Frequently Asked Questions about Galapagos Cruises

If you are taking an independent transfer you need to board a free airline bus that heads for the Itabaca Canal that separates Baltra Airport from Santa Cruz (NOT the service for Baltra dock). The buses are always crowded, but there is luggage space ...

In Puerto Ayora, you can stop any taxi and ask the driver if they can take you to the Itabaca channel ("el canal Itabaca"). Taxis are are usually white pickup trucks, often Toyota HiLux or Nissan Frontier vehicles. They can accommodate up to 4 people...

The airport on San Cristóbal is less than 5 minutes drive from the center of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. You can simply jump into one of the taxis that wait outside the terminal. This will cost only $2-$4 per taxi (not per person). If you are tra...

Cruise: Pick a cruise if you are serious about seeing the variety the Galapagos has to offer, and you want to experience the outer, more remote islands. Most cruises offer very impressive itineraries, and because most of the sailing takes place at ni...

The most popular times to travel to Galapagos are at Easter time, July and August, and Christmas and New Year. These times are when the Galapagos see their highest tourist numbers.
Some of the yachts have their own definitions of a high and low seas...

The highlights of being in the Galapagos are the excursions, where you will set off on your yacht's panga - a sturdy inflatable raft that takes you quickly and safely to and from the shore. On arrival, your naturalist guide takes over, pointing out e...

The most important thing to remember is to never feel pressured to give any particular amount - tips are never an obligation but should be given as a reward to staff for good service. You can discuss tips with fellow passengers - many groups end up p...

The vast majority of boats provide water, teas and coffee at no charge. Almost all boats will charge extra for alcoholic drinks. Prices differ from boat to boat. Our Galapagos team has personally visited every boat that we offer on our portal, and th...

The food on our Galapagos Cruises is among the very best you will find in South America. Most of the on-board chefs are internationally trained and have prior experience working in the best hotels and restaurants in Ecuador and indeed around the worl...

All Galapagos Cruises start with a transfer from one of the islands' airports - either Baltra Airport or San Cristóbal Airport.
We highly recommend that you buy your flights to and from Galapagos from us at the same time that you book your cr...

We recommend taking a short flight. Local air taxi operator Emetebe operates a fleet of Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander aircraft. These usually have a strict weight limit for checked baggage of 20 lbs per person, and the carry-on limit is 5lb. Exce...

Since the year 2000, the official currency of the Galapagos Islands is the US dollar. It is best to use cash and cards, as traveller checks are not readily accepted. It's also best to bring smaller denomination notes - you won't be able to use anythi...

The official language of Ecuador (and therefore Galapagos) is Spanish. However, English is widely spoken and understood at hotels, restaurants and tourist shops. You will find that almost everyone involved in hosting you during your Galapatours cruis...

The Galapagos Islands are a travel destination unlike any other. The entire archipelago forms the largest marine reserve in the Americas, and the islands themselves all belong to the Galapagos National Park. Because of the unique wildlife and habitat...

Every island in the Galapagos archipelago is unique and wonderful, with breathtaking vistas and remarkable wildlife. Not all the islands are open for visitors to land on, to protect their priceless habitats, but even these often provide stunning coas...

The highlights of being in the Galapagos are the excursions, where you will set off on your yacht's panga - a sturdy inflatable raft that takes you quickly and safely to and from the shore. On arrival, your naturalist guide takes over, pointing out e...

The Galapagos Islands are a travel destination unlike any other. The entire archipelago forms the largest marine reserve in the Americas, and the islands themselves all belong to the Galapagos National Park. Because of the unique wildlife and habitat...

Every island in the Galapagos archipelago is unique and wonderful, with breathtaking vistas and remarkable wildlife. Not all the islands are open for visitors to land on, to protect their priceless habitats, but even these often provide stunning coas...

All cruises in Galapagos operate to itineraries that are fixed and approved by the National Park. Most cruises will offer a range of land-based and water-based activities that you will enjoy at various points in your cruise including:

Snorkeling (...

We believe in giving you the most extensive range of cruise options for visiting the Galapagos islands. Because of this, all our cruises differ in what's included in terms of amenities and excursions/activities. Each ship listing on our site give ful...

The smoking policy varies ship by ship. The primary concern is passenger safety, and all boats will prohibit smoking in cabins, corridors and all inside spaces of their vessels.

Some boats will permit smoking on outside decks, but please be mindfu...

There is no doubt that photographs you take on your adventure to the Galapagos will be some of the most wonderful you ever will! There are a few tips that can make your shots even better.

First of all, make sure that you bring all the necessary eq...

This is a question we get asked a lot! The name "booby" comes from a mishearing of the Spanish "bobo" - which means clumsy, or clown.
When you have experienced the delightful antics of the red-footed boobies and blue-footed boobies on your Galapatou...

Over 20 different species of whale and dolphin have been identified within the Galapagos marine national park. Some are present all year round, like dolphins, orcas and sperm whales, whilst others visit the islands seasonally, including blue whales a...

We love the Galapagos, and we spend as much of our time here as we can. Because we visit every boat in our fleet personally we have spent extensive time in Puerto Ayora - so here are our top recommendations for things to do!
1. Surfing or relaxing a...

San Cristobal is a lovely island to visit at the start or end of your Galapatours cruise around the archipelago. Officially the capital "city" of the Galapagos, the main town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is a delightful place to base yourself and ...

We make sure that all Galapatours cruises, whatever their length, will give you a fantastic experience of the Galapagos islands, their unique wildlife and incredible habitats.
However, if you are planning a trip to Galapagos as your sole destination...

In a word, amazing! However, diving around the Galapagos Islands is a little more challenging because of the presence of some strong currents, slightly colder water temperatures, and the rugged undersea terrain.
All Galapagos diving is done from div...

In a word, many! Highlights for most divers are the huge numbers of large pelagic species, particularly the schools of Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks - sometimes huge in number. Galapagos Sharks and White-tip Reef Sharks are also frequently encountered....

There is good diving in Galapagos all year round, but June to December is usually felt to be the best time. The water temperature is coldest between September and November with thermoclines, although this also tends to coincide with the arrival ...

If you are taking an independent transfer you need to board a free airline bus that heads for the Itabaca Canal that separates Baltra Airport from Santa Cruz (NOT the service for Baltra dock). The buses are always crowded, but there is luggage space ...

In Puerto Ayora, you can stop any taxi and ask the driver if they can take you to the Itabaca channel ("el canal Itabaca"). Taxis are are usually white pickup trucks, often Toyota HiLux or Nissan Frontier vehicles. They can accommodate up to 4 people...

The airport on San Cristóbal is less than 5 minutes drive from the center of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. You can simply jump into one of the taxis that wait outside the terminal. This will cost only $2-$4 per taxi (not per person). If you are tra...

Cruise: Pick a cruise if you are serious about seeing the variety the Galapagos has to offer, and you want to experience the outer, more remote islands. Most cruises offer very impressive itineraries, and because most of the sailing takes place at ni...

The most popular times to travel to Galapagos are at Easter time, July and August, and Christmas and New Year. These times are when the Galapagos see their highest tourist numbers.
Some of the yachts have their own definitions of a high and low seas...

Yes, absolutely - and what an adventure they will have! Usually, children under 12 years old receive a 20% discount, but each yacht has its own policy for children and babies. If you are planning a Galapagos adventure with children or babies please c...

The highlights of being in the Galapagos are the excursions, where you will set off on your yacht's panga - a sturdy inflatable raft that takes you quickly and safely to and from the shore. On arrival, your naturalist guide takes over, pointing out e...

Both sharing a room and paying a supplement to have a single room are possibilities. There are some boats that require no, or a very small, single supplement to be paid. To see all these ships, go to this page and adjust the search filter t...

We have made it very easy for you to find great last minute deals on a Galapagos cruise. Simply check this page for Galapagos Last Minute Deals for Galapagos Cruises and set the search filter for your approximate departure dates, price and even categ...

We can't ever recommend this option, but yes you can certainly try your luck when you arrive in Galapagos and attempt to book directly in either Puerto Ayora or Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. However, you must be aware that this approach carries the huge r...

The most important thing to remember is to never feel pressured to give any particular amount - tips are never an obligation but should be given as a reward to staff for good service. You can discuss tips with fellow passengers - many groups end up p...

The vast majority of boats provide water, teas and coffee at no charge. Almost all boats will charge extra for alcoholic drinks. Prices differ from boat to boat. Our Galapagos team has personally visited every boat that we offer on our portal, and th...

