When planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands, customers often ask us, “What is the best Galapagos cruise?” or “Can you book me on the best Galapagos cruise.” Yet what might be the best Galapagos cruise for one visitor might not be the same for another as there are several different things to think about. You need to choose the best Galapagos cruise based on what you want from it.
We recommend several factors to consider when choosing the best Galapagos Islands cruise for you. These include itinerary, activities, time of year, level of luxury, price and boat stability.
The length of cruise is one differentiator between itineraries. For some travelers, the “best” Galapagos cruise might be the longest one. For others, it might be a shorter itinerary with less sailing time. There are trips of all different lengths to suit time and budget preferences. Some cruises are as short as just 4 days and 3 nights, while some itineraries run for more than 10 days. In general, the more islands you visit, the more you will be likely to see, though many of the islands have a lot of wildlife and birdlife.
If there are certain islands you want to go to, or specific wildlife, birdlife or marine creatures you want to see, this will have an impact on what is the best cruise for you. We can help advise on this.
The activities offered on Galapagos Islands cruises generally do not differ much from cruise to cruise. Island walks to observe the birdlife and other wildlife on nature trails is a part of every cruise itinerary. This is what most visitors to the archipelago are looking for and there will be little variation, as paths are fixed and it is not permitted to just walk anywhere, for conservation reasons.
Some activities may not be offered on some Galapagos cruise itineraries. For example, not all Galapagos boats offer kayaking in their itineraries. Only some of them have the equipment for this. If the best Galapagos cruise you can imagine includes kayaking, do check whether your preferred cruise does offer this activity, to avoid disappointment.
If diving is important to you, please note that you can only dive on a cruise from a liveaboard vessel. Other Galapagos Islands cruises will not offer diving as an activity. If the best Galapagos cruise that you can imagine is one that includes diving, do pay attention to this point, otherwise you will miss out.
Time of year will be an important factor for some when planning their best Galapagos cruise. Time of year affects the weather, as well as the wildlife on the islands and pricings.
The Galapagos weather is warm and tropical all year around. However, there are some distinct differences between the seasons that may affect enjoyment of a cruise for some. Between February and April, the Galapagos is in its hot, wet season. In this period the weather will feel more humid, and visitors can expect rainfall. While rainfall never usually lasts long, some may prefer not to experience it at all, and in which case, going in a drier month will be better. For those seeking a drier and cooler experience, June through December will generally be good.
Wildlife and what it is doing varies from month to month in the Galapagos. Breeding and nesting seasons vary from species to species. So too, does presence in the Galapagos Islands. Some species, such as the waved albatross, are only there for certain months of the year. The waved albatross is only present between April and December. There is also a chance of seeing humpback whales in the waters around the islands, but this is only likely between June and September. Many of the other species are found in the archipelago year-round. If there is a particular species you really want to see, your best Galapagos cruise will obviously be when it is there, so paying attention to this when booking is important.
Equally, some activities are better in some months than others. For those looking for the best diving cruise, the months that are most highly rated for this in the Galapagos Islands are June through October. There is a lot of marine life present during these months including greater possibilities of seeing whale sharks or hammerheads. For those that think that the best Galapagos cruise will be the one where they will get to take the best pictures, other months might be better. For photography, during February to April the skies will be clearer, and between June and November, the weather is drier.
For the price sensitive, the best Galapagos cruises are unlikely to be found during vacation periods of Christmas and New Year, and over the summer months of June through August. These are also very busy times within the islands, with a great number of tourists. For cheaper or less busy trips, it is best to visit in the low or shoulder seasons, such as February to April and September to November.
For some visitors to the Galapagos Islands, traveling in luxury will be very important for the enjoyment of their cruise. In this case, the level of luxury is going to be key in choosing the best Galapagos cruise for them.
Each Galapagos cruise boat is graded at a different level. At the top end is “luxury class” where customers can expect a good deal of comfort and even amenities such as a Jacuzzi or a pool. The next step down is “first class” which is also comfortable with well-appointed cabins, good service and amenities such as a bar or a library. Moving down the levels, “tourist superior class” has decent cabins, amenities and food. The lowest level is “tourist class” and these boats are fairly basic – though still have good itineraries.
Being clear about the level of comfort that you want and understanding the different levels of cruise available will be important in finding the best Galapagos cruise for you.
As with many of the other criteria for choosing the best Galapagos cruise, the best price for some will not be the best price for others. What we recommend is going for the best quality vessel you can afford, because this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. That said, good value can be found in all the different classes of Galapagos cruises.
For some visitors to the Galapagos Islands, sea sickness can be a worry. Galapagos islands cruises sail at various times in the day and often at night so that you get to wake up somewhere new in the morning. For those with sea sickness, this can be a real challenge. Some say that cruises on catamarans are more stable than yachts. We have not found this to be the case. Going on a larger vessel may have some stability benefits, however, so those with concerns about sea sickness may want to choose a bigger boat. If not, there is much that can be done to avoid or alleviate sea sickness.
One person’s “best Galapagos cruise” may not be the best for another. What is important in choosing the best Galapagos cruise for you is thinking about what matters most to you in your experience, be it range of wildlife, weather, activities or other preferences. Do your research or ask our experts in the Galapagos Islands to find the best Galapagos cruise to suit your needs.
