There are places on this planet where evolution took a different path entirely, and these volcanic islands in the Pacific represent perhaps the most extraordinary example. To see them properly — the marine iguanas, the flightless cormorants, the penguins that by rights have no business being at the equator — you need to be out on the water, moving between islands with the kind of purpose that a slow vessel simply cannot manage. Enter this sleek American-built mega-yacht, the fastest in the entire island fleet at 25 knots, which means considerably less time in transit and considerably more time snorkelling with sea lions or hiking lava fields at the edge of the world. Launched in 2018 and designed from the outset for private charter, the yacht carries a maximum of 16 guests under the guidance of certified bilingual naturalist guides who know these islands in their bones. Itineraries run for four, five or eight days, each one a masterclass in putting guests exactly where the wildlife is at the right moment. For a destination this singular, the vessel matters.
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The social spaces are designed for a group that wants to be together without feeling crowded — which, with a maximum of 16 guests, is rarely a problem. The sundeck is the natural gathering point, anchored by a Jacuzzi hot tub with views across whichever astonishing stretch of ocean happens to be passing. Meals are served at marble-top tables, with the kitchen producing gourmet food at a standard you'd not necessarily expect from a yacht of this size, drawing on whatever the day's ports can offer. The naturalist guide's nightly briefings — part wildlife lecture, part expedition planning — take place in the air-conditioned salon and quickly become one of the highlights of the trip: these guides are among the best in the islands, and their enthusiasm for the subject is palpable. Snorkelling gear is provided and complimentary throughout.
Eight cabins accommodate a maximum of 16 guests, each one furnished with designer fabrics, quality linens and en-suite bathrooms with the kind of fittings you'd find on a privately owned luxury yacht. Beds convert between double and twin configurations. The standout is the Master Suite — generous in scale, with large windows on both sides of the hull and a sense of light and space that sets it well apart from the rest of the boat. Main deck staterooms have panoramic windows that make the sea feel very close; lower deck cabins are smaller and lit by portholes but comfortable nonetheless. A champagne reception on arrival and a fruit basket in each cabin set the tone nicely from the first moment you step aboard.
The yacht's speed is the quietly brilliant detail that elevates the whole experience.
Book a sea kayak for at least one outing. Paddling silently above the marine life at your own pace, without the engine noise of a panga, delivers an entirely different quality of encounter.
Open-water crossings between islands can be lively, and guests prone to seasickness should come prepared.
Swim with sea lions, spot marine iguanas and enjoy the postcard-perfect beaches of this Pacific haven.
