What to Expect during your Galapagos Island Cruise

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Naturalist Departures

The most popular way to experience the Galapagos Islands. After all the islands are one of the world's natural wonders and the place where Charles Darwin did his fieldwork. Naturalist cruises include easy hikes and panga rides as well as the opportunity to swim, snorkel and on some boat kayak; all of which are option. The Galapagos are a natural paradise where the creature have little or no fear of humans, making it ideal to interact in diverse habitats. All of this translates into great fun, excellent photography and the feeling that you are a star in your own nature show. Friendly guides are highly educated and experienced in the natural history of the islands and will open up a world of wonders for you.

Diving Departures

The Galapagos is recognized as one of the top dive destinations in the world. It is also one of the best values in diving, as well as being one of the best places to dive with larger animals. The creation of the Galapagos Marine Reserve helped ensure that these waters remain among the healthiest in the world. Dive Itineraries offer 2 to 3 dives per day, with the possibility of night diving. Dive itineraries feature special visits to Islands like Darwin and Wolf which are only included on dive itineraries. Dive Master are skilled and knowledgeable. You will have plenty of opportunity to see the wonders on land. Warning: Diving in the Galapagos is for certified divers with open water experience only.

Active Departures

If you are looking for something somewhat more physical consider one of the active departures. These trips feature longer, more difficult hikes with more opportunities to go snorkeling and kayaking. If you are looking to dive in the Galapagos, but don't want a full dive trip or are traveling with other people and not everyone dives, this is an ideal trip. Certified divers will have the opportunity to dive up to 3 times during the trip to more than 45 feet (dive locations at the dive masters discretion). This way you will get to experience the unparalleled richness of the underwater reserve without mission the wonders topside. These departures are ideal for active adults who want the most from every movement, and for adventure seeking families.

Optional Diving Departures

The optional diving departures are Naturalist Departures with a little extra - a dive master on board. These itineraries allow flexibility for those passengers looking for a classic cruise, but also want an opportunity to dive while in the Galapagos. This popular option allows certified divers have the opportunity to dive up to 8 times during the trip - while non-divers enjoy a naturalist departure. This is the perfect option for people who want to do some diving without doing a full dive trip or those passengers traveling with others who don't dive.

Family Departures

The Galapagos provides an exceptional opportunity for parents, children and grandparents alike to enjoy the trip of a lifetime together with activities tailored to each. Children are especially enriched by the natural living legacy of the archipelago, where science suddenly becomes fun and accessible. Where else can kids safely get so close to so many animals: swimming with sea lions and penguins in the morning or posing with red-footed boobies or an ET look-alike giant tortoise in the afternoon? These departures feature presentations and activities geared towards children of all ages. Kids meals are provided as are special activities like star gazing and movie night. A special kid's workbook insures children will get credit for their trip when they return to class. We invite your family to experience a paradise with a full range of exceptional experiences for all, yet parents can relax and return refreshed.

What to Expect on Your Cruise

Each boat cruising the Galapagos varies from the others in facilities, crew and services available. What to expect from varies between boats in general terms there are similarities. Using their engines the boats travel between islands at night. Depending on the length of the passage and the speed of the boat arrival at the day's destination is normally before breakfast. After a good meal visitors, the guide, and a few crewmembers board the panga for a morning walk.

After breakfast your first visit is normally a 1-2 hour walk. Strolling at a leisurely pace, the guide will explain about the natural history of the islands along the way. When the walk finishes back at the beach there is usually time to enjoy swimming and snorkeling before lunch.

After your morning excursion you will returning to the boat for lunch, and time for a siesta or to relax, read or watch for whales during the heat of the day before your next visit.

Whether visiting another visitor site on the same island like on Tower (Genovesa) or visiting a different island in the afternoon the group normally goes ashore again in the afternoon. Having the opportunity to snorkel before taking the nature hike.

