Galapagos Islands cruises

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.

You’ll have comfortable accommodation on the boat each night as you cruise around the islands of the Galapagos. As a rule, expect your days to be filled with walking treks and snorkelling, all accompanied by an experienced naturalist guide, as well as a variety of optional activities. With the exception of the first and last days of the trip, fresh meals will be provided by the on-board chef for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For more specific information, check the daily itineraries and Essential Trip Information of your chosen trip.

Any activities not listed in the itinerary for each trip that have not been assessed by us. Therefore, our staff and leaders are unable to assist with booking these activities. The decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion. This includes any and all diving activities. Due to our internal safety policy, our leaders are specifically prohibited from recommending or assisting with booking diving activities.

The additional following costs are also not included in our listed travel prices:

• Wetsuit hire (not included on trips aboard Daphne but included on trips aboard Grand Queen Beatriz).

• Telecommunications charges

• Bar, beverage and other personal charges (unless otherwise specified in the Essential Trip Information)

• Any additional airfares (unless otherwise specified in the itinerary)

• Passport and visa expenses

• Government arrival and departure taxes

• Galapagos National Park fee and Galapagos transit card

• Isabela Island port fee (if applicable)

• Baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance

• Excess baggage charges

• The voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew

There is no better way to see the Galapagos Islands than by boat. Unlike our other trips, which rely on ferries and then overland travel, boats allow you to discover the more remote islands, like Fernandina, the west coast of Isabela and the bird watcher’s paradise of Genovesa. Highly regulated the authorities ensure that the number of boats at each site at any one time are limited. Far from restricting your experience, this system enhances it because the itineraries are designed in such a way as to eliminate the amount of vessel crossover. The result is visitors witness more of the wildlife they’ve come to see without vying with boatloads of other tourists to see it  

The Galapagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean off the western coast of Ecuador in South America, right on the equator.

The islands are 973 kilometres (605 miles) off the Ecuadorian coast, and are considered a remote location from the mainland.

This can be a tricky question for the Galapagos Islands. One of the best things about the region is that it’s a great place to visit all year round, with one of the most temperate climates on the planet. If you’re seeking the warmth, temperatures average around 30°C (86°F) from January to May, but you’ll encounter some humidity and the occasional downpour. The cooler dry season from June to December sees temperatures closer to the 26°C (79°F) mark, but this is also when sea mammals and birdlife tend to be easiest to spot.

That being said, there’s something to see all year round, with giant tortoise eggs hatching in January, blue-footed boobies dancing their way through courtship in May, and fur sea lion pups abundant in October.

While the Galapagos Islands are on the equator, its unique location means it avoids the extremes of a tropical climate and the weather is fairly reasonable all year round. They do experience a distinct ‘dry season’ from June to December and a ‘warm season’ from January to May. The dry season brings the Humboldt Current from the south to cool the air and water. While the highlands of the larger islands stay green with the atmospheric mist that creeps over the skyline, there’s little precipitation around the sea-level islands. The warm season brings higher temperatures to the islands and the water that surrounds them, while the skyline gets a little cloudier, with rain a daily occurrence.

Average water temperatures vary between seasons. In January to June the water tends to be between 20C–26C (70F–80F), while in July to December temperatures are closer to 18C–23C (65F–75F).

The short answer is a bit of both. Expect to do some island-hopping during the day, but the longer hours of travel will likely take place in the evening. Check your daily itinerary for specific travel information.

The waters around the Galapagos Islands are usually pretty calm, with seasickness a minor issue for most passengers. Bearing in mind the unpredictability of nature, big swells and major storms are a rarity. January to April are known for pretty glassy conditions with only minor swells, while the water starts to get rougher from June to August, with the shifting Humboldt Current making August and September the months of liveliest waters. Consequently, travel times can be longer than usual. If you suffer from seasickness you may want to reconsider travelling during this period.

The extent and severity of seasickness varies from person to person. Some may be lucky enough to experience no symptoms at all while others may suffer headaches, dizziness and vomiting. Usually all symptoms of seasickness resolve after some time adjusting to life on-board. If you are prone to experience motion sickness, we recommend consulting with your doctor before arriving to see what medical solutions might work for you.

You can also read our guide to beating seasickness for alternative methods of combating seasickness.

If you have enjoyed the services provided by your guide and crew, a tip will be very much appreciated. As a guideline US$10-15 per passenger, per day, is standard for the crew, with US$7-10 per day for your guide. Tips can be left in envelopes in your cabin on the last day of your journey.

Some restaurants on the islands may already include a 10% service charge in the bill, in which case an extra tip isn't required. At places that don’t include a service charge, feel free to round up the bill or leave some spare change.

Included activities are different for each day and trip, but as a rule, most guided walking treks and snorkelling activities are included. Check your daily itinerary for specific information.

You will be using a zodiac boat (or panga) during wet and dry landings and when returning from snorkelling.

