Little Family Adventure

Active Family Travel and Lifestyle Website

Bartolome Island Galapagos Islands

Exploring the Columbus Archipelago: What’s It Like To Go On A Galapagos Cruise?

The Galapagos Islands are well worth a visit, and that’s a fact! The area is a haven for scientists, birdwatchers, and wildlife enthusiasts and a living museum of endemic species. Charles Darwin himself set foot on the islands and set the fundamentals of the theory of evolution. So, what’s a better place on Earth than the Galapagos to learn more about history?

How can you explore Galapagos, so you don’t miss the highlights? We have some Galapagos travel tips for you. The best way is to book a cruise and fill up your days with guided land or boat tours. To give you an idea of what you can expect on a Galapagos cruise, we’ve compiled the ultimate guide on exploring the Columbus archipelago.

This article contains affiliate links. We earn from qualifying purchases.

blankblank

Getting There

Most tourists get to Galapagos via a flight to the capital city of Quito or take a cruise. If you decide to visit the Galapagos Islands, you must take a tour around Quito; it’s a fantastic colonial city that will blow your mind.

The Galapagos Islands excursions are different, and you might either choose a guided land tour or a boat tour and explore many remote islands. But how can you choose the right island cruise? Well, we’ve got you covered!

tourist boat with the Galapagos Island in the background
tourist boat with the Galapagos Island in the background

There are different types of ships, from yachts, catamarans, sailboats, and vessels from which you can travel across islands. The larger islands like Isabela and Santa Cruz are more spacious, so you can book a larger vessel tour and enjoy the comfort.

And once you’ve determined how to get there, it’s time to get an idea of what it is like to take a Galapagos cruise.

blank

Getting Around The Cruise

Cruise lines have guest services desks that assist guests with their questions, concerns, and services. For the most part, there is no concierge available to the guests on the cruise, except on the river ships and the high-end quality lines.

However, there might be some shore excursion desks located near the service desks where you can choose the activities you want to participate in the cruise while traveling to Galapagos. Let’s not forget to mention that most big ships have ATMs on board, but the cruising experience is mostly virtually cashless – which means you will be paying for stuff just by swiping the card.

What to Expect in Galapagos?

Here are some things to have in mind before embarking on the Galapagos cruise:

  • Prepare for the sun – since the Galapagos Islands are located near the equator, it’s obvious that you will be exposed to the sun most of the time; make sure to carry sun protection products with you and wear suitable clothes.
  • You will spend most of the time exploring on the water, so bring waterproof pouches and cases to keep your belongings dry and safe; you can even purchase an underwater camera to take incredible photos while diving or snorkeling.
  • Pack a guide to the wildlife, birds, and plants – the authorities in the Galapagos require tourists to be professionally guided in small groups since they will be entering more restricted areas where professional guidance is required.
  • You will see a lot of birds in Galapagos, make sure to bring your binoculars and camera!

Prepare for Seasickness

Don’t let this scare you away! It’s normal for visitors to have seasickness after being on a ship for so long. You might experience a wave of nauseous throughout your Galapagos cruise, so take medicines to help you deal with it. Furthermore, acquire an acupressure bracelet for when the ship is moving and keep the medicines at hand at all times. You will be okay!

Related: Learn How the Reliefband Sport Helps Naturally Relieve Motion Sickness. We use it on very cruise.

mother and two kids hiking a scenic area in the Galapagos
mother and two kids hiking a scenic area in the Galapagos

Best Time to Visit Galapagos

The Galapagos Islands are considered a year-round destination due to the immersive activities that can be done in each season. There are two seasons, a warmer, wetter one that starts in January and lasts until June, and a cool, dry one that starts in July and lasts until December.

Since the Galapagos archipelago is on the equator, the wet season is sunny and hot, with occasional rain episodes. Below we’ll discuss in detail the best time to visit the islands and what to expect in each season.

Rainy Season

The rainy season is characterized by increased humidity and rainfall showers. With heavy tropical showers, the air temperatures are pretty high, which makes it the perfect time for diving and snorkeling. On the western islands, the temperatures are lower than the rest of the islands, so you can easily enjoy a day at the beach of Isabela island or swim alongside the sea life.

April to May is the period when the islands transform into lush greenery and make up the perfect spots for panoramic pics. You can also see the waved albatross on Espanola Island or observe the giant turtles and marine iguanas.

In June and July, the temperatures drop continually and the garua season starts. You might notice a bit of mist in the early mornings and get a burn during the peak of the day. You’re more likely to see whales and dolphins in this period since they come on the coast of the islands and gather into communities.

