According to the Directorate of the Galapagos National Park, over 275, 000 people visited the Galapagos in 2018. The tourism is up over 14% and steadily climbing every year, so if you want to enjoy your visit to these beautiful islands, you may be better off taking a day cruise.
Popular sites like Tortuga Bay, San Cristobal, and the Sierra Negra are drawing in high numbers of new tourists every single day, and for good reason. The Galapagos islands are one of the most sacred and remote natural landscapes left on the planet.
Unfortunately, with this popularity, comes limited spaces and far too crowded experiences. This can make this once in a lifetime experience feel hectic and overwhelming.
That is why the Galapagos cruises are the way to go. These cruises book out 6 months in advance, so keep on reading to learn how to reserve the best Galapagos cruise now to will ensure you have a spot on your dream vacation.
Explore Uncharted Waters
Perhaps the biggest benefit of taking a Galapagos day cruise is the ability to experience the raw and untouched areas from the comfort of a boat.
You will be seeing the wildlife and landscapes from sea level, getting up close and personal as if you were a sea lion swimming wild and free along the coasts.
There are numerous tiny little islands to explore, and the more intimate the cruise, the more of these uncharted areas you will be able to experience.
See More Wildlife
Wildlife is the main attraction for drawing in people to visit the Galapagos islands. The wildlife is extremely unique with the combination of exotic birds, sea creatures, and land animals.
Because of taking a cruise, you have the vantage point of accessing areas where the wildlife hangs out, in fact, you will be in areas that are known as the best wildlife spotting in the world.
You will see animals and mammals such as:
- Darwins Finch
- Marine Iguana
- Giant Tortoises
- Sea Turtles
- Galapagos Penguins
- Magnificent Frigatebird
- Blue Footed Booby
- Sea Lions
- Flightless Cormorants
- Waved Albatross
- Crabs
- Multiple species of sharks
There are also over 19 species of birds in the Galapagos islands, which all hang out in areas far away from the main island which is only accessible by a boat.
These land and sea mammals are fearless when it comes to visitors, they will come right up to the boat so you get an up close and personal interaction with these majestic creatures.
Comfortability
Every island in the Galapagos has very strict rules regarding visitation. By a certain time, they expect everyone to be off the UNESCO sites and back on their way to their accommodation.
This means that you are staying back on the main island, you have a lot of travel ahead of you before you can get back to your place for the night. If you have multiple days in the park, this means you have a lot of hassle with travel every day.
If you are on one of the Galapagos cruise ships, all you have to do is get back on the boat, and you are already ready to have a nice dinner and lay your head down on your pillow for the night.
Experienced Guides
There are obviously many reasons why touring the Galapagos with an experienced guide is the best choice you can make for your experience, there are many things you could miss if you were to do it on your own.
The Best Spots
Because they do this every day for a living, the experienced guides will know the best sites to tour to spot the wildlife. Most of the crew have even given the animals names, know their stories and have built a relationship with the mammals in the area.
Safety
The entire crew on all of the Galapagos cruises are fully trained in first aid, wilderness safety, and know what to do in case anything should go wrong. The Galapagos is not a dangerous place, but do remember that you are at Mother Nature’s mercy.
Stories and Facts
These guides are extremely passionate about the area, they know everything there is to know about the wildlife, the landscapes, history, and interesting stories to go along with it.
Activities
Whether you like exploring on the land or swimming in the sea, there are multiple activities you can do to really soak in the experience of the Galapagos.
Snorkeling
Depending on your cruise, there will be snorkels and masks on board, along with a guide to take you to the best spots to get your views of the underwater magic. You will snorkel along giant reefs with colorful fish and a friendly sea lion may pop by for a nose-to-nose visit.
Hiking
If land exploring is your thing, there are multiple hikes you can do to soak up the stunning landscapes that surround the area. You will learn about natural history, volcanic activity, and see many exotic land creatures and birds. Remember to take your binoculars!
Surfing
If you are a surfer, be ready to take a hand at surfing the waves alongside Galapagos Penguins! These playful creatures love to join in on the fun, so remember to bring your waterproof camera!
Learn More About the Galapagos Cruises
If this article about the Galapagos left you feeling the urge to travel, you are not alone! The Galapagos is one part of the world that should be on the top of everyone’s bucket lists.
Check out the rest of our blog for more helpful tips!
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