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Adventure Cruises in Galapagos
Explore the amazing Galapagos Islands aboard a small ship cruise. Discover the birthplace of Darwins 'Theory of Evolution'.
A Galapagos small ship cruise should be high on most people's 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 you will gain access to some of the best visitor sites, most of which are close to bigger cruise ships.
To preserve the natural beauty of the Galapagos Islands, the Galapagos National Park has 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 12 - 100 passengers, ensuring a more personalized service and experience.
The Galapagos Islands were first made famous when British scientist Charles Darwin based his ‘Theory of Evolution’ on his findings there. Made up of a cluster of around 13 volcanic islands, around 95% of this area is now part of the Galapagos National Park system and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A Galapagos cruise will offer a truly unique experience. From the stunning landscapes, which look like something from the Jurassic Age, to the endemic wildlife with up to 26 species native to these islands and in their natural habitat, there is nowhere else on earth like the Galapagos Islands.
Best Galapagos Tours
While there are many things to see and do in the Galapagos, some of the best Galapagos tours involve visiting the below destinations;
Baltra Island - The home of the first airport in the Galapagos Islands, Baltra Island is where many Galapagos cruises start and finish.
Charles Darwin Research Station - Located close to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island airport, a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station is usually at the start or the end of the trip. The station is an information center, library, museum, and breeding ground for tortoises that will be introduced into the wild.
Tortuga Bay - located on Santa Cruz Island- gets its name from the black sea turtles that lay their eggs here. With a beautiful white sandy beach, Tortuga Bay also offers amazing snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands.
Darwin Bay - located on Genovesa Island, this white sand coral beach is a great place to snorkel and appreciate the abundant wildlife in the water. Darwin Bay is the perfect way to see amazing wildlife up close!
El Chato Tortoise Reserve - Also located in Santa Cruz, the El Chato Tortoise Reserve is divided into 2 areas, Chato & Caseta. During the dry season, the reserve offers visitors the chance to observe Giant Tortoises in the wild.
Floreana Island - located at the south of the Galapagos Islands, Floreana is home to the ‘Post Office Bay’, where whalers placed an unofficial post box in the hope their letters would get sent home, as well as a great place to spot flamingos and sea turtles.
Isabela Island - the largest island in the archipelago, Isabela was formed by 5 young volcanoes joining together. With extensive lava fields in the north, dense vegetation, and unique red mangroves in the south, Isabela Island offers many great visitor sites in the Galapagos.
Best Time to Cruise Galapagos
Due to its proximity to the equator, the Galapagos Islands see very little rainfall, and there is no best time to visit the Galapagos Islands to see wildlife. The area has 2 main seasons: the warm, wet season from late December to June or the cool, dry season from July to early December, which means there are amazing Galapagos itineraries year-round. Galapagos in January - May is the time when green sea turtles and marine and land iguanas start nesting. In contrast, June marks the start of when California Sea Lions start breeding, August for Fur Seals to start breeding, and tortoises in Santa Cruz island to lay eggs in the wild. Nutrient-rich waters from the strong Humboldt current in August offer excellent opportunities to snorkel with sea lion pups. Dolphin and whale spotting is very common in September & November on the crossing to Fernandina Island, and December marks the start of the warm season in the Galapagos and offers many wildlife encounters. Many wildlife species breed and nest year-round, such as the red-footed and masked boobies, flightless cormorants, penguins, and greater flamingoes.
With the Galapagos Islands being hugely popular, it’s recommended to plan ahead for your Galapagos trip, as spaces can fill up fast.
How to get to the Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are located in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, 600 miles (1000km) off the coast of Ecuador in South America. International flights will usually arrive at either Quito or Guayaquil international airports located on the Ecuadorian mainland. Direct flights from US cities are available, as well as from some European cities. A domestic flight from Quito or Guayaquil is required to get to the Galapagos Islands. These flights are usually not included in the advertised tour cost but can be arranged when booking with Liveaboard.com. It is strongly advised that you make your domestic travel arrangements at the time of booking your Galapagos cruise so that you ensure you arrive on time for the cruise departure.
Where do Galapagos Cruises depart from?
Most Galapagos cruises will either depart from Baltra Island, San Cristobal Island, where 2 domestic airports are located or Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz). Your cruise operator will then arrange to collect you from the airport and take you to your ship.
