Galapagos Cruises
One of the most incredible ecosystems on Earth…
Named for the iconic giant tortoises that call these islands home, the volcanic archipelago of Galapagos is renowned as one of the most ecologically significant environments on the planet. The incredible local geology and isolation of the islands led to a truly unique ecosystem taking shape, from which a diverse array of animals evolved that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. The adaptations that the inhabitants of each island have to their environments famously inspired Charles Darwin to some of the thoughts that would, one day, lead to the creation of his groundbreaking evolutionary theory. A cruise to the Galapagos Islands puts you in the best place to see some of the world's most extraordinary animals, both on land, sea, and in the sky, as well as the spectacular volcanic landscapes of the islands themselves.
Handcrafted Cruise Packages
7 Nights Galapagos Northern Loop
- 12 Sep 2024 - 20 Sep 2024
- 7 Nights Celebrity Xpedition
- 1 Nights in Ecuador
- Fly Cruise
8 nights including flights from £5,950 per person
11 Nights Galápagos Islands – In Darwin’s Footsteps Plus Mac
- 05 Sep 2024 - 17 Sep 2024
- 11 Nights MS Santa Cruz II
- 1 Nights in Ecuador
- Fly Cruise
12 nights including British Airways flights from £8,732 per person
San Cristóbal to San Cristóbal
- 17 Oct 2024 - 25 Oct 2024
- 7 Nights Silver Origin
- 1 Nights in Ecuador
- Fly Cruise
8 nights including American Airlines flights from £11,120 per person
Helpful Tips to Know Before You Go
- There’s a lot of different wildlife to see in the Galapagos Islands, and a lot of it is limited to specific islands. If you have specific animal-spotting goals, plan your itinerary accordingly - some species of bird and whale are most prevalent in certain months of the year, so be sure to take this into account. Speak to one of our experts if you'd like help deciding when to cruise.
- The Galapagos Islands are home to crucial conservation efforts, and all visitors here must respect the rules that allow the rare native life of the islands to survive. Familiarise yourself with the local rules, including the ban on single-use plastic items like straws, plastic bags and bottles.
- Pay close attention to your guides. If you’re on a guided wildlife or snorkelling tour, your guides have by far the best local knowledge of how and where to spot anything truly exciting, and with their help you stand a much better chance at seeing all of the incredible creatures on your list.
- Galapagos waters can be on the chillier side. The warmest months to visit are February to April, but outside of these, you may wish to bring a wetsuit if your cruise ship doesn’t provide them, and keep warm for your time in the water.
- Most of your time in the Galapagos Islands will be spent exploring nature, so pack accordingly. Practical shoes and clothes are a must, which include long-sleeved tops and a sunhat to protect you from the strong sun. Reef-safe suncream is another essential item.
Things To Do
- With its positioning in Ecuadorian territory, the Galapagos Islands are perfectly placed to include as part of a longer cruise or land trip. Take a trip inland to iconic South American sites like Machu Picchu or the Atacama Desert, or connect to a cruise that explores the South American coasts.
- Spot the ‘Big 15’ of the Galapagos, a list of famous and iconic animals that live in these islands. Many of these animals are unique to the Galapagos, including the renowned Galapagos giant tortoise. With the wildlife being one of these islands’ biggest draws, spotting all of the 15 will be a great goal for any cruiser.
- Visit the top birding sites of the Galapagos. From flamingo-spotting at islands like Floreana to frigatebird finding on San Cristóbal, there are many species of incredible bird that call the Galapagos home. Watch blue-footed boobies, a variety of endangered finches, American flamingos, penguins, and so many more.
- Snorkel and dive amidst rare and beautiful marine life. In the waters of the Galapagos, you’ll find Green Sea Turtles, multiple species of shark and ray, and even marine iguanas, on top of a host of fish and other sea creatures. A truly unique place to take a swim.
- Visit the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Center on Santa Cruz Island to learn about Galapagos giant tortoise conservation and the hard-fought battle to preserve these incredible animals. Observe full-grown enormous adult tortoises as well as juveniles and tiny hatchlings.
- Go whale-watching. The waters of the Galapagos are a fantastic place to spot a wide array of whales and smaller cetaceans, particularly at Isabela Island. 16 species of whales have been spotted in this area over the years, including individuals of humpbacks, sperms, minkes and more. Orcas and dolphins also frequent the waters.
- Marvel at the incredible scenery. With so many volcanic islands with such fascinating geology and ecology, hiking here or taking guided tours to explain the natural wonders around you is sure to be a memorable experience.
Why Book With Kenwood Travel
Your Galapagos cruise deserves to be the best it can possibly be, and at Kenwood Travel, we’re dedicated to making that happen. With decades of experience in crafting the perfect cruises, our experts are excited to help you plan your cruise to the Galapagos Islands, giving advice and aid with everything from your itinerary to your flights and every tip and trick you can think of. Your cruise with Kenwood Travel is ATOL and ABTA protected, ensuring you’ll have total peace of mind to enjoy your Galapagos experiences to the fullest.
Ports of Call & Places to Explore
Baltra Island
Placed towards the centre of the Galapagos Islands, Baltra is host to one of the only local airports, and your most likely port of departure for your Galapagos cruise. This dry island’s scenery is dominated by prickly pears and hardy shrubs, with a host of the archipelago’s signature bird life visible across the island.
San Cristóbal Island
As the capital of the Galapagos province, this island boasts a good many visitor sites and areas for you to enjoy. The Sea Lion Rookery plays host to its eponymous sea lions, as well as many birds. Frigatebird Hill is a great place to spot Magnificent and Great Frigate Birds, and the Isla Lobos islet nearby is a nesting site for bluefooted boobies – and an excellent place to snorkel.
Santa Cruz Island
As the hub for Galapagos tourism, this stands as the best island for experiencing the higher altitude regions, as well as the more inland portions of the island. In addition to fun activities like kayaking, diving, mountain biking and more, there’s plenty of wildlife to spot here as well. The Fausto Llerena Tortoise Centre is home to many of the signature Galapagos giant tortoises, and Black Turtle Cove is a fantastic place to spot turtles as well as three species of shark.
Isabela Island
Formed by the joining of six volcanoes, Isabela Island sits in a region of volcanic activity and incredible marine life. With the greatest concentration of tortoises, you can spot a different species for every volcano, and the oceanic feeding grounds attract a wide array of dolphins, whales and birds. Whales you can spot here include humpbacks, minkes, orcas, sperm whales and more – undoubtedly one of the best whale-spotting sites in the Galapagos.
Santiago Island
Gorgeous visitor sites at this island attract cruisers in large numbers, providing the best chances to spot the Galapagos fur seal. Flamingos and rare ducks can be seen inland, as well as a variety of other fantastic birds. There’s even the site of Salt Mine Crater to visit, if you’re interested in visiting it – a small volcanic caldera with its own salt water lagoon, attracting many of the flamingos that frequent the area. Marine visitor sites, meanwhile, provide incredible snorkelling and diving opportunities.
Floreana Island
The first of these islands colonised by Ecuador, Floreana has possibly the most interesting history of any of the Galapagos islands. Explore the human history in the area at Post Office Bay, where whalers once used to leave letters in a barrel – their ‘post office’ – between long voyages at sea. Visit Flour Beach, whose sand is made of fine coral, and Green Sea Turtles and many species of ray frequent the shallow waters.
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