Galapagos Islands

The enchanted islands that inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution remain one of the planet’s most extraordinary wildlife destinations. Our expedition cruises bring you face-to-face with fearless animals found nowhere else on Earth, all with expert naturalist guides who bring the science to life.

The Galapagos archipelago sits 1,000km off Ecuador’s Pacific coast — 13 major islands and dozens of islets, each with its own distinct character. On Santa Cruz, giant tortoises roam free in the misty highlands, weighing up to 250kg and living well over a century. At Punta Suarez on Espanola, waved albatrosses perform their extraordinary mating dance. Beneath the surface, snorkel alongside playful sea lions, marine iguanas and reef sharks in waters of astonishing clarity.

Small-ship expedition cruises are the best way to explore the Galapagos. Covering more islands and landing sites than land-based itineraries, a cruise maximises your wildlife encounters while expert guides ensure you understand the remarkable evolutionary story of each species. Our partner vessels carry between 16 and 100 guests, with naturalist-to-passenger ratios that allow personalised attention.

The Galapagos has no bad season — wildlife is active year-round. The warm, wet season (January to June) brings calmer seas and is best for snorkelling. The cool, dