Wondering how to choose the best Galapagos cruise? The experts at AdventureSmith Explorations have years of experience answering this question and booking travelers on the best Galapagos tours for their interests, ability and budget. To find your own best, follow our tips. We are here to help with honest, unbiased opinions and expert advice along the way.
ON THIS PAGE – How to Choose the Best Galapagos Cruise:
1. Plan Ahead
2. Determine the Best Galapagos Cruise Itinerary
3. Choose Your Ship
4. Consider Your Special Interests
5. Choose When to Go
6. Ask an Expert or Past Traveler
1. Plan Ahead for the Best Cruise to Galapagos
The number one step in seeking the best cruise to Galapagos is to plan ahead. The Galapagos Islands are one of the most spectacular and remote locations on Earth. Visitation is limited by the national park, vessels are small and cabins fill up fast. Thus, many Galapagos cruises are often sold out 6 to 9 months in advance, with holidays booked out more than 12 months in advance. For the best Galapagos cruise selection, advance reservations are encouraged, and often required.
Planning ahead also allows for the excitement of anticipation. While a last-minute trip is better than no trip, it’s certainly more fun to have the time to learn about this enchanting destination and feel the flutter of anticipation longer.
Planning ahead also often equates to savings due to early-booking deals. See our Galapagos cruise deals for more tips and the latest savings.
2. Determine the Best Galapagos Cruise Itinerary
How to decide which Galapagos Islands to visit? With 13 major islands in the archipelago, each offering a unique mix of wildlife, it can be dizzying to figure out the best Galapagos cruise itinerary. We actually advise not getting too hung up on a particular itinerary, but to instead focus on your cruise length. If you choose at least an 8 day cruise, you are sure to see a great, wide variety of Galapagos habitats and species. And if you stay longer than 8 days, you don’t have to really focus on the itinerary at all!
Why? The Galapagos National Park dictates sailing schedules and landing sites over a 15-day circuit to protect this treasured, pristine archipelago. Thus, among your choice of itineraries you will find more or less the same sites visited, just in different patterns. For the most comprehensive Galapagos cruise, choose a two-week, 15-day itinerary (all have no repeated landing sites), but there are a range of longer options between 8 and 15 days.
Choose at least an 8-day cruise if you wish to experience a wider variety of Galapagos habitats and species.
If you choose any cruise fewer than 8 days, carefully consider what islands and experiences are important to you. Shorter cruises will inevitably miss out on some species. It is important to consult with a Galapagos cruise expert who has been to the islands and knows the landing sites and general regions. They will match you with the right Galapagos cruise for your interest, ability and budget. For further information about where to see certain species, read our Galapagos Islands Animals post, which covers where, when and how to spot the top endemic species.
3. Choose Your Galapagos Ship
As we noted above, the best Galapagos cruise is a longer one. So if you are not limited by a short itinerary, the best tactic in deciding how to choose the best Galapagos cruise is to pick your ship first.
Below, we’ve separated Galapagos ships into three categories: small yachts and sailboats carrying 8-32 passengers, mid-size cruisers carrying 40-60 passengers and small ships carrying 60-100 passengers.
Choosing your vessel should be determined by many factors, but one key thing to keep in mind: Shore groups are limited to 16 people by the Galapagos National Park to minimize the impact to the environment and preserve a wilderness experience for the visitor. So even aboard a 100-passenger ship, you will still explore the islands up close in a small group with a trained naturalist guide.
Yachts & Sailboats
Smaller yachts and sailboats carrying 14 to 36 guests can vary considerably in price and amenities from rustic floating base camps to luxurious yachts that will satisfy the most refined travel styles. They offer the most intimate experience with the most time ashore. It is easier to get 16 travelers ashore in one group than it is to ferry 100 passengers ashore in multiple groups.
The tradeoff is that these boats are smaller. They have smaller cabins, bathrooms, dining room and deck space, and there are not as many public places to go for a private moment. However, travelers aboard small yachts and sailboats often comment that getting to know their fellow passengers and crew is one of the highlights of the trip.
Sailboats like the 16-guest Mary Anne are popular in the Galapagos Islands, but keep in mind that ocean currents and wind conditions are such that most transit is done under motor power. Sailboats are the smallest boats in the Galapagos and many have bunk beds instead of lower beds.
The sister ships Coral I & II and the Letty are the most popular mid-priced yachts. The Grace, Evolution, Aqua Mare and Origin/Theory/Evolve are luxury yachts for those who want to see the Galapagos in style.
