Going to the Galapagos

The Galapagos Islands are perhaps the world’s most exciting travel destination for nature lovers. It was on this archipelago, lying on the Equator 620 miles from Ecuador, that Darwin developed the theory of evolution. Most of the 19 islands have been preserved as a natural park and never settled by native peoples or European colonists. Because of their isolation, the animals of the islands, including the famous tortoises, Darwin’s finches and the playful sea lions, have no fear of humans.

Thankfully for the animals, the Ecuadorian government tightly controls tourism to the Galapagos. Most visitors arrive via air from Quito, Ecuador’s capital, or the coastal city of Guayaquil. Outside of a few small towns, only a limited number of licensed ships are allowed to cruise the islands. None of the ships carry more than 100 passengers, and visitors must be accompanied by a licensed guide at all times.

By air or by sea - the only ways to reach the Galapagos

Within these guidelines, travelers can choose what kind and class of ship to take, how long to travel, and what specialized itineraries they might be interested in. None of the ships are able to land on the islands. All travelers must embark and disembark by Zodiac, a fast, durable and inflatable speedboat that doesn’t disturb the ecosystem at landing sites. Although it protects the islands, this makes the Galapagos a very challenging destination for those with physical handicaps or limited mobility.

How to choose a ship

There are 77 ships licensed to operate in the Galapagos. The ships are classed by a variety of classification schemes, but the most important to know is the tour operator’s own system, which runs:

Luxury/Deluxe

First Class

Tourist Superior

Tourist

Luxury/Deluxe and First Class trips will feature large cabins replete with amenities, small group excursions with highly qualified guides and gourmet cooking. Tourist Superior boats are generally considered comfortable, if a bit more rugged. Tourist-class boats should be avoided, as internet forums are full of horror stories about these cut-rate providers. My feeling is that if you’re going to invest the time and money to travel to the Galapagos, you should make sure you’re going to enjoy the trip!

“if you’re going to invest the time and money to travel to the Galapagos, you should make sure you’re going to enjoy the trip!”

Ship sizes range from small 2-8 passenger private yachts with 2-3 crewmembers to 100-passenger expedition-class ships with specialized guides, chefs and staff. It’s possible to find both small and large luxury ships, but larger vessels usually offer greater amenities on-board, including pools and spas. Smaller ships offer opportunities to visit lesser traveled landing spots or even take a private cruise with family and friends. However, none of the ships will have the full ranges of amenities and dining options you’d find on a traditional mega-cruise ship. Even the most luxurious of operators still calls their trip an expedition!

If you truly can’t stand sailing but want to visit the Galapagos, it’s possible to fly directly to the islands and stay at a resort. However, you’ll miss out on many of the best and most remote excursions.

If you’d like more information about the individual ships, just send me an email.

What you will see

Ship routes are planned in advance and coordinated with the park, so unless you’re chartering an entire ship, your choice of destinations will be determined primarily by the length of your trip. I took the 4-day cruise, which was a perfect amount of time to get a feel for the islands. If you want to access more remote destinations, pick a 6- or 7-day cruises.

Each day typically has a morning and an afternoon excursion. You’ll take a zodiac to a landing site, where your guide will show you the unique natural features and animal inhabitants of each island. Pack plenty of sunscreen and expect to do a good deal of hiking, snorkeling and scrambling on rocks. Most operators also offer kayaking excursions.

If you’re considering a longer cruise, I recommend finding one that specializes in a field you enjoy. Tour operators offer liveaboard diving cruises that will take experienced SCUBA divers to hammerhead shark colonies. You can also book a nature photography tour, led by experienced professional photographers who will help you refine your skills and portfolio. For true nature lovers, consider a birding tour which can last for up to two weeks!

On any tour, you’ll encounter the Galapagos’ famously tame wildlife, including sea lions, tortoises, iguanas, finches, dolphins, whales and the ubiquitous blue-footed booby. Even though you can approach the wildlife closely, be sure not to touch them or interfere with them in any way. Your trip will also likely include a visit to the Charles Darwin Center on Santa Cruz Island, where you meet the the baby tortoises in the center’s breeding program.

The tortoises of the Galapagos islands can live to be well over 100, so if you meet one that you particularly like, you can plan a return trip with your grandkids!

If you’d like to know more about speciality expeditions, please get in touch through my contact page.

Snorkeling from a luxury-class, expedition-size vessel