Galápagos Cruises

The Galápagos is a year-round destination. The warm season (December–May) brings calmer seas and clearer water for snorkeling, while the cool, dry season (June–November) is best for seabirds and marine wildlife. Departures run every week: browse the full fleet to compare open dates.

Most itineraries run 4, 5 or 8 days. Shorter cruises focus on the central islands; longer ones reach the more remote western and northern islands. Each ship runs set routes (A/B/C): check the day-by-day itinerary on any ship page.

We group ships into three classes by comfort and service level: Luxury, First Class and Tourist Superior. All follow the same national-park routes with naturalist guides; the difference is cabin size, cuisine and onboard amenities.

The exact islands depend on the ship's itinerary. Expect giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, blue-footed boobies and, depending on the route, penguins, flamingos or waved albatross. The itinerary section on each ship page lists the sites visited day by day.

Yes. Activity levels vary by ship and itinerary: some routes involve longer hikes and panga (dinghy) rides, others are gentler. Tell us who's travelling and we'll match you to the right ship. Ask for a recommendation.

No. Snorkeling is optional and gear is provided, and most ships offer stable panga rides for those who prefer to stay dry. If you specifically want diving, filter the fleet for Scuba Diving liveaboards.

Lightweight, quick-dry clothing, a hat, reef-safe sunscreen, a light rain jacket, sturdy walking shoes and a swimsuit. Snorkel gear is usually provided on board. Pack light, since cabins and internal flight baggage allowances are limited.

Popular ships and holiday dates sell out months ahead, so book as early as you can for the widest choice of cabins and departures. Live availability on each ship page shows what's currently open: request a quote to hold a space.