Giant tortoises
Wild tortoises roam the Santa Cruz highlands.
Where to see giant tortoises ↗Galapagos giant tortoise — Reference image only.
ABOUT US · LOCAL GALAPAGOS EXPERTS
Local Galapagos experts who know every boat.
We have traveled to the Galapagos Islands more than 40 times. That is how we help you find the best boat for your trip, at a fair price, with answers from the first email until you fly home.
Galapagos cruise ship — Reference image only.
40+trips to Galapagos by our team
97%of the islands’ land is national park
100guests: the park’s cap per vessel
16visitors at most per naturalist guide
Sources: our own trip count; Galapagos cruise ship classes for vessel and guide limits; UNESCO World Heritage Centre for the national park share.
01 / WHAT WE STAND FOR
Six promises behind every trip we plan.
Tap each promise. These are the standards we hold ourselves to on every cruise and charter.
We know the islands first-hand.
We have traveled to Galapagos more than 40 times. We have seen the boats, the routes and the visitor sites ourselves, so our advice comes from experience, not brochures.
Every boat must meet every requirement.
We work only with the best boats that meet every one of our clients’ requirements: the right cabins, the right itinerary for your dates, the right crew and guide, and the comfort level you expect.
We check the operator and the owner.
Before you pay, we help you confirm that each boat’s operator and owner comply with their permits and obligations: a valid park operating permit, an authorized itinerary, safety equipment and the company that really runs the boat.
We help you plan the whole trip.
Island flights, the Transit Control Card, park entrance fee, hotels and transfers in Ecuador, cabin plans, diets and celebrations. One clear plan, with honest advice at every step.
The right boat at the right price.
Because we know every boat’s strengths and weaknesses, we can find the best value for your dates and budget, and we show every cost line by line.
We stay with you until you fly home.
From the first email to the last landing, we are reachable. If something changes before or during your trip, you have someone on your side.
02 / WHY GALAPAGOS IS UNIQUE
Nowhere else on Earth works like this.
About 1,000 km off mainland Ecuador, Galapagos was among the very first sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, in 1978. Most of its wildlife evolved here and nowhere else, and still shows little fear of people. Only four islands have towns; the rest are visited by boat, with a licensed naturalist guide, on park-approved itineraries.
Galapagos penguins
The only penguins living this far north, mainly on western Isabela and Fernandina.
Where to see penguins ↗Galapagos penguin swimming — Reference image only.
Waved albatross
They nest almost only on Española, roughly April to December.
Albatross season ↗Waved albatross pair on Espanola — Reference image only.
Marine iguanas
The world’s only ocean-going lizard, basking on black lava.
Best routes for marine iguanas ↗Marine iguana on a Galapagos lava coast — Reference image only.More: What animals will I see? · Which islands are inhabited? · Best time to visit
03 / HOW WE HELP
Three ways we plan your Galapagos trip.
Cruise matching
We compare motor yachts, catamarans and expedition ships for your dates and choose the boat and itinerary that fit your group, your interests and your budget.
Private charters
A whole yacht for your family or group: we shortlist boats, check the cabin plan and the guide’s berth, and put every term in writing.
Planning every detail
Flights, Transit Control Card, park fee, hotels and transfers in Ecuador, packing and timing, coordinated into one plan.
04 / HOW WE CHOOSE BOATS
We would put our own family on board.
Knowing every boat’s strengths and weaknesses is only half the job. Before we recommend one, we check:
- A valid Galapagos National Park operating permit and an authorized itinerary for your dates
- The company on your contract really operates the boat, and the owner stands behind it
- Safety equipment, maintenance and insurance confirmed
- A cabin plan that fits your group, including where the naturalist guide sleeps
- Inclusions and exclusions in writing: park fee, Transit Control Card, flights, gratuities
- Crew, guide language and the onboard style your group expects
05 / RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL
Protecting what you came to see.
Galapagos stays wild because visits are limited and guided. We recommend only boats that operate with valid permits, we brief you on the park rules before you travel, and we plan around the latest changes, such as the 2026 Galapagos National Park rules.
Licensed naturalist guides
Every landing and snorkel at a visitor site is led by a licensed guide.
Do you need a guide? ↗Keep your distance
Stay at least 2 meters (about 6.5 ft) from wildlife; never touch or feed animals.
How close can you get? ↗Biosecurity
Fresh fruit, seeds, plants and soil are not allowed in, to protect the islands.
What you can’t bring ↗Drones
Drones need prior Galapagos National Park authorization.
Drone rules ↗2026 rules
Some sites near the towns now need advance reservations.
Park rules 2026 ↗06 / FAQ
About working with us
Are you a cruise operator?
No. We are local Galapagos experts who help you choose and book the right boat. The boat’s operator runs the voyage; we vet that operator and the owner, organize the details around your trip and stay with you throughout.
Do you work with every boat in Galapagos?
No. We work only with the best boats that meet every one of our clients’ requirements. Knowing each boat’s strengths and weaknesses lets us say no to the ones that would not suit you. Galapagos cruise ship classes.
Do you plan private charters as well as cruises?
Yes. We help you compare cabins on shared departures and whole-boat private charters for families and groups. We are not a travel agency or an operator. How a private charter works.
Can you help with flights and hotels?
Yes. We explain island flights, the Transit Control Card, the park fee, hotels and transfers in Ecuador so everything fits one plan. Should you arrive a day early?
How do I start?
Email hola@galapagosislands.cruises with your dates, group size, budget range and interests, or use the inquiry builder on our contact page.
LET’S PLAN IT
Tell us how you want to see Galapagos.
Local experts, the best boats, honest prices and answers during your whole trip.