Galapagos Cruises & Island Hopping

Choosing how to see the Galapagos is the biggest decision of your trip: an all-inclusive small-ship cruise or Galapagos island hopping between hotels. A cruise reaches remote islands such as Genovesa and Fernandina while you sleep aboard, with meals and naturalist guides included; island hopping lets you stay on Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal, with more flexibility and lower prices. Our Galapagos cruises and island-hopping trips start from £2,720 per person, and we’ll help you choose the right boat, islands and season. Planning a wider trip? See our Galapagos Islands holidays.

When to Go

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Example Galapagos Cruises & Island-Hopping Holidays

Galapagos Cruise and Private Island-Hopping

10 days from £6,550 pp

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Galapagos Islands Wildlife Cruise

11 days from £7,100 pp

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Galapagos Island-Hopping Adventure

8 days from £2,720 pp

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Ecuador Highlights & Galapagos Island-Hopping

14 days from £4,500 pp

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Peru, Ecuador & Galapagos Adventure

22 Days from £5,950 pp

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Peru, Ecuador and Galapagos Adventure Sabbatical

55 days from £12,200 pp

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Ecuador & Galapagos Active Adventure

17 days from £4,300 pp

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Ecuador & Galapagos in Luxury

14 days from £9,550 pp

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All Example Holidays

Top Galapagos Experiences

Swim with Sea Turtles, in the Galapagos Islands

Snorkelling in the Galapagos

Snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands offers one of the most unique marine adventures on the planet. Nowhere else on Earth can you simultaneously swim with playful sea lions, watch Galapagos penguins dart through the water and spot whitetip reef sharks resting on the seafloor. It’s an underwater paradise, home to a wealth of biodiversity. Twenty percent of the marine species found in the Galapagos are nowhere else on earth. Whether you choose to explore the archipelago by cruise or through a hotel-based adventure, snorkeling in the Galapagos promises a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Walk or Swim alongside Marine Iguanas in The Galapagos Islands

Walk or Swim with Marine Iguanas

Endemic to the Galapagos Islands, these gentle reptilians have developed unique ecological adaptations making them the world’s only sea-going lizards. During your holiday to Galapagos, watch them glide effortlessly underwater in search for nutrient-rich algae, or see them on land basking in the sun. The crystallised salt encrusted upon their noses is the result of a remarkable adaptation- they sneeze out excess salt to rid it from their bodies.

Different islands are home to different subspecies, varying in colour and size. You’ll find large colonies on Espanola, Fernandina, Isabela, and Santa Cruz Islands. To see these creatures up close, choose a cruise or island-hopping route that includes one of these islands.

Visit a private reserve in The Galapagos Islands to witness Giant Tortoises up close

Hike in the Highlands of Santa Cruz

The highlands of Santa Cruz are one of the best places to see giant Galapagos Tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat. These remarkable giants have inhabited the Galapagos for over two million years and seeing them up close is truly magical. Regrettably, many of the tortoise subspecies are classified as endangered. However, thanks to the ongoing efforts of the Galapagos National Park Service and Charles Darwin Research Station, conservation programs are having a real impact on helping to protect and manage their populations.

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Galapagos Cruises & Island Hopping: Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at info@traveldifferently.co.uk if you cannot find an answer to your question.

When is the best time for a Galapagos cruise?

Galapagos cruises run all year. December to May brings calmer seas and warmer water, ideal for snorkelling and for anyone prone to seasickness. June to November is cooler and choppier, but marine life is at its richest, e.g. whale sightings and seabird nestin]. Popular boats book up 9–12 months ahead, especially at Christmas and Easter, so ask us early.

Is a Galapagos cruise or island hopping better?

A cruise suits travellers who want to see as many islands as possible, including remote ones only boats can reach, with expert naturalist guides on every landing. Island hopping suits families, travellers prone to seasickness and those on a smaller budget, staying in hotels on the inhabited islands and taking day trips by boat. Many guests combine both. Read our full guide: Galapagos cruise vs island hopping.

How do I choose a Galapagos cruise?

Look at four things: the route (each boat follows set itineraries around different islands), the length, the boat’s size and comfort level, and your travel dates. Most Galapagos yachts carry 16 or fewer guests, which keeps landings small and personal. We’ll match you to the right boat for your interests and budget.

How long should a Galapagos cruise be?

Cruises usually last 4, 5 or 8 days. Eight days lets you complete a full route and see the widest range of wildlife; shorter cruises can be combined with island hopping or time in mainland Ecuador.

What extra costs should I expect?

Visitors pay the Galapagos National Park entry fee on arrival, currently $200 for non-Ecuadorian adults, plus a $20 Transit Control Card. Flights to the islands depart from Quito or Guayaquil. We’ll include everything else in your quote.