Galápagos Islands
Cruises to the legendary Galápagos Islands are the stuff of dreams—and with our Galápagos family cruise, they’re your dreams come true. We can help you find some of the most amazing natural attractions, complete with unforgettable beauty. Booking the Galápagos family cruise marks the beginning of an adventure that will stay with your whole family for the rest of their lives.
A Galápagos Islands small ship cruise is a lot different than large luxury liners. Taking a small ship cruise affords you an opportunity to experience the destinations in a more personal and immersive fashion than a huge cruise ship packed to the gills with people. Instead, you’ll be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Galápagos in a way that you never had imagined; this unique and mysterious place deserves your full attention. After all, how many times have you had a chance to visit the Galápagos Islands? Don’t waste the opportunity. Small ship cruises are the ideal way to make the most of this amazing travel experience, and we’re happy to be your guides.
Any time you’re traveling outside of the United States, there are a lot of factors to consider—more than just finding the best Galápagos cruise deals! Safety and preparation are important so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest. Exercising due diligence in your precautions and planning will make the entire trip flow more smoothly, which means less worries for you along the way. So can having a guide to popular destinations and activities. This helps you set expectations for what you will encounter on your incredible cruises to the Galápagos Islands—you’ll want to keep coming back again and again!
Respecting the Local Rules
The Galápagos Islands welcome tourism, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore one of the most magnificent and historically and naturally significant places in the world. However, officials have rules in place to help preserve the integrity of the Galápagos. Many of these rules can affect visitors coming from countries with fewer or no such restrictions, such as the United States. It’s imperative that travelers learn and follow these rules so the Galápagos Islands can remain a bountiful attraction for the entire world.
Local Laws and Safety
Many of the local laws and regulations are put in place to protect the animals and other ecological attractions of the Galápagos. The entire area is essentially a national park with incredible biodiversity and significance to the scientific community. These laws are designed to prevent human intrusion from spoiling the at-times delicate ecosystem in the Galápagos, as well as keep visitors safe. As an added bonus, you’ll find that many of the animals in the islands are curiously unafraid of humans—which might just lead to a memorable encounter or two while you’re here!
Visitors are not required to be vaccinated to travel, but it is highly recommended that you obtain Typhoid, Yellow Fever, and Hepatitis A vaccinations prior to entering the Galápagos. Ecuador also requires visitors to have obtained health insurance in their country of residence prior to exiting the country, so be sure that your insurance cards are all up to date.
Please be sure that your passport is updated and has at least six months remaining validity before embarking on cruises to the Galápagos Islands.
Money
Ecuador accepts US Dollars. Travelers to the Galápagos Islands National Park are required to pay a US $100 fee per person as a one-time obligation.
National Park Rules
The Galápagos Islands National Parks have a set of explicit rules that all visitors must follow in order to prevent catastrophic harm to the fragile ecosystem. Local authorities can and will explain the value and nature of these rules to visitors, but you would do well to familiarize yourself with them before traveling.
Keep a 2-Meter Distance From Animals
Visitors should always stay at least two meters from the animals. This also applies when snapping photos. Direct contact with animals is prohibited and potentially hazardous to both parties. Note that, because many of the animals have learned over generations that humans in the Galápagos mean them no harm, they may not show the typical timidity around people that visitors expect. In this case, you are expected to step back to make sure that you maintain proper space between yourself and the animals.
Do Not Touch or Feed the Animals
Feeding the animals is strictly prohibited, as it exposes them to potential complications.
Do Not Remove Elements
Don’t take anything from the environment. Taking items, even simple seashells, can result in heavy fines.
No Smoking, Drinking, or Campfires
Visitors are not allowed to smoke, drink alcohol, or build campfires while on the National Park premises.
Stick to the Trails
Tourists are expected to walk on the marked trails only, for their own safety as well as that of the ecosystem.
Photographic Consideration
Please be careful when photographing wildlife and take care not to use the flash function. Other photographing devices like drones require special permission to use first.
Camping is Allowed in Authorized Areas Only
Certain areas offer camping arrangements for visitors, but only in specific authorized areas.
Do Not Introduce Elements
Do not introduce new elements such as animals, fruit, and seeds into the ecosystem.
Sights and Sounds: Popular Attractions in the Galápagos
The Galápagos Islands offer a wide variety of potential activities. You can go hiking and bird-watching in the plentiful volcanic Sierra Negra volcano on Isabela Island, or dive into the rich waters that are home to more than 3000 species of marine plants and animals. Tourists are encouraged to explore significant sites like the Charles Darwin research station, walk the white sand beaches of Tortuga Bay, and stay in the world-class hotels that are available in the major tourist destinations.
Besides the wildlife and breathtaking scenic vistas, visitors should note the Galápagos Islands Naturalist guides. These men and women will guide visitors through the National Park, while keeping guests in compliance with the rules and also teaching them some local etiquette as needed.
7 Night Galapagos Adventure Cruise
Your 7 night Galapagos Adventure Cruise will be a trip of a lifetime. You’ll explore the unique wildlife of the islands and get to know the conservation efforts of the giant tortoise. You’ll paddle board alongside sea lions, snorkel along Isla Isabela’s dramatic landscape of eroded tuff cones, hike Isla Santa Cruz’s Dragon Hill, and watch for Galápagos hawks, flightless cormorants, and rare snails. On top of all that, you’ll get to see the mesmerizing iguanas, tortoises, and possibly flamingos in their natural habitat as you explore the islands.