A Dream Come True: Building the Ocean Spray Cruise, told by its founder and owner, Octavio Chauca | Travel Blog

Many people have dreams, but few have the courage and determination to see them come true. That’s why, in this exclusive interview, the story of Octavio Chauca is so inspiring: a dreamer from San Cristobal who not only transformed his own life but also the lives of his community.

From being a fisherman to founding Ocean Spray, a luxury cruise in the Galápagos, Octavio shows how passion, persistence, and love for what one does can turn a simple dream into a legacy that lasts for generations.

Keep reading and let yourself be inspired by someone who refused to give up, a reminder that dreams truly come to life when pursued with all your heart.
 

Table of contents

• - Early Career and Making a Decision to Move to Tourism
  • - Fishing to tourism event due to flights - Creation of the boat, Caracha, for daily tourism
  - Entering the tourism sector
  • - Local and non-locals - Building the luxury tourism cruise Ocean Spray
  - Personal Vision and Commitment to Tourism
  • - Quality service and personal involvement - Positive service as a differentiator to guest experience
  - Challenges and Success
  • - Personal commitment and financing as main challenges - Classification of Ocean Spray as a premium tourism option
  - Sustainability Practices
  • - Proactive management and maintenance for sustainability
  - Emotional Attached to the Galapagos - The favorite place in the Galapagos Islands
  • - The unforgettable moment
  - The role that Galapagos and Ocean Spray play in responsible tourism
  • - Galapagos Islands as a symbol of conservation - Ocean Spray as a luxury travel option
  - Octavio's future dreams
  • - Desire for the future
  - Plans for the Future
  • - Retirement of Ocean Spray - Iconic position of Ocean Spray - The owner-operator model makes Ocean Spray unique
  - Octavio's Message to other entrepreneurs
  • - Perseverance and forward-thinking for tourism entrepreneurs - Opportunity to encourage people to see the unique beauty of the islands
  - Frequently Asked Questions

Early Career and Making a Decision to Move to Tourism

 

Octavio Chauca started off working in fishing. After they opened flights to the Galapagos, he then decided for him and his career, he was better suited in tourism.

Fishing to tourism event due to flights 

At the beginning, Octavio worked as a fisherman because San Cristobal Island didn’t have an airport. After, the Hercules military aircraft was the first carrier to embrace goods and people to the islanders island of San Cristobal changing their lives forever. 

The arrival of flights opened air travel for the coastal community to migrate from fishing community to tourism community. Therefore, more visitors means more opportunity for alternative economic options and growth in jobs and Octavio saw the opportunity for growth with tourism development with a new idea.
 

Creation of the boat, Caracha, for daily tourism

 

In 1989, Octavio undertook an adventure with the creation of a 10 meter boat called, Caracha. Caracha was named in honour of Camilo Raimondi Chauca, who was the first son of Octavio. Caracha was purposely designed to carry out the daily tours around the islands allowing tourists to experience a bit more in an island each day.

Daily tourism had exploded before we even received the official permission for the National Park. This new small boat would allow everyone, local or tourist to pursue their adventures at sea in the Galapagos.

Entering the tourism sector

 

Octavio entered the area of tourism and everyone hopped on the bandwagon, and both local and international tourists jumped on the wagon as well!

Local and non-locals

 

The initial tourism project was aimed at people who were not locals, i.e., tourists from Cuenca, Ecuador. The families started traveling, adventuring, and discovering the Galapagos. Tour operators started to establish packages that incorporated basic tourism hospitality elements.

Foreign tourists started visiting the islands, as direct air links to foreign countries were established. Air service created the opportunity for foreign tourists to explore more options for tourism related to the primary tourist offerings.

The company commenced offering tour services for guests with the opportunity to show guests local culture, galapagos wildlife, and the beauty of the island while fostering both national pride and some more awareness of the Galapagos globally as an important destination for foreign travelers.

Building the luxury tourism cruise Ocean Spray

 

Ocean Spray Catamaran was constructed from the sales income from daily tours. The National Finance Corporation implemented some financial resources also. This luxury cruise will meet the growing tourism needs for Galapagos.

The cruise was constructed for travelers wanting comfort and vacation adventure.

The construction project made a statement about commitment to sustainability and quality. Hospitality now has the best marine tourism to give to the guests, so guests can enjoy luxury travel. It is in Galapagos after all.

Ocean Spray has set a milestone of luxury travel in Galapagos.

The personal secret to Ocean Spray´s sucess

 

Octavio Chauca has a personal vision of tourism. He promotes service and involvement in his tourism activity.

Quality service and personal involvement

 

Quality service is essential in tourism. Octavio is aware of this and understands that satisfied guests will return and leave good reviews.

It is necessary to go beyond these details in interactions with tourists. Each interaction will lead to follow-up and establish relationships. His personal obligation to his guests improves all aspects of the traveler's experience. This commitment guarantees Ocean Spray its position as a leader in luxury tourism.

Ultimately, great service provides for a strong turn, leading to guest loyalty, which truly provides for success in the tourism business.

 

Challenges and Success

 

Octavio faced more challenges than building Ocean Spray. Hard work and commitment paid off and now people in the Galapagos Islands see it as a quintessential option for luxury tourism.

Personal commitment and financing as main challenges

 

Personal commitment is one of the qualities that has characterized Octavio.

However, financing was also a major obstacle for Octavio and other entrepreneurs in the Galapagos. Nevertheless, he never gave up until he saw his dream come true.