Meals will be prepared by your on-board chef for breakfast, lunch and dinner, using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. For breakfast, expect toast, spreads, muesli and eggs with fresh fruit and juices. Lunch will typically be a mix of hot and cold dishes, as well as salads or vegetables, fruit salad and juice. Dinner includes fresh seafood, chicken or pork, pasta, rice, vegetables, salads, and dessert.

Coffee, tea, soft drink and water are available 24 hours. Each boat also comes with a fully stocked bar.

The weather in the Galapagos is fairly temperate all year round. In most cases you’ll either be in the water snorkelling or on an island walking. Otherwise you’ll be relaxing on the boat as you travel between islands. You should check the Essential Information of your trip for a specific list, but below is a suggested packing guide for the Galapagos:

• Daypack (a smaller backpack that you can take with you on island excursions)

• Comfortable clothing for warmer temperatures (shorts, t-shirts, light long sleeved tops and pants)

• A fleece or warmer jumper for the evenings or early mornings

• A light rain coat or poncho

• Comfortable shoes. Trainers or walking shoes are sufficient for most trips, however, a number of trips include a volcano walk and some travellers may feel more comfortable in hiking shoes or boots.

• Sandals or thongs/flip flops/sandals

• Sunscreen (bio degradable and waterproof if available) and lip balm (to combat the effects of wind burn)

• Sunglasses

• Sunhat (that can be secured as it can get windy out on the water)

• Swimming costume

• Water bottle (filtered water is available on board the boat)

• Bio-degradable shampoo, conditioner and soap

• Dry bag

• Pegs (so you can hang your swimming costume or towel out to dry)

• Insect repellent (for island visits)

• US adaptor/electrical plug

• Binoculars (for keen birdwatchers)

• Camera (underwater if you have one)

• Earplugs

• Any required medications

• Passport

Some passengers choose to bring their own snorkelling equipment, but this is a personal choice. Diving masks, snorkels and fins are provided on-board the vessel for use by all passengers. Beach towels are also provided. Wetsuits are available for hire at an additional cost.

Although each cabin has space to store bags, space is always restricted on a boat, so we suggest that you take a backpack or soft-sided duffle bag with you. These bags should be easily stored in your cabin. Larger fixed suitcases are usually too big to store in the cupboard space.

If you are travelling with a larger bag you do have the option of leaving it behind at the start hotel on Day 1and borrowing one of our kit bags, which hold about 12kg. This service is provided by the hotel, and although we haven’t had issues with theft in the past, we highly recommend that you don’t leave any valuables behind.

The airline that we use for our Galapagos trips has a check-in baggage allowance of 23kg per person and a cabin baggage allowance of 10kg.

Each trip is accompanied by an experienced naturalist guide. Our guides are registered and trained in conservation and natural sciences by the Charles Darwin Foundation and licensed by the Galapagos National Park Service. The guide will be on board with you for the duration of the trip and will accompany you on all excursions.

The wildlife in the Galapagos Islands is precisely why most people choose to visit. The sheer diversity and variety of life on land, in the air and under the water is mind-boggling, and it’s difficult to provide an exhaustive list. Here are just a few of the biggest drawcards to the islands:

• Giant Galapagos tortoises

• Darwin’s finches

• Galapagos land iguanas

• Marine iguanas

• Frigatebirds

• Blue-footed boobies

• Red-footed boobies

• Galapagos hawks

• Flightless cormorants

• Galapagos sea lion

• Sally Lightfoot crabs

• Waved albatross

• Galapagos penguins

• Lava lizards

• Galapagos mockingbirds

• Large painted locusts

You can charge your phone on-board, however, electricity in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands requires US plugs so you may need to take an adapter. Additionally, mobile phone coverage is almost non-existent whilst travelling around the islands. You may find that you only have some limited service when you are closer to the bigger islands.

Wi-Fi is not available on the boat at all whilst in the Galapagos Islands. There is limited access on the bigger islands of Santa Cruz, San Cristobal and Isabela and there may also be the occasional internet cafe for you to use if there is time.

Cabins are air-conditioned, as are communal indoor areas.

Though there is no risk of yellow fever in the Galapagos Islands, a vaccination certificate is required for travellers coming from infected areas.

It is always recommended that you visit your doctor or travel clinic for up to date advice and make sure to schedule vaccinations 4-6 weeks before your departure date, as some require time to become effective.

Recommended vaccines and precautions

• Hepatitis A (transmitted through contaminated water)

• Rabies (transmitted through bites of infected mammals)

• Yellow Fever (transmitted through bites of infected mosquitoes)

• Diphtheria (transmitted through person-to-person contact or contact with infected objects, such as a cup or tissue)

• Tetanus (transmitted through infections to cuts or puncture wounds)

• Typhoid (transmitted through contaminated water)

• Malaria (transmitted through bites of infected mosquitoes)