The food on our Galapagos Cruises is among the very best you will find in South America. Most of the on-board chefs are internationally trained and have prior experience working in the best hotels and restaurants in Ecuador and indeed around the worl...

All Galapagos Cruises start with a transfer from one of the islands' airports - either Baltra Airport or San Cristóbal Airport.
We highly recommend that you buy your flights to and from Galapagos from us at the same time that you book your cr...

We recommend taking a short flight. Local air taxi operator Emetebe operates a fleet of Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander aircraft. These usually have a strict weight limit for checked baggage of 20 lbs per person, and the carry-on limit is 5lb. Exce...

Cruise: Pick a cruise if you are serious about seeing the variety the Galapagos has to offer, and you want to experience the outer, more remote islands. Most cruises offer very impressive itineraries, and because most of the sailing takes place at ni...

The most popular times to travel to Galapagos are at Easter time, July and August, and Christmas and New Year. These times are when the Galapagos see their highest tourist numbers.
Some of the yachts have their own definitions of a high and low seas...

Yes, absolutely - and what an adventure they will have! Usually, children under 12 years old receive a 20% discount, but each yacht has its own policy for children and babies. If you are planning a Galapagos adventure with children or babies please c...

Both sharing a room and paying a supplement to have a single room are possibilities. There are some boats that require no, or a very small, single supplement to be paid. To see all these ships, go to this page and adjust the search filter t...

Galapagos cruises are incredibly popular, and availability is limited all year round - there's not really such a thing as the best time to visit Galapagos! We will therefore always recommend planning as far ahead as possible. This is especially true ...

We can't ever recommend this option, but yes you can certainly try your luck when you arrive in Galapagos and attempt to book directly in either Puerto Ayora or Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. However, you must be aware that this approach carries the huge r...

The vast majority of boats provide water, teas and coffee at no charge. Almost all boats will charge extra for alcoholic drinks. Prices differ from boat to boat. Our Galapagos team has personally visited every boat that we offer on our portal, and th...

The food on our Galapagos Cruises is among the very best you will find in South America. Most of the on-board chefs are internationally trained and have prior experience working in the best hotels and restaurants in Ecuador and indeed around the worl...

The best category of ship for you will be a very personal choice. Some people choose the Galapagos as a destination as part of a wonderful "holiday of a lifetime" experience. Some come to the archipelago with the aim of seeing as much of the unique&n...

The Galapagos Islands are a travel destination unlike any other. The entire archipelago forms the largest marine reserve in the Americas, and the islands themselves all belong to the Galapagos National Park. Because of the unique wildlife and habitat...

Step 1: Get in touch!
We love to help people find their dream vacation to Galapagos. If you call us during office hours, one of our Galapagos travel experts will be only too pleased to answer any questions, recommend ships and itineraries, and walk ...

In short, yes. We recommend you allow us to book your flights from mainland Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil) for you. This has two big advantages:

it allows us to book all passengers on a cruise onto the same flight, arriving at the same time. This me...

The Galapagos National Park Service charges all visitors to the islands a $100 park entry fee (reduced to $50 for children under 12 years old). This fee must be paid, in cash, at your port of arrival. If you do not pay the fee, you will not be allowe...

On all flights to and from the Galapagos islands each passenger is permitted to take 50lb (23kg) of baggage that must be checked in. In addition, each passenger may have an item of carry-on luggage up to 17lb (8kg). Cabin baggage is often subject to ...

Under Ecuadorian law, if you are only temporarily visiting the Galapagos then you are exempted from the requirement to pay any customs charges on items that you are bringing in to the country. This includes new or used portable electronics such as ca...

The highlights of being in the Galapagos are the excursions, where you will set off on your yacht's panga - a sturdy inflatable raft that takes you quickly and safely to and from the shore. On arrival, your naturalist guide takes over, pointing out e...

Every island in the Galapagos archipelago is unique and wonderful, with breathtaking vistas and remarkable wildlife. Not all the islands are open for visitors to land on, to protect their priceless habitats, but even these often provide stunning coas...

We love the Galapagos, and we spend as much of our time here as we can. Because we visit every boat in our fleet personally we have spent extensive time in Puerto Ayora - so here are our top recommendations for things to do!
1. Surfing or relaxing a...

San Cristobal is a lovely island to visit at the start or end of your Galapatours cruise around the archipelago. Officially the capital "city" of the Galapagos, the main town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is a delightful place to base yourself and ...

