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Step aside, humans. The protagonists of the Galápagos Islands’ history are the rare and endemic species that populate this far-flung chain of volcanic islands in the Pacific.

As Charles Darwin discovered on his first Galápagos cruise aboard the HMS Beagle in 1835, the natural history of these dynamic islands reveals the fits and starts of evolution itself.

Humans only arrived on the scene fairly recently, all too often as the villain of the plot. The Islands were discovered by accident, in 1535, when the Bishop of Panama, Tomas de Berlanga, lost his bearings while sailing from Panama to Peru. He reported his discovery to King Charles V of Spain, noting the giant tortoises from which the islands took their name.

16th-century Spanish explorers were appalled by the stark volcanic landscape – the Galápagos is still home to 13 active volcanoes – calling the islands a hell on earth. Pirates and whalers used the islands opportunistically for centuries, capturing and killing wildlife for survival, with the unfortunate Galápagos tortoise a particularly valued source of meat.

Set over 13 major islands and more than 100 islets, the Galápagos are some 1,000km from the coast of Ecuador, the country that claimed sovereignty over them in 1832.

Most recently, habitats have been threatened by invasive species introduced by humans, as well as the strains of a growing resident population and tourism trade. 97% of the archipelago was officially designated a national park in 1959, paving the way for the tourism boom that followed.

As part of the carefully-managed tourism model, guests are accompanied by local, certified naturalists guides. These guides bring the natural and human history of the islands to life. Visitors learn about their own complex role in the Galápagos narrative.

There's no escaping it: a Galápagos cruise isn't the cheapest (or simplest) trip you can take. But it needn't break the bank, or be excessively complicated. Here's how to narrow down the options and choose the best Galápagos cruise for your group.

The best Galápagos cruises: At a glance

Valérie Frossard
By Valérie Frossard

Overrated: Short (three night) cruises around the inner islands can feel rushed and busy. Do a longer cruise if your budget allows, or consider an island-hopping trip instead.

Watch out: Economy class ships are perfectly fine and comfortable, if fairly basic and cramped. For me, the most important variable is with the quality of your guide which can make or break your experience – you may get lucky at this price point, you may not. Get expert advice before booking.

Best value: For great value cruises, look for ships that have been recently downgraded a category. M/Y Monserrat and M/Y Bonita were both first class yachts, but now closer to Tourist Superior class – so great quality at a good price point.

Seasickness: If you're worried about seasickness, look for a larger vessel (the M/V Legend is a safe bet) or catamarans, which generally have better stability in choppy seas.

When to go: You can visit year-round; the cool/dry and warm/wet seasons have their own pros and cons. December is one of the best months to visit the Galapagos, with plenty of sunshine and warm water to swim and snorkel in.

