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Luxury Galapagos Cruises

The Galápagos archipelago is an isolated sanctuary of biodiversity straddling the equator. Home to creatures found nowhere else on earth, it’s little wonder they are known as ‘The Enchanted Islands’ and can be visited year-round. It was the natural kaleidoscope that caught the imagination of Charles Darwin whose famous research resulted in a revised understanding of the natural world.

Made up of a rugged volcanic archipelago, the Galapagos Islands have the most spectacular biodiversity which has earned them their UNESCO World Heritage status. The unique landscapes and endemic wildlife inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. You will find species such as giant tortoise, penguins, seals, iguanas, and blue-footed boobies inhabiting the thirteen major islands and handful of smaller islets in the Galapagos.

Baltra Island

Often the starting point for a Galapagos expedition Cruise, Baltra Island is a small island also known as South Seymour. The island is covered in sparse grassland and dotted with prickly pear cacti. You might not see much of the region's famous wildlife here, but you might spot curious lava lizards sunbathing on the rocks.

Bartolome Island

A volcanic islet in the Galapagos, Bartoleme Island is famous for its Pinnacle Rock, which is a distinctive characteristic of the island. A small cave is home to a Galapagos penguin breeding colony, and the cute little creatures can be seen frequently - as well as green turtles which come to nest on the beaches during the summer months.

Floreana Island

The site of the Galapagos' first post office established by whalers in 1793, Floreana Island has a long and interesting history. Floreana's 100 or so inhabitants are vastly outnumbered by the flocks of flamingoes and herds of sea lions. Make sure you have a pit stop at Floreana Island for some of Darwin's most famous and curious creatures.

Santa Cruz Island

The town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island is the archipelago's tourism hub. Here, the Charles Darwin Research Station breeds giant tortoises which live wild on the island's nature reserve. Tortuga Bay is a popular spot attracting sea turtles and marine iguanas.

Isabela Island

The largest of the Galapagos Islands, Isabela Island is 100km in length and is bigger than all other 126 islands combined. The clear water makes for superb snorkelling and travellers are likely to see an abundance of colourful fish, turtles, and rays.

San Cristobal Island

San Cristobal is comprised of multiple fused extinct volcanoes and is thought to be the oldest of the Galapagos Islands. It is where Darwin first went ashore in 1835 and is home to plentiful wildlife; giant tortoises, blue footed boobys, marine iguanas, sharks, and dolphins.

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Nature and Wildlife

Wildlife lovers will be in their element on a Galapagos cruise as the archipelago is home to the most spectacular creatures, many of which are endemic to the islands. An array of animals roam among the rugged peaks, and the biodiversity is simply mind-blowing. You’ll come face to face with almost mythical looking creatures such as land iguanas, giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies.

Huge sea lions loll along the shoreline and seem almost nonchalant to the islands’ human visitors. Although Fernandina is home to 90% of Galaoagos penguins, you can also see them tottering across the rocks on Bartolome, Santiago, northern Santa Cruz and Floreana.

Culture

Although only 25,000 people populate the idyllic Galapagos Islands, it is home to storied cultural diversity defined by a mix of various ethnicities, customs, and traditions. Currently, only four of the islands are inhabited by people – Isabela, Santa Cruz, Floreana, and San Cristobal. The Galapagos Islands have cultural influences from Europe, the U.S., and mainland Ecuador.