How to visit the Galapagos? Well, the one approach not recommended is just to fly there and see what can be arranged on the spot! This may work for back-packers and leisure-seekers with plenty of time on their hands, but otherwise risks disappointment as cruises will probably be fully-booked or not match the traveler’s needs. The fact is that many boats, particularly those offering higher quality and service, are booked well in advance.

First, a Galapagos cruise involves the following:-

a) a 2 hour flight from Guayaquil or Quito to the Galapagos Islands (Baltra or San Cristobal)
b) paying Galapagos national park tax of $100 per person in cash on arrival at the airport
c) taking a cruise on a live-aboard yacht, or staying at a hotel and taking day tours

More than many destinations, there are several significant decisions which need to be made, and which can influence the trip’s enjoyment. This is important; the Galapagos are not easy to reach, and so this may possibly be your only visit! So here are the main choices:-

1) Hotel or yacht?
2) Yacht type?
3) Length of trip?
4) Time of year?
5) Charter or with others?

Choice 1: TYPE     Hotel and day tours, or a live-aboard boat?

a) Hotel and day tours by boat
This solution may be attractive for the budget traveler. It is not ideal for seeing the islands, as day trips only reach a couple of nearby islands. There are several hotels around Puerto Ayora on the island of San Cristobal, and all can arrange day trips in boats. These hotels tend to be small and family-run, due to the building restrictions in force on the island.

b) Live-aboard yacht
With a live-aboard yacht you cruise from island to island. It stops to disembark and visit different sites, and you sleep overnight on the boat whilst it is usually cruising to the next island. This has the great advantage of enabling a much longer itinerary For those who tend to suffer sea-sickness, there are effective palliatives, and there are times of the year to avoid when the sea can be less smooth. There are many different types of live-aboard.

Choice 2: BOAT TYPE    What type of live-aboard boat?

a) Smaller yachts, larger cruise ships
The only boats you can use are those licensed for operation in Galapagos. These do not include international yachts or cruise ships, which are not permitted to cruise the islands. Until a few years ago the Galapagos boats were broadly divided into two categories: large cruise ships taking up to 80-100 passengers, and smaller yachts and motor cruisers with up to 20 passengers. Recently an intermediate category has emerged, taking 40-50 passengers, which provides a compromise between size and intimacy.

There is a complete range, from 100 passenger ships down to 4-cabin boats, and from sailing yachts to motor cruisers. Look carefully at descriptions and pictures, and consider whether they fit with what you like. As generalities, smaller yachts tend to have smaller cabins, smaller groups per guide, and be more sensitive to sea conditions. Larger cruise ships have more activities, less intimacy, larger shore groups when visiting islands, and be slightly more regimented.

Sailing yachts provide a photogenic and attractive way to cruise around the islands, although this is not to everybody’s taste.

b) Quality & price
As expected, there are boats and prices to meet all wallets. Price and quality tend to go together. This should not be the only criterion, as satisfaction obviously also comes from the guide(s), crew and fellow passengers, as well as the island visits.

c) General & special interests
Most departures are aimed at general interests. For divers, photographers, naturalists, and birders, it is important to check that the boat – and the particular sailing – is suitable. It may even be worth chartering a boat for this (see below).

d) Family
Some boats and sailings are suitable for, and welcome, children. This is particularly the case with larger cruise ships, and a few operators are introducing a number of family-designated departures for smaller boats during the year. Another alternative is to charter a yacht. Generally children under 7 years are not allowed on the boats, as the restrictive regime of the nature reserve is not really suitable for them. Medical facilities on Galapagos are suitable only for first-aid, so you may need to return to the mainland in the event of medical problems.

Choice 3: LENGTH    3 nights, 4 nights, 7 nights, or longer?

Trips of varying duration are offered, the shortest being 3 nights. Shorter trips make sense if you are traveling within a tight budget, have limited time, or fear you will not enjoy a longer trip. Otherwise a week, or even longer, is really the ideal length. As each island differs in ecosystem, scenery and wildlife, this not only gives you time enough to see and enjoy the variety of Galapagos, but also lets you wind-down and recover from the time and effort you took to arrive in the first place. For a naturalist, birdwatcher, diver or photographer, a week is really a minimum.

You can combine 3 and 4 night itineraries on boats offering these to create a trip of 8 days/ 7 nights. This may be worthwhile if you really want that boat, or for budget reasons. Its disadvantage is that the boat has to return to its starting point to drop off and pick up passengers during the week, so that the itinerary covers fewer islands.

Choice 4: WHEN      Low or high season, rainy or dry season?

The high season is December to Easter, and June to August. Prices are higher than at low season, and typically coincide more with US and European vacation peaks than with Galapagos weather seasons. It is therefore worth studying to see what timing makes most sense for your trip, taking into account pricing and weather factors.

From a weather viewpoint there are two seasons, the rainy season from January to June, and the dry season June-December. Weather during the rainy season has warm sunny periods interspersed with showers and sometimes downpours. February is the hottest month during the year. Water temperatures are 23-24°C, best for diving and snorkeling.

The dry season is sunny, with some mist and is generally cooler. Wind makes the sea choppy increasingly from July to October and cools the water temperature to 20°C. From a wildlife viewpoint, breeding times vary but the wildlife is always present with the exception of the waved albatross, which leave in mid-December and return in late March.

Choice 5: OWN GROUP OR WITH OTHERS    Individual booking or charter?

Most boats are available for charter, as well as offering regular departures for individuals. Charter prices look expensive, but can be more economical if you have a group or large family. Pricing typically is such that it is cheaper to charter if you can fill more than 70-80% of the boat’s capacity. There are additional major advantages to chartering: you have the boat to yourselves, you can set your own routine, you may be able to adjust the itinerary with suitable advance notice, and you can involve a specially-selected guide or tour leader. (Note that all itineraries, and changes, must be given prior approval by the park authorities). For complete details go to our Galapagos Charters website.