The best Galápagos cruises & experiences

Our experts' top picks

  • Best economy class Galapagos cruise

    Best economy class Galapagos cruise

    M/Y Golondrina
  • Best mid-range Galapagos cruises

    Best mid-range Galapagos cruises

    M/Y Monserrat & M/Y Bonita
  • Best first-class Galapagos cruises

    Best first-class Galapagos cruises

    M/C Anahi & M/Y Beluga
  • Best Galapagos cruise for kids and families

    Best Galapagos cruise for kids and families

    M/V Galapagos Legend
  • Best luxury Galapagos cruises

    Best luxury Galapagos cruises

    M/V La Pinta, M/Y Infinity
  • Start at the Charles Darwin Research Station

    Start at the Charles Darwin Research Station

  • Volcano hikes

    Volcano hikes

  • Slow travel on Isla Floreana

    Slow travel on Isla Floreana

  • Snorkelling

    Snorkelling

  • Shark diving

    Shark diving

  • See the waved albatross

    See the waved albatross

  • Three species of Galápagos boobies

    Three species of Galápagos boobies

  • Day trip to Isla Bartolomé

    Day trip to Isla Bartolomé

  • See tortoises in the wild

    See tortoises in the wild

  • Sea kayaking

    Sea kayaking

  • Surfing

    Surfing

  • Best beaches to relax

    Best beaches to relax

  • Scuba on Darwin Island

    Scuba on Darwin Island

  • Iguanas and penguins on Fernandina

    Iguanas and penguins on Fernandina

  • Flamingoes and snorkelling on Isla Rabida

    Flamingoes and snorkelling on Isla Rabida

  • Isla Genovesa for birdwatching

    Isla Genovesa for birdwatching

  • North Seymour for iguanas

    North Seymour for iguanas

  • Pinnacle Rock on Isla Bartolomé

    Pinnacle Rock on Isla Bartolomé

  • Sea lions, lizards & boobies on Isla Española

    Sea lions, lizards & boobies on Isla Española

  • Isla Floreana for turtles

    Isla Floreana for turtles

  • Isla Isabela for lava tunnels

    Isla Isabela for lava tunnels

  • Sharks & surf on San Cristobal

    Sharks & surf on San Cristobal

  • Get your bearings on Isla Santa Cruz

    Get your bearings on Isla Santa Cruz

Best economy class Galapagos cruise
Accommodation / The Galapagos Islands
Best economy class Galapagos cruise
Best mid-range Galapagos cruises
Accommodation / The Galapagos Islands
Best mid-range Galapagos cruises
Best first-class Galapagos cruises
Accommodation / The Galapagos Islands
Best first-class Galapagos cruises
Best Galapagos cruise for kids and families
Accommodation / The Galapagos Islands
Best Galapagos cruise for kids and families
Best luxury Galapagos cruises
Accommodation / The Galapagos Islands
Best luxury Galapagos cruises
Start at the Charles Darwin Research Station
Experience / The Galapagos Islands
Start at the Charles Darwin Research Station
Volcano hikes
Experience / The Galapagos Islands
Volcano hikes
Slow travel on Isla Floreana
Experience / The Galapagos Islands
Slow travel on Isla Floreana
Snorkelling
Experience / The Galapagos Islands
Snorkelling
Shark diving
Experience / The Galapagos Islands
Shark diving
See the waved albatross
Experience / The Galapagos Islands
See the waved albatross
Three species of Galápagos boobies
Experience / The Galapagos Islands
Three species of Galápagos boobies
Day trip to Isla Bartolomé
Experience / The Galapagos Islands
Day trip to Isla Bartolomé
See tortoises in the wild
Experience / The Galapagos Islands
See tortoises in the wild
Sea kayaking
Experience / The Galapagos Islands
Sea kayaking
Surfing
Experience / The Galapagos Islands
Surfing
Best beaches to relax
Experience / The Galapagos Islands
Best beaches to relax
Scuba on Darwin Island
Place / Isla Darwin
Scuba on Darwin Island
Iguanas and penguins on Fernandina
Place / Isla Fernandina
Iguanas and penguins on Fernandina
Flamingoes and snorkelling on Isla Rabida
Place / Isla Rabida
Flamingoes and snorkelling on Isla Rabida
Isla Genovesa for birdwatching
Place / Isla Genovesa
Isla Genovesa for birdwatching
North Seymour for iguanas
Place / The Galapagos Islands
North Seymour for iguanas
Pinnacle Rock on Isla Bartolomé
Place / Isla Bartolomé
Pinnacle Rock on Isla Bartolomé
Sea lions, lizards & boobies on Isla Española
Place / Isla Española
Sea lions, lizards & boobies on Isla Española
Isla Floreana for turtles
Place / Isla Floreana
Isla Floreana for turtles
Isla Isabela for lava tunnels
Place / Isla Isabela
Isla Isabela for lava tunnels
Sharks & surf on San Cristobal
Place / Isla San Cristóbal
Sharks & surf on San Cristobal
Get your bearings on Isla Santa Cruz
Place / Isla Santa Cruz
Get your bearings on Isla Santa Cruz

featured galapagos travel companies

Cruising the Galápagos Islands: Need to know

Everything you wish you knew before you booked

How to get to the Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands are only reachable by air from mainland Ecuador, departing either from Quito, Ecuador’s capital, or the coastal city of Guayaquil. There are no commercial sea connections or international flights direct to the islands.

If you fly from Quito you’ll probably stop en-route in Guayaquil to pick up additional passengers, but you won’t deplane. You’ll either fly directly to Baltra (the main Galápagos airport) or San Cristobal (the secondary Galápagos airport). The flight time from Guayaquil is about 1.5 hours.

Most tour operators will insist on a full day in either Quito or Guayaquil before your flight to the islands, in case of delays on international flights – the cruise ships won’t wait for anyone!

Quito or Guayaquil?

When choosing which airport in Ecuador to arrive at, keep in mind the following:

Quito is a gem of a colonial capital city, and is worth spending at least a day and a night in. It has a thriving art, music, and restaurant scene, as well as a bevy of historic sights to discover. However, its new international airport is far from the city centre (45 mins to one hour drive), adding airport transit time to the itinerary.

Guayaquil is a more industrial-looking port city, without the charms of Quito. The advantages are shorter and more direct flights to the Galápagos and easier access to the airport.

