Galapagos Islands
Cruise Holidays and Expeditions

Cruising the Galapagos Islands is a wonderful way to explore this unique natural environment. Follow in Darwin’s footsteps and discover what makes this volcanic archipelago off the coast of Ecuador so special. Although the Galapagos Islands are now easily accessible, their remote location has made them home to some of the world’s most strange and wonderful animals, birds and sea life.

On a voyage of discovery around the Galapagos Islands, you will meet a huge variety of wildlife that has had no experience of man's existence and therefore has never feared it. As a result, the limited number of visitors are able to observe and photograph at remarkably close range.

Stroll the white sand beaches with friendly sea lions, snorkel with inquisitive Galapagos penguins and observe blue-footed boobies and other unique birds. A close up view of the famous Galapagos tortoises and prehistoric land and marine iguanas will make your cruise an unforgettable experience.

With a massive diversity of flora and fauna on 13 major islands, 8 smaller islands and 40 islets, the Galapagos islands can offer many different cruises. Each island has its own distinct character, with vastly differing wildlife, climate and terrain.

The most densely populated island of Santa Cruz is the home of the Charles Darwin Research Centre, where there is the opportunity to learn more about the preservation of this distinctive wildlife habitat. Travel up into the lush highlands to see lava tunnels, the Twin Craters and giant tortoises foraging for food.

Santiago island is home to land and marine iguanas that bask on the long, lava shoreline, and offers the chance to explore tide pools and meet Galapagos fur seals.

The famous Pinnacle Rock towers over the mangroves and golden sands of Bartolomé, where it is possible to snorkel with penguins and see white tipped reef sharks.

The largest of the islands, Isabela, boasts 5 active volcanoes as well as salt water lagoons full of flamingos, and a beautiful shoreline with dolphins, whales, sea turtles and the ocean sunfish – mola mola.

Fernandina is the youngest of the islands, a place to see evolution in action with the flightless cormorant. It is also a haven for the marine iguana, whilst Floreana island is snorkelling heaven, home to a large colony of sea lions.

Espanola island is a fabulous island of boobies, doves and mocking birds, and is the only nesting place of the waved albatross.

The Galapagos Islands are in the Pacific Ocean, 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador on the equator, and also cooled by the Humboldt Current, which makes them suitable for both hot and cold weather flora and fauna. The islands were designated a National Park in 1959 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Numbers of visitors are limited, giving a sense of freedom and adventure as like-minded travellers can observe the wildlife, explore the wilderness of the islands and also take time to relax on golden beaches.

By far the best way to explore the unique Galapagos Islands is by small ship - so we have chosen the best cruises operating in this area.

Most of the cruises operate nimble zodiac boats to take passengers to shore, with some cruises offering kayaking trips to get even closer to the natural beauty and wildlife of the Galapagos Islands.

The cruise listing below outlines selected Galapagos cruise holidays offered by Blue Water Holidays and its partners. Click on the cruise name to reach the detailed information pages.

All cruises include flights from the UK and some nights in Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador. Some have optional extensions to Peru and Machu Picchu.

See our table of the wildlife you may see in the Galapagos Islands during the various months of the year