Andres Paez
About Andres
Octavio Chauca is the founder and owner of Ocean Spray. He was born on San Cristóbal, a San Cristóbal native by his own account, and started his career as a fisherman before transitioning into tourism when commercial flights began arriving on the island and a visitor economy followed.
His first boat was Caracha, a ten-meter vessel built in 1989 and named after his son, Camilo Raimondi Chauca. Caracha ran daily tours and gave Octavio his first operating base in the Galápagos cruise market. The years that followed took him from a single small day boat toward the vessel he is best known for today.
Professional Background
- Business Developer for Hermes Galapagos Catamaran and Via Natura
- Leader in Sustainable Tourism and Conservation Initiative
- Specialist in Strategic Partnerships for the Galápagos Travel Industry
- Via Natura Representative for Global Distribution
The Hermes Catamaran was built in Guayaquil and carries 20 passengers with 17 crew. Every cabin has a private balcony and jacuzzi: a configuration aimed at the upper end of the Galápagos catamaran market. Andres describes the project in his own words.
"This project is a product of hard work that today is a reality"
Sustainability in Practice
Sustainability is treated as operating practice rather than marketing copy. Via Natura works to reduce plastic on board, runs the Escalecia reforestation project on Santa Cruz Island, and partners with the Galápagos National Park Service (GNPS) and the Charles Darwin Research Station on conservation work tied directly to the islands the catamaran visits.
Andres’ personal connection to the destination shows up in his answer about formative memories. He points to meeting giant tortoises in the highlands of Santa Cruz:
Partnership with Voyagers
His favorite place in the archipelago is Tagus Cove on Isabela Island.
On Via Natura’s relationship with Voyagers and operators like it, Andres is direct about what the partnership unlocks
"Voyagers has extensive experience handling direct passengers, both within Ecuador and across other destinations in South America and around the world. Behind the brand is a team of highly experienced professionals."
"Initiatives like this help us tremendously and motivate us to continue promoting our products through these companies and strategic alliances, so that international travelers keep discovering Galapagos and Ecuador."