What to Consider When Booking a Galapagos Islands Cruise

There’s nowhere on earth more unique than the Galapagos Islands. This biodiverse archipelago, formed by millennia of volcanic activity, is positioned off the coast of Ecuador and is best explored on a small-ship expedition cruise. A cruise provides you with ample opportunity to hike, snorkel, or observe sea lions and giant tortoises, all led by your experienced naturalist guide. However, there are lots of factors to consider when booking a Galapagos Islands cruise, ensuring you plan an adventure that best suits your interests.

That being said, the Galapagos is amazing no matter when you go or what cruise you take! Each island offers spectacular scenery and wildlife, and if you're a bit flexible in terms of the factors below, then it'll be easy to find a cruise you'll love! And our team is always there to help you select the best possible cruise. 

To help you start planning, here are the main things to consider when planning a Galapagos Island trip!

1. Ship Size

When it comes to your Galapagos ship size, smaller is always the way to go! While you’ll find some ships that take up to 90 or 100 passengers, our preferred expedition vessels accommodate no more than 16-25 guests at most.

Smaller ships have many advantages - on a catamaran, for example, it’s easier to get into bays or inlets that larger ships cannot. You’ll also get to know your fellow passengers and expedition leaders much better as you share experiences together each day. Plus, small ships means loading and unloading to visit landing sites is much faster, giving you more time to enjoy each activity. 

As part of the strict tourism requirements on the islands, each group of no more than 16 passengers must be accompanied by a local naturalist guide at all times, which is why you’ll see many ships that take only 16 guests. With fewer people at each landing site, smaller ships always make for a more immersive, personalised experience.

2. Itinerary and Departure Date

Ships in the Galapagos generally all follow one (or more) set itineraries around the islands, visiting either the east, west, north or south islands. Due to strict regulations, each island can only be visited once within a 14-day period, which dictates the itineraries followed by all ships that operate here. This means your departure date, if it isn’t flexible, may dictate which itineraries are available on the days you have available to travel.

In fact, all island tourism is carefully managed by the Galapagos National Park and the International Galápagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA), ensuring your journey is sustainable and low impact.

When deciding on your itinerary,  consider which islands you’d like to visit, and research what each island on the itinerary is known for — this way, you'll be sure to plan a trip that you’ll love! You might find our Galapagos Islands brochure or our detailed Galapagos Islands guide helpful with your planning.

3. Galapagos Wildlife

The amazing and unique wildlife of the Galapagos varies from island to island — you may recall that the finches of the islands famously helped Darwin prove his theory of evolution when he visited in 1835.

You’re likely to be just as inspired by the flora and fauna of the Galapagos as Darwin was, so when planning your cruise, you'll be glad to know that some of the most popular species, including blue-footed boobies, tortoises, iguanas, and sea lions can be found on many landing sites across the islands you'll visit. 

However, if there's a specific animal or bird species that you're hoping to see, talk to your Destination Specialist or travel advisor before booking and they can ensure you're booked on a cruise that visits their habitat. 

4. Budget

Due to remoteness and strict environmental protections, the Galapagos can be an expensive destination to visit. If you’re willing to consider a shorter cruise, this can be more affordable than a longer cruise. Sometimes, you can also find substantial savings by booking far in advance or last minute - but the Chimu team has access to exclusive Galapagos deals, so reach out and we can help you find the best cruise for your budget.

5. Time of Year

What time of year is best to visit the Galapagos Islands? December through May is considered the peak season, as it often brings warm weather, calm seas, and wildlife is very active at this time. The hot summer months are also top choices for anyone wanting to snorkel or dive.

However, if you can’t visit during that time, it’s ok! The Galapagos are a year-round destination. June through November is the low season, also known as garua season. During this time, pricing can be a little lower, but this time of year may also bring cooler weather and light rains.

The low season does bring a fun surprise though - the Humboldt Current! It passes through the Galapagos in June and July, bringing with it a hive of marine life activity. It’s a great time to spot dolphins, whales, and penguins, with a wetsuit available for you if the water is chilly. This time of year also brings whale sharks, which are amazing to see. Generally, you'll also experience fewer crowds in garua season. 

No matter what time of year you visit, you’re sure to see something amazing! All of the major wildlife species, such as tortoises and marine iguanas, can be seen year-round, so time of year is more of a factor if you're planning to spend a lot of time swimming or snorkelling. 

6. Optional Activities

Once onboard, the choice of what to do is all yours - sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy the unique views, or dive straight into some of the ship’s optional activities!

Some of the most common activities include snorkelling, shore landings and cruises aboard a panga boat (small, inflatable zodiacs), and naturalist lectures or guided hikes. A small number of ships also offer scuba diving as an optional activity. 

Or, you may wish to do some stargazing, bird watching, or kayaking, with each day able to be as active or low-key as you like.

However, not all ships offer all activities, so be sure to select a ship that caters to your preferences. Also, note that some activities are included in your cruise fare, but others, like scuba diving, may sometimes accrue an additional cost.

7. Onboard Amenities

In addition to considering what you’d like to do on your cruise, spend some time thinking about what level of luxury and amenities you prefer. You can find luxury Galapagos cruises, high-end furnishings, to more relaxed and basic styles of accommodation. In terms of dining and dietary restrictions, all ships will offer delicious meals, and most can cater to various dietary needs, but be sure to confirm before you book. 

The onboard amenities will depend on your budget and preferred style of travel, but you definitely don’t need to sacrifice comfort to enjoy a Galapagos cruise!

Are you dreaming of a Galapagos Islands cruise? Whether you’re in the early stages of planning or are ready to book, our friendly and experienced team would be glad to help. Please contact us and we’re happy to talk you through our exclusive Galapagos deals.