What Is A Galapagos Cruise
A Galapagos cruise is a live-aboard experience, meaning that you sleep and eat aboard a yacht for the duration of your trip.At night the yacht sails between different islands, so you wake up somewhere new each day, ready to explore.
Daily tours are made to Galapagos National Park visitor sites, with an English-speaking naturalist guide. Activities on a Galapagos cruise include trekking, wildlife viewing and snorkeling / swimming. Some yachts also carry kayaks.
Day 7tagus Cove/punta Espinoza
Stop for a visit at Tagus Cove and hike to a lookout to get a stunning view of the bay. Spot old graffiti on the cliffs from whalers and pirates who once visited the the cove. Continue to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest of the Galápagos Islands. Witness the large colony of marine iguanas and a variety of bird life.
Meals included:
Day : Quito Or Guayaquil
Fly to San Cristóbal, Galapagos where you will be met and transferred to the ship for a welcome briefing followed by lunch. In the afternoon we will explore the island of San Cristóbal, which is home to several endemic birds, plants, and giant tortoises. We return to the ship for a welcome cocktail party and dinner.
Read Also: Best Cruise For The Price
How Much Does A Galpagos Cruise Cost
This typically depends on cruise length, comfort level of your boat and choice of cabin category, although seasonal and single supplements may also apply. On average, short cruises of 5 days or less cost from $2,500 pp, and longer cruises of 8 days or longer from $5,000 pp based on double occupancy.
Prices typically exclude the cost of flights to the islands and the National Park entrance fee . Most cruises are all-inclusive with the exception of alcoholic beverages and tips. To help reduce the cost, keep apprised of last minute Galapagos Islands cruise deals or consider a private Galapagos cruise charter which often prove more cost effective if traveling in a group.
What Is No One Telling You About The Availability
Many blogs and sites depict information on how to get last-minute offers to travel in the Galapagos. What they don’t tell us is: there are times of the year when you have to request availability several months in advance.
The months of are usually filled and occupied almost six months in advance. In the case of Christmas, many spaces are reserved one or two years prior.
There are some boats that allow more than 90% of their occupancy to be booked in advance. So, if you have a specific Galapagos cruise in mind, it is wise to start booking your vacation as soon as possible.
There are other times of the year, such as the first week of December, or the month of January, when it is easier to find availability.
Also Check: Royal Caribbean Cruise With Confidence Faq
Conservation & Research Projects
The Galápagos Islands are a centre for global conservation and research efforts. At the Charles Darwin Research Station over 200 scientists and volunteers are engaged in projects to boost local biodiversity. There, youll see baby tortoises being incubated, as well as other inspiring conservation success stories.On San Cristobal, another project is set in a forest that doubles as a tortoise reserve and youll witness these gentle giants in their natural habitat. At the same time, Citizen Science projects onboard your ship will allow you to contribute to important scientific research in the area.
Planning Your Galapagos Trip
COVID-19 Travel Updates for the Galapagos Islands US embassy site
- A COVID-19 vaccination card with QR code or a COVID-19 immunization certificate proving the traveler had a complete series of the vaccine at least 14 days before entering Ecuador.
- Negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test within 72 hours of flight to Ecuador
- Traveler health statement .
Don’t Miss: Which Is The Best Cruise Ship In The World
Kayaking And Sup Boarding
If you enjoy getting close to the water, some places are ideally suited to exploring with a kayak. Your ship has a number of sea kayaks for such a purpose, and theyre perfect for paddling the waters around Santa Fe, Española and Santa Cruz. Alternatively, why not try out SUP boarding its fun, and mastering it will give you a great sense of achievement. An SUP board is both manoeuvrable and easy to get the hang of, and your expedition ship carries a number of them for your enjoyment.
How Long Is The Boat Ride From Ecuador To Galapagos
Unlike many Island cruising destinations like the Galapagos, cruises in this part of the world do not depart from the mainland and then sail to the Islands. The Galapagos are located 600 miles from the mainland, meaning it takes around 2 to 3 days to get there from the mainland. This distance makes sailing from the mainland unviable for a cruise, which means all Galapagos cruises depart directly from the Galapagos Islands. You must first take a domestic flight to the Galapagos from mainland Ecuador before boarding your ship. If your ship departs from Baltra Island and Puerto Ayora, you must fly to either Baltra Airport or to San Cristobal Airport .
Recommended Reading: Cruise Ships In United States
How To Choose The Best Galapagos Cruise For You
Selecting your perfect cruise is the most important aspect of your itinerary. They each have fixed departures and limited spaces, so you will first need to know the dates of your ideal cruise. Then, you can book your flight tickets and trip extensions.
Don’t worry about your flight to the Islands. All our recommended Galapagos cruises have fixed seats, reserved up to 30 days before the trip.
If you want greater options, we recommend communicating with an operator and explaining your budget, approximate travel dates, and number of passengers, as well as other details. Based on this, they can suggest the best Galapagos cruise to fit your request.