Mid-Sized Cruisers
Mid-sized cruisers carrying 40-60 passengers offer the efficiency and intimacy of a small yacht combined with the space and amenities typically found on a larger Galapagos ship. They often have larger cabins, spacious bathrooms, ample deck space, delicious cuisine, a high crew-to-passenger ratio and excellent guides. There are multiple decks where you can always find a moment to watch the sunset and enjoy the solitude.
Mid-sized Galapagos ships offer ample time ashore. They have efficient landing systems with multiple shore craft to ferry hikers to the trail or to snorkel in speed and comfort. At this ship size, added activity options like glass-bottom boats can be found aboard.
The La Pinta and Isabela II combine elegance and adventure while the National Geographic Islander II’s Wild Galapagos Escape Cruise offers the region’s finest expedition leaders from National Geographic.
Small Ships
Because mega cruise ships are not allowed in the Galapagos, small ships carrying 60-100 passengers are the largest to cruise the region. These ships are the most stable, so they are the best Galapagos cruise option for travelers concerned about seasickness.
They are also very appealing for families with children because some offer adjoining cabins and additional cabin space, as well as more chances to have other families aboard. Single travelers can also look to larger vessels for more single-occupancy cabin options.
Galapagos small ships offer a variety of cabin categories from affordable with portholes to elegant with balconies. Usually there are multiple decks, vistas, libraries and salons where you can mingle with other guests or find space for yourself.
Each small ship has a unique personality and appeals to a certain clientele. The Legend and Santa Cruz II are popular and affordable, and the National Geographic Endeavour II features expedition leaders and lecturers from National Geographic.
Considerations on the Best Cruise Line for Galapagos
Among the many ship examples listed above, you can also compare Galapagos cruises by seeking the best cruise line match for your trip. Galapagos cruise lines vary from single-ship operations to multi-ship fleets. Some focus on culinary and luxury touches, while others hone in on being the best cruise line for Galapagos education or sustainability. And others have longevity and owners from the Galapagos Islands.
One Galapagos cruise line, Lindblad Expeditions, stands above the rest in terms of onboard programs and naturalist guides. In addition to guides employed by the Galapagos National Park, they employ a wide range of experts from National Geographic. Lindblad cruises aboard the National Geographic Endeavour II and National Geographic Islander II (Wild Galapagos Escape Cruise) appeal to travelers willing to pay a premium for an intellectual and educational experience with National Geographic in the Galapagos Islands.
Rest assured though that if you are booking a cruise with AdventureSmith, we have done the initial homework on each operator. And we regularly inspect all our Galapagos cruise lines. Furthermore, we often specifically choose our Galapagos partners with guides in mind. Knowing that the experience and demeanor of your Galapagos cruise guide will have a profound impact on your overall experience, it remains one of our top considerations when vetting our best cruise lines for the Galapagos. In general, as with many industries, you will find that the most experienced guides work aboard the nicest ships. These ships have higher prices, which translates into more tips for the best guides.
4. Consider Your Special Interests to Further Compare Galapagos Cruises
Even if you’ve narrowed down your ship or general ideal itinerary, it can still be overwhelming. We advise next considering your special interests and travel needs to find the best Galapagos cruises for your group to choose from.
By this we mean, considering your group size, ages of travelers, if you plan to also travel by land, your activity interests, how customized you like to travel, and so on. These considerations can help you compare Galapagos cruises to hone in on the perfect match.
Upfront, know that a few things are common to all archipelago cruises:
- daily guided shore excursions in small groups to explore the islands and experience wildlife up close
- disembarking the ship twice daily for landings or exploration by pangas (dinghies)
- breakfast, lunch and dinner served on board
- snorkeling as an included activity
With that in mind, you can aim to figure out what makes some cruises and ships unique. For example, some ships may include photography courses, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and/or glass-bottom boat rides. Glass-bottom boats are a special added bonus if anyone in your group is not comfortable snorkeling, since the underwater experience is integral in the Galapagos. Ships with this added activity option will offer the best cruise to the Galapagos for anyone not able to get in the water.