When searching for international flights, compare fares to both cities. A good combination is to arrive in Quito and depart from Guayaquil, or vice-versa. Remember that there is so much more to Ecuador than the Galápagos Islands—if you’re flying all this way you should try to make time for the rest of the country.

What is the best way to see the Galápagos Islands?

There are three broad categories of Galápagos trips: cruises, hotel/lodge stays, and island-hopping trips. Which you choose depends on your preferred travel activities and flexibility. (See also: Galápagos cruises vs land tours.)

Galápagos cruises

Cruises of the Galápagos Islands are organised in blocks of itineraries of four, five, six, seven, eight and fifteen days. The shorter cruises explore defined routes around either the eastern or the western islands, and the fifteen day cruises are basically combinations of the two into a single voyage. Most cruise operators will allow you to combine two or more itineraries into one trip.

You might assume that longer cruises will get you to farther, less-visited sites but this isn’t the case – even on a four day cruise, you can visit Genovesa in the far north and in five days you can get to Fernandina in the far west. The real benefit to a longer cruise is a more relaxed pace, spending more time exploring the uninhabited islands, accessing more virgin sites, and seeing more wildlife.

On the other hand, shorter cruises are easier to combine with a land-based stay on one of the inhabited islands, or with other stops in mainland Ecuador and beyond (the Galápagos & Machu Picchu is a common combination).

Land-based trips

Hotel/lodge-based trips on the inhabited islands also tend to be organised as packages with fixed durations. Only four islands are inhabited with lodging: Santa Cruz, Isabela, Floreana, and San Cristobal. Isabela and Floreana are less-populated and the lodges tend to be more basic, with fewer amenities but fewer crowds.

There will be a programme of organised daily activities: nature hikes on the island, day boat tours to uninhabited islands, one- or multi-day tours to other inhabited islands, or leisure time to spend on the beach or stroll through the port town.

This option is sometimes (not always!) cheaper than a cruise, better for kids who might struggle being cooped up on a small boat for days, or those concerned about seasickness – although there will still be plenty of zipping around by boat!

A final consideration when choosing between a Galapagos land tour or cruise is the environmental footprint. Cruises, perhaps paradoxically, tend to be lighter on the local environment than land-based tourism. Look for Smart Voyager certification for cruise operators, and check environmental credentials for hotels and lodges before you book.

Galápagos island hopping

The third option is an island hopping trip, where you stay at different lodges on various islands, linked by short flights or speedboats.

Some people find this combines the benefits of a Galápagos cruise with a single lodge-based trip, getting you to a good variety of islands but from the comfort of a bed that’s not swaying all night!

Galápagos cruise ship classes

As you browse cruise lines you’ll encounter various categories of boats operating in the Galápagos: Economy / Tourist, Tourist Superior, First, and Luxury class.

Tourist or Economy class

There are only three to five budget boats left in Galápagos, depending on how you categorise them as the categories can be quite blurry.

They usually have bunkbed style cabins and they are all small, older yachts. Most, if not all, tourist class ships now have AC, hot water and private bathrooms as standard.

Ships in this class are perfectly acceptable with comfortable, if basic facilities. The biggest variable at this price is the quality of your guide, which is probably more important to the overall experience than on-board amenities. At this price, you may get lucky with your guide or not. Higher ship classes usually have better guides.

Tourist Superior class

This group is usually defined as more comfortable, more spacious, and fewer passengers than economy class ships, but not quite first class. Or it may be a yacht or sailing ship that doesn't offer the comfort of a first class ship but the guides and/or service are excellent. Many of the boats in this category are former first class ships (M/Y Monserrat, M/C Nemo II).

Check the deck plan as some rooms may be below deck or closer to the engines.

First class

First class boats have yet more room, fewer passengers, good food, excellent guides, and additional crew like a cruise director to help keep things smooth and fun.

There may be extra facilities, such as a glass-bottomed boat and paddle boards and, depending on ship size, a fitness room, hot tub, library, and separate bar/lounge areas.

Luxury class

Luxury class boats are almost all big motor vessels, up to 100 passengers, which makes them very stable. You can expect lots of space, excellent facilities, top-notch service, and the best guides. At this level the dining is part of the experience, with a world-class on board chef, along with expert naturalist guides at the top of their field.

Galápagos cruise ship types & sizes

There are a variety of vessels plying the waters of the Galápagos, including catamarans, motor sailboats, and larger cruise ships.

In the Galápagos, “large” ships are only relatively large, up to a maximum of 100 passengers with 30-40 crew – clearly not your average Caribbean cruise liner! And small can be tiny, down to just eight passengers on the smallest.