If you have flexible dates and you like a specific cruise, be sure to ask about that vessels availability.
Explore The Galpagos Islands With Us
The inspiration behind a classic
Our journey to these astonishing volcanic islands follows in Darwins footsteps, bringing you closer to the animals and sights that inspired him. In particular, well be looking out for the most of the so-called Big 15 the 15 most iconic animal and bird species of the Galapagos, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, Galápagos Albatross, Blue-footed Boobies,and others.
Unique Wildlife & Ecology
From the famous giant tortoises, which lumber around the greener parts of the islands, to the scaly marine iguanas that have evolved to graze on underwater vegetation, youll see why Galápagos is such a special destination for nature lovers. Due to the uniqueness of each island, a huge range of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife flourishes in this haven of biodiversity.
Whats more, having evolved with no major predators, much of the wildlife is impervious to the presence of people and remains remarkably tame. Of course, well maintain a respectable distance, but youll be able to get close to the animals, whether they be Galápagos sea lions, Blue-footed Boobies, land iguanas, Frigate Birds or other members of the Big 15 iconic species.
A Crucible of Evolution
Educational, Informal, and Enjoyable
Read Also: Do You Need Cruise Insurance
Which Boat Should I Choose
Traveling as a couple or with kids? Are you part of a family or a corporate group? Would you rather not spend so many days in the Islands but to stay in a nicer cruise? The answers to these questions could make one type of boat a better option than another and our are more than willing to help you.
Do you want a sneak peak? Take the quiz bellow to find out which is the best Galapagos cruise for you:
Bringing The Whole Family
With decades of combined experience planning, selling and taking Galapagos Islands cruisesand experience being parents of young travelersAdventureSmith shares our expertise and favorite trips for Galapagos family cruises. Kids love a Galapagos adventure cruise for the up-close animal spotting, active in-the-water time and hands-on education. Use this dedicated page as a hub for planning a cruise to Galapagos with children and teenagers.
| 1.5 |
Don’t Miss: Are There Any Cruises To Cuba
Go With Our Tips & Tricks
Booked on a Galapagos small ship cruise and ready to pack? If youre curious what the weathers like, or what Galapagos Islands animals you will come face to face with, weve got you covered too. For fun insights and must-dos before and during your trip, check out our Galapagos travel tips. You can make the most of your trip by taking Galapagos Island cruise information straight from our well-traveled crew.
What You Need To Know To Cruise The Galapagos Now
AdventureSmith Explorations sends hundreds of passengers on Galapagos Islands cruises each year. And our company founder, Todd Smith, is an elected board member of the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association. Let our team be your clear, efficient & trusted resource throughout the selection, booking and trip preparation process. In changing and challenging times, we have the experience you need and the logistics down to a science.
Find everything about the latest Galapagos entry requirements, or read all about planning Galapagos cruises 2022 & 2023, including whats new and noteworthy for this & upcoming years. Our team is known for our unbiased knowledge and personal experience aboard small ship Galapagos Island cruises. Trust us to take you there.
Also Check: Norwegian Cruise Lines Customer Service
Galapagos Island Cruises: How To Choose
The Galapagos Islands is one of the most special destinations in the world, but there are so many options to choose from if you would like to visit them. In this blog, we are going to help you with some tips on how to choose your Galapagos Island cruises. When you are choosing your own cruise to the Galapagos Islands there are some important features to take into account.
San Cristbal Island Home To The Rarest Of The Rare
When you cruise to San Cristóbal Island in the Galápagos Archipelago , you’ll encounter wildlife you won’t find anywhere else on Earth on shore excursions aboard panga for “wet landings” in shallow water or dry landings on rocky beaches. At Cerro Colorado, the breeding center of giant Galápagos Tortoises, you’ll see some of the ongoing conservation efforts underway to save these endangered behemoths… although the elusive tortoises, who nap up to 16 hours a day, are not easy to spot in the wild. Not so with Galápagos sea lions, however chances are good that you’ll find yourself splashing around in the water with some of these sociable, whiskered locals.
You May Like: Why Are Great Lakes Cruises So Expensive
Type Of Galapagos Boats
The most intuitive method to differentiate boats in Galapagos is the category we assign them according to their level of service, facilities and features: , , and . Almost always the category goes according to the price of the cruise however, there are other characteristics that have an important impact on the experience you may have.
A medium size with more than 20 passengers offers very different experiences than a smaller boat, such as a , or . To learn more about the differences between a large and a small boat, please .
Galapagos Islands Cruise Port Highlights
Every one of the Galapagos’ official visitor sites has something unique to offer, but travelers will be able to experience the greatest hits — sea lions, marine iguanas, lava lizards, endemic birds — on the majority of islands. Here are a few of the most popular spots.
Santa Cruz features the Galapagos’ most populous “city,” Puerto Ayora, and is the island chain’s main tourism hub. The island offers visitors the only chance to experience the Galapagos’ interior high-lands, one of a few places to spot giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The Charles Darwin research center, a visit to which is included on every cruise, is also located there.
