Hints, Tips, and Hindsight

Hint, Tips, and Observations on Touring the Galapagos!!!

If you’re looking for the stereotypical cruising experience, the Galapagos is not for you. Don’t expect (large) ships with lots of on-board entertainment, casinos, formal dining rooms, or daily shopping excursions. If you’re interested in nature, the natural history of the islands, and/or photography then this is the place for you.

Disclaimer: I have been to the Galapagos once and so I have exactly ONE personal data point when it comes to my opinions and suggestions. I try to avoid voicing speculations when I have nothing to go on other than my own extrapolations or opinions I’ve read online. For example, I can’t give a valid opinion on what it would be like on 16 or 20 passenger ship. I confess that this in particular irks me when someone warns people to avoid large ships like the Endeavor when they’re only experience was on a 16 passenger vessel.

These topics are covered in the following pages:

Basic Information

The typical Galapagos visit consists of:
- a flight to Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador
- next day flight to the Galapagos
- visit multiple islands via ships carrying 16 to 100 passengers
- return flight to Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador
- fly home the next morning
Short trips of 3 or 4 days are available but I think the 7 day cruises are the minimum you should consider. There are land-based tours but those sound rather limited.

Most of the Galapagos is managed by the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS). They set strict rules as to tourist visitation.

Groups must be accompanied by a certified naturalist on GNPS controlled islands. A group can have up to 16 people.

All naturalists are trained by the GNPS. However the quality may vary from ship to ship as naturalists are identified as Level I, II, or III with III being the highest level.

Visitors are required to stay on designated trails or beach areas. In other words, you would follow the same path as other visitors from other boats.

It seems that island visits are timed to limit or eliminate groups running to each other. I can remember only one time where we crossed paths with a group from another ship. There might have been two or three times when we met another group from our own ship and that was because they were headed in the opposite direction.

There is no best time to visit; it’s always a good time. Obviously the time of year affects your trip in regards to weather, sea conditions, and animal activities. What you see and experience in December isn’t worse or better than June…it’s just different.

All ships, regardless of size, can visit the same islands. Until recently larger ships were not allowed at certain islands but that restriction has since been lifted