Very few boats sail directly from Ecuador, as most of the action and adventure lies within the Galapagos Islands themselves, so you will get more out of your trip if you start it in the heart of the action.
Galapagos Cruise Tips
When planning your Galapagos trip, there are a few things to take into consideration...when to book? how many days? what to take? etc. Below are some tips to help you to get the most out of your trip of a lifetime;
Plan ahead - To avoid disappointment, planning your Galapagos Small Ship cruise well ahead of time is best. Most Galapagos yachts sell out at least 6 months in advance, so try to book early. That being said, sometimes there are good deals due to cancellations. So if you are planning a spur-of-the-moment Galapagos cruise, it’s a good idea to check for some last-minute Galapagos cruise deals. This is one way to see Galapagos on a budget, but you risk the chance of the cruises being sold out.
Arrive early - it is recommended to try and arrive at least 1 to 2 days before your cruise departure date in case of flight delays. The last thing you want is to miss a few days of your long-awaited Galapagos cruise and have to join the tour later.
Choosing the right trip - As mentioned earlier, yachts are restricted from returning to the same visitor site within 14 days. For that reason, you will see many different itineraries, ranging from East, West, North, South, A, and B. Most boats have put a lot of effort into scheduling the itineraries, so no matter which one you pick, you will have a memorable experience. Galapagos itineraries can be as short as 4 days, but most are 8 days long. However, the best way to see the Galapagos and all it has to offer is to do 2 back-to-back, 7-night itineraries; his way, you will cover most of the islands and visitor sites. Various boat sizes are available for cruising the Galapagos Islands. See our Best Small Ship Cruises in Galapagos page for more information.
Cruises versus Island Hopping - While you can still explore some of the visitor sites and islands of the Galapagos by staying in a hotel and moving from island to island, only a few areas in the Galapagos National Park are accessible by day boat. Taking a liveaboard is the only real way to explore the 40 National Park landing sites, with the added benefit of arriving early before anyone else arrives.
What to pack - While on your Galapagos expedition, there are a few things you want to take with you to get the most enjoyment out of your Galapagos cruise. A good, comfortable pair of hiking or walking shoes is essential for the trails you will explore. The second set of waterproof type sandals is also ideal for beach walks and wet landings from the panga. Regarding clothing, you don’t need to worry about bringing too much. It’s recommended to bring a light raincoat or poncho, sunglasses, a hat, a lightweight sweater for cooler evenings, mosquito repellant, and some long, lightweight clothing for sun protection. Also, a good SPF is essential because the Galapagos Islands are close to the equator. For the evenings, the dress code varies from boat to boat, but at the most will be smart-casual.
Snorkeling Gear - most Galapagos yachts will provide a full set of snorkel gear, but it is recommended that if you do have your own, and it is comfortable, then take it with you. Particularly if you have your mask or you need a prescription mask. Wetsuits are generally not included in the cost of the trip, and it can be a good idea to arrange to rent one of these to keep you warm in the water and to protect you from the sun.
Galapagos Travel Advice - You will need a valid passport to visit the Galapagos, with at least 6 months still available. Most countries do not require a visa to enter Ecuador, but checking with your local embassy before making travel arrangements is a good idea. The local currency is the US dollar, but most yachts accept major credit cards. If taking cash, try to bring smaller notes, as many restaurants and stores do not accept $100 bills. It is also recommended to bring US$ cash to tip the guides and crew aboard your Galapagos cruise.
Book your next Galapagos cruise adventure to the amazing Galapagos Islands online today.
Galapagos Reviews
- 9.1 Superb
- 165 Verified Reviews
Wish I could spend more time!
Cruising Galapagos in March on the Nemo III
We would highly recommend the Legend. We are prone to seasickness, so we took a large boat. I don't think we missed out on anything compared to the smaller boats except the ship had to anchor a little further out than the smaller boats and tender us in to shore.We also spent 5 days on land based activities in the Galapagos after the cruise. You will see much more wildlife cruising and visiting the uninhabited islands than you will visiting the human-populated islands.
Cruising Galapagos in March on the Galapagos Legend
5 star! We absolutely loved it
Cruising Galapagos in March on the Infinity
This trip was definitely a bucket list trip and it did not disappoint! We look forward to returning soon to visit the other islands....
