Our Captains
Victor Mayorga
Master Level Captain on the M/Y FLAMINGO
Captain Mayorga has years of experience sailing high tonnage ships. He is charismatic and popular with both passengers (young and older) and crew. He enjoys sharing his knowledge of the sea with passengers. Victor is athletic and enjoys going for a run while in port or taking the kayaks for a spin.
Peter Vallejo
2nd Officer in the Ecuadorian Navy on the M/Y ERIC
Captain Vallejo enjoys inviting passengers to his table for dinner and telling stories of the high seas while in the Navy. He lives in the Galapagos with his family including three small children. His joy of being a father shows, especially on our family departures, with the dedication and attention given to the children on board.
Wilson Taipe
Master Level Captain on the M/Y LETTY and GALAPAGOS SKY
Captain Taipe has many years of experience sailing in the Galapagos archipelago. He is highly skilled especially in marine mechanics. He knows all the secrets in the Islands so if you are curious just ask him!
Pablo Salas
Pablo was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador. In 1990, he obtained a scholarship granted by the Brazilian Merchant Maritime Academy. Since his graduation in 1994 as a former officer he’s been working in the Galapagos Marine Reserve, Merchant Commercial vessels as an officer in worldwide navigation and foreign private Yachts. Pablo worked as a Ranger of the Galapagos National Park in 2004 in charge of the control and surveillance of the Marine Reserve fighting against the illegal fishing activity. He took several and advanced STCW courses in Brazil, Ecuador, Sweden and USA. Pablo likes sports, he is very active and practices diving, football, running and swimming. He is an excellent team player and enjoys working with the crew on board.
Pablo Jaramillo
Master Level Captain on the ERIC and FLAMINGO
Captain Jaramillo has experience with high tonnage vessels and is one of the highest qualified officers from the Ecuadorian Navy. He speaks Portuguese, Italian and Russian as well as English and Spanish. Pablo lives in San Cristobal with his family where he owns a farm.
Patricio Paredes
Patricio is a Master Level Captain with 14 years of experience in the Galapagos Islands. He resides with his family in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz and enjoys all the activities with passengers, especially on our family departures and Galapagos Sky.
Our Naturalist Guides
Orlando Romero
Year licensed to guide: 1988
Orlando worked with the Galapagos National Park Service (PNG) for ten years during which time he completed 13 one-month courses on interpretation of park programs among others. He has been a senior guide with Ecoventura since 1995 and often guides our affinity groups. Orlando received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and studied Agronomy at the Universidad Tehnica Yachala.
His favorite Galapagos topics of conversation include: Geology and reptiles, National park programs, human history, Ecuador ecology and climate. When Orlando is not guiding, he enjoys watching his favorite teams play futbol (soccer)
Harry Jimenez
Year licensed to guide: 1996
Harry studied Business Administration specializing in tourism and English in Ecuador. Harry was born in the Galapagos Islands and has been working with Ecoventura since 1998. Harry has completed several dive courses including open water, advanced, rescue and technical divemaster. His preferred topics of conversation include: arrival and establishment of species, marine currents, creation of the islands and plate tectonics. When Harry is not guiding, he enjoys scuba diving and driving his speed boats that operate as day trips from San Cristobal Island where he lives.
Ivan Lopez
Year licensed to guide: 2005
Ivan studied Environmental Management and Tourism at the University of Babahoyo and also took a Seminar of Photography techniques. He enjoys swimming, diving, snorkeling and kayaking. Ivan is an accomplished diver with certification as an SSI Scuba Instructor and Master Scuba Trainer and also emergency first Responder Instructor. She and his sister Karina often guide together on our family departures. Páginas 1 al 3 del anexo del brochure.
Jose Luis “Pepe” Castillo
Year licensed to guide: 1997
Pepe completed his courses with the PNH including interpretation Techniques and Footpath Analysis of PNG. He was born in Loja, Ecuador and grew up in San Cristobal Island where he fell in love with nature and decided to protect this unique place becoming a Naturalist Guide. At the age of 18, Pepe studied at the University of Guayaquil and got his degree in Hotel management. He took some English courses at the SECAP institute to learn English but he mainly studied by his own. Pepe is studying computer science and Italian language now. In 1995 He became a member of FEDEGAL which is a foundation that helps with the conservation of Galapagos Islands. Pepe used to work as a free lancer for many different ships and he became part of our team in 2002. Pepe is a very popular guide and likes to tell passengers stories about the enchanted Galapagos Islands. Preferred topics for discussion include: geology (islands, volcanoes and rocks), astronomy and giant tortoises. When he is not guiding, he enjoys chess, playing the guitar and swimming with sharks.
Magdalena “Malena” Cruz
Year licensed to guide: 1994
Magdalena studied Tourism Professional Guide at the Universidad Internacional del Ecuador and also took courses on Interpretation Techniques in the PNG. Her favorite Galapagos topics of conversation include: sea currents, geology and the marine reserve. When Malena is not guiding, she manages her family’s hotel on the Island of San Cristobal. She also enjoys reading, music and fishing.
Alexis Navia
Year licensed to guide: 1984
Alexis has since attended up to ten different training courses given by the Galapagos National Park. He lived and studied in the United States until he moved to the Galapagos and attended his first naturalist training. In 1990, he became a Master Scuba Diver and has lead diving expeditions for over 17 years. He enjoys scuba diving, snorkeling and underwater photography and is certified in underwater security, and underwater archaeology. In 2002, Alexis received his Master's degree in Computer Science and Telecommunication at the University.