Traveling with a family? Not all ships are created equal for Galapagos family cruises. The best cruises to Galapagos for families often tack on extra kid-specific programming, menus and/or themed departures. You can also look for ships with triple- or quadruple-occupancy options, extra space and/or interconnected cabin doors. Or perhaps you want less (or more) time at port in towns? Many families consider a Galapagos Islands yacht charter for even more flexibility and customization. For many, the best Galapagos cruise itinerary is one they can help design themselves!
Budget is also a special interest to consider, whether you are on the spectrum of seeking a Galapagos luxury cruise or the best Galapagos cruise deal. When booking your trip, obviously be smart about your finances, but also keep in mind that the sweetness of low cost can easily be overshadowed by a bad trip or a mismatch for your travel interests. The Galapagos is a place filled with unusual wildlife experiences that you won’t find anywhere else. And booking your passage with reputable guides and sustainable operations is paramount. Do what you can to budget for this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
5. Choose When to Go
Next up in how to choose the best Galapagos cruise is often deciding when to go. This deciding factor can sometimes help you choose your itinerary, especially if you are very specific on your wildlife wish list. But since the Galapagos is a year-round, warm destination on the equator, you can really go anytime and have fun and see lots of wildlife. There is no hurricane season to consider and it’s extremely rare to encounter stormy conditions, so really you are just looking at averages for rainfall and water temperature. If you are susceptible to sea sickness, you can also try to time that. Increased tradewinds during the cooler months (June through November) can bring increased chop on open-water crossings. So the best Galapagos cruises for you might fall in the summer or early fall. Read our best time to visit Galapagos, a handy Galapagos cruise guide to understand more about the Galapagos climate, wildlife and occurrences by month. Or visit our guide to what’s new for 2022 Galapagos cruises.
6. Ask an Expert or Past Traveler
There are now countless Galapagos cruise and travel review websites on the internet. Many offer honest advice, but many need to be taken with a grain of salt. Use Galapagos reviews as a tool but don’t rush to judgment when you read a poor review. Often this is a result of a mismatch between the style of the traveler and the type of cruise they were on. The best Galapagos cruise review is a personal referral. Ask your booking agent if he/she can put you in touch with someone who has traveled to the Galapagos with similar interests as you or aboard the boat you are inquiring about. Reputable Galapagos agencies will gladly refer their past clients. To learn more and research what our past clients say, view our Galapagos cruise reviews.
Most important, speak with an experienced Galapagos expert to receive a curated recommendation of best Galapagos cruises. AdventureSmith Explorations employees are award-winning Galapagos small ship cruise specialists with a focus on guided small group nature tours and custom travel for individuals, couples, families and small groups. Our staff has decades of experience guiding, arranging and selling wilderness adventures. We offer firsthand knowledge, personal service, sustainable practices and unbeatable prices, and can match you with the best Galapagos cruise for your travel needs.
MORE GALAPAGOS RESOURCES:
Galapagos Cruises
Galapagos Cruise Deals
Galapagos Islands Yacht Charters
Galapagos Luxury Cruises
Galapagos Family Cruises
Galapagos Diving
Galapagos Island Hopping or Cruise?
Best Time to Visit Galapagos
How to Get to Galapagos
Galapagos Islands Animals
Galapagos Trips
Galapagos Tours
Galapagos Cruise Reviews
Galapagos Travel Guide
If you’ve gotten this far reading, you now know that since each traveler is unique, there’s truly no single best Galapagos cruise. It’s all about finding your match! If you have questions about our tips on the best Galapagos cruises, please use the comments below. If you are interested in booking a Galapagos cruise, please contact us for a more personalized recommendation.
Comments will be moderated and will appear after they have been approved.
Hello! We are going to Salinas for a wedding. Is there a way to get to Galapagos straight from Salinas without having to travel back to Guayaquil?
Hi Jeanette,
You will have to travel back to Guayaquil. All air travel to the Galapagos is routed through Guayaquil and Quito airports. You’ll find our blog how to get to the Galapagos Islands especially helpful as it discusses flights, airlines, and timing in great detail. Our experts travel to the Galapagos frequently. Contact us for a free quote and to begin planning your Galapagos trip.
Hi there my husband and I together with our 16 yr old son would like to visit the Galápagos Islands in June or July 2019 . I would prefer a small cruise however I don’t know if a triple cabin would be available . We would like to maximize our experience so we prepared to do a longer cruise but I am worried about my motion sickness.
What would you suggest?