Large ships obviously have more facilities, bigger deck spaces and more social areas, but are not necessarily more luxurious than the smaller ships. Higher cabins have better views, but they’re usually more expensive and will feel rockier in strong seas.

Smaller ships are able to anchor closer to the islands, but this is less important considering that all ships use small boats to land on the islands. Remember that smaller boats will pitch further in choppy seas, so those susceptible to seasickness should bring Dramamine or equivalents.

Large motor catamarans tend to be very stable (sailing catamarans less so).

Galápagos cruise itineraries

The final factor to consider is each ship’s particular itineraries. Ships operate on a 14 day rotation visiting different landing points on the islands. They’ll typically be following a full itinerary, with passengers leaving or joining for shorter segments throughout. Four and five day itineraries focus on the inner islands, longer cruises make it further afield to the more pristine and less-visited islands.

Life on board a Galápagos cruise

Life onboard Galápagos cruise ships revolve around early starts and action-packed days. Mornings consist of wake up calls, breakfast buffets and gearing up for activities and landings on the islands.

Travel from ships to shore is done via pangas (small, motorised rubber boats) that are swift and used for both wet and dry landings.

The majority of the day on a cruise is spent exploring different islands. Normally there are activities such as hikes and snorkelling in the morning, followed by lunch on the ship, and an afternoon excursion to another part of the island.

After spending most of the day out exploring, evenings are reserved for relaxing. There is usually a briefing in the evening with your guide to go over the next day’s destination. Depending on the boat these can detail activities for the next day, be presentations about the islands, activities geared towards children, dancing, or time to talk about the day’s events.

The ship will sail overnight and you’ll awake in a new location to start all over again!

Food and drink

Breakfast and lunch are normally buffets with an ample choice of international and Ecuadorian food to choose from. Breakfast includes fruit and juice, while lunch gives you chicken or meat dishes and Ecuadorian-style seafood along with salads and vegetarian options.

Dinner is normally a more formal affair with a choice of main course and pre- and post-dinner drinks with other guests. Some of the boats include your bar tab in the price, but typically you can expect to pay for alcohol, tips and any other extras.

Dealing with bad weather

Extreme weather is very rare in the Galápagos and storms are usually quite brief. In the case of bad weather the crew will adapt the agenda as necessary, often you won’t even notice the changes. If you are out exploring and rain sets in, your guides might decide to head back to the ship until the weather subsides. If it clouds over and is only a light storm, you might be given the option of going out to the islands with rain gear.

At times the sea can be choppy, and many passengers take sea sickness pills as a precaution. Most people adapt and ‘find their sea legs’ after a few days.

Galapagos plazaisland

Plaza Island, on the Galapagos archipelago

Galapagos cruise FAQs

Your questions, our expert answers

Question

How long do you need for a Galápagos cruise?

Answer

To do the Galápagos justice, aim to spend at least five days on the islands, either on a cruise or a land-based tour. Four-day/three-night cruises are available but will feel rushed and might not get beyond the busier inner islands.

A really important thing to know is that cruises depart with lunch on the first day and end after breakfast and a short last excursion on the final day, so the first and last day are very short. It’s better to think in terms of nights rather than days, for example a seven-night cruise rather than an eight-day cruise.

Six night/five-day cruises generally rotate around the main inner islands, plus one or two outer islands. This will give you a balanced view of the islands and a good range of wildlife, without everything feeling too rushed.

For example, the Comorant five-day eastern itinerary starts at Baltra and visits Santa Cruz, Genovesa, South Plaza, Santa Fe and San Cristobal, with morning and afternoon excursions at each stop. Or the five-day Ocean Spray western itinerary, which heads from Baltra to Bartholomew, Genovesa, Santiago and back via Santa Cruz.

Six and seven night cruises tend to be the sweet spot if you have the time and budget. These itineraries will either focus on the western or the eastern islands, and spend plenty of time at all the highlights. Note that you’ll still see just half of the full archipelago, but with plenty of time for a greater range of activities and excursions.

Longer 14-night cruises are formed by combining a ship's eastern and western itinerary into a single trip. The main advantage to this is you get to see the full archipelago from the younger islands to the older islands, observing how the wildlife has evolved differently on each.

The tour programme will be action packed but you may choose to spend some more leisure time on board. Note that some activities may start to feel repetitive, and you’ll need a good guide to keep you engaged.

