The Galapagos Islands straddle the equator 600 miles west of Ecuador. Discovered in 1535 by a Spanish Bishop and made famous by Darwin’s visit in 1835 and subsequent publication of The Origin of Species, the islands comprise an archipelago of 19 extraordinary islands. Each island is unique and offers a stunning variety of wildlife and scenic vistas. Well acclimated to visitors, the wildlife is always out and waiting for you. Watch out for nesting birds as you hike along the many trails, and then swim with the acrobatic sea lions as they dance through the clear waters. Tortoises roam the highlands, while marine iguanas feed on the green algae near shore. The Galapagos Islands are an exceptional year round destination and one that everyone should visit in their lifetime.

The Galapagos are also wonderful family destination. What better classroom than the “Enchanted Isles”, where young people can explore and learn in a safe and exciting environment. Some operators offer dedicated family departures while others offer discounts for people under 18.

It is possible to visit the Galapagos on your own, but traveling with a guide can enrich your experience immeasurably. Ferries link several of the islands together, but to visit most of the outer islands, you must be on a cruise ship of some sort. Keep in mind that, as in most places, you get what you pay for.

Some expeditions offer the option of camping on shore for a night in a specially designed tented camp. Others offer pre or post extensions visiting Macchu Pichu in Peru. This is a great combination and definitely something to consider if the timings work for you.

Some ideas to consider when choosing a Galapagos Cruise:

1. Boats. From Sail boats, to motor yachts, to luxury ships, the Galapagos Islands have them all. They come in different sizes and price ranges, with large ships (100 passengers) offering all sorts of extra amenities, and smaller ones, a more intimate setting. While sailboats have a romantic charm to them, the cabins are usually a bit smaller, the deck space a bit more limited, and because of the distances, they usually only sail once or twice on a cruise. Motor yachts usually offer a more stable ride than sail boats, though in the Galapagos, this isn’t usually a major issue. That said, there is nothing like the feel of the wind through your hair as you silently glide through the rich waters of these enchanted isles.

2. Itinerary. In an attempt to limit the number of visitors at each landing, every ship has a fixed itinerary, so you must find the best combination of ship and itinerary that works for you.

3. Guides. The quality of the guide is paramount to your experience, so it is important to ensure you have the best guides available. Each ship will have guides on board that will split the group into smaller groups. Even on larger ships, you will still be in a small group, thereby maintaining the intimacy of your adventure.

If all of this control seems a bit much, consider that by limiting the number of people that visit each landing, each day, and ensuring that they have a trained guide with them when they visit, the islands and wildlife are still thriving today despite an increasing number of visitor each year. Visiting the Galapagos today, is not far from what it was twenty years ago, and that is due in large part to the local efforts to maintain the pristine environment.

By: Colin A McNulty