Going to the Galapagos Islands has been on my bucket checklist for near a decade. And because of some associates having traveled there in numerous methods up to now, I knew that I needed to do a Galapagos cruise once I finally did go.
I am not a fan of cruises on big ships, however the ships within the Galapagos by regulation can solely maintain as much as 100 passengers (and a few maintain far fewer) – so cruising is unquestionably a special vibe right here.
I knew {that a} Galapagos cruise could be an epic journey full of distinctive landscapes and memorable wildlife encounters. However there was so much that I did not know (or count on) earlier than I went.
So if you happen to, too, are planning a bucket checklist cruise to the Galapagos, listed here are all of the issues I believe it’s best to know earlier than you go.
11 issues to know earlier than a Galapagos cruise
1. That is an lively journey
First issues first: to actually benefit from the Galapagos Islands, you are going to have to get fairly lively to find them. My dad and I have been each a bit shocked at simply *how* lively a Galapagos journey may very well be.
For instance, our small-ship cruise consisted of mountaineering and snorkeling each single day – generally twice a day, with the occasional kayaking session thrown in, too. Not one of the hikes have been technical or tremendous strenuous, and snorkeling classes normally lasted underneath an hour. But it surely all provides up!
A typical day on a Galapagos cruise may appear to be this:
- 6/6:30 a.m. – Get up
- 7 a.m. – Breakfast
- 8 a.m. – Load up in dinghies for a moist touchdown, adopted by a hike or seashore stroll to see wildlife
- 10 a.m. – Swimming or snorkeling
- (and a pair days we had the possibility to kayak earlier than lunch too!)
- 11:30 a.m. – Again on board
- Midday – Lunch and time to loosen up
- 2 p.m. – Again within the dinghies for extra snorkeling
- 3:30/4 p.m. – One other moist touchdown for one more hike, or sometimes a scenic cruise again on board the ship
- 6:45 p.m. – Briefing for the following day
- 7 p.m. – Dinner
I used to be fortunately exhausted every evening and normally in mattress earlier than 9:30 p.m.!
Most cruises are additionally not tremendous accessible, requiring you to climb stairs, and get out and in of zodiac-style boats (normally into the waves or on sand) a number of occasions per day. There are a couple of of the bigger, luxurious ships which are extra disability-friendly, nevertheless it’s one thing you’d have to particularly search for when reserving.
2. Each island is completely different
The factor that struck me probably the most throughout my journey is that every island within the Galapagos is exclusive. All of the islands have been fashioned by volcanic exercise, however the landscapes fluctuate from black lava fields to white sand seashores; stark cactus-dotted landscapes to extra lush lagoons. Each island is sort of a completely different planet.
(The islands are additionally larger and additional aside than you may assume! Which maybe explains why they’re all so very completely different.)
We visited the next islands on our 7-night cruise:
- Santa Cruz (x2!) – We went into the highlands within the middle of the island on Day 1 to see large tortoises at El Chato Ranch, which was lush and inexperienced, and visited the Charles Darwin Analysis Station in Puerto Ayora. On Day 5 we have been again on Santa Cruz as a part of an itinerary change, visiting the northern, volcanic finish of the island to climb the pink and dusty “Dragon Hill.”
- Espanola – We visited a stupendous white sand seashore at Gardner Bay, adopted by a water-only go to to identify albatross and marine iguanas close to Punta Suarez.
- San Cristobal – We went for a hike into the dry and dusty inside of the island to search for tortoises, after which visited Cerro Brujo (my favourite seashore!) within the afternoon.
- Santa Fe – House to some sandy-colored land iguanas, and playful sea lions that we snorkeled and kayaked with.
- South Plaza – What an alien panorama! Shiny orange and pink carpetweed that the land iguanas match, plus tall prickly pear cacti, and cliffs that tons of red-billed tropicbirds prefer to nest in.
- Santiago – We went for a stroll on a black lava subject at Sullivan Bay, after which acquired to swim with Galapagos penguins right here!
- Bartolome – We climbed 365 steps as much as the highest of this stark, volcanic island to see an iconic Galapagos view. (After which noticed extra penguins.)
- Rabida – We landed on the pink sand at Jervis Bay, and did a loop across the island to see flamingos and different Galapagos birds.
Truthfully, no two islands have been the identical in panorama or wildlife, which is so fascinating!
