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Galapagos Islands Tours & Cruises

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Travel Galapagos Islands

We offer a wide choice of Galapagos Island tours and cruises. From luxurious 5* catamaran liveaboard experiences to budget-friendly expeditions that are worth their weight in gold.

Galapagos Island cruises and expeditions tug at the heartstrings of wildlife lovers, those who prefer to see unique creatures living in the wildest environment. The UNESCO-listed Galapagos are inarguably South America’s prime wildlife-watching hub, an archipelago that boasts an astonishing remoteness and biodiversity. Here, you’ll meet animals that aren’t found anywhere else on earth: from Marine Iguanas to Giant Tortoises, Blue Footed Boobies, Flightless Cormorants and an abundance of other marine and semi-aquatic animals. Charles Darwin based his Theory of Evolution on this astonishing place – a haven where the wildlife is unperturbed by visitors, allowing for priceless up-close encounters.

Choose from our range of unique cruises or contact us and we’ll be happy to tailor the perfect itinerary to suit your requirements. 

FAQs

When is the best time to visit Galapagos Islands?

Anytime is a good time to visit the Galapagos Islands. However December through June is when the weather is the warmest, and for divers who wish to spot whale sharks the peak season is from July to November.  

Where are the Galapagos Islands?

A pristine cluster of islands located about 1,000km west of the Ecuadorian coast, the Galapagos Islands are renowned as one of the prime wildlife-watching destinations on earth. They straddle the Equator Line and are somewhat aligned with the capital city on the mainland, Quito. Fervently protected and encompassed in their namesake national park, the Galapagos boast a remote and perfectly insular location, which is what has spawned the islands’ unique cluster of wildlife. Endemic and distinct, the animals of the Galapagos are found nowhere else (for the most part) and they are most famous for having enticed Charles Darwin to concoct his Theory of Evolution.

Darwin’s findings were surmised after discovering that all the creatures in the Galapagos, great and small, had evolved unique adaptations thanks to their isolation and idyllic conditions. These spectacular islands are connected to the rest of the world via flights to the Ecuadorian mainland, only.

What wildlife I will see in Galapagos Islands?

While visiting Galapagos you can encounter a huge variety of wildlife, both land and marine. The most unique wildlife includes Galapagos tortoises, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, Galapagos finch, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos fur seals, blue-footed boobies, lava lizards and magnificent frigatebirds. 

Below you can see the number of species living on the islands:

  • Mammals: 32 species
  • Reptiles: 28 species
  • Darwin Finches: 13 sub-species
  • Sea Birds: 42 species
  • Shore Birds: 34 species
  • Water Birds: 21 species
  • Land birds: 49 species

What to pack when visiting the Galapagos?

There are no specific packing essentials when visiting Galapagos Islands, but we recommend bringing sunscreen as the sun hits the equator hard. Also cameras, light clothes, sandals, sneakers and binoculars are essential for your trip. 

How to get to the Galapagos islands?

The Galapagos can only be reached by flights departing either from Quito or the coastal town of Guayaquil, in Ecuador. No matter where you enter South America, you’ll need to head up to Ecuador first and then fly over. Once you land at the main airport, you’ll have to choices: either board your Galapagos cruise ship or opt for lodge-based adventures. Only a couple of islands are inhabited and offer the latter option, however, so cruising offers the more comprehensive experience, especially if you wish to reach the outer islands.

Cruising the Galapagos Islands is restricted to a select number of vessels, all vetted and authorised to explore this protected land and marine reserve. Live-aboard expeditions usually entail night-time cruising and daytime on-land exploration and water activities, like snorkelling SCUBA diving, kayaking and kayaking. Please note that not all vessels offer all activities, nor do they offer the same itineraries, so choose wisely depending on your wishes.

Flights to the Galapagos Islands

The main flight hubs connecting the Galapagos to the rest of the world are Quito – the Ecuadorian capital – and Guayaquil. The former is well connected to all of South America and particularly well connected to its southerly neighbour, Peru. From New Zealand, it’s easy to reach Quito via Santiago with LATAM/QANTAS, although the extensive flight-time (about 32 hours) should be an enticement to plan a lovely stop-over in Santiago first. Non-stop flights are also offered from the US (Miami, Atlanta) and two great non-stop options from Europe (Madrid and Paris).

The most popular connections from Central America are Bogota (Colombia) and Panama City whilst, in the south, you have the options of a 6hr direct flight from So Paolo (Brazil) or the shortest and most popular options of all, a swift 2hr flight from Lima (Peru).

How to see the Galapagos, Land or Cruise?

The best way to enjoy Galapagos Islands is on a cruise, although island-based adventures – whereby you island hop and stay in gorgeous lodges overnight – is also a very rewarding option. Cruises allow for more comprehensive roaming, however, and they are usually the preferred type of experience, out here. Whether you choose to explore this incredible place on a liveaboard ship or lodge-based experience, you can look forward to daily walks on some of the purest and most dramatic volcanic islands of all, each one home to particular wildlife, be it a Giant Tortoise hub or renowned Albatross nesting site. You can swim, snorkel and SCUBA dive, with Galapagos Island Tours revered for offering magnificent underwater experiences. Every month of the year offers something unique, every island, a different landscape and animal world all its own.

 

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Some of the main Attractions

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Isabela Island

Being the largest island of the Galapagos, Isabela Island is home to land tortoises, Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, turtles and blue-footed boobies. The island also has two volcanoes- Volcan Ecuador and Volcan Wolf.

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Santa Cruz Island

Many activities are on offer on this island including good hiking trails and popular attraction sites such as the Charles Darwin Research Station and Fausto Llerena Tortoise Centre. Also, much of the Galapagos Islands' famous wildlife can be seen.

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San Cristobal Island

San Cristobal Island is fifth largest island in Galapagos comprised of three or four extinct volcanoes. The island hosts Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos tortoises, blue and red footed boobies, marine iguanas, dolphins and tropical birds.

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Floreana Island

One of the Galapagos' most stunning islands and with the most interesting human history. Sites worth visiting include Devil’s Crown, a wonderland of marine life and a popular spot for snorkelling, as well as Cormorant Point and a flamingo lagoon.

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The Charles Darwin Research Station

The Charles Darwin Research Station is a biological research station and breeding centre. It features an information centre, a museum, library and breeding centre for Galapagos Tortoises and Land Iguanas. A must see for all visitors.

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Fernandina Island

Fernandina Island is the youngest island of the Galapagos Islands. One of the most popular site here is Punta Espinoza, a narrow stretch of land where hundreds of marine iguanas gather in large groups on black lava rocks. Flightless Cormorant can be seen.

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Our Vessels

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