Champion Islet’s waters transform into an aquarium teeming with life during September and October, when the water temperatures drop. Sea plants thrive, which brings the marine creatures, which in turn brings in the sea birds. Sea lions, especially the curious juveniles, often zip past and around the awkward humans in fins and masks.
South Plaza encompasses less than one-tenth of a mile in area and is one of the Galapagos’ smallest visitor sites. But the tiny island, which was formed by volcanic uplift, makes a powerful impression with its color-changing ground vegetation, sea birds and colony of Galapagos land iguanas. The successful male iguanas can be seen standing guard in front of a cactus tree, waiting patiently to provide a hungry female with a piece of prickly fruit.
Related:
Read Also: Viking River Cruises 2022 France
One Of The Galpagos Islands’youngsters Isabela
At between five and ten million years old, Isabela is one of the youngest of the Galápagos Islands… and it’s still growing as recently as the 1950s, geological forces pushed part of the island’s surface up about 15 feet, suddenly stranding some marine life ashore. At Urbina Bay, where the surface was upended after a 1954 earthquake, you’ll hike across what used to be the ocean floor. Wildlife you may encounter on Isabela includes land iguanas, Galápagos penguins, Nazca and blue-footed boobies, flightless cormorants, Noddy Terns, penguins, Darwin’s finches and, in season, endangered green sea turtles.
Adventure Cruises In Galapagos
Explore the amazing Galapagos Islands aboard a small ship cruise. Discover the birthplace of Darwins ‘Theory of Evolution‘.
A Galapagos cruise should be high on most peoples destination bucket list. For many, the Galapagos Islands hold a certain amount of intrigue to those seeking one of the few remaining spectacular wildlife encounters on earth. With its raw, natural beauty and amazing wildlife, the isolated Galapagos Islands are best visited by boat, and more specifically, a luxury cruise or liveaboard boat offering different levels of accommodation onboard. Taking a Galapagos small ship cruise ensures that you will gain access to some of the best visitor sites, most of which are closed to bigger cruise ships.
In order to preserve the natural beauty of the Galapagos Islands, the Galapagos National Park have reduced the number of guests to the visitor sites by requiring boats to wait 14 days before returning to the same area. This means that most boats offer alternating itineraries to cover as many of the best Galapagos sites as possible. Escape the crowds and explore the islands on a Galapagos Cruise in small groups and with experienced naturalist guides. All Galapagos small ship cruises have between 12 – 100 passengers, ensuring a more personalised service and experience.
Also Check: What Cruise Lines Depart From New York City
Galapagos Islands Cruise Itineraries
Every licensed vessel sailing the Galapagos follows a 15-day route established and approved by Galapagos National Park. During that period, a boat may not visit the same site twice, with the exception of the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz. How lines segment the 15 days can vary, but four-, five- and eight-day options are the norm. Passengers can often combine these segments into 11-, 12- and 15-day cruises.
Related:
All boats basically follow the same protocol, regardless of itinerary: Island visits and water-based activities are done during the day, and the majority of navigation is done overnight.
All cruises begin or end at one of two islands with an airport: Baltra, a U.S. military outpost during WWII turned Ecuadorian air base, or San Cristobal, the Galapagos’ second most populated island and home to the capital of the province, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
Because the approach to cruising has been standardized, picking the right itinerary has a lot to do with cruisers determining which visitor sites are on their must-visit lists. Port research — particularly photo searching — is key. Keep in mind that the longer the cruise, the farther west the ship will reach. That’s not to say the western islands are better — it’s a matter of personal preference. When you cruise is also an important consideration .
Related:
Galapagos Cruise Wildlife Highlights
Galápagos cruises offer some of the most reliable, intimate, and unique wildlife encounters of any destination on Earth. After decades of protection, many Galápagos species are largely unafraid of people, allowing travelers to view their natural behaviors up-close. As we travel throughout the islands you will readily see how natural selection has shaped the unique species found in the unique habitats of each island.
Wildlife highlights include endemic species such as Galápagos tortoises, marine and land iguanas, Darwin’s famous finches, Flightless Cormorants, Galápagos Hawks, lava lizards, and Galápagos sea lions. Other unique species include Galápagos Penguins, green sea turtles, Great Frigatebirds in courtship, Waved Albatrosses, dolphins, whales, sharks, Blue-footed and Masked Boobies, Greater Flamingos, and many more. All trips yield excellent wildlife sightings, but certain species and behaviors occur seasonally please inquire if you have a particular wildlife interest.
For more information, see our guide: The Galapagos Islands: What You’ll See and When to Go.
Also Check: What To Do In Nassau Bahamas From Cruise Ship
Do I Need A Visa For The Galpagos Islands
You do not need a visa for the Galapagos Islands per se, but you may require a visa for entry into Ecuador dependent upon your nationality. U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Ecuador for stays less than 90 days in any 12-month period, however your passport must be valid for at least six months at the date of entry and have one blank page for your entry stamp. There are, however, several entry requirements for the Galapagos .