Galapagos Islands Holidays

Holidays to the Galapagos Islands

Follow in Darwin's footsteps on a journey through one of the most extraordinary wildlife destinations on Earth.

Around 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador , the Galapagos is a remote archipelago of volcanic islands, wild landscapes and remarkable animals found nowhere else.

Sail between the islands on an expedition cruise, stay on land, dive beneath the surface or combine several different experiences. We'll help you build a Galapagos holiday around the way you want to explore.

✓ Extraordinary wildlife

✓ Expedition cruises & land stays

✓ Snorkelling, diving & kayaking

✓ Tailor-made Ecuador combinations

Start Planning Your Galapagos Holiday

A Wildlife Haven

Why Visit the Galapagos Islands?

Few destinations bring you this close to wildlife.

Wander past blue-footed boobies, watch marine iguanas basking on black lava, see giant tortoises moving slowly through the highlands and find sea lions stretched out across sandy beaches.

But the Galapagos is about more than spotting animals.

You can snorkel through clear water, kayak beside mangroves, walk across volcanic landscapes, dive with marine life and learn from expert naturalist guides who bring the islands' extraordinary story to life.

It's an incredible choice for adventurous couples, honeymooners, families and anyone who has wildlife high on their travel wish list.

Our advice: how you explore the Galapagos matters. Your choice of islands, accommodation, cruise itinerary and time of year can create very different holidays.

Sea lions on a Galapagos Islands holiday

Your Galapagos, Your Way

How Would You Like to Explore?

There isn't one right way to visit the Galapagos. The best option depends on how much you want to see, how active you want to be and the style of holiday you enjoy.

Expedition Cruise

Travel between islands while you sleep and spend your days exploring different landing sites with expert naturalist guides.

Explore Galapagos Expedition Cruises →

Land-Based Holiday

Stay on one or more inhabited islands and explore by day trip, giving you more time ashore and the freedom to enjoy local restaurants and island life.

Explore Galapagos Hotels & Land Stays →

Active & Diving Adventures

Build your trip around snorkelling, diving, kayaking, hiking and wildlife experiences, or combine active days with time to relax.

Wildlife encounters during a Galapagos Islands holiday

Explore by Sea

Galapagos Expedition Cruises

An expedition cruise is one of the best ways to experience several Galapagos islands in one journey.

Travel between islands while you sleep, then spend your days exploring by Zodiac, on foot and in the water with expert naturalist guides.

From smaller expedition yachts to luxury vessels, we'll help you compare ships and, importantly, the different itineraries they follow.

Explore Galapagos Expedition Cruises →

A Magnificent Archipelago

Which Galapagos Islands Should I Visit?

Each island has its own landscapes, wildlife and character. Some are known for giant tortoises, others for seabirds, marine life or dramatic volcanic scenery.

Explore our interactive map to discover more about the different Galapagos Islands and some of the wildlife you may encounter.

Galapagos wildlife and volcanic landscapes

Wildlife Worth Travelling For

Meet Some of the Galapagos' Most Famous Residents

Millions of years of isolation have created an extraordinary ecosystem. Many species have evolved in ways seen nowhere else on Earth.

Giant Tortoises One of the great symbols of the islands and an unforgettable sight in the Galapagos highlands.

Blue-footed Boobies Famous for their bright blue feet and wonderfully entertaining courtship displays.

Marine Iguanas The world's only marine lizard, often seen gathered across black volcanic shores.

Galapagos Sea Lions Curious, charismatic and often encountered on beaches, from boats and while snorkelling.

Depending on where and when you travel, you may also encounter Galapagos penguins, frigatebirds, flamingos, waved albatrosses, turtles, rays, sharks and an extraordinary variety of marine life.

Wildlife and scenery of the Galapagos Islands

When to Travel

When Is the Best Time to Visit the Galapagos?

The Galapagos can be visited throughout the year. Rather than one single best month, the seasons bring different conditions and wildlife experiences.

December to May

The warmer season generally brings warmer seas and greener landscapes.

