Inquisitive sea lions and spiky marine iguanas breach and bask between island and shore. Friendly hammerhead sharks patrol the depths and blue-footed boobies cut through the sky. Come with us on our Galapagos Islands tours & holidays and observe the local wildlife in the same, untouched way Charles Darwin did hundreds of years ago. Nowadays, these Ecuadorian islands host a steady stream of modern-day explorers from animal-seekers who long for face-to-face encounters to sun-chasers itching to relax on a pristine beach or two. Embark on your own adventure as you wander from isla to isla, soak in crystal-clear waters, traverse volcanic landscapes, and spot animals you've only ever seen pictures of. To be honest, there's simply no place on Earth quite like the Galapagos.
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Terms & ConditionsTravel to the Galapagos Islands and sail around the central eastern islands, witnessing...
Discover amazing wildlife and natural beauty in the Galapagos Islands.
Explore the Galapagos Islands on this island-hopping tour that begins in Quito and...
Visit South America and travel to the Galapagos Islands, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia....
See the Galapagos Islands on an eight-day adventure including Isla Isabela, Isla Santa...
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
Sail the aquamarine waters of the Galapagos’s central southern islands taking in...
Spend 10 unforgettable days on board the Grand Daphne, discovering the central islands...
As far as face-to-face wildlife encounters go, the Galapagos wildlife experience rivals...
Focus on two of South America's heaviest hitters on this 17-day tour through both the...
Take an active 10-day adventure cruise though the Galapagos Islands, from Isla Santa...
Travel to the Galapagos Islands from Quito and embark on a sailing adventure around...
Explore the best of the otherworldly Galapagos Islands on this 10-day tour that takes...
Embark on an immersive Adventure Cruise through the Galapagos Islands and experience...
Discover the treasures of the northern Galapagos Islands on this cruise, including Isla...
Take to the water and explore the beautiful Galapagos Islands. See huge populations of...
Explore the beautiful Galapagos Islands. See huge populations of animals and experience...
Explore the Islands of the Galapagos on this startling adventure that highlights the...
Explore the central islands of the Galapagos on this startling adventure that...
This Galapagos adventure cruise is the perfect way to explore the islands of Isabella,...
Travel to Ecuador and join a 13-day Intrepid journey in the Galapagos’. Visit Isla...
Hop aboard the M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz for a wildlife-filled 8-day adventure around the...
Get the best of the Galapagos on a 9-day tour from Quito to Isla San Cristobal, Isla...
See the best of the Galapagos Islands on this action-packed adventure cruise, touring...
Get the best of the Galapagos on a 7-day tour for 18 to 29 year olds that visits Isla...
Experience the highlights of Peru and the Galapagos Islands on this 30-day tour,...
Visit South America and travel to Peru. Visit Lima, Cusco and Lake Titicaca, tour the...
Take your family on a holiday with a difference to the Galapagos Islands. Snorkel with...
Discover the bizarre and the beautiful on this 17-day cruising tour of the Galapagos...
Come face-to-face with the extraordinary central islands of the Galapagos on an 8-day...
Discover the Ecuador highlights, the Andes mountains, the Amazon rainforest and the...
Focus on South America's heaviest hitters on this 24-day tour through the wildlife-rich...
The group – along with the trip itinerary – were amazing, but I firmly believe...
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The islands are seen as an ecological paradise where exotic and rare animals roam....
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About 97% of the Galapagos Islands are protected by national park, and within this...
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To make the most of your time in this amazing archipelago, you need to be prepared.
Located over 500 miles from the Ecuadorian mainland there’s a bunch of...
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Home to a colony of notoriously tame sea lions, it’s possible to take a dip alongside the friendly population in the crystal-clear waters of Isla Santa Fe. You’ll also be privy to parades of iguanas progressively prowling the beaches like a scene from a tiny Jurassic Park so whip out your camera and don't put it away before you've snapped at least 100 shots.
Ornithology spoiler alert: virtually the entire world population of waved albatross can be found here. And it gets better: boobies, mockingbirds, doves - the list of feathered friends you can make here goes on and on. And trust us when we say you're going to want to take photos of them all.
Green beaches? Check. One of the most remote post boxes in the world? Check. Mega-wildlife-watching opportunities? Check. Isla Floreana has long been considered a highlight of the archipelago, where passing ships used to stop to collect mail from the wooden barrel postbox in the 18th century.
Discover the secrets of the Galapagos that inspired the Theory of Evolution at the Charles Darwin Research Station and meet the island’s famous giant tortoises. While you're at it, why not kayak the waters of Tortuga Bay or swim with harmless sharks under its crystal-clear surface?
This patchwork quilt of various volcanic landscapes is home to a brackish lagoon boasting a star-studded shoreline of wildlife: flamingos teeter at the water’s edge, pelicans chatter in the bushes, and further out to sea, boobies plummet torpedo-like into the deep. And you get to watch it all.
The rocky coastline of Seymour provides shelter to the region’s largest colony of frigate birds and blue-footed boobies, where treks through the cliffs bring you in close proximity to the nesting areas. Talk about an unforgettable experience.
Brimming with remarkable wildlife and landscapes, this is also a prime spot to view the ‘booby two-step’, the captivating dance performed by blue-footed boobies in the throes of courtship.
