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.