Warmer air and water temperatures
Generally calmer seas
Green, lush landscapes
Excellent snorkelling opportunities

June to November

Cooler, nutrient-rich currents influence the islands during this part of the year.

Excellent marine wildlife activity
Cooler temperatures
Seasonal wildlife highlights
Some periods can bring choppier seas

Not sure when to travel? Tell us which animals, activities and experiences matter most to you and we'll help narrow down the right time and itinerary.

Waved albatross in the Galapagos Islands

Beyond the Islands

Make Ecuador Part of the Adventure

You don't have to fly all the way to Ecuador and only visit the Galapagos.

Adding time on the mainland can turn your holiday into a wonderfully varied journey of wildlife, culture, rainforest and mountains.

Quito Explore Ecuador's historic capital before or after your Galapagos adventure. Cloud Forest Add lush landscapes, hummingbirds and another completely different wildlife experience. Ecuadorian Amazon Combine the islands with rainforest lodges, river journeys and Amazon wildlife.

Explore more of Ecuador or talk to us about creating a tailor-made itinerary.

Good to Know

Planning Your Galapagos Holiday

A Galapagos holiday has a few more moving parts than a traditional beach break. We'll help bring the flights, island arrangements, accommodation or cruise and mainland stays together.

Getting There Travel from the UK is via mainland Ecuador, followed by a domestic flight to the Galapagos Islands.

National Park Visitor and conservation requirements apply to travel in the Galapagos. We'll advise you of the current fees and entry requirements when planning your trip.

How Long? Your ideal duration depends on whether you choose a cruise, land stay or combination and whether you add mainland Ecuador.

Galapagos FAQs

Questions About Holidays to the Galapagos

Is a cruise or land-based Galapagos holiday better?

They offer different experiences. Expedition cruises make it easier to explore several islands and more remote landing sites, while land-based holidays give you more time within local communities and flexibility ashore. We can also create a holiday combining both.

How many days do I need in the Galapagos?

It depends on how you want to explore. A week gives you time for a rewarding Galapagos experience, while longer trips can include more islands, a cruise-and-land combination or time elsewhere in Ecuador.

Are Galapagos holidays suitable for families?

They can be fantastic for families who enjoy wildlife and active experiences. The right ship, hotel and itinerary will depend on the children's ages, swimming confidence and the level of activity your family enjoys.

Can I have a luxury holiday in the Galapagos?

Yes. There are luxury expedition vessels and high-quality accommodation options for travellers who want exceptional wildlife experiences with a more refined level of comfort.

Can I combine the Galapagos with the Amazon?

Absolutely. The Ecuadorian Amazon combines beautifully with the Galapagos and gives you two completely different wildlife environments in one journey. Quito and the cloud forest are other excellent additions.

When should I book a Galapagos holiday?

It is worth planning well ahead, particularly if you have specific dates, wildlife interests, accommodation preferences or a particular expedition ship in mind. Smaller vessels have limited capacity.

Plan With Mapping Your Travel

Your Galapagos Holiday, Thoughtfully Planned

The Galapagos is the kind of destination where good planning really matters.

We'll help you decide whether an expedition cruise, land stay or combination is right for you, then bring together the islands, mainland Ecuador, flights and accommodation into one carefully planned journey.

If you're considering an expedition cruise, Sarah & Nicola are CLIA Expedition Cruise Champion Programme graduates, Class of 2026, and we've visited expedition ships ourselves.

As an independent travel agency, we can compare options from different travel and expedition companies rather than being tied to one operator.

Eligible bookings benefit from ABTA and ATOL protection, and there is no consultation or booking fee for our holiday planning service.

Interested specifically in exploring by ship? Visit our dedicated Galapagos Expedition Cruises page.

Ready to Start Your Galapagos Adventure?

Tell us what you'd love to see and how you like to travel. We'll help you create a Galapagos holiday that fits you.

Plan Your Galapagos Holiday

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Why Choose Us?

Independent, personal advice

No booking or consultation fees

ABTA member & ATOL protection on eligible bookings

First-hand travel knowledge

Here before, during & after you travel

Cornwall based, helping customers across the UK

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