Quasar Expeditions: the back story

About Quasar Expeditions: the back story

By the ULTIMATE the world’s cruise lines Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Quasar Expeditions, established in 1986, sails the Galápagos with two yachts: Grace, for 16 guests, and Evolution, for 32. Both sail 8- and 15-day itineraries with naturalist guides, snorkelling, kayaking and paddle boarding.

A Galápagos family

Quasar Expeditions has explored the Galápagos since 1986, in its own words for “over 39 years”. Rather than a fleet, it keeps two yachts, each with its own character, and builds its voyages around the islands’ wildlife and the rules that protect it.

Grace

Grace, Quasar says, was once the honeymoon yacht of Princess Grace Kelly. Renovated in 2023, she takes 16 guests in nine staterooms and suites, with 11 crew and one guide for every eight guests. The Grace Kelly Suite is her finest cabin.

Two small yachts, one archipelago, and nearly four decades of knowing it well.

Evolution

Evolution is the larger and more sociable of the two: 32 guests in 16 staterooms, a doctor on board and one guide for every ten guests. Quasar last renovated her in 2017.

The islands’ rules

The Galápagos are a national park, and the Galápagos National Park sets the rules. Visits to protected sites must be made with a naturalist guide licensed by the park; you keep at least two metres from the animals, never touch or feed them, take photographs without flash and take nothing from the islands but pictures. Foreign visitors over 12 pay a park entry fee of US$200, and those under 12 US$100 (galapagos.gob.ec, 2026).

Our advice: choose Grace for privacy and a sense of history, Evolution for a livelier ship and a doctor on board. Check on Quasar’s own pages whether your rate includes the park fee, the transit card and the flights to the islands, as this varies by season and offer.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Quasar Expeditions: the back story before you go.