Surrounded by enticing turquoise waters, Isabela is the biggest island in the archipelago, and home to the largest tortoise population in the Galapagos. Here, you can hike volcanic landscapes and view convict-built remnants for a bucket-list experience you'll remember forever.
A twitcher’s paradise, Genovesa is home to the full hat-trick of boobies, with masked, blue-footed and the rare red-footed all inhabiting this remote island. There are also several other bird nesting sites on the island to marvel at including those of the lava herons, swallow-tailed gulls, mockingbirds, and vampire finches.
The youngster of the archipelago, this island boasts an erratic volcanic landscape that's unmatched anywhere else on Earth. A huge draw card is the iconic Pinnacle Rock, with views from the top to rival any you’ve seen before. And lucky snorkellers might even get to spot the Galapagos penguins!
Gateway to the Galapagos, and home to the main airport, Baltra is used as a launching pad when travelling to other islands in the region. This is a great location to spot iguanas strolling along the main street or sometimes even crossing the runway of the local airport.
Intrepid believes half the fun of experiencing a new country is getting there, and getting around once there! Where possible, Intrepid uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport - which usually carry less of an environmental impact, support small local operators and are heaps more fun.
Depending on which trip you're on while in Galapagos Islands, you may find yourself travelling on:
Built to specification in 2018, the Grand Queen Beatriz is one of the younger boats operating in the Galapagos. It comes equipped with the latest in safety, navigation systems and fuel efficiency.
Grande Daphne is a brand new ship that hit the water in 2021, making it one of the newest boats on the market. With indoor and outdoor dining areas and bars, plus a sundeck with lounges, there is plenty of places to relax and enjoy time with your fellow travellers. All meals are included on the Grande Daphne. The lower deck cabins have portholes, while the main deck and upper deck cabins have large windows. Please note, all images are artist impressions.
About 97% of the Galapagos Islands are protected by national park, and within this...
To make the most of your time in this amazing archipelago, you need to be prepared.
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Check the Essential Trip Information section of the itinerary for more information.
Read about what should be on your Galapagos Islands checklist
While tipping isn’t mandatory, tips are very much appreciated by service workers and guides. Leaving a 10% tip is customary in restaurants. Some automatically add a 10% service charge to your bill, in which case an extra tip isn’t required.
The Galapagos Islands enjoy pretty much perfect weather all year with two distinct seasons offering warmer, rainier months and cooler, drier months. Temperatures rarely dip below 70°F (21°C) or reach higher than 90°F (32°C) so you can travel to the islands at any time throughout the year and experience fantastic weather. Light rainfall is expected from January to May (along with high humidity levels) but it never lasts for long and doesn't often turn into heavier downpours.
There are reliable internet cafes in Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) and Puerto Baquerizo (San Cristobal Island). Some hotels and restaurants on other islands will have a Wi-Fi connection, but it is best not to rely on it.
There is good mobile phone reception on the larger islands, but don’t expect it when at sea. The best local telephone companies are Porta and Movistar. Ensure you have global roaming activated before leaving home if you wish to use your mobile phone.
Read more about whether your phone will work in the Galapagos Islands
Most towns have Western-style flushable toilets, though you will likely encounter squat toilets as well. Regardless, it’s a good idea to carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer, as they are not always provided.
Juice = USD 1
Street food snack = USD 1.50
Simple lunch at a local restaurant = USD 3-5
Sit-down dinner at a cafe or restaurant = USD 10–20
Tap water isn’t considered safe to drink in the Galapagos Islands. Avoid drinks with ice and make sure to peel fruit before eating it. Help the environment and try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, fill a reusable water bottle with filtered water. Your leader or hotel can tell you where to find filtered water.
No, credit cards are not widely accepted. There are a handful of shops on Santa Cruz that may accept major credit cards, but it’s preferable to pay in cash.
The Galapagos Islands are made up of 13 larger islands and more than 60 smaller islands and islets with 5 islands proving habitable to just over 30,000 people. These 5 islands are Isla Baltra, Isla Floreana, Isla Isabela, Isla Santa Cruz, and Isla San Cristobal.
The banks in Puerto Ayora and Puerto Baquerizo have ATMs. The Banco del Pacifico in both towns is open from 8 am to 3:30 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am to 12.30 pm on Saturdays. It's best to withdraw your money on the mainland, however, in case these are out of order. Check each bank’s website for up to date opening hours.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
For a current list of public holidays in the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador go to: https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/south-america/ecuador/public-holidays/
The Galapagos Islands are a relatively hassle-free destination for LGBTQI-travellers. Same-sex marriage was legalised in Ecuador in 2008 and the country hosts several fiestas where it’s acceptable for men to cross-dress as women. That being said, homophobic attitudes do exist among the older generations, and travellers are advised to avoid public displays of affection where possible.
For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel.
Read more about whether the Galapagos Islands are safe for LGBTQIA+ travellers
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveller. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects.
Eden Reforestation Projects
Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe.
Intrepid is committed to travelling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. It's important to remember that what may be acceptable behaviour, dress and language in your own country, may not be appropriate in another. Please keep this in mind while travelling.
In Galapagos Islands, we stay in locally run accommodation including guesthouses, smaller-scale hotels and homestays in an effort to support the local economies. We also visit locally-run restaurants and markets where travellers will have opportunities to support local businesses and purchase handicrafts created by local artisans.
