The Galapagos Islands are one of the most remarkable destinations in the world and a must for wildlife enthusiasts. They are easily accessible with a 2 hours flight from mainland Ecuador.
There are two main different ways of exploring the Galapagos Islands. Either by Cruise around the Islands or on an island-hopping itinerary.
Each alternative provides different experiences. The cruise allows travelling to more remote areas as you sail while you sleep whereas an island-hopping itinerary gives more flexibility and is usually more affordable.
When it comes to comfort and budget, both alternatives have a wide range to choose from. Deluxe cruise for up to 16 passengers, stunning safari-style camps or laid-back B&B if that is what you are after.
Please see below a short description on every island, all of them with different flora and fauna. If there is a special place you would like to visit in the Galapagos, please contact us to find out which of our cruise boats includes that point and in which itinerary.
When to go to the Galapagos Islands?
The Galapagos Islands are a fabulous year-round destination.
– January to April are the warmer, wetter months. The islands are humid, and days can be hot, especially around noon. Temperatures range from 24°C-30°C with daytime temperatures up to around 29°C and the occasional shower.
– May to December are the drier, colder months. It is the time of the year where wildlife is at its best since most will be reproducing. The air temperature ranges from 23°C-28°C with July to September, typically experiencing more choppy and windy sea conditions.
Our Experts Choice:
– Española is the only place where the iconic waved albatross can be seen, visit between April and December for a chance to see their courtship display.
– San Cristobal is an excellent option for time-poor travellers, with direct flights to the mainland, a vast diversity of wildlife and some of the best snorkelling in the archipelago. What’s more, this is the only place in the islands where you’ll have the chance to see all three of the booby species in the same area.
– Love diving? For adventurous and certified divers ask us about adding the best diving sites within the Galapagos Islands during your cruise!
HIGHLIGHTS
Bartolome
Famous for Pinnacle Rock, the best-known landmark in the Galapagos Islands. Great snorkelling opportunities with Galapagos penguins, White-tipped reef sharks and playful Sea lions off a golden-sand beach at the foot of Pinnacle Rock.
Isabela
The largest of all the Galapagos Islands, the visiting areas include Tagus Cove & Darwin Lake, Urbina Bay, Punta Vicente Roca and six volcanos. Wildlife found in this island includes Galapagos Hawk, Cormorants, Frigatebirds: Great and Magnificent, Marine and Land Iguanas, Galapagos Giant tortoise, Brown Noddies, Blue-footed Booby, Nazca Booby, and American Flamingo. There are also great snorkelling sites to see green turtles, manta rays, sharks, seals, penguins and tropical fish.
Santa Cruz
Best Island for an Island-hopping program with plenty of sites to visit such as Dragon Hill, Breeding Center and Highlands. Also home to Pit Craters, Black Turtle Cove, Eden Islet and Bachas Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago. Several of the most iconic Galapagos wildlife such as American flamingo, Giant tortoises, Great Frigatebird and Magnificent Frigatebird, Marine Iguana and the Blue-Footed Booby can live here.
South Plaza
Sea lions, Swallow-tailed Gulls and Land iguanas are all present at the landing site. A carpet of a red succulent studded with Opuntia cacti covers the small island. At the cliff edge, you can see birds fly past at eye level in the updraught. These include frigatebirds, flocks of Galapagos shearwaters and Red-billed Tropicbirds.
Espanola
The southernmost island has a breath taking variety of flora and fauna. Giant tortoise, Red marine iguana, Darwin's finches and Hood mockingbirds, endemic to this particular island, are highlights. Here the only place where the iconic waved albatross can be seen, visit between April and December for a chance to see their courtship display.
North Seymour
One of the wealthiest central islands in terms of birdlife. It is a great spot to see both Magnificent and Great frigatebird males courting the females, Blue-footed boobies, Sea lions and Swallow-tailed Gulls.
Genovesa
An excellent island for birdwatchers; see the rare Red-footed booby, Nazca booby, Petrels, Swallow-tailed gulls, Great frigatebirds, Short-eared owls and the most unusual gull in the world, the Lava gull.
Fernandina
Astounding volcanic landscapes dotted with lava cacti. The Bolivar Channel is the best place in the Galapagos to see dolphins, whales and famous marine iguanas.
Floreana
Fascinating human history and famous Post Office Barrel established by whalers in 1793. Snorkel at Devil’s Crown and Champion Islet for a chance to see Green turtles, harmless White-tipped reef sharks, Stingrays, Spotted eagle rays, Galapagos penguins, Parrotfish, playful Sea lions and even Hammerhead sharks!
Rabida
It's an unpopulated island with red sand beach. It is home to Palo Santo forests and endemic cacti. It is also the only Galapagos site where the 9 Darwin's finches are found. Hundreds of sea lions formed a settlement together with a nesting colony of pelicans. Snorkelling here can be excellent, often with large schools of black-striped salemas, sea lions and the ubiquitous turtles.
Santiago
Sullivan Bay is a landscape and macro photographer’s dream due to the lava from the recent flow. Egas Port is home to Galapagos fur seals, American oystercatchers, sea lions, waders, herons, lava lizards and even Galapagos hawks.
Santa Fe
The oldest island of all Due to is geological nature and age; most of the animals on this island are endemic. Some iconic species are the Marine Iguana of Santa Fe, the Santa Fe Mockingbird, the Santa Fe rice Rat, the Santa Fe lizard, Frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, Sea lions, Marine iguanas, Swallow-tailed gulls, Snakes, Herons, Hawks, Sharks, and Rays.
San Cristobal
Tortoises wander in a semi-natural habitat in La Galapaguera, which lends itself to excellent photographic opportunities. Punta Pitt is the only place in the islands with a chance to see all three of the booby species (Nazca, Blue-footed and Red-footed) in the same place. Views are breathtaking.
