Galapagos Expedition Cruises: What to Expect

Shorter Galapagos cruises can work well if the islands form part of a longer holiday. You might combine four or five nights at sea with mainland Ecuador, the Amazon or another part of South America.

For many travellers, we'd also look closely at a seven-night itinerary. This gives you more time to explore different islands and habitats and can make the long journey from the UK feel more worthwhile. Keen wildlife lovers may want longer.

The Galapagos can be visited throughout the year. December to May tends to bring warmer conditions and often calmer seas, while June to November brings cooler water and nutrient-rich currents that can be excellent for marine life.

Conditions can be choppier during the cooler season, so we'd look at your preferred wildlife experiences, activities and cruising conditions when considering dates.

You don't need to be an athlete, but a reasonable level of mobility can make a big difference. You may need to step in and out of Zodiacs, take part in wet or dry landings and walk over uneven volcanic terrain.

If mobility is a concern, tell us. We can look more carefully at the ship, itinerary and style of excursions before suggesting an option.

Prices vary considerably according to the ship, cabin, itinerary and level of comfort. A smaller, simpler yacht offers a very different experience from a luxury expedition vessel.

It's also important to compare what's included. Flights within Ecuador, park fees, excursions, drinks and equipment can vary between operators, so the headline cruise price doesn't always tell the whole story.

Absolutely. You can stay on inhabited islands and explore through land excursions, day boat trips and activities, or combine several islands to create an island-hopping holiday.

A cruise generally makes it easier to reach a wider range of visitor sites, while a land stay gives you more time to experience individual islands and everyday island life. You can also combine the two.

Read our guide to Galapagos land-based holidays and island hopping .

Many trips include time in Quito before or after the cruise. You could also explore the Andes, visit Ecuador's cloud forest or add an Amazon stay.

For a bigger adventure, the Galapagos can form part of a wider South America holiday .

We'd start with the experience you want. How important is wildlife? How active would you like to be? Would you prefer an intimate yacht or more space and facilities onboard?

We'd then consider your budget, dates and available time before comparing the routes and ships that fit. That's particularly important in the Galapagos because two cruises that look similar at first can offer quite different itineraries.

There isn't one Galapagos expedition cruise we'd recommend to everybody. The right choice depends on what matters most to you.