" I am Tom from Belgium. I have been living and guiding in Galapagos and Ecuador for many years. I make sure your trip is safe and perfectly organized. "
CRUISES IN GALAPAGOS
The Galapagos Islands are best visited on a small cruise ship. Almost all vessels carry a maximum of 16 passengers. During the cruise, you eat and sleep on board, and sailing usually takes place at night. This allows you to reach the more remote islands. All ships have one or more professional English-speaking guides permanently on board.
During the day, at least two visitor sites are visited. You get up early, have breakfast on board, and then go ashore where the guide leads you around. At midday, you return to the ship for lunch. The vessel then sails to the next site, where you go ashore again for another visit. Depending on the program, there may also be swimming, snorkeling, or kayaking.
Only around 80 ships are authorized to operate visitor cruises in the Galapagos Islands, and their permits are reviewed every year.
CLASSES OF SHIPS
The ships are divided into 4 different classes based on their comfort and amenities.
Please note: ships from different classes visit the same attractions. The difference lies in the level of luxury (the cabins, the food, the amenities) as well as in the quality of the guides.
We have selected the best ships for each class.
Luxury Class
Very luxurious: spacious cabins and excellent food. But also: the best nature guides!
CHECK OUT THE 15 BEST LUXURY SHIPS IN THE GALAPAGOS
First Class
A little less luxurious—but still really good. Excellent guides in terms of language skills and knowledge of nature.
CHECK OUT THE 20 BEST FIRST-CLASS SHIPS
SUPERIOR CLASS
Beautiful but somewhat older ships. But often with a younger crowd as well.
CHECK OUT THE 4 BEST SUPERIOR CLASS SHIPS
Tourist Class
These ships are basic but okay. But you have easier contact with the crew.
CHECK OUT THE BEST TOURIST CLASS SHIPS
TYPES OF SHIPS
Sometimes it’s more interesting to search using a different category.
Here you’ll find all catamarans, all large ships (that carry more than 16 passengers), all dive cruises, and all sailing ships in separate sections.
Catamarans
+ more stable and spacious than other ships
+ very popular
CHECK OUT THE 17 BEST CATAMARANS
Sailing ships
There isn’t much sailing going on. After all, the ships have to complete their routes…
CHECK OUT THE BEST SAILBOATS
Large ships
+ More space, amenities
– Longer boarding and disembarking times
CHECK OUT THE BEST LARGE SHIPS
Diving Cruises
= diving only, so no visits to the official visitor sites
CHECK OUT THE BEST DIVING CRUISES
Visit the Galapagos from a HOTEL
or from multiple hotels on different islands
COMFORT
You sleep in a hotel and don't suffer from seasickness. You can discover restaurants.
flexible
Cruise ships follow fixed routes. At a hotel, you can plan more flexibly.
crowded, noisy
The four islands with hotels are sometimes crowded due to visits from domestic tourists.
and above all ...
The Galapagos is large. A ship sails at night, allowing you to visit remote islands.