Galapagos Cruises
A Galapagos cruise is the classic — and often the only — way to reach the archipelago’s remote wildlife sites, sailing overnight between islands while a certified naturalist guide leads two landings a day. Compare every vessel we run by class, type, route and price — with day-by-day maps and 2026 rates.
23 vessels4–8 day routesEvery classLocal Ecuador experts
Why see the Galápagos by cruise
Reach the wild outer islands
Genovesa, Fernandina and Española are only reachable by liveaboard cruise — day trips can’t get there.
Everything is included
Cabin, all meals, twice-daily guided excursions, panga (zodiac) rides and snorkel gear in one price.
A naturalist by your side
Every cruise carries a National-Park-certified naturalist — one guide per 16 guests, on every landing.
A new island each morning
Sail overnight and wake up at a fresh wildlife site — no backtracking, maximum time in nature.
Choose your cruise class
All classes visit the same National-Park-set itineraries with certified naturalist guides — what changes is cabin comfort, cuisine and amenities.
Tourist / Superior
From $1,900 p.p.
- Smaller, characterful yachts
- Cozy en-suite cabins
- Hearty set menus
- Best value for wildlife-first travelers
First-Class
From $2,700 p.p.
- Spacious air-conditioned cabins
- À-la-carte dining
- Experienced bilingual naturalists
- The sweet spot most guests pick
Luxury
From $4,400 p.p.
- Large suites, some with balconies
- Gourmet cuisine
- Extra amenities — kayaks, glass-bottom boat
- Ideal for honeymoons & comfort
Yacht, catamaran or expedition ship?
Catamaran
- Twin hulls — the steadiest ride and widest cabins
- Best for: travelers prone to seasickness
Motor Yacht
- Nimble, characterful and often the best value
- A single hull feels more motion on open crossings
- Best for: value & intimate groups
Expedition Ship
- Larger vessels up to the Park’s 100-guest cap
- Lounges, facilities and a very steady platform
- Best for: comfort & stability
Where the cruises go
Western loop
Isabela & Fernandina
- The wildest islands
- Penguins & flightless cormorants
- Whales and young volcanoes
Northern & Central
Genovesa · Bartolomé
- Seabird cities
- Prince Philip’s Steps
- Iconic Pinnacle Rock
Southern & Eastern
Española · Floreana
- Waved albatross
- World-class snorkeling
- Devil’s Crown & Gardner Bay
Itineraries run 4 to 8 days — a 5-day cruise is the popular minimum, and an 8-day combines two regions. Some of the best snorkeling sites (Prince Philip’s Steps, Devil’s Crown, Tagus Cove) are reachable only by cruise. See the day-by-day cruise itineraries to compare which islands each route actually covers.
Compare the classes at a glance
| Class | Cabins & comfort | Dining | Best for | From (p.p.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist / Superior | Smaller yacht, cozy en-suite | Set menus | Value wildlife lovers | ~$1,900 |
| First-Class | Spacious en-suite, A/C | À-la-carte | Most travelers | ~$2,700 |
| Luxury | Large suites, balconies | Gourmet | Honeymoons & comfort | ~$4,400 |
Our Galapagos cruise fleet
All 23 vessels we operate, grouped by class. Every cruise follows a National-Park-set itinerary with a certified naturalist guide — the class sets your comfort, cuisine and cabin, not the wildlife.
Luxury cruises
Private balconies, gourmet dining and the most spacious suites — our top tier, luxury first.
First-Class cruises
The sweet spot most guests choose: spacious air-conditioned cabins, à-la-carte dining and experienced bilingual naturalists.
Tourist-Superior cruises
Comfortable smaller yachts and the best value — the same islands and the same certified guides at a friendlier price.
What’s included
Included in every cruise
- Your cabin and all meals
- Twice-daily guided excursions (naturalist 1:16)
- Panga rides and snorkel gear
- Wetsuits on most boats
Not included
- Flights to Baltra or San Cristóbal
- Park entrance fee (USD 200) + Transit Control Card (USD 20)
- Drinks and gratuities
- Travel insurance
Cruise or land-based tour?
Pick a cruise if…
- You want the remote outer islands
- You want maximum wildlife time
- You’d rather not repeat sites by day
Pick land-based if…
- You want flexibility and lower cost
- You prefer nights on solid ground
- You’ll set your own pace with day trips
Getting there & practicalities
Flights
Every cruise starts with a flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra (near Santa Cruz) or San Cristóbal. We match your flight to your embarkation airport so you arrive on the right island.
Fees & packing
Pay the National Park fee (USD 200) and Transit Control Card (USD 20) at the mainland airport. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, quick-dry layers, a light rain jacket for the cool season and motion-sickness tablets if you are sensitive.
Galapagos Cruises FAQ
How much does a Galapagos cruise cost?
A Galapagos cruise costs roughly USD 1,900 to 4,400+ per person. 2026 rates on our fleet start around USD 1,900 for a 4-day Tourist-class yacht and rise to USD 4,400+ for an 8-day First-Class cruise. The National Park entrance fee (USD 200) is extra.
How many days should a Galapagos cruise be?
Five days is the popular minimum to reach the main wildlife highlights, while 8 days lets you combine two regions. Shorter 4-day cruises focus on one area and suit tighter budgets.
What is the difference between a yacht and a catamaran?
A catamaran has two hulls, giving a more stable ride and wider cabins — best if you are prone to seasickness. A single-hull motor yacht is nimble and better value but feels more motion. Expedition ships are steadiest but carry larger groups.
What is the difference between Luxury, First Class and Tourist categories?
All classes visit the same National-Park-set itineraries with certified naturalists. Tourist/Superior boats are smaller with cozy cabins and set menus at the best price; First-Class adds spacious en-suite cabins and à-la-carte dining; Luxury offers large suites, gourmet cuisine and extra amenities.
How far in advance should I book?
Book 6–12 months ahead for the best cabin choice, especially for peak dates (mid-June to August and December) and popular 8-day and luxury departures. Last-minute deals appear but availability is limited.
Do all cruises visit the same islands?
No. Routes are fixed by the National Park and differ by vessel and departure. Western routes reach Isabela and Fernandina; northern routes reach Genovesa; southern routes reach Española and Floreana.
Is a cruise or a land-based tour better?
A cruise reaches remote islands you cannot visit on day trips and maximizes wildlife time; a land-based tour is more flexible and budget-friendly. Many travelers combine both.
Is a Galapagos cruise good for seasickness?
Choose a catamaran (twin hulls, the most stable) or a larger expedition ship, and travel December–May when seas are calmest. Cabins amidships and on lower decks feel the least motion.
What is included in a Galapagos cruise?
Your cabin, all meals, twice-daily guided excursions with a certified naturalist, panga rides and snorkeling equipment. Flights, the National Park fee, drinks and tips are extra.
When is the best time to go?
Any month is excellent. December–May brings warm, calm water ideal for snorkeling; June–November brings cooler, nutrient-rich seas with whales and peak seabird breeding.
Ready to set sail?
Tell us your dates and travel style and our local Galápagos experts will match you with the right cruise — no obligation, no pressure. We are based in Ecuador and tell you a boat’s limitations before you pay, not after.