Dry Season

The dry and cool season is a good time to visit in general since the temperatures are higher and the seas are perfect for snorkeling activities. Throughout this period you can see the giant tortoises mating and hatching eggs, and the Galapagos hawks performing their rituals.

Bartolome Island Galapagos Islands
Bartolome Island Galapagos Islands

The Wildlife on Galapagos

What makes the Galapagos’s wildlife remarkable is the variety of endemic species living on these lands. Galapagos is a small archipelago, with harsh conditions, so the species that live on the islands have evolved the characteristics and traits required to survive in such an environment.

Even though natural selection is present everywhere on Earthy, it’s most evident in the Galapagos Islands. It’s for a reason that it’s considered the foundation of the theory of evolution. So, let’s see the wildlife you’ll encounter there.

For birdwatching enthusiasts, there’s a variety of birds, from land to sea birds. The mammals and other reptiles to reach the islands and survive in those conditions had to swim and survive at sea. While for the birds it’s easier since they can beat the odds and fly to and from the islands carefree.

Land Birds

The Galapagos land birds consist of different species, among which 13 species are finches.

  • The finches are small birds that eat insects, seeds, or shrubs. They’ve evolved features to adapt all over the island and can be seen all year round, on almost all of the islands.
  • The mockingbirds are another bird specie that is larger than the finch and has salt and pepper colors. These birds group and defend their territory by chasing other birds away.
  • The short-eared owl is an incredible bird, with tufts of feathers that look like ears. You will find this creature on Genovesa Island, all year round.
  • The Galapagos dove is a brown and red bird, with blue circles around the eyes. They tend to be shy, so make sure to not scare them away with your presence.
Galapagos Tortoises
Giant Tortoises

Reptiles

The Galapagos reptiles have perfect conditions for living and mating on the islands. And since they can’t fly, it’s considered that they got to the islands by accident, which is pretty uncommon, right? Let’s check out these fascinating creatures.

  • Giant tortoises – large mammals that are native to the islands, and the most famous species in the area;
  • Marine iguanas are dark-colored reptiles that feed underwater and soak up under the sun. You’ll mainly see them on the lava rocks. The land iguanas are similar to their counterparts, with differences in their diet and appearance. These are bright yellow reptiles that prefer cacti and other vegetarian food;
  • The lava lizard is a foot-long mammal that lives on an insect diet. These creatures are also known to be territorial;
  • Other reptiles you’ll see are pink iguanas, four subspecies of snakes, and six endemic species of gecko;
scuba diving with whale shark off Galapagos Island
scuba diving with a whale shark

Marine Wildlife

The highlights of the marine wildlife include the yellow-tailed surgeon fish, the king angelfish, the sergeant-major, the parrot fish, sea turtles, sharks, rays, octopi, sharks, sea lions, and penguins (on Bartholomew Island), etc.

Mammals

The mammals survived in harsh environments and are highlights for tourists. You’ll see many sea lions, dolphins, whales, rice rats, bats, and even goats.

Additional Things To Consider

Before taking the Galapagos cruise, it’s important to determine your budget and organize the itinerary. A luxury cruise offers excellent itineraries where you can visit the highlights of the islands; however, the decision is solely on you!

Keep in mind that not all of the Galapagos Islands cruises are kid-friendly, so consider the size of the vessel when booking one.

A Day-Trip or a Multi-Day Trip for Families?

To get the most out of the islands, we’d recommend staying for at least 5 days. And for a greater and more comprehensive experience, a 7-day trip is perfect. Moreover, a multi-day trip is the right choice if you’re traveling as a family and want to see as much as possible. Many customized packages allow you to include the main destinations in the Galapagos archipelago, but if you’re spending more time, you’re welcome to do so.

Get Back To Reality

After you’ve had such a trip, it’s time to get back to reality. Remember to take baby steps toward readjusting to reality and back into your routine. Most tourists regret not spending enough time in Galapagos. So, if you have the chance to prolong your stay, do it; it’s more than probable that you won’t visit the Galapagos again next year.

Book Your Trip

Ready to make the booking now? Search for the best deals and check out our recommendations when booking a Galapagos cruise. We recommend visiting Aqua Expeditions’ website and going through their offers since they’ve been organizing cruises to Galapagos for quite a while. Check their blog to learn more about the latest travel news, requirements for traveling to Galapagos, or tips on how to prepare for a cruising trip.

For more family travel inspiration, check out our latest posts here:

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Don’t forget to invite your friends to our Facebook groups! We would also love to see your vacation pictures!

Can’t read now? Pin for later!

Galapagos Vacation with Kids
Galapagos Islands for families Travel Guide
Columbus Archipelago - what to expect

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *