The Yacht

The story of the Angelito brothers and their evolution

Angelito was the nickname of the grandfather Angel, who in 1960 helped his two grandsons Leonardo and Hugo Andrade to build their first fishing boat. This boat, named Angelito in gratitude, enabled the Galapagos-born brothers to earn a living and support their families.

Then, as pioneers in the Galapagos, they gave up fishing and converted their boat Angelito to be able to receive visitors, and show them their Islands. With a deep inside knowledge of this unique place, and by leaving the fishing, they took the crucial first step to actively promote the protection and the conservation of the Galapagos Islands.

After more than a decade of working in tourism with that small Angelito, the brothers took advantage of their great experience to build a new yacht, the Angelito I., launched in 1992.

But evolution goes on, and in the summer of 2013, they refurbished the Angelito I. totally: they maintained the high quality of craftsmanship while increasing the amount of space and comfort level notably!

In June 2021, we lost the mentor Hugo Andrade, due to COVID. An irreparable loss that compromises us even more, to never give up and follow on with evolution and Hugo’s new project all were working so hard on it: New Angelito II. is coming!

Angelito I – Areas of the boat

Sun deck

Upper deck

Main deck

Lower deck

Tecnical Information

Technical specifications
    • Category: Custom Motor Yacht “Tourist Superior”.
    • Construction: Mixed wooden hull and fiber.
      Year: built-in 1992 and totally refurbished in 2013.
    • Dry dock: every year, the last in October 2022.
    • Capacity: 16 passengers / 8 double cabins on main deck, with lower beds.
    • Crew: 7 Crew members + 1 naturalist guide.
    • Length: 22,3m / 70ft.
    • Beam: 6,6m / 22ft.
    • Engines: 2 new (2013) Cummins (Marine Diesel) 405 HP each and 2100 RPM
      Generators: 2 new (2013) Cummins CPG (Diesel) capacity 65 KW 60 HZ each.
    • PureVent Fuel CLEANER: a radical new approach to protect the environment.
    • Electricity: 110 Volts in cabins and bathrooms and 220 Volt socket in the social area // American plugs.
    • Water: desalinization system capacity of 65 gal/hour.
Navigation and Safety equipment

    • 2 GPS, Magnetic Compass, radar with a range of 36 miles, echo-sounders.

    • Hunter: Satellite GPS Monitoring, with digital maps.

    • Camera security control of all strategic points of the boat (p.ex. engine room).

    • Safety Classification: SOLAS 74 (Safety of life at Sea) ISM and ISPS – MARPOL.Fire and smoke detectors in all cabins and all other areas of the Yacht.

    • Life Jackets: life jackets SOLAS. 2 Life Rafts.

    • 2 Zodiacs: 10 passengers each /ecological Yamaha motors 25 hp each with propeller protector.

Facilities on board
    • Air conditioning in all cabins and social areas with individual regulation.
    • 8 double cabins, all on the main deck, with large picture windows, private bathrooms, safety box.
    • Water, tea, and coffee are included, plus a bottle for a free water refill.
    • Snorkeling equipment: mask, tube, and fins with size 34 – 45 included in the cruise price.
    • Shorty wet suits/5 mm in all sizes to rent on board.
    • Library with an excellent selection of books about the flora, fauna, and history of the Galapagos.

The people behind the yacht Angelito

We are significant and mostly invisible machinery that fits together because each of us fulfills its role and collaborates for the best possible results to make your Galapagos experience unforgettable. Are you considering coming to the place you always dreamed about, alone, with your partner or friends, or with your family at one of the world’s most unique places? The yacht Angelito will fulfill your expectations!

It starts with the excellent logistics to have every detail on board and land perfectly ready, ensuring you feel comfortable, safe, and happy.

On board, we have eight crew members: the captain, the first mate, the machinist, two sailors, the cook, and the auxiliary cook, all working 24/7 for our passengers. Most of our crew are locals from the Galapagos!

The eighth crew member is the guide who shares his great practice and knowledge during the land visits.

Also, our guides are essential to the unique Angelito Experience: they value the importance of having and giving enough time to get to know, discover, admire, enjoy, and feel each visited site.

Undoubtedly, one of the most complex parts of our cruises is the logistical one! Angelito’s office team on Santa Cruz Island takes care of all and any detail to fulfill all the visible and invisible requirements to make each cruise safe and successful. They are responsible for: food supply (important, of course, and more when no supermarket is on the corner!); having a complete crew, fresh blankets, and towels, fuel, material for daily maintenance, communication, and a hundred details more (that you don’t have to worry about, we are pleased to do it for you!)

Our commitment with

Responsible Marketing and Fair Trade

Throughout our operation, we believe in and practice fair trade as far as we can, from start to end, and always keep a high standard of honesty and ethics. We are not just a business offering a product; we truly believe, we genuinely show, and we truly sell what the Angelito is, what the Angelito can offer. We are honest about where our limitations are.

Local Development

Angelito is a local business based on Santa Cruz Island, founded and operated by Galapagos-born and raised brothers. We try to ensure that most of the benefits remain locally or may create a positive local impact. By supporting our providers, new entrepreneurship, and local alternatives, we encourage the empowerment of local identity, well-being, and vision.

The Environment

Not only because the National Park entity constantly inspects us, but our commitment is to achieve the environmental management standards they demand because we believe it’s the right thing we all should do! We are also regularly inspected by the Galapagos Navy authorities, as well as occupational inspections, social security inspections, and much more. We are proud always to surpass expectations because it’s our essence to take all these things very seriously.