Santana Yacht Line - The finest yachts on the Amazon

Wet-A-Line Tours is pleased to offer its clients eco tours to one of the world's greatest natural wonders, the Amazon Rainforest.  Aboard our 100' luxury yacht, the Santana III, you can comfortably explore this fascinating and magical part of the world.  You will have an unforgettable experience and return home with a new knowledge and appreciation of the Amazon region. Trips depart every Friday and return on Sunday.

The Amazon Rainforest conjures up many different images in people's minds, but the reality is almost always different (and better) than the imagined.  Even armed with a storehouse of facts about the region, first time visitors are amazed at the sheer magnitude of the rainforest and its accompanying river system.  Three million square miles of Amazon Rainforest is an impressive fact, but flying for hours over a rain forest canopy broken only by the meandering of the many rivers, igarapés (creeks) and lagoons plus scattered small villages brings that fact to life.  You can know that one fifth of the world's fresh water is contained in the Amazon River system, but until you have traveled on its waters and marveled at their expanse you really don't understand how much water there is.  Biodiversity is just a buzz word that comes to life when you see pink dolphins, hordes of beautiful tropical birds, grasshoppers almost a foot long, butterflies big enough to cover a dinner plate and many of the other species found (some exclusively) in this magical land called the Amazon.

Imagine quietly (thanks to our quiet and environmentally friendly four stroke outboards) cruising in a comfortable 17-1/2 foot aluminum boat into a remote lagoon that is as smooth as glass and inhabited by birdlife only imagined or seen on TV.

About Your Luxury Yacht

Each night aboard the Santana III you will be able to relax in the aft deck open air bar (mosquito free thanks to the slightly acidic black water) with a drink and some appetizers before being served a delicious meal in the spacious air conditioned restaurant. Our chef prepares a variety of regional and international dishes, tailored to the American palate rivaling those of the finest restaurants. You will be able to experience such exotic and delicious cuisine such as: the amazing "tambaqui", a fruit eating fish with the sweetest meat, found only in the Amazon region; "pirarucu", a prehistoric fish with both lungs and gills, whose filets may weigh 100 lbs; a Brazilian churrasco (barbecue) of whole tenderloin, calabreza (Brazilian sausage), fish and chicken; some of the almost 300 edible fruits native to the Amazon region; and other delicious regional foods. A selection of fine white and red wines is available, in addition to bottled water, soft drinks, fruit juices, select liquors and beer.

When you travel with the Amazon Castaway staff aboard The Santana III, you will be treated to an unparalleled eco tour of the magnificent Amazon rainforest.

In addition to viewing and photographing the rich and diverse plant and animal life of the rainforest, you will have the opportunity to experience the local culture of river dwelling "cablocos" (people of mixed European and Indian blood) during visits to their riverside villages.  These simple people depend on the river and rainforest to sustain their lives much as they have for centuries.  The sight of a three year old child paddling a small dugout canoe alone, as if a toddler riding his tricycle in a suburban US cul-de-sac, may startle you at first.  However, you will soon realize that to these simple happy people the river is their playground, highway, grocery store, bath tub, laundromat....the river is life and you are living in National Geographic.

Walks in the rainforest, fishing for piranhas, "hunting" crocodiles at night with a spotlight, gourmet lunches on deserted river beaches, feeding bread crumbs to colorful tropical fish in their natural habitat, kayaking in a peaceful and remote lagoon, and even swimming in the refreshing black tannic waters of a rainforest river are some of the experiences that await you aboard an Amazon Castaway Eco Tour. When you gaze up into a clear darkened sky, unaffected by bright city lights, and see the Southern Cross for the first time marking the hours like the hands of a clock as it moves across the sky, you will be glad you came to this magical and mystical part of the world.

Our standard two night/ three day tour itinerary includes:

• Day 1.Transfer to the yacht to settle in. The yacht departs The Tropical Hotel pier at 2:30 p.m., for a cruise out of Manaus to "The Meeting of The Waters", where The Solimoes and Rio Negro rivers meet, their different water colors creating a distinct line of color where the two great rivers meet to form the Amazon River. We will then proceed to the famous "Janauary Ecological Park" where we will explore the earth's wonders as seen nowhere else. Home to the famous magnificent "Victoria hedge" water lily. The sun will begin to set on the river, a sight never forgotten, as we proceed to anchor at "Jacareubal" for dinner and the calm of the night only broken by the sounds of the jungle.
• Day 2. After a wonderful morning meal, The Santana III will travel to "Terra Preta, (The Black Land)", there we will enjoy an opportunity to visit a local Indian community,which inhabits the highland of the Rio Negro River. We will visit the local flour factory and enjoy a jungle trek accompanied by our tour guide and naturalist. A hike deep into Mother Nature's own heart and view the virginal Amazon rainforest. Returning to the yacht we will depart for "Anavilhanas Archipelago", the second largest fresh water archipelago in the world, with more than 300 individual and breathtakingly beautiful islands. From there we will move to the site known as "Three Mouths". After your midday meal we will proceed in the smaller boats to catch Piranha, an exciting favorite activity of many. The afternoon will end with a return to the yacht, appetizer's and a chance to freshen up before a fabulous dinner and the evening's activities. By lights, our guides will take you alligator spotting for the "Amazon Caiman" and a chance to observe them at night under the Amazon sky seeking their prey.
• Day 3. We will arise early for a "Sunrise Tour" where thousands of birds and animals begin to wake the jungle, one by one. Their songs and sounds never to be forgotten as you watch the splendid sunrise over the rainforest. A dazzling show of lights, courtesy of Mother Nature. We will proceed to the site known as "Big Beach" for a chance to swim and refresh ourselves with a nice cool river bath, followed by the return cruise to Manaus. There we will serve you your midday meal in front of famous "Ponta Negra Beach" and then disembark in Manaus at 4:30 p.m., followed by transfer to the airport or hotel for a continued stay in Manaus (optional), the heart of the Amazon.
  

Eco Tour Packages Include:

All Transfers: From Airport / Yacht / Airport or Hotel;
Welcome Drinks: Made of exotic regional juices.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, with typically regional ingredients and varied menu, served in buffet style Self-service.
Appetizers: Cheeses, Brownies, Chips, etc;
Beverages: Mineral water, Soft drinks, Regional Juices and Beer.

Due to the five Yachts that we own containing the same basic configuration and amenities, comfort and style, the Castaway/Santana Eco-Tourism program will be able to use any Yacht in our fleet to accomplish regular departure dates, or to accommodate a larger group by combining boats.

Please note: The itinerary may be modified, in view of the rivers level or changing weather conditions.

PAYMENT FORM:
50%-At the time of Reservation.
Final payment is due 60 days before departure date.

CUSTOMER CANCELLATIONS:
Deposits are non refundable, however are transferable to another date or a different guest, with 30 days prior notice to sailing.

RESERVATIONS:
Verbal reservations will be held for 72 hours only.

If as you leave us, you feel a little "saudade" (Brazilian word that, though difficult to translate, means a kind of sad yearning) and want to come back, you are not alone. Many of our customers return on an annual basis. The Amazon is such a diverse and vast region that even after several trips, you'll find that you still experience and see new things - in addition to those same experiences that brought you back.

A very limited number of berths are still available; so don't wait too late to book your once (or twice or ...) in a lifetime trip to the amazing Amazon Rainforest.