Kind Regards Cristina
Hello Cristina,
Sounds like an excellent family trip! Our Adventure Specialists are well versed in the different cabin configurations available on ships in the Galapagos Islands and can talk you through the options for triple cabins, single cabins and/or other family-friendly cabins. You are smart to go for a longer cruise, as there is so much to see and spending more time really increases the chances of seeing a wider variety of wildlife. Fortunately the Galapagos is known for fairly mellow seas and smooth sailing, but it’s always good to be prepared, check out our How to Prevent & Treat Seasickness guide. A Galapagos specialist will be in touch to help you find the right ship for you!
I would like to plan a family trip to Galapagos in August 2019. This would be 6 adults and a child, age 2.5years at that time. Are small children allowed to attend the islands?
We’d prefer a cruise type visitation.
The Galapagos Islands is an excellent family destination, as everyone is sure to be amazed. There are a variety of options throughout the islands, each with their own policies regarding young children. A Galapagos expert will be in touch with you shortly to discuss traveling with toddlers, meanwhile take a look at our picks for Galapagos Family Cruises.
We are 3 adults who have never previously cruised anywhere, age 60-69, who want to travel in November and are interested in a ship-based tour of the Galapagos. At least two of us would snorkel, but no one will dive. One (the possible non-snorkeler) is pretty overweight and one of the others is not nimble at all, so ability to access Zodiac or dinghy-based portions needs to be considered, and we have never done either so have no frame of reference.
We have looked at Nat Geo Endeavour II a little bit, but are confused about how much space is available in any cabin where 3 can share, both total cabin space and the bed sizes.
Can you please give us some advice?
Hello Layni,
Excellent, the Galapagos Islands is an incredible choice! Fortunately all of the Galapagos vessels we offer include snorkeling and Zodiac cruising. There are even quite a few ships that provide glass bottom boats for those not interested in snorkeling. These specialized watercraft are a great way to see and learn about the underwater wildlife as guides are able to explain what is being seen under the boat. A Galapagos Specialist will be in touch to discuss cabin configurations on the National Geographic Endeavour II and all of the ships we offer.
Looking to travel March 2018. One diver and one non-diver, so don’t want a dive boat but would like a boat that diving can be added to. Smaller is good, maybe catamaran. Not sure on itinerary. probably 8 days. Maybe add machu picchu at end before home. Ideas?
Hi Hilary,
The Galapagos offers great opportunities for divers and non-divers to enjoy the same cruise without sacrificing personal preference. This list of small ship cruises with scuba diving opportunities outlines what to expect from a Galapagos scuba diving experience. Variations in itineraries are ideal for certified divers traveling with family and friends who may prefer different activity options on those days. We also work with excellent small ships and catamarans that range from 8-20 guests and can help you choose the perfect Machu Picchu extension. One of our Adventure Specialists will contact you soon regarding the parameters you’ve outlined!
I really would like to get the fullest exposure to the animals that are native to these islands. What would be the best time of year to go (although every month looks great)?
Hello Sherry,
If native animals are your focus, consider what stage of life and which species you’d like to witness the most. For example, in January and February some species begin to nest while others have already finished courting. Some species actively breed in August while others are birthing or hatching at that time. Your ideal time of year may depend on what interests you the most: courting, breeding or hatching. While no species are guaranteed to be seen, one of our Adventure Specialists will contact you to guide you through which month is right for you. Our Galapagos by Month: When to Go & Why blog is also a great guide, outlining which animals are doing what when
Hello,
I really enjoyed your site. I do have some questions.
What is there terrain like on the islands?
Does it require a lot of climbing up and down of hills and rocks?
Would it be too difficult for someone of 75 years to manage?
Thanks for your advice.
Hi Regina,
We send plenty of guests in their 70s and 80s to the Galapagos Islands! We typically recommend ships in the 51-100 passenger range because they are more stable and provide plenty of activity options. Terrain varies between sandy beaches, lava rocks and established paths that may be flat or hilly. Naturalist guides are very good at pacing excursions so guests of all levels can enjoy the wildlife and have plenty of photographic opportunities. Dry landings are on solid surfaces and wet landings require guests to step from a dinghy into water, but you may always opt out of an excursion or landing, perhaps taking a zodiac ride with easy coastal wildlife viewing instead. Some ships even have glass-bottom dinghies for the easiest (and driest) of underwater exploration!
If the Galapagos Islands are on your bucket list, do not let age deter you. One of our Adventure Specialists will contact you soon to discuss mobility levels and which ships are most accommodating for your needs.