With private balconies, hot tubs in every suite and access to the Galápagos Islands’ rarest experiences, the new Hermes Mega Catamaran is transforming how high-net-worth travellers explore Earth’s most fascinating archipelago.
For those in pursuit of a journey through untouched wilderness, few destinations match the Galápagos Islands—and no vessel currently rivals Hermes as a way to experience it. This newly launched, ultra-luxury catamaran offers all the comfort and privacy of a superyacht, set against one of the world’s most pristine and biologically rich backdrops. Chartering Hermes through Cookson Adventures—the globally renowned expedition specialists—elevates this once-in-a-lifetime voyage into something even more rare: a tailor-made adventure into the archipelago’s wild heart, curated with local insight and unparalleled access.
This is not just a beautiful way to travel— Hermes offers immersion into a place unlike any other on Earth. The Galápagos region, scattered across the equator in the Pacific Ocean, is a living museum of evolution, a place where the animals have no fear of people. As predators have historically been absent from these islands, wildlife here shows a remarkable indifference to human presence. This allows for extraordinary, intimate encounters—imagine standing a few metres from a nesting blue-footed booby, snorkelling alongside inquisitive sea lion pups or watching marine iguanas crawl across your path, undisturbed by your existence.
The joy of exploring the Galápagos lies in this proximity to nature. Each island tells a different evolutionary story, with landscapes and ecosystems that shift dramatically from one stop to the next. On one island, towering cacti have evolved to grow several metres high to stay out of reach of the iguanas who love to eat their spiny pads. On another, a volcano eruption has turned the sand a deep red—complementing the flamboyance of pink flamingos that harbour in a lagoon in the island’s centre.
Elsewhere, the rocky coastline echoes with the barks of Galápagos sea lions that can be found sleeping and cuddling on the beach come dusk. This extraordinary diversity, packed into a relatively small geographic area, makes each landing feel like entering a new world.
Bird life is also astonishing. Beyond the famous Darwin’s finches who first inspired the theory of evolution, guests may observe rare species such as the flightless cormorant—a bird found nowhere else on Earth—or the Galápagos penguin, the only one of its species to live north of the equator. Ornithologists and amateurs alike will be spellbound at the sight of the magnificent frigatebird, with its bright red chest and theatrical courtship rituals; the giant waved albatross, boasting a wingspan of up to two and a half metres; or the red-footed booby, using its aerial displays to dazzle audiences.
Aboard Hermes, the excitement of these eclectic environments is heightened through an experience that’s both indulgent and inviting. At 50 m, she is the largest and arguably most luxurious commercial catamaran ever to sail the Galápagos— offering the intimacy of a small expedition vessel, paired with the comfort and scale of a superyacht.
Accommodating 20 guests in 12 beautifully designed suites, each suite is a private sanctuary with floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies, Jacuzzi baths positioned for ocean views, rainfall showers, walk-in wardrobes, and mini bars stocked with complimentary snacks and guests’ preferred drinks (before travelling, guests are asked to complete a preference sheet, and for me, a bottle of gin appeared without ever needing to ask). For those seeking even more space and seclusion, the 70 m² owner’s suite can be created by combining two main-deck suites into one expansive living space, complete with two private balconies and a separate lounge.
Onboard, the amenities continue with a small spa, hosting a hammam and treatment room, where a therapist offers a choice of massages and body treatments—the hot stone massage is a soothing choice after a hike. There’s also a gym, a well-stocked bar, a sun-deck hot tub, a library and several indoor and outdoor lounges including a briefing area where a guide gives daily talks. Service is another highlight, and guests enjoy butlers from 6.00am to 10.00pm—augmented by a nearly one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio.
Dining is a standout element of the journey, with both an elegant indoor dining room and a stylish al fresco area complete with barbecue and bar. Meals follow a refined menu of Ecuadorian fusion cuisine —created by an Ecuadorian chef—using locally sourced ingredients. Chefs also host signature nights such as formal fivecourse dinners or casual grill nights served under the stars. After dinner, the open-air aft and sun decks become the perfect spot for a nightcap—often accompanied by the sight of sea lions clambering onto the aft deck to snooze, as guests watch in quiet amazement from above.
In fact, wildlife encounters follow you from the land to the boat, often in the most unexpected and enchanting ways. Adding to a roll call of night-time visitors are giant pelicans and reef sharks who circle the yacht in pursuit of small fish that are attracted to the boat’s lighting. During the day, as the catamaran glides between islands, seabirds often soar overhead, caught in the boat’s air stream, casting fleeting shadows across the sunlit teak.
While Hermes—owned by Via Natura DMC, a family-run company in the Galápagos—is available through various operators, booking via Cookson Adventures transforms this already luxurious journey into something truly bespoke. With longstanding relationships across the Galápagos National Park and conservation NGOs, Cookson is uniquely placed to offer experiences that are as enriching as they are exclusive. Guests might visit a rearing centre for endangered giant tortoises, join marine biologists for hammerhead shark tagging or explore the rewilding of Floreana Island with the Jocotoco Conservation Foundation.
The flexibility of a private Hermes charter also allows for customisation around personal passions—be it snorkelling, birding, photography or wellness. Cookson can arrange for a dive maestro to join the yacht, along with all the equipment needed, or bring on-board experts ranging from yoga instructors to specialist guides who boast an encyclopaedic knowledge of the archipelago’s wildlife, flora and fauna. Professional photographers can also join outings to discreetly capture your journey in cinematic detail.
A seven-day, six-night charter aboard Hermes starts from around €190,000 for up to 20 guests, including all food, beverages and expert guiding. But what sets this experience apart is not simply the luxury of the vessel nor the meticulous service—it’s the rare privilege of discovering a place so untouched and so welcoming to human presence, yet so fiercely protected.
In the Galápagos, nature is not something to be observed from a distance —it engulfs you. And with Hermes as your base and Cookson Adventures as your guide, this once-in-a-lifetime voyage becomes both an extraordinary holiday and a powerful encounter with one of the world’s last great natural frontiers.