Returning to the boat in the evening snacks are usually available as you board the boat, there is time for a drink and a shower before the guide's briefing of the next day's activities. Each day the guide prepares a briefing of the following day's events including the visiting sites, highlights, and what to bring ashore. Dinner is served around 7 or 8pm finishing a very busy day in the islands. After dinner most passengers take time to read, write in their journals or relax in front of a video before going to sleep.

Wet Landings

Wet Landings are landings on the beach rather than on the shore. Passengers go ashore by swinging their legs over the side of the panga and then stepping off into approximately a foot of water, and finally wading to shore. The process is relatively easy and is done in reverse to board the panga.

Unless wearing Tevas or other aqua shoes, the wet landing is made barefoot. Then once on shore there is a few minutes to dry feet and try to remove as much sand as possible before putting on shoes and socks before the natural history walk. Bringing two towels or wash clothes on a wet landing is highly recommended. One towel is used to put your feet on while the other towel is used to dry the feet and get the sand off.

Dry Landings

Dry Landings are made in areas where the passenger can exit the panga directly on to a rock or lava surface. Shoes can be worn for the duration of a dry landing. This is actually the more difficult landing since the panga continues to move while passengers attempt to step off the boat on to a slippery surface.

Good balance and paying attention to what you are doing is the key to a successful dry landing. The guide will go ashore first and offer you a hand. Use the help! The guide will tightly grip your hand so you can balance while trying to find your footing. Boarding the panga is done in the same fashion the guide or a crewmember will offer a hand to everyone as they re-board the panga.

Meals

Typically cruises offer visitors a variety of Ecuadorian and International menus with a large selection of fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood. Travelers rave about the food they receive in the Galapagos, both in quality and quantity.

Meals on board are normally spaced out during the day with breakfast at 7:30am, lunch around 12:30pm and dinner around 7:30pm. Snacks are generally offered whenever returning from a landing.

The morning begins with a hot breakfast of eggs, meats or pancakes depending on the day served with toast, breads, instant coffee, tea, fresh fruit and fresh fruit juice. While in the Galapagos and in Ecuador try some of the exotic fruits and juices. They have a variety that may not be seen elsewhere.

Lunch is a hearty meal starting with soup or salad, a hot main dish of meat or fish served with vegetables and fresh fruit desert. Some boats serve breakfast and lunch buffet style allowing passengers to select their own meal and eat on the deck if they prefer.

Dinner is similar to lunch only larger. The chef will take advantage of special events like birthdays or anniversaries by demonstrating the exceptional deserts that can be made while at sea. Coffee, tea, milk and water are regularly available at meals. Sodas and alcoholic beverages can be purchased at an additional cost.

Most boats handle extra beverages on the honor system. The bar is stocked with a selection of beverages and a note pad to write down whatever you take. At the end of the cruise each passenger is presented with a bill for the extra items.

Snorkeling

If you have ever wondered what it would be like to swim with vibrant tropical sea life you might otherwise only see in an aquarium then snorkeling in the Galapagos is a must. Life in the Galapagos waters is as rich and varied as that above it, and no trip would be complete without a view of this vast underwater kingdom.

Snorkeling is a basic form of skin diving where a swimmer uses fins, mask and a snorkel to move about in shallow water to view the environment from the surface.

The basic equipment includes a waterproof facemask, which encloses the eyes and nose and providing clearer vision under the water. The breathing tube called a snorkel allowing the swimmer to breath while face down at the surface of the water.

It is also possible for swimmers to dive under the surface to observe the underwater scenery for as long as they can hold their breath. Fins give the swimmer a much more efficient kick, requiring less energy for movement due to the larger surface area provided.

Natural History Cruises generally contain some snorkeling sites within their itineraries. Natural History cruises will visit snorkeling sites closer to shore and easily accessible even by the novice snorkeler.

Snorkeling allows visitors to take a glimpse at this unique environment and learn about life under the sea. Snorkeling is frequently the favorite part of a visit to the Galapagos. The highlight of which is commonly a game of tag initiated by young sea lions and penguins.