We make sure that all Galapatours cruises, whatever their length, will give you a fantastic experience of the Galapagos islands, their unique wildlife and incredible habitats.
However, if you are planning a trip to Galapagos as your sole destination...

There is no requirement to wear a wetsuit when swimming or snorkeling in Galapagos, but for the most enjoyable experience we do recommend you use one.
The Galapagos islands are such a haven for undersea life because they lie at the point where warm ...

If you are prone to motion sickness then here are a few hints to help you.

Firstly, book a cruise on a bigger vessel or on a catamaran. Larger boats and catamarans are more stable, and so roll less in the swells. Some examples would be the Ocean S...

We encourage you to bring your own equipment to the Galapagos wherever possible. As a minimum, you should bring your own dive watch and any dive gadgets you like to use. You should also bring a valve adapter suitable for DIN valves. Unless you prefer...

There is good diving in Galapagos all year round, but June to December is usually felt to be the best time. The water temperature is coldest between September and November with thermoclines, although this also tends to coincide with the arrival ...

The Galapagos Islands are a year-round vacation option. Regulated by the coming together of cold water currents from the west and south (mainly the Humboldt Current) and warm water streams from the north (mainly the Panama Stream and El Niño c...

Most yachts cruising Galapagos will prohibit you from taking your own alcoholic drinks on board. However, if you are tactful and subtle and drink your own alcohol in private on some evenings, but still buy drinks from the bar on others, then most cre...

Since the year 2000, the official currency of the Galapagos Islands is the US dollar. It is best to use cash and cards, as traveller checks are not readily accepted. It's also best to bring smaller denomination notes - you won't be able to use anythi...

The official language of Ecuador (and therefore Galapagos) is Spanish. However, English is widely spoken and understood at hotels, restaurants and tourist shops. You will find that almost everyone involved in hosting you during your Galapatours cruis...

Unfortunately, we are not legally allowed to give you recommendations on vaccinations for your cruise to Galapagos. Please visit a travel health clinic or take advice from your personal physician at least 8 weeks before you travel.
However, the foll...

Indeed we do! When we receive your booking deposit we send all our clients a comprehensive suggested packing list and lots of other useful information about your time in Galapagos. Here's a brief summary of our suggested packing list to get the most ...

To protect the vulnerable and unique Galapagos habitats and wildlife, no non-native plant or animal species must be allowed to arrive on the archipelago. SICGAL is the government department responsible for ensuring the islands are protected in this w...

On all flights to and from the Galapagos islands each passenger is permitted to take 50lb (23kg) of baggage that must be checked in. In addition, each passenger may have an item of carry-on luggage up to 17lb (8kg). Cabin baggage is often subject to ...

Under Ecuadorian law, if you are only temporarily visiting the Galapagos then you are exempted from the requirement to pay any customs charges on items that you are bringing in to the country. This includes new or used portable electronics such as ca...

The vast majority of our vessels will have standard snorkels, face masks and fins for you to use free of charge. Please check the "amenities" section of your ship for full details on exactly what equipment is included, and what carries an additional ...

There is no requirement to wear a wetsuit when swimming or snorkeling in Galapagos, but for the most enjoyable experience we do recommend you use one.
The Galapagos islands are such a haven for undersea life because they lie at the point where warm ...

There is no doubt that photographs you take on your adventure to the Galapagos will be some of the most wonderful you ever will! There are a few tips that can make your shots even better.

First of all, make sure that you bring all the necessary eq...

As throughout the rest of Ecuador, the standard electricity supply in Galapagos operates at 100v AC, 60Hz, using flat 2 pin plugs. This is the same supply voltage and plug type found in the USA, so American visitors won't normally require an adapter ...

The Galapagos islands operate mainly on cash, the US dollar being the official currency since 2000. Please note, though, that $100 bills are NOT readily accepted anywhere in the islands. You may even find it difficult to change $100 bills in the bank...

There are 2 banks with ATMs in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz island, and an additional ATM at the Proinsular supermarket.
In Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal Island there is one bank with an ATM.
Most ATMs will limit your withdrawals to...

At Galapatours we only work with boat operators who adhere to the highest standards of hygiene and food safety, and who only use the best equipment. Away from your cruise boat, we are unable to vouch for the practices of other service providers you m...