Galapagos Islands Cruises

Follow in Darwin’s footsteps and discover what makes this volcanic archipelago off the coast of Ecuador so special.

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. Limited number of visitors are able to observe and photograph at remarkably close range.


Cruise Collection

Galápagos Islands – Nine of the Best Isles
10 Night Cruise Only from £6821 pp On board Santa Cruz II
Bartolome Island

Special OfferSave up to 25% on 2025-26 sailings!

UK - Quito (Ecuador), Baltra Island, Punta Vicente Roca - Fernandina, Santa Cruz Island - Charles Darwin Research Station, Floreana - Champion Islet - Cormorant Point, Las Bachas beach, Santiago Island - Puerto Egas, Rábida Island - Bartolomé Island, Genovesa Island - Darwin Bay, Santa Cruz Island - Baltra Island

In Darwin’s Footsteps (Eastern Route)
8 Night Cruise Only from £5283 pp On board Santa Cruz II
Galapagos Blue Footed Boobies

Special OfferSave up to 25% on 2025-26 sailings!

UK - Quito (Ecuador), Baltra Island, Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve - Punta Pitt, Santa Fe - South Plaza Island, Santa Cruz Island, Española - Gardner Bay, Eden Islet - North Seymour, Baltra Island

From Machu Picchu to the Galápagos Islands
6 Night Cruise Only from £5283 pp On board Santa Cruz II
Gardner Bay, Galapagos

Baltra Island (Galápagos), Mosquera Island, Punta Pitt, San Cristóbal Island, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island, South Plaza Island, Santa Fé Island, Puerto Ayora, Isla Santa Cruz, Punta Suarez, Isla Española, Gardner Bay, Española Island, North Seymour Island, El Edén Island, Baltra Island

Galapagos Islands Expedition Cruise
7 Night Cruise Only from pp On board Celebrity Flora
Galapagos

Baltra Island (Galapagos Islands) - Daphne Island, Espanola Island, Floreana Island, Isabela Island, Fernandina Island - Isabela Island, Santa Cruz Island, Baltra Island

Inca Highlights and Galapagos Islands
12 Night Cruise Only from pp On board Fram
Quito

Quito (Ecuador), Quito - Baltra Island (Galapagos) - Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Baltra Island - Lima (Peru), Lima - Callao, Puerto General San Martin, Antofagasta (Chile), Valparaiso

Northern Galapagos Islands
7 Night Cruise Only from pp On board Celebrity Xpedition
Bartolome Island

Baltra (Galapagos Islands) - Black Turtle Cove , Rabida - Egas Port, Isabela Island - Fernandina Island, Bartolome Island - Santa Cruz Island - Daphne Island, Genovesa Island, Santa Cruz Island, Baltra

Southern Galapagos Islands
7 Night Cruise Only from pp On board Celebrity Xpedition
Santa Cruz Island

Baltra (Galapagos Islands) - North Seymour Island, Santa Cruz Island - Santa Fe Island, San Cristobal Island, Floreana Island, Isabela Island, Santa Cruz Island, Espanola Island, Baltra

South America Expedition Cruise - Machu Picchu & Galápagos
8 Night Cruise Only from £5049 pp On board Santa Cruz II
Bartolome Island, The Galapagos Islands

Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz Island - Baltra Island (Galápagos), Fernandina Island - Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island - Puerto Ayora, Isla Santa Cruz, Champion Island - Post Office Bay, Floreana - Punta Cormorant, Floreana Island, Baltra Island - Las Bachas, Santa Cruz Island, Buccaneer Archipelago (Australia) - Puerto Egas (Galápagos), Rabida Island - Bartolome Island, El Barranco, Genovesa Island, Sailing Itabaca Channel - Darwin Bay, Genovesa Island - Baltra Island


About Galapagos Islands Cruises

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.

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

Flora and Fauna

It is easy to see why the Galapagos Islands inspired Charles Darwin almost two centuries ago. The unique flora and fauna is captivating. There are 25 native reptile species, 19 of which are endemic, as well as 154 species of birds. The flora is no less impressive, with an incredible 1432 plant species which thrive in the desert-like conditions.

The wildlife varies by island and location. The Western Galapagos islands include Bartolomé and Fernandina. These islands are home to giant tortoises, flightless cormorants, sea lions and manta rays, to name but a few. The Northern and Central islands of the Galapagos archipelago include Rabida and Santa Cruz. Keep an eye out for red-footed, blue-footed and Nazca boobies, as well as marine iguanas and sea lions.

The Islands in More Depth

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.

Blue Footed Boobies Marine Iguanas Frigate Bird Giant Tortoise

Wildlife Calendar

Galapagos Islands Wildlife Calendar

In the unique Galapagos archipelago, every month is different, bringing new challenges and exciting milestones. We've put together a wildlife calendar to help you decide when to visit these incredible islands.


JANUARY

This is the marine and land iguanas courtship period, during which the marine iguanas get a bright colouring to attract the males. It is also the month when green sea turtles and hatching giant tortoises start to lay their eggs.

FEBRUARY

On Floreana Island, greater flamingos begin to nest, while on Santa Cruz Island the marine iguanas begin to do the same. Penguins migrate from Bartolomé Island to the cooler waters of Isabela and Fernandina Islands.

Greater Flamingos

MARCH

On Floreana Island, marine iguanas nest, and mating season begins for frigate birds on San Cristobal and Genovesa. March is also the perfect time for snorkelling with the wealth of marine life.

APRIL

Water temperatures are at their highest, and it is nesting time for sea turtles, marine iguanas and land iguanas. Waved albatross return to Espanola Island to nest.

Land Iguana

MAY

On Espanola Island, waved albatrosses begin to lay their eggs, while the blue-footed boobies begin their famous courtship.

JUNE

In the waters surrounding the North Western islands it is possible to observe whale sharks towards the end of the month. On Santa Cruz Island, giant tortoises migrate to the lowlands in search of the perfect nesting sites. It is also possible to see humpback whales gliding through the waters.

Galapagos Tortoise

JULY

It is nesting season for blue-footed boobies, American oystercatchers, waved albatrosses and flightless cormorants. It is also the start of the breeding season for sea lions. Meanwhile, for lava lizards it is mating season.

Blue-Footed Boobies

AUGUST

Frigate bird chicks begin to hatch, sea lions give birth to their young, and giant tortoises return to the higher lands after laying their eggs.

SEPTEMBER

On Bartolomé Island, Galapagos penguins perform their courtship rituals, and it is possible to observe baby sea lions.

Galapagos Penguins

OCTOBER

Blue-footed boobie chicks roam around Espanola and Isabela Islands, lava herons begin to nest, and mating season begins for Galapagos fur seals.

NOVEMBER

Mating season commences for green sea turtles, and it is the perfect time to swim and snorkel with baby sea lions.

Sea Lions

DECEMBER

Warm season comes to an end as baby giant tortoises begin to hatch, and nesting season draws to a close for waved-albatross. Meanwhile, marine and land iguanas begin to mate, and sea lions start to breed.