GALAPAGOS GUIDES · GLOSSARY
Speak Galapagos before you go.
The words your guide and crew use, explained in one line each. Search as you type.
Galapagos cruise glossary — Reference image only.
Glossary of Galapagos cruise terms
- Baltra
- Island with the main airport, north of Santa Cruz.
- Caldera
- Collapsed volcano crater, like Genovesa’s Darwin Bay.
- Catamaran
- Twin-hull boat; wide decks and less roll at anchor.
- Charter
- Booking a whole boat for your group.
- Cromwell Current
- Deep current that upwells west of Isabela.
- Dry landing
- Stepping from the panga onto rocks or a dock.
- Endemic
- Found nowhere else in the world.
- Expedition ship
- Larger vessel, up to 100 guests.
- Garúa
- The misty, cool season, roughly June to November.
- Humboldt Current
- Cold current that cools the islands and feeds marine life.
- Itinerary
- The park-approved route a boat holds.
- Motor yacht
- Single-hull yacht; the classic Galapagos boat.
- Naturalist guide
- A park-accredited guide who leads every visit.
- Pahoehoe
- Smooth, ropy lava, as at Sullivan Bay.
- Panga
- The small inflatable or fiberglass dinghy that takes you ashore.
- Park fee
- Entrance fee paid on arrival at the islands.
- Puerto Ayora
- Largest town, on Santa Cruz.
- TCT
- Transit Control Card, required to enter Galapagos province.
- Tuff cone
- Volcanic cone of compacted ash, like Kicker Rock.
- Upwelling
- Cold, nutrient-rich water rising to the surface.
- Visitor site
- A park-designated place where visitors may land or snorkel.
- Wet landing
- Stepping from the panga into shallow water on a beach.
No match. Ask us at hola@galapagosislands.cruises.
Galapagos Cruise Glossary: questions
What is a panga?
A small dinghy used to take guests from the boat to visitor sites.
What does garúa mean?
The misty cool season, roughly June to November.
What does endemic mean?
A species found nowhere else in the world.
What is the TCT?
The Transit Control Card, a registration card needed to enter Galapagos province.
Is there a term you don’t see?
Email hola@galapagosislands.cruises and we will explain it.
Still have a question?
Email us any term or question about cruising Galapagos.
Galapagos is unlike anywhere else on Earth: wildlife that does not run from you, islands still shaped by volcanoes, and a park that limits every visit. Tell us how you like to travel and we will match you with the right boat.