The Galapagos Islands are best visited on a small cruise ship. Almost all ships take a maximum of 16 passengers. You eat and sleep aboard the ship during the cruise and usually sail at night. This way you also reach the more remote islands. All ships permanently have 1 or more professional English-speaking guides on board.
At least two sites are visited during the day. You get up early, have breakfast on board and then go ashore where you are shown around by the guide. In the afternoon you return on board for lunch. The ship sails to the next site where you go ashore again for another visit. Sometimes there is swimming, snorkeling or kayaking, always according to the program.
Only about 80 ships have permission to sail visitors around the Galapagos Islands. Their permit is reviewed every year.