Currently, Ocean Spray offers several exclusive itineraries around the Galapagos Islands, ranging from 4 to 8 days. On each itinerary, travelers can enjoy different experiences on each of the islands, such as Bartolome Island, Española Island, North Seymour Island, and more.

Classification of Ocean Spray as a premium tourism option

 

Ocean Spray was straightforward to classify as a premium tourism option at the Galapagos Islands. It offers high end accommodation for guests and allows guests to experience the dual bounty of nature. 

Hearing that the Ocean Spray is one of the best cruises preferred by travelers is news that makes Octavio very emotional.

Through tears, he tells us, “I have no words to describe what I feel when I hear people talking about the Ocean Spray.”

Sustainability Practices

 

Sustainability is the cornerstone of Ocean Spray's operation. Octavio also takes an active role in managing and caring for the environment for a healthy ecosystem and future travelers.

Sustainability practices implemented at Ocean Spray

 

From the outset, Octavio has always focused on providing the best service to his guests. That is why he implements on-board control management that focuses on storing supplies that guarantee continuity of service, enabling the Ocean Spray team to avoid supply failures.
 

Team committed to the Galapagos Islands

 
In addition, his entire team is aware of the importance of including environmental management in many decisions, ensuring that their guests visit and enjoy the Galapagos Islands without negatively impacting the area.

Emotional Attached to the Galapagos

 

Octavio is passionate in the emotional connection to the Galapagos Archipelago. He deeply connects to the beauty and wildlife of the islands.

The favorite place in the Galapagos Islands

 

The Galapagos Islands are fascinating for their wildlife and the unique species found on each island. When asked about his favorite, Octavio Chauca pointed to Isabela Island. He likes to explore Isabela Island because it's big and beautiful. There are a lot of visitor sites that have great views, and lots of biodiversity, level specialization of ecosystems, and wildlife.

These are the things that draw many visitors to the Galapagos Islands. Visitors can have close experiences in nature, such as hiking or snorkeling, or whatever!

Isabela Island has so much natural beauty to brag about, that they get a sense of why conservation is necessary to protect.
 

The unforgettable moment
 

There are moments that define a lifetime, instants forever etched in the heart. For Octavio, that moment was the launch of the Ocean Spray into the water.

After four years of effort, dedication, and shared dreams, the day finally arrived when the vessel touched the waters of the Guayas River. “Seeing it float for the first time was not just an achievement, it was the realization of a profound dream,” Octavio recalled.

That day, he was accompanied by his two sons, who witnessed the culmination of a dream that also became part of their family legacy. The image he shared with us reflects more than a memory, it stands as proof that when dreams are pursued with passion, they become a lasting legacy.

Special thanks to SCAPE Magazine

 

Octavio was extremely grateful because, after so many years of experience, this is the first time that a company like Voyagers Travel Company, through its SCAPE magazine, has taken notice of the creators of Galapagos boats. 

He also feels proud because his boat helps more than 250 families.

Therefore, he thanks us for taking him into account and invites more Galapagos promoters to join our magazine.
 

Plans for the Future

 

Octavio will retire the Ocean Spray and replace it with a new cruise ship with more surprises for travelers.

The new cruise: Grand Ocean Spray

 

The Ocean Spray will be retired and replaced by a new cruise ship: the Grand Ocean Spray. This new cruise ship will be more luxurious and larger to meet the needs and expectations of customers.

The decision to replace it with a better one stems from the fact that he knows the competition is strong and Octavio wants to innovate to continue offering the quality service that characterizes him.

Expectations for the Grand Ocean Spray

 

Octavio shares with us that he is proud to be able to launch a new cruise ship and to know that his son Therry will be the cruise director. In his words, he said:

“That motivates me even more because I know he won't lose his roots, and I will leave this new ship to them as an inheritance.”

In addition, the Grand Ocean Spray is expected to have new social areas, such as a spa and a nursing area, and because it is larger, travelers will feel more comfortable.
 

 

Message to other entrepreneurs and travelers

Octavio sends a message to entrepreneurs:
“Keep going, tourism is something that teaches us, and as residents of the Galapagos, we must not be left behind.”
And finally, my message to travelers would be to come visit the Galapagos Islands aboard the Ocean Spray, because “you're not just traveling on a cruise ship, you're traveling on what was once a dream and is now a reality.”

Are you ready to make your dream come true in the Galapagos Islands?

 

 

FAQs

 

What was "A Dream Come True Journey with Ocean Spray" all about?

"A Dream Come True Journey with Ocean Spray" is a writing piece by Octavio Chauca which outlines the experience of building a successful beverage brand.

Who is Octavio Chauca?

As an entrepreneur, Octavio Chauca is the founder and creator of Ocean Spray- the brand we know simply as "Ocean Spray"- which is responsible for their entire line of cranberry based beverage products.

What obstacles did Octavio face in creating Ocean Spray?

Octavio likely faced numerous obstacles including but not limited to, beverage competition companies, sourcing the highest quality ingredients while consumers want to demand, and faith that their products will deliver for their needs.

What is the importance of Ocean Spray products to consumers? 

Ocean Spray makes refreshing beverages from natural ingredient sources; thus they are a health drink alternative for consumers looking to a fruit based healthy beverage option.

Where can I check the availability for Ocean Spray and other options in Galapagos?

Our latest Galapagos deals and more information for the Ocean Spray is on our website.