Tip Top II and Tip Top V, Galapagos yachts and cruises

Location

ex Baltra (Galapagos yachts and cruises, Galapagos)

Description

Quick facts - Level: First class | Passengers: 16 | Duration: 7 nights | Length: 112 feet | Cruising speed: 12 knots | Operator: Tip Top Travel

Tip Top II and Tip Top V are comforable sister catamarans with a spacious sun deck, an air-conditioned dining room and lounge/library on the main deck, and a bar. On the upper deck there is a partially covered al-fresco dining area where breakfast and lunch are usually eaten, weather allowing, and on the sun deck there is comfortable seating and sun loungers. They have a cruise director who organises daily activities and liaises with the crew and a qualified naturalist guide. Complimentary Wi-Fi is also included.

Departures

Mondays and Fridays

Capacity

16 passengers

Activities

An experienced naturalist guide leads daily island, panga and snorkelling excursions and presentations are given on board. They carry kayaks that can be used at certain sites permitted by the National Park. The use of snorkelling gear is included and wetsuits are available to rent.

Accommodation

There are 10 air-conditioned cabins, all with a private bathrooms and simple but tasteful décor. Tip Top V has 4 spacious cabins on the main deck and 6 cabins on the upper deck. Tip Top II has 6 cabins on the main deck and 4 on the upper deck. All upper deck cabins have a private balcony. Cabins are either twin or double.

Our comments

Good value comfortable yachts offering a first class service and experience, with good itineraries.

Client comments and reviews

Tip Top V was excellent - first class in every way and good value for the service and experience received. From the moment we were met by the airport representative in Quito untill we disebarked the boat a week later, and flew back to the mainland, everything ran very efficiently and smoothly. Our local guide was truly excellent, extremely knowledgeable and went out of her way to show us as much as possible - the days were action packed with land visits, panga (inflatable boat) excursions, snorkelling and kayaking. All the staff on board were great too, really friendly and helpful. The food was excellent and being able to eat alfresco, out on deck, at both breakfast and lunch was a real bonus, all very informal and plenty of choice. The deck was also a great place to enjoy a sunset beer!

The islands and wildlife really are special and unique and by doing a cruise you really do get to understand and experience the different species and varied vegetation, but at the end of the day it was great to return to a comfortable boat and cabin which had all we needed and by being on the upper deck it was lovely to have our own small balcony. All the equipment was first class and the boat even had Wi-Fi throughout, most of the time. - SM (May 2024)

Tip Top II and Tip Top V operate two 7 night itineraries, which can be combined to create 14 nights/15 days:

Option 1 (West)

Day 1 (Friday): Baltra, Mosquera Islet
Day 2: Santiago (Bahía Sullivan), Isla Rábida
Day 3: Fernandina (Punta Espinosa), Isabela (Bahía Elizabeth)
Day 4: Isabela (Bahía Urbina, Tagus Cove)
Day 5: Santiago (Puerto Egas), Bartolomé
Day 6: Sombrero Chino, Santa Cruz (Dragon Hill)
Day 7: Santa Cruz (El Chato Reserve, Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre)
Day 8: Seymour Norte, Baltra

Option 2 (East)

Day 1 (Friday): Baltra, Santa Cruz (Playa las Bachas)
Day 2: Genovesa (El Barranco, Darwin Bay)
Day 3: Plaza Sur, Santa Fé
Day 4: Santa Cruz (Highlands, Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre)
Day 5: Floreana (Post Office Bay, Asilo de la Paz), Isla Campeón
Day 6: Española (Punta Suárez, Gardner Bay, Osborn Islet, Garden Islet)
Day 7: San Cristóbal (Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Gianni Arismendy Human Interpretation Centre, Kicker Rock, Cerro Brujo)
Day 8: Seymour Norte, Baltra

For those short on time, it is also possible to do a 4 night/5 day cruise around the South-East islands. This cruise departs Baltra on a Monday and follows the same itinerary as days 4 to 8 on Option 2.

Main Deck Twin

Tip Top II: Cabins 3, 4, 5 and 6, on the main deck, all have twin beds and measure 196 square feet.
Tip Top V: Cabins 3 and 4 on the main deck have twin beds and measure 215 square feet.

Single

Tip Top II: Cabins 1 and 2 on the main deck both have a queen bed and can be used as a double or single.

Upper Deck Double/Twin

Tip Top II: Cabins 7 and 8 have twin beds; cabins 9 and 10 have a king size bed. Cabins measure 170 square feet and all have a small private balcony
Tip Top V: Cabins 7-10 have twin beds and measure 170 square feet; cabins 5 and 6 have a king size bed and measure 200 square feet. All have a private balcony