Cruising Galapagos in July on the Monserrat
Wonderful, amazing adventure. I would recommend it to all my friends.
Cruising Galapagos in September on the Galapagos Legend
Snorkeling was good lots of fish decent visibility
Cruising Galapagos in February on the Natural Paradise
Didn't dive on this trip, but snorkeling certainly met our expectations. Conditions on the last few days of the trip weren't too good due to low visibility, but the first several sessions were wonderful. Wish I had seen more sharks and hammerheads especially.
Cruising Galapagos in February on the Grand Majestic
Didn’t dive but the snorkeling was fabulous.
Cruising Galapagos in March on the EcoGalaxy
Excellent - lots of sitings of the 2 dozen or so must see animals. Even had over 100 galapagos sharks circling the boat one night chasing flying fish.
Cruising Galapagos in April on the Natural Paradise
The winds reduced visibility a bit, but I would do it all again in a heartbeat!
Cruising Galapagos in May on the Archipel I
We did not dive. Snorkeling was such a fun adventure that allowed us to see many marine animals in the wild!
Cruising Galapagos in June on the Infinity
We only snorkeled but that was the highlight of the trip for us. Outstanding adventure!
Cruising Galapagos in June on the Galaxy
Not being a diver or snorkeler it was a wonderful introduction to the activity.
Cruising Galapagos in September on the Fragata
Loved it - everyday we saw new wildlife. It was incredible how unafraid the wildlife was of humans which allowed for relatively close & extended contact with the wildlife. Travel between the islands was very enjoyable on the Nemo III which is a sailing catamaran. The boat had tons of open space on deck for watching the landscape go by and for spotting marine animals i.e. dolphins & whales. Great trip - would highly recommend
Cruising Galapagos in October on the Nemo III
The entire trip to the Galapagos was amazing. If you like to see and engage with wildlife in the natural setting, the Galapagos is the place to do it. So much to see and experience.
Cruising Galapagos in October on the Fragata
no diving just snorkeling, great
Cruising Galapagos in November on the Eden
the entire small cruise ship experience was incredible
Cruising Galapagos in December on the Golondrina
It was ok, a little too cold for my tastes
Cruising Galapagos in December on the Anahi
Snorkeling was amazing
Cruising Galapagos in January on the Natural Paradise
Snorkeling was a highlight for me.
Cruising Galapagos in January on the Natural Paradise
The snorkeling was an incredible experience for the sheer amount of fish that can be observed.
Cruising Galapagos in January on the Calipso
Fabulous!
Cruising Galapagos in February on the Infinity
Absolutely Incredible! So many cool animals and experiences
Cruising Galapagos in February on the Archipel I
We only snorkeled but it was really great!
Cruising Galapagos in March on the Eden
Fantastic. Hopefully we will return again one day. Highly recommended.
Cruising Galapagos in March on the Archipel I
We haven’t dived yet but our snorkeling experiences were wonderful, a very vibrant marine life exists and you get to see so much from on top of the water
Cruising Galapagos in April on the Bonita
Heaven!!!!!
Cruising Galapagos in April on the Galapagos Legend
snorkeled only. Absolutely wonderful experience swimming with the sea lions, turtles, penguins and beautiful tropical fish.
Cruising Galapagos in April on the Yolita
other than the freezing water the snorkeling was excellent
Cruising Galapagos in May on the EcoGalaxy
The snorkeling was superb overall, though there were days when the water conditions were not ideal.
Cruising Galapagos in May on the Galaxy
no diving but the snorkels rivalled most of the dives I've been on lately....
Cruising Galapagos in June on the Galaxy
We did not dive. We were on a snorkel boat. The snorkeling was unbelievable! And I always felt safe because the guide was always in the water with us, and the two dingys were close by with two crew members available to pick you up with the wave of a hand.
Cruising Galapagos in July on the Galapagos Sea Star
Not enough variety of wildlife
Cruising Galapagos in September on the Alya
Did not dive, only snorkeling once or twice a day with great experiences. Separately, for some reason you didn't ask about Santa Cruz island, but I can say the time seeing giant tortoises at El Chata ranch was very special and I think s highlight of anyone's trip to the Galapagos.
Cruising Galapagos in September on the Reina Silvia Voyager
Was not so fun! Did it once and can’t tolerate the cold water that it affects my breathing. Maybe I’ll come back during warm weather, water might be a little warm!