3. The seashores are unimaginable
I have been to some really singular seashores around the globe, and a few of the seashores within the Galapagos rank up there with the very best of them!
My two favorites have been the seashore at Gardner Bay on Espanola Island, and Cerro Brujo on San Cristobal Island. These seashores had delicate white sand, turquoise water, and tons of sleepy sea lions! The mixture actually made these seashores a few of my favorites wherever on the planet.
(And the water on the seashores was round 73 levels F once I went in early November, in case you have been curious. Completely positive to swim in, although our ship did present us with quick wetsuits for our longer snorkeling classes.)
4. The wildlife is actually not afraid
You’ve got most likely seen pictures of sea lions lounging on docks and chilling proper subsequent to individuals on seashores within the Galapagos. I did, too, and was skeptical as as to if that truly was the norm. Effectively, I can now verify that it’s!
The animals within the Galapagos don’t have any have to concern people, and they also do not. Tortoises, sea lions, iguanas, nesting birds, even penguins… they actually do not care a lot that you just’re there.
There is a rule that you just’re supposed to remain at the very least 2-3 meters away from all wildlife – however the wildlife do not get the identical memo. We had all the things from sea lions to penguins to younger flamingos come proper as much as us.
5. All the pieces is protected
A part of the rationale the animals aren’t afraid of people is as a result of they’re SO protected by Galapagos Nationwide Park. The penalty for even by chance killing an animal right here contains hefty fines and even severe jail time.
The park is effectively conscious that its pure assets are its primary draw, they usually shield them fiercely.
So be ready to comply with guidelines not solely in regards to the wildlife, however about different issues, too, like not bringing single-use plastic onto the islands; retaining your boots/sneakers clear; and making an attempt to make use of biodegradable toiletries and reef-safe sunscreen.
And no, you’ll be able to’t sneak a penguin again with you in your backpack, both.
6. The nationwide park controls all
If you’re within the Galapagos, all the things you do is dictated by Galapagos Nationwide Park. They assign every cruise ship its itinerary for the entire yr, resolve who will get to land on which island at what time, dole out snorkeling permits, and extra.
It sounds a bit excessive, however all the things runs tremendous easily. You are by no means ready in a line of ships to your flip to go to an island, and the best way they unfold ships and teams out signifies that your group may need a seashore or slice of island all to yourselves. It makes for a fairly intimate-feeling journey.
The nationwide park additionally handles last-minute adjustments, which I skilled on my journey. There was an ongoing outbreak of chicken flu in South America once I visited, and, out of warning, the nationwide park shut down a couple of of the bigger chicken colonies to vacationer visits.
We weren’t in a position to get near the albatross colony at Punta Suarez on Espanola, or go to the red-footed booies at Punta Pitt on San Cristobal. And we needed to minimize Genovesa Island (dwelling to all three forms of boobies) out altogether.
And whereas it was a bummer to overlook these journey highlights, the nationwide park assigned our ship different islands and walks and seashores as an alternative, and all the things ran extremely easily. Should you hadn’t identified the unique itinerary, you’ll have by no means guessed that it had been modified on the final minute.
7. The ship you select does matter
Cruising within the Galapagos isn’t like cruising in different components of the world. Due to laws within the Galapagos, cruise ships there legally can’t maintain greater than 100 passengers – and many of the greatest ships crusing the islands prime out round 90.
There are 3 ship sizes it’s important to choose from for a Galapagos cruise:
- Small ships – Normally maintain as much as 16 passengers; good ship instance: Reina Silvia Voyager or Cormorant II
- Medium-sized ships – 40-50 passengers on common; good ship instance: Nationwide Geographic Islander II or La Pinta
- Giant ships – Round 90 passengers; good ship instance: Silversea Silver Origin or Santa Cruz II
Small ships within the Galapagos supply a extra intimate expertise; you get to know your naturalist information and different passengers effectively, and there is not any taking turns for excursions, as everybody can do the identical factor on the identical time.
Bigger ships, in contrast, will break passengers up into teams with completely different guides and generally have you ever doing various things at completely different occasions attributable to park laws. However bigger ships are usually extra secure within the water, and have extra on supply on board (like frequent areas, libraries, bars, gyms, and many others.).
Which kind of ship you select will rely in your journey type and wishes/needs for a visit like this. I personally selected a small ship – and I wrote all in regards to the pros and cons of small ship Galapagos cruise!
