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An unforgettable cruise holiday of a lifetime awaits in the Galapagos Islands, a spellbinding volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean which is steeped in awe-inspiring natural beauty. This spectacular destination for wildlife-viewing was visited in 1835 by the British naturalist Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution was greatly inspired by his studies of the species on the islands. Consisting of 19 islands and 42 islets, this sun-kissed haven of tranquillity is home to beautiful sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, magical mangrove forests and enchanting coral reefs. Popular activities on the islands include sea kayaking, hiking, scuba diving, mountain biking, horseback riding and surfing.
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The Galapagos Islands are a dream come true for anyone craving a cruise that gets you close to nature and immersed in a world of jawdropping beauty and wonder. The islands, which were discovered in 1535, are a province of Ecuador, lying around 1,000km off its coast. Four of the 19 islands are inhabited, with a combined population of around 30,000 – these are Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Floreana and seahorse-shaped Isabela.
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, on San Cristobel island, is the capital of the Galapagos, and the largest town is Ayora in Santa Cruz island. The blissful islands are fringed with verdant mangroves, enthralling coral reefs and you’ll be impressed with the pristine sandy expanses in many locations including Tortuga Bay, Gardner Bay and James Bay. The stunning plethora of fascinating creatures, often rare and only found on the islands, will take your breath away – this includes giant tortoises, sea lions, marine and land iguanas, penguins, lizards, turtles, flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs and a multitude of birds such as flightless cormorants, waved albatross, blue-footed boobies and the famous Darwin’s finches.
The Galapagos Islands are also home to hundreds of types of endemic and native flora and plants, with Lantana, Cutleaf Daisy, Mollugo, Palo Verde, Miconia and many types of ferns, mangroves and cacti among the delights you’ll come across. This destination is no shopper’s paradise, but you will find plenty of small outlets selling jewellery, souvenirs and local hand-made crafts. You’ll also discover lively beach bars offering refreshing cocktails and superb restaurants serving top-quality fare, including sensational fresh seafood dishes. The Galapagos Islands are so magical you’ll fall in love with this paradise getaway the moment your cruise ship arrives at your port of call.
It’s no surprise that the Galapagos Islands – located at the heart of one of the world’s most abundant marine ecosystems – are renowned for their magnificent seafood cuisine. Oysters, lobster, shrimps, octopus, squid and many types of fish are used to create a myriad of mouth-watering dishes. Ceviche is a popular meal which features a variety of seafood, covered with sliced tomatoes, onions and lime juice, while viche is a hearty seafood soup with a creamy peanut base.
Seco is a classic dish consisting of various meats which are slow-cooked in a sauce and served with avocado slices and rice salad. Meals in the islands are often accompanied by scrumptious fresh green plantains which are presented in a range of ways. Espumillas is a flavoursome meringue dessert that’s a big favourite with children, while Torta de las tres leches is a popular frosted white cake found in restaurants and grocery stores on the islands.
A much-loved local drink is coco loco, a fresh coconut topped up with sugarcane liquor. The islands also produce world-famous chocolate and coffee – it’s worth paying a visit to Chocolapagos where you’ll discover many indulgent treats including delicious chocolate turtles.
The weather in the Galapagos Islands is wonderful all year round and can be roughly split into two periods – the cool and dry season from June to November and the warm and wet season from December to May. Temperatures in the warm and wet season range from the low 70s to the mid-80s (22-30 degrees Celsius), making it an ideal time for exploring this glorious destination and discovering the incredible natural beauty and wildlife all around you. The sea is also calmer during these months, with clear visibility, which is great for snorkelling and scuba diving on the coral reefs. The sun shines most days during this period, with short-lived showers.
The islands experience cooler conditions between June and November, as a result of the Humboldt Current, but this has the positive effect of attracting rare birds and fish to the nutrient-rich Galapagos waters. Temperatures at this time range from the low 60s to the Mid 70s (16-21 degrees Celsius)
There’s plenty to see and do on the Galapagos Islands, with stunning beauty all around you – this means it's a great destination for a relaxing time, accompanied by a healthy helping of exploration and adventure. From snorkelling below the waves to view the enchanting sea life on the coral reefs to putting on your walking boots for a wonderful hike in the islands’ magical green highlands, this haven of tranquillity is truly amazing. You can also take to a kayak to explore a myriad of secluded coves and inlets on the islands, observing penguins and sea lions at close range, or enjoy some energetic horse-riding in the hillsides of Santa Cruz. Scuba diving, panga (dinghy) rides, mountain biking and surfing are other popular pursuits.
There’s also the option to learn about Galapagos conservation at the Charles Darwin Research Station or simply lie back and chill out in the glorious sunshine on a myriad of beautiful sandy beaches. Key attractions on the island include Sierra Negra, Isabela Island's active volcano; Santa Cruz Fish Market, Isabela Island Wetlands Complex, the quaint town of town of Puerto Ayora, the turtles in Tortuga, marine iguanas in Dragon Hill and giant tortoises at Rancho Primicias.
