alone and look out to sea. There are a few tiny portholes and the only place to sit is the berth. There is AC for sleeping in each cabin. If you can, bring a single collapsible duffle or backpack in place of suitcases. We could barely squeeze 2 carry on sized suitcases in our cabin and there is little storage in each cabin.

That being said- you really only need swimsuits, and quick drying clothes and sun protection- rash guard, lightweight shirts, pants, hat with chin strap and sunglasses. There are clothespins on board so you can do a quick rinse of suits and hang them to dry outside. This is the Equator so lots of sunscreen as well. You will spend most of your days on excursions or hanging out on deck. Some people took naps mid day but most of us took a boat to the deck to read or played games. Wifi is available for a cost of you really need it.

We went snorkeling every day- I would recommend that you feel comfortable in the ocean. There are wetsuits for rent- we rented them and that made all the difference in being able to stay in the chilly Pacific Ocean for an hour or so at a time. They do have some additional buoyancy vests if needed.

My husband and I and our 2 college kids had an amazing time- even though everyone else on the cruise were adults my kids fit right in. I suspect the type of people who sign up for this type of cruise are going to be interesting and adventurous- we certainly found that to be the case.

If you want a small intimate group experience this fits the bill.

  Wonderful.  - It was a truly wonderful experience on the Nemo II.
The organization was impeccable, they even gave them sea sickness pills, we saw practically all the animals in the Galapagos... read more with the 8 day South cruise. Between snorkeling and walking, the landscape and the climate have always been fantastic, the guide (Jimi Patino) was impeccable, the food (I speak as an Italian) more than good. In short, it was exactly the experience I wanted to have to see the Galapagos, every day it was possible to see a different species and swimming with the sea lions as well as seeing the giant tortoises was magical.
I recommend the experience to those who want to take a not too relaxing holiday, bring sunscreen and shoes suitable for trekking.
We booked with Expedition Ecuador, but it's possible also directly from Nemo.

  Small is better!  - I loved the Nemo 2. First - the crew were terrific. They took very good care of us and kept us safe. The food was good... read more and plentiful (some fish was superb, some a little overcooked for me). The fresh juice every morning and every time we boarded after snorkeling or a land outing was a highlight. Our gang did not drink much alcohol, but the beer and wine we had were good. All of the crew were great - Johnny, Carlos, Milton, Diego, Pedro and Estavan (?) the chef. Our guide was "Tonio" and he was fun to be around.
We were very fortunate to be 14 friends on board, from all over the world. Our trip was over xmas break, and most of us met up in Quito. I saw other boats which were bigger (and presumably had bigger bathrooms) but I'd take the Nemo 2 with friends over a bigger boat without. The cabins are tiny, and the bathrooms pretty tight. But that's just part of being on a boat! We spend virtually all of our non-sleeping time on the top deck, and it was amazing up there.
I did well with a nightly hit of dramamine, but others in our gang wore a patch the whole time. Even though it's a catamaran, it does rock. The first night was the roughest for most - once I realized that my stomach was fine, I was able to enjoy the rocking.
The biggest advantage of being on a smaller boat, with 14 passengers, is it's just so easy to get off and on the boat! We had 3 outings most days, and a lot of snorkeling. The snorkeling was amazing. Diego often went in the water to point things out to us - white tipped sharks, eagle rays, sea turtles, sea lions, penguins (on the last day) and more fish than I've ever seen. Just fantastic. We all wore wet suits provided by the Nemo, and the snorkeling equipment was great.
I'm thrilled that we were able to spend a week on Nemo 2 - for the Southern Islands tour. This is a great option, especially if you can get a group of friends to book all 7 cabins, as we did. Thank you Nemo 2 crew for a fantastic week!

  The perfect cruise ship for a beautiful Galapagos adventure - My husband and I went on an 8 day cruise aboard the Nemo II and had the most fantastic time thanks to the amazing captain and crew and our fantastic... read more guide, Jairo. Out of several options, we chose the Nemo II being a catamaran with more stability and a smaller group passenger size. If you are prone to seasickness, it doesn't matter what kind of ship you are on so I recommend either getting a motion sickness prescription, over the counter meds, or both (some nights I needed both)! But speaking to the Nemo, they had motion sickness meds on hand if anyone needed them! But overall I am glad we splurged a little on our budget and went with the Nemo II as it was truly the perfect vehicle for an unforgettable trip!

I think no matter what itinerary you are on, you will have an amazing time experiencing the unique landscapes and wildlife of the Galapagos. The Nemo made the experience hassle-free and enjoyable from a logistical perspective. The meals on board were delicious - breakfast, lunch, and dinner were buffet style and a mix of South American and Western(?) flavors. Every dinner had a beautiful dessert. After every activity there was fresh fruit juice (the best!!) and snacks available. Honestly we were overfed! Truly impressed in the dishes the cook was able to turn out considering we were on a ship at sea. In terms of amenities, there was beer, wine, and internet available for purchase - the internet worked great everywhere, but be aware sometimes they turn it off when they're cruising at a higher speed. Shampoo and soap was also included. Cabins were small but thoughtfully planned out - you are on a boat, after all! I took the advice of some reviews and requested a cabin further away from the engines. You will still hear the sounds of a boat such as the anchor lifting/dropping at times, and even the engine, but that's unavoidable on a small ship. The layout of the ship in general had several great hangout spaces both inside and outside of the cabin; loved hanging out on the top deck.

As mentioned before, our guide Jairo was amazing - he was so knowledgeable about every animal, plant, insect, island, etc. The group on the ship was a bit older in age and ranged in ability and he truly cared for those who had mobility issues, making sure their needs were taken care of and that they could still enjoy all of the activities. He was also super chill and just a really interesting person to talk to! You may or may not get him as your guide as I'm sure it depends on schedule, but you will be in great hands if you do!

  NEMO II Galapagos Cruise - Fabulous experience!

We cruised on NEMO II for 5 days and would recommend to all interested. The crew was amazing, from panga drivers, to our naturalist/guide, to... read more our chef, we received excellent service, meals, juices, snacks throughout

Between the hikes and snorkelling we were able to view iguanas, lizards, sharks, many types of birds and a huge array of fish.

The only surprise was never flying a sail, even for a motor cruise. The catamaran definitely provides for a more stable ride, opposed to a monohull, however we had hoped to sail for part of the cruise.

  Trip of a Lifetime!  - We had a fantastic trip aboard the Nemo II on a 5 day (too short!) southern island cruise. The catamaran was spacious, clean and comfortable.

Our guide... read more Darwin was awesome. He has a love of and passion for teaching about and preserving this special place. He is at home on land and in the ocean. From geology, biology, evolution and even volcanology, he is a wealth of information and highly recommended!

The crew was fantastic in looking after all of our needs and our wonderful chef prepared meals even accommodating a gluten free diet.

If you are looking for a small group natural experience you have found it.
We cannot wait to return some day.

Thanks and cheers to Darwin, Monica and the Captain/crew of the Nemo II!!