Best for those looking to experience one of the world’s most enthralling and sought-after wildlife destinations.
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Located some 1,000km off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands offer one of nature’s remarkable spectacles. This incredible archipelago is one of the world’s most enthralling and sought-after destinations. The best way to experience the Galapagos is on a cruise vessel with an onboard naturalist guide as sailing around the islands you will receive informative lectures between shore excursions. A cruise through the dramatic landscapes and spectacular natural diversity is an experience like no other. And, below the water, the Galapagos Islands teem with a diversity of life and beauty that is equal to anything found on land. This making snorkelling an enriching part of any Galapagos cruise.
The Island of Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos archipelago and is the main tourist hub for all the Galapagos. Its capital, Puerto Ayora, is the island’s largest city and is located on the southern coast. A short walk from the town centre is the Charles Darwin Research Centre. A visit here is included in most cruises and the centre provides environmental education as well as providing an insight into the evolution of flora and fauna and current conservation programs.
The seahorse-shaped Island of Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos archipelago, almost four times the size of the Island of Santa Cruz. Isabela is one of the youngest Galapagos islands and the location of one of the largest craters on the world. The island is also known for occasional volcanic activity. The island contains a huge diversity of wildlife including giant tortoises, penguins and iguanas.
With rocky plains and little vegetation, Espanola Island is one of the driest of the Galapagos Islands. Espanola has a huge diversity of iconic wildlife including blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises and Galapagos albatrosses, all of which make it an extremely popular inclusion for visitors. The island also has a number of sandy beaches making it a popular spot for visitors as well as sea lions and marine iguanas.
The Island of Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos archipelago and is the main tourist hub for all the Galapagos. Its capital, Puerto Ayora, is the island’s largest city and is located on the southern coast. A short walk from the town centre is the Charles Darwin Research Centre. A visit here is included in most cruises and the centre provides environmental education as well as providing an insight into the evolution of flora and fauna and current conservation programs.
The seahorse-shaped Island of Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos archipelago, almost four times the size of the Island of Santa Cruz. Isabela is one of the youngest Galapagos islands and the location of one of the largest craters on the world. The island is also known for occasional volcanic activity. The island contains a huge diversity of wildlife including giant tortoises, penguins and iguanas.
With rocky plains and little vegetation, Espanola Island is one of the driest of the Galapagos Islands. Espanola has a huge diversity of iconic wildlife including blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises and Galapagos albatrosses, all of which make it an extremely popular inclusion for visitors. The island also has a number of sandy beaches making it a popular spot for visitors as well as sea lions and marine iguanas.
The San Cristobal Island is one of the easternmost of all the islands. The island has fewer visitors than other islands and is considered a great start to any Galapagos itinerary. There is an excellent local information centre which provides a first-class source of knowledge about the Galapagos Islands. Amazingly, San Cristobal holds the only permanent freshwater source in the entire Galapagos archipelago. It is also perfect for independent explorers, as the island offers a number of areas which can be visited without the presence of a guide.
Located on the south east of the archipelago, Floreana Island has plenty of wildlife and landscapes to explore. The island is home to the legendary Post Office Bay. Established in 1793, whalers installed a wooden barrel for use as an unofficial mail box and letters were left with the hope that other ships would collect the letters and deliver them. Even today, visitors leave letters, and take any post they might be able to deliver themselves. The island is also home to some of the best snorkelling sites in the Galapagos.
Below the water, the Galapagos Islands teem with a diversity of life and beauty that is equal to anything found on land, making snorkelling an incredible activity from any of the Galapagos cruises. The clear, rich seas are home to equatorial penguins and sea lions, marine iguanas and dolphins, reef sharks and manta rays, all accessible and within easy reach of the shore.
At The Explorer Society, we are always discovering new pockets of wonder on our own adventures and through chats with our local logistics team. Get in touch with us to find out what hidden gems you might discover on your trip.
At The Explorer Society we firmly believe that there is no right or wrong time to go anywhere.
Instead, we think that each time of the year offers different experiences that better suit different travellers.
After all, high and low season often refers to the amount of travellers present, not whether something is ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
Warm temperatures in the Galapagos islands are fairly consistent throughout the year. This allows visitors to enjoy the region at the time that best suits them. However, as the Galapagos is such a popular destination, peak season can be very busy.
Cruising in the Galapagos can vary, with cruise boats offering three to seven night cruise itineraries. But, should you be opting for a hotel stay on Santa Cruz, then four or five days is most common. Allow 12 to 14 days if combining a Galapagos cruise with a mainland itinerary.
Everyone is different, so please note that these guidelines are general in nature.
Ultimately it will depend on your own expedition’s requirements.
Planning travel should be exciting, but it can be exhausting. There is so much information and so little clarity, you often end up more confused than when you began.
Sometimes it’s simple and easy to figure out. Sometimes it means asking you more questions and diving deep into your motivations.
We’ll walk you through the whole planning and booking process. We want to make sure you are travelling on the trip that best suits you, not anyone else.
We will be there from the first moment you get in touch until after you come back home with countless memories to share.
