The best boat adventures for spring

Green, green Galápagos

Santiago Dunn is an old Galápagos fan; the Ecuadorian founder and CEO of the luxury expedition cruiser Ecoventura – its two 10-cabin yachts, MV origin And MV theoryare the only Relais & Chateaux members on the archipelago – operating here since 1991 (and doing so with Rainforest Alliance green certificates since 2000, years before such practices became commonplace).

In January, Ecoventura launched a third 20-person yacht, develop MV. She’s just as well-appointed as the other two (think fitness center, sundeck with whirlpool, floor-to-ceiling views from suites) and shares the same sustainable operational features that reduce fossil fuel use by 30 percent over standard levels. the same 10-to-1 guest-to-guide ratio — the lowest in the Galápagos — and the same seven-day itineraries as Origin And theory. Ecoventura has partnered with global tour operator Abercrombie & Kent for all of its Galápagos cruises, making booking and before-and-after visits to the beautiful mainland capital of Quito much easier. abercrombiekent.co.ukfrom $9,450 per person

A solar spectacle in Western Oz

On April 20, an event known as the Ningaloo Eclipse will be visible across parts of the southern hemisphere – a hybrid solar eclipse of a length and clarity predicted not to occur again until 2172. The path of totality will move across the Indian Ocean and Timor Sea and takes its name from the spectacular reef in Western Australia around which visibility is particularly good.

The 10-guest superyacht was designed for cruising the tropical waters of this coast my paradise, which EYOS luxury expedition experts are making available for exclusive charters from Broome for the week surrounding the event. You can take helicopter trips to see rock art, waterfalls and Australia’s largest inshore reef. Just make sure you’re on deck at 11:27am on the 20th for the full spectacle. eyos-expeditions.comAUD 210,000 (approx. £120,600) for seven nights all inclusive

All aboard Indonesia’s newest rebel

Indonesia’s 17,000+ islands remain one of the most desirable destinations for sea adventures, so it’s no surprise that the number of boats operating here, from mega yachts to wooden-hulled phinisi, continues to grow. Founded in 2017 by Erik Barreto, Rascal Voyages has been one of the most popular options for Britons; Its 100-foot, five-cabin version of the traditional 21st-century Sulawesi-built sailboat offers craft cocktails and yoga on the flat rooftop terrace.

The demand is so great that Barreto had a second Phinisi built, with the same crew of about 40 boat builders: rebel has rascal‘s en-suite upper deck cabins, multiple gathering spaces for sundowners and dinners, a white-on-blue design scheme and breezy service. There are some additional bells and whistles, including an outdoor cinema that can be mounted above, as well as a nice array of water toys, including kayaks and wakeboards (and, of course, an onboard instructor). www.rascalvoyages.comfrom $12,000 per night for 10 people all inclusive

Belmond brings the champagne

Belmond knows sexy features; Witness the rise and rise of the Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express, which this year inaugurated a series of new routes across Europe, including a winter journey through the Alps. But they also do an impressive deal in luxury river cruises in France, from the Camargue to Burgundy and Champagne.

A new boat will join the fleet in May, offering unique perks thanks to Belmond’s relationship with Ruinart (the two are LVMH stablemates). Guests aboard the three-cabin Coquelicot can immerse themselves in the history of the house with private tours of the Taissy Vineyard, an experience exclusive to them. Maison Ruinart’s chef will also come on board for a private tasting lunch. The boat itself is long and beautiful, with wood paneled cabins and an al fresco dining deck – an ideal buy back for families or oenophile friends. belmond.comfrom €82,000 for six nights all-inclusive

@mariasollenbarger