Ecoventura vs Quasar Expeditions: which is better for the Galápagos?

No score and no verdict of ours: what Ecoventura and Quasar Expeditions each publish on their own websites, read 9 November 2026, topic by topic, each line linked to the page it came from.

Ecoventura vs Quasar Expeditions: which is better for the Galápagos?

Neither is better for everyone: Ecoventura sails three 20-passenger yachts on seven-night Galápagos cruises and takes children from age six, while Quasar Expeditions sails Evolution with 32 guests and Grace with 16 and includes the National Park fee and an open bar in its Galápagos fares.

What is each line?

Ecoventura runs seven-night Galapagos cruises under its own name on three expedition yachts; it says it began with an Ecuadorian family in the mid-1980s and is now part of a global travel group it does not name. Source

Quasar Expeditions runs Galapagos yacht cruises and Patagonia overland safaris under its own name; says it is a local, Ecuadorian-owned family company. Source

Which ships does each line sail?

Ecoventura lists three identical yachts: Origin (built in 2016), Theory (2019) and Evolve (2023); ownership isn't stated. Source

Quasar Expeditions lists two Galapagos yachts, Evolution and Grace; ownership isn't stated. Source

How many guests are on board?

Ecoventura carries 20 passengers on each yacht. Source

Quasar Expeditions carries 32 guests on Evolution and 16 on Grace. Source

Where does each line sail?

Ecoventura sails only in the Galapagos, on seven-night itineraries that can be joined back to back. Source

Quasar Expeditions sells named voyages only in the Galapagos: 8 and 15-day yacht cruises such as In the Steps of Pirates & Darwin and Darwin's Legacy on Evolution and Darwin's Muse on Grace. Source

Who leads the landings?

Ecoventura puts two naturalist guides with every ten guests, which it calls the lowest guide/guest ratio in the Galapagos. Source

Quasar Expeditions says it keeps a 10:1 guest to guide ratio, which it calls the industry low, with naturalist guides holding Level III Galapagos National Park Guide certification. Source

What can you do off the ship?

Ecoventura includes kayaks, snorkelling gear, wetsuits and paddleboards, with guided walks and zodiac rides each day. Source

Quasar Expeditions includes kayaks, paddleboards and snorkelling equipment on its Galapagos yachts; it offers no scuba diving on the cruise, though guests may dive with a land-based outfitter before or after or on port days and miss that day's activity. Source

What does the fare include?

Ecoventura's fares include accommodation, meals, guided excursions and kayaking and snorkelling kit; airfare, the Galapagos park entrance fee ($200 per foreign adult), the $20 transit card, laundry and gratuities are extra. Source

Quasar Expeditions' Galapagos fares include the National Park fee and transit card, an open bar, Starlink Wi-Fi, kayaks, paddleboards and snorkelling gear, all meals, Galapagos transfers and an onboard doctor; domestic flights from Quito or Guayaquil to the Galapagos are not included. Source

What do solo travellers pay?

Ecoventura asks singles for twice the per-person deposit ($2,000 in 2026); it states no single supplement figure. Source

Quasar Expeditions charges single travellers a 65% supplement on its Patagonia overland safaris and offers no willing-to-share pairing; it publishes no single rule for its Galapagos cruises. Source

How much is the deposit?

Ecoventura asks individual bookings of one to four guests for $1,000 per person ($2,000 for singles) within five days of confirmation in 2026, rising to $1,500 ($3,000) from 2027; final payment is due 90 days before sailing. Source

Quasar Expeditions asks a non-refundable deposit of $1,800 USD per person at booking for Galapagos cruises booked 91 days or more ahead, with the final non-refundable payment due 90 days before departure; holiday departures take a first deposit of $2,500 USD per person. Source

What happens if you cancel?

Ecoventura refunds everything but 50% of the deposit up to 120 days before departure (180 days from 2027), keeps the whole deposit from 119 to 90 days (179 to 90 from 2027) and the entire cruise rate from 89 days. Source

Quasar Expeditions treats every payment received for a Galapagos cruise as non-refundable and applies all payments due as the cancellation penalty. Source

What insurance do you need?

Ecoventura recommends comprehensive travel insurance, including a Cancel for Any Reason policy; it names no required minimum. Source

Quasar Expeditions requires a Medical Evacuation and Health policy covering aero-medical evacuation from the Galapagos of at least $50,000 USD, including pre-existing conditions; it strongly recommends trip cancellation cover. Source

Can children come?

Ecoventura takes children from age six on its 7-night cruises, though it says most families bring children 11 and older; guests 17 and under get 15% off on all departures except festive ones. Source

Quasar Expeditions welcomes children 5 years of age and older unless the trip is a private charter, with an adult taking full responsibility for them; it sells family-friendly Galapagos cruises. Source

When is each not the fit?

The limits below are published by each line on their own websites.

• Ecoventura: not the fit if you may cancel late: from 89 days before departure it keeps the entire cruise rate. Source
• Quasar Expeditions: not the fit if you are unsteady on your feet: it says the islands involve frequent dinghy (Zodiac) transfers to landing sites on wet, slippery lava rock, needing some physical effort and balance. Source

How do their reviews compare?

Their figures per platform, read 9 November 2026, each from a listing under the line's own name; a whole-company profile is marked. Figures are never added together.

• Quasar Expeditions: Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 117 reviews; Trustpilot: 5.0 out of 5 from 779 reviews, newest 12 June 2026. Read 9 November 2026.

The lines at a glance

One card each, as on every Uncompromised Travel expedition page: what each sells, why to choose each, what to ask for and the limits each publishes.

Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 9 November 2026 · updated 9 November 2026