Unless you’re doing something specialist such as a diving course or a birdwatching cruise, two weeks is probably too much—use your spare time on the mainland instead, the rest of Ecuador is just as fascinating!

Valérie Frossard
Answered by Valérie Frossard
Question

Are land-based trips better for avoiding sea-sickness?

Answer

Not necessarily. Although land-based trips mean spending the night in hotels or lodges you’ll still visit various islands by boat – usually small speedboats, which can be extremely choppy and can cause problems for younger and older travellers.


Jon Jared
Answered by Jon Jared
Question

Can I roam the islands solo?

Answer

Visitors on cruises to uninhabited islands are required to be accompanied by a registered guide for their own safety and for the protection of the islands. Since 2024, many visitor sites on inhabited islands now require a certified guide, such as Charles Darwin Station and Las Grietas on Santa Cruz Island.


Valérie Frossard
Answered by Valérie Frossard
Question

What are the luggage restrictions?

Answer

Most airlines restrict luggage to one checked bag up to a maximum of 40 pounds and one carry-on bag that weighs up to 15 pounds. This is generally recommended for all air travel within South America. Extra baggage can usually be accommodated for a fee.


Jon Jared
Answered by Jon Jared
Question

Is there internet on Galápagos cruise boats?

Answer

Since 2024, many boats now offer internet on board through Starlink. Some charge a high extra cost for internet access, but others offer wifi for free.

Valérie Frossard
Answered by Valérie Frossard
Question

Will my cell phone work in the Galápagos?

Answer

Cell phones on GSM networks generally work on the inhabited islands, but signal may be intermittent. Check with your provider to find out the specifics of your plan and the roaming charges. Extremely high rates are common, and it’s better to know beforehand to avoid the shock after returning home. It’s always wise to turn off data roaming before heading abroad.

At the airport in both Quito and Guayaquil you can buy travellers’ sim cards for your stay in Ecuador. These use a pay as you go system, and don’t require an Ecuadorian ID to activate.

Jon Jared
Answered by Jon Jared
Question

Do you need a visa to visit the Galápagos Islands?

Answer

Visitors from North America and most European countries don’t currently need a visa to enter Ecuador, but please double check before departure. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of departure from Ecuador.

In addition to the originals, bring a copy of your passport, a list of identity card numbers and the international phone numbers of their issuing institutions. Store these separately from your original documents in case of an unforeseen problem with emergency contact numbers and medical information.

Valid health insurance is highly recommended and may be required by your cruise operator. Check that you are covered for emergency air transport as there are only basic facilities on the Islands.

Jon Jared
Answered by Jon Jared
Question

How much should I tip?

Answer

For cruise crew, drivers and staff, $10-15 a day is fair. For guides and trip leaders, $15-40 dollars a day is the norm.

For Galápagos island hopping trips, $5-10 per day is fair for guides and any boat crew.

In restaurants, a 10% service charge is added to the bill.


Valérie Frossard
Answered by Valérie Frossard
Question

What should I pack for a Galapagos cruise?

Answer

Pack light, quick-drying clothes for the Galápagos. Heavier materials such as cotton take longer to dry in the humid weather. Remember that you’ll be travelling on boats (including pangas and rafts with dry and wet landings) and that you’ll need waterproof clothing. It’s also worth packing seasickness tablets to help you cope with the rocky journeys to the islands.

Other essentials include:

  • Comfortable hiking shoes
  • Light rain jacket/windbreaker
  • Fleece for evenings on board
  • Bathing suit
  • Sandals for wet landings
  • Sunscreen (SPF 50 - you’re on the equator!)
  • Sunhat
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Seasickness tablets
  • Cash for national park fees, tips and extra expenses on board (not all ships accept credit cards)
Valérie Frossard
Answered by Valérie Frossard

About the authors

The best Galapagos Cruises

Wendy Yanagihara

Wendy is a California-based travel writer who has contributed to over 50 guidebooks, primarily in Latin America (from Cuba to southern Chile) and Asia (from Vietnam to the outer islands of Okinawa). She has also written for the BBC, The Guardian, and Lonely Planet online.

The best Galapagos Cruises

Valérie Frossard

Swiss-born Valérie has been visiting and volunteering in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands since 2012 and has personally visited the Galapagos Islands eight times. She is now a senior travel advisor at Ecuadorean travel company, Midland Travel, where she helps visitors plan trips to this fascinating country.

The best Galapagos Cruises

Jon Jared

Jon is a travel writer and guidebook researcher based in Quito, Ecuador. He has authored the Moon guides to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands and contributes to Delta Sky Magazine and the Happy Gringo Travel website.

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