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!

The new yacht

As time passed, and this first Angelito was turning too small, Leonardo and Hugo started the new, larger Angelito project. The new yacht was built in Galapagos by 13 local specialized carpenters, and the design was based on the combination of experience and acquired knowledge about the guest’s needs. The yacht Angelito I launched in August 1992. It was an impressionable big step for the family, extraordinary and exemplary success.

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! We all fit together because each fulfills its role and collaborates for the best possible results! We love what we do and definitively love to be part of and make your Galapagos vacations unforgettable, being this because you’re coming to the destination you always dreamed about, during a voyage in South America or to spend time with your family at one of the unique and fascinating places of the world.

All that starts with Hugo and Leonardo Andrade, the Galapagos-born and raised brothers and owners of the Yacht Angelito, constantly overseeing every detail on board and land, ensuring you feel comfortable, safe, and happy.

Then, our Quito-based office Cometa Travel organizes everything from marketing to the booking processes, and all the needed details until you arrive at the Baltra Airport in Galapagos, where our guide will welcome you to start the great Angelito Experience.

Onboard, 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 guests. Most of our crew are locals from the Galapagos!

The eight crew member is the guide who shares its excellent practice and knowledge during the land visits. We have two guides working with us; both are part of the Angelito Experience! Our guides value the importance of having enough time to see, discover, and feel each visit.

Undoubtedly, one of our cruises’ most complex parts 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 that nothing is forgotten, from the food supply (important, of course!), to 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!)

During the pandemic, we lost Hugo, a tough blow. We follow his teachings, struggle, and perseverance in his honor!

Our commitment with

Responsible Marketing and Fair Trade

Throughout our operations, we believe and practice fair trade as far as possible, from start to end, and we 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 sell what the Angelito is, and what the Angelito can offer, being honest in our limitations.

Local Development

As a local business based on Santa Cruz Island, founded and operated by the Galapagos-born and raised brothers, we ensure that most of the benefits remain locally and create positive local impacts. By supporting our providers, new entrepreneurship, and local alternatives, we encourage the empowerment of regional identity, well-being, and future.

The Environment

Not only because the National Park entity continually 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, many more! We are proud always to surpass expectations because it’s our essence to take all these things very seriously as our business guidelines.