Convinced? How to choose the right Galapagos cruise
When booking a Galapagos cruise, you’ll first need to think about what type of cruise suits your needs. Do you want to have an intimate experience on a sailing catamaran or monohull sailboat? Or would you rather be on a spacious yacht with fancy staterooms and fine dining?
If you’re worried about seasickness or are traveling with small children, you may enjoy a luxury vessel. These Galapagos expedition yachts divide guests into small groups for hikes and activities. A small luxury liner is a great way to experience the Galapagos without the giant hordes of people you’d find on a larger ship.
Onboard a luxury ship you’ll usually have a larger cabin, sometimes with your own private balcony. The cabins are usually en suite and are compact in their design so that they can maximize living space. However, even on the smallest of vessels, you’ll usually find a sun deck where you can stretch out and relax and watch wildlife, as well as a dining area and lounge.
All Galapagos cruises remain fairly small. The Galapagos Islands National Park prohibits cruises with more than 100 people on board. Most Galapagos yachts carry around 16 people.
Another factor to consider when choosing the best Galapagos cruise is how much time you want to spend diving. If you’re a certified scuba diver, there’s much to behold beneath the surface. Luckily, there are several dive-oriented liveaboard programs to choose from. These boats are built to accommodate diving gear and bring passengers to amazing locations to swim with whale sharks, hammerhead sharks and manta rays.
How much do you want to pay for your Galapagos cruise?
Price is a big consideration for people looking to go on a Galapagos Islands cruise. How much you’ll pay varies on the size of the boat and the amount of luxury.
Here are a few guidelines to consider when choosing the best expedition yacht .
Economy class cruises offer more rustic accommodation and basic amenities. You’ll find a very good price point with this type of cruise, which brings it within reach for a variety of people.
Midrange class yacht cruises will usually offer private quarters but they will often be small with private bathrooms.
First-class Galapagos tours boats offer private cabins with en-suite, top quality English speaking guides and better communal facilities.
Finally, top-of-the-line Luxury class yachts and vessels have everything you would expect and more from a liveaboard cruise, including exquisite food, ample sun decks, and a Jacuzzi to enjoy after a day of hiking or swimming.
What time of year should you take a Galapagos cruise?
The great part about taking a Galapagos Island cruise is that any time of year works. With a location close to the equator, the islands have a mild and warm climate.
What you should consider when booking a Galapagos cruise is which animals, and behaviors, you want to see. Some species are migratory, which means they only call the archipelago home a few months out of the year.
In December and January, you’ll be able to see the giant tortoise eggs hatching. In February you can watch the penguins migrating to Isabela and Fernandina from Bartolome. In March you can see the marine iguanas making their nests on North Seymour. May is blue-footed booby mating season, so you’ll be able to watch their unique courtship dance.
If you are interested in seeing humpback whales while on your expedition cruise, June is the best month to spot them. July and August are ideal for sea lion watching, as this is when they will be breeding and giving birth. If you visit during September and October you’ll have a chance to spot adorable sea lion pups and blue-footed booby chicks – and in November you can see whale sharks in the northwest.
When it comes to weather, the warmer season from December to June is ideal for a relaxed Galapagos Island boat based trip, as you’ll have sunnier days, calmer seas and better underwater visibility.
The June to November season sees the islands transform from green, lush tropical lands to a more barren, desert-like climate.
As you can see, the best time of year to take a Galapagos cruise is totally up to you.
We are confident you will have a life changine experience on a Galapagos liveaboard tour
By now, your heart might be set on taking a Galapagos cruise to see all the marvels of these islands that Darwin visited so many years ago.
There are so many options to choose from. You can take an economy cruise with bunk-style sleeping arrangements, or a luxury cruise with your own private balcony.
Visiting the Galapagos Islands is a bucket list item for so many people. We hope you make the most of your limited vacation time by booking a Galapagos Islands cruise.