Cruising Galapagos in September on the Galaxy
We snorkeled rather than diving, and the experience was a bit mixed. We had some days with rough water and poor visibility, but other days that were perfect. We saw sea lions, turtles, penguins, and marine iguanas in addition to the usual cast of fish.
Cruising Galapagos in September on the Alya
WE did Snorkling and I felt safe and adventurous. Saw amazing fish and shore life.
Cruising Galapagos in September on the Natural Paradise
Snorkeling was great on all days! The best was the snorkel at Devils Crown where a huge pod of dolphins played around the catamaran and also escorted us during our snorkel event! We also saw some whales!!! GREAT EXPERIENCE!
Cruising Galapagos in October on the Alya
We didn't dive on Grand Majestic - but the snorkeling and land excursions were perfect!
Cruising Galapagos in October on the Grand Majestic
I came for the animals as well as the history. Our guide was great with the animal information but he missed on a few of the historical places (mentioned above). After iguanas on every island, you tend to ignore them after a while. Snorkeling was good but again, it was almost the same species at each snorkel site. Too much of any animal, fish, etc. can get old. We stopped on Isabella Island multiple times to the exclusion of other islands. Not sure if we missed anything on the other islands or not, just making a note. Overall, I really enjoyed the entire experience and will highly recommend it others. Thank you! (I am hoping I got my info right on these stops as they are not in the order we did them so my notes may be off a bit.)
Cruising Galapagos in October on the Golondrina
It was great snorkeling. Water is cold after about 30 min.
Cruising Galapagos in November on the Solaris
Next time I would take a nicer boat but like I said staff was wonderful.
Cruising Galapagos in December on the Golondrina
We snorkeled. The water was cold on the west end of the island chain but that’s where we had the best experience and interaction.
Cruising Galapagos in January on the Grand Majestic
Overall, it was a very good experience. We learned a lot about flora and fauna of Galapagos while enjoying all the fun activities
Cruising Galapagos in January on the Galaxy
We toured the southern islands and all excursions were fantastic! We kept thinking the next island couldn't get any better than the last one, then it did.
Cruising Galapagos in January on the Samba
When the currents were strong the visibility was bad, but most of the time it was really enjoyable. Only needed a wetsuit half of the time.
Cruising Galapagos in February on the Natural Paradise
We did not dive, but snorkeled which was amazing! Many turtles, rays, fish, sharks! Also pods of dolphins, killer whales!
Cruising Galapagos in February on the Passion
A trip of a lifetime, absolutely amazing, weather was great, sea was calm most of the time. Staff and boat both exceeded expectations
Cruising Galapagos in February on the Reina Silvia Voyager
We are world travelers- this trip has been the best we’ve ever taken. Be prepared! It is HOT and the islands treks are long and often rocky. The itinerary pace is extreme. There is very little down time. Everyday you are off the vessel by 8. Often by 6:30. Be prepared - while the ship is a luxury vessel - the activities can be taxing.
Cruising Galapagos in April on the Alya
Warm water, pretty clear, playful penguins, what could be better! ( I was snorkeling not diving)
Cruising Galapagos in April on the Bonita
We loved all aspects of our cruise except one night of unavoidable rocky seas. We enjoyed 8 days (no regrets) but would have been satisfied with 5 days as things began to repeat.
Cruising Galapagos in April on the Natural Paradise
Overall the excursions were informative & very interesting and fun!
Cruising Galapagos in May on the EcoGalaxy
The snorkeling was really good, clear waters, an abundance of sea life, the different locations with there unique qualities and creatures. Don't remember the excursions on each island. But overall it was one of the best adventures of our lives!
Cruising Galapagos in June on the Reina Silvia Voyager
Very educational and interesting
Cruising Galapagos in July on the Passion
Only went snorkeling. Snorkeling is meh; I've seen much better in Caribbean and Hawaii
Cruising Galapagos in August on the Solaris
Great experience.. good combination with walking, hiking, beach, snorkelling, visiting with Zodiacs and swimming :-) Our guide Enrique was great! We even could use the kayak and the SUP. After each excursion we were welcomed back with a special drink and snacks...
Cruising Galapagos in July on the Endemic
Amazing, so much wildlife and very close encounters
Cruising Galapagos in December on the Nemo III
Excellent. Good planning and very good time when we come back to the boat.
Cruising Galapagos in February on the Galapagos Sea Star
it is very very good
Cruising Galapagos in March on the Golondrina
It was an incredible vacation. The captain of Nemo2 was great, the naturalist Marcus was enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. The ship was great, we enjoyed the small group environment. Thank you !
Cruising Galapagos in April on the Nemo II
Did not dive but great snorkeling
Cruising Galapagos in May on the Grace
Snorkelling was incredible
Cruising Galapagos in May on the EcoGalaxy
Really good BUT for us it was the snorkelling that made it exceptional
Cruising Galapagos in May on the Tip Top II
Excellent. Very comfortable way to explore the Galapagos.
Cruising Galapagos in November on the Grand Majestic
I was all very good. It’s an easy and relaxed way to get around. Every thing is maded for the gests. Don’t have to anything just enjoy.
Cruising Galapagos in December on the Fragata
Increíble!
Cruising Galapagos in December on the Monserrat
Overall, cruising in Galapagos is truly an amazing experience. We have traveled and sailed in other parts of the world, but nothing can compare to experiencing wildlife as you are able to do on Galapagos Islands while learning from professional and experienced Naturalists, there to answer any question you may have about what you see or hear. Each Island has it's own unique experience to offer from geology, history, flora, fauna and sea life - fantastic!!
Cruising Galapagos in February on the Nemo II
I highly recommend visiting the Galápagos Islands, once in a lifetime experience ! And I think the best way the visit is on a cruise ship! You get to see so much !
Cruising Galapagos in September on the Calipso
Only snorkeled but was very good
Cruising Galapagos in November on the Treasure of Galapagos
It was a nice expirence - water is cold and muddy.
Cruising Galapagos in November on the Bonita
Very good even if i would have appreciated to do the tunnels
Cruising Galapagos in February on the Cachalote Explorer
Snorkeling was as amazing as the excursions on land!
Cruising Galapagos in May on the Nemo II
We covered alot of area, and were kept nicely busy learning something every day, The trip certainly exceeded our expectations.
Cruising Galapagos in June on the Nemo II
We did not dive, but enjoyed our snorkelling experiences. The wet suits kept us warm and they were very buoyant. We saw so much marine life, tropical fish, sea stars, sea lions frolicking, marine iguanas feasting, sea turtles in abundance, sharks, stingrays, penguins….a sea lion catching a parrot fish, amazing!
Cruising Galapagos in June on the Passion
Snorkeling was fantastic.
Cruising Galapagos in July on the Golondrina
We have seen so many different islands, fantastic beaches, volcanic landscapes. It was impressive.
Cruising Galapagos in August on the Golondrina
Every island we visited and every activity we participated in helped to make our 6 day cruise in Galapagos one of the best trips our family has ever taken. Galapagos is one of the most amazing places on earth and our cruise with Alya was a fantastic way to experience it.
Cruising Galapagos in August on the Alya
interesting and fun
Cruising Galapagos in September on the Galapagos Legend
They were well organized with full wet suits, masks etc. We were given free reign with a good overview for safety. For me, the water was still to cold and tended to be murky and too few fish.Others took full advantage of the many opportunities and enjoyed finding the sharks, rays, etc. .
Cruising Galapagos in September on the Galaxy
The snorkeling was excellent but some spots had more of a « deep sea » feel, which was frightening and exciting at the same time. The crew makes us feel very secure at all times so you really enjoy your experience. Plenty of wildlife to see underwater : penguins, sea lions, rays, sharks, turtles and all the colorfull fish!
Cruising Galapagos in October on the Alya
We did snorkel on a lot of different places. On some we were lucky on other less. But all by all seem a lot of different locations with a wide variety
Cruising Galapagos in April on the Golondrina
We didn’t dive but the snorkelling was wonderful, felt at times like swimming in an aquarium!
Cruising Galapagos in June on the Bonita
I’ve never snorkelled before, but it was all straightforward and very enjoyable
Cruising Galapagos in August on the Solaris
Amazing
Cruising Galapagos in September on the Solaris
Fantastic for all the islands - the different unique environments for each one was so interesting.
Cruising Galapagos in October on the Bonita
We saw whales, dolphins, manta ray
Cruising Galapagos in November on the Nemo II