Associated: Pros and Cons of a Galapagos Small Ship Cruise (+ Why I Chose One!)
8. It’s possible you’ll want seasickness meds
No matter which measurement ship you select, in case you are liable to movement illness, you are going to wish to pack seasickness meds with you for a Galapagos cruise.
July-October is the time of yr with the roughest water, however it’s also possible to encounter rolling seas even throughout “calmer,” wetter months. In November (which is a shoulder season within the Galapagos), we had two nights that have been significantly tough on our small ship.
Most ships attempt to journey longer distances (i.e. between islands) at evening, nevertheless it was tough sufficient one evening that the rolling of our ship woke me up and I could not get again to sleep.
The excellent news is that, whereas I AM liable to movement illness, I had no points on this cruise whereas taking Dramamine (lively ingredient Meclizine) prophylactically each day. Actually, nobody on our ship acquired seasick in any respect as a result of these of us who have been anxious about it simply took meds.
So if you are liable to movement illness (or aren’t positive in case you are), I’d advocate taking tablets each day simply in case. Take it from me that making an attempt to “treatment” seasickness when you’re already feeling sick is not any enjoyable.
(Do not wish to take meds? You may also attempt a Reliefband, which is a tool that is worn like a watch that makes use of electrical alerts in your wrist to assist do away with nausea. It additionally works!)
9. Deliver a couple of swimsuit
You may be spending period of time within the water on a Galapagos cruise (keep in mind, on my cruise we went snorkeling normally twice a day, and generally swimming or kayaking, too), so I like to recommend packing a couple of swimsuit.
We regularly went proper from mountaineering to swimming or snorkeling with no method to change in between, and I do not find out about you, however I cringe on the considered placing a moist swimsuit on underneath clothes I then should hike in!
I introduced 3 swimsuits with me to the Galapagos, however you’ll be able to most likely get away with 2.
(Although I’ll say that if you are going to the Galapagos when it’s extremely humid and haven’t got entry to a balcony you’ll be able to dangle issues on to dry, you may truly need 3 swimsuits, as it might take greater than someday for a go well with to dry out in your toilet.)
10. The solar is not any joke
The Galapagos Islands straddle the Equator within the Pacific Ocean, and if something in regards to the solar, you may know that its UV rays are further intense proper on the Equator.
Due to this, good solar safety is totally important within the Galapagos Islands.
I like to recommend a combination of sun-blocking clothes and sunscreen to assist shield your self from the equatorial solar.
For sun-blocking clothes, I introduced:
And, due to the form of vacation spot it’s, you may wish to carry reef-friendly sunscreen when you’ll be able to. (Give attention to discovering mineral sunscreens versus chemical ones, and take note of whether or not they’re water-proof or not!) My favourite sunscreens for this journey have been:
And sure, 50 SPF is unquestionably beneficial on this a part of the world, and put together to re-apply it regularly! You may really feel completely coated in a layer of sunscreen, nevertheless it’s higher than sunburn and pores and skin most cancers.
11. Tourism right here feels sustainable
To me (as somebody who studied tourism improvement and has a grasp’s diploma in tourism administration), tourism within the Galapagos feels fairly sustainable.
I say “feels” as a result of there’s all the time a little bit of unsustainability relating to tourism. However within the Galapagos, it appears to be dealt with in a approach that, general, focuses on long-term conservation and financial success.
The principle airport within the Galapagos on Baltra island, for instance, is the primary true eco-friendly airport on the planet, being totally wind- and solar-powered (it even has a LEED Gold certification). The nationwide park additionally limits how many individuals could be within the islands/on land at any given time, together with limiting the dimensions of cruise ships.
However probably the most spectacular factor I discovered is that the crews on all of the ships within the Galapagos have to be Ecuadorian nationals – and the naturalist guides all should be from the Galapagos Islands. Giving locals a stake within the tourism business is among the finest sustainable strikes!
Add to those all of the conservation packages you’ll be able to study on the Charles Darwin Analysis Station, and the Galapagos actually is a superb case research for sustainable tourism improvement. I felt fairly good about visiting!
The Galapagos Islands are undoubtedly worthy of being on any bucket checklist. And if you happen to go into a visit there figuring out all of the above issues about what to anticipate, then you definitely’ll be set as much as have the very best journey attainable.
Are the Galapagos Islands on YOUR bucket checklist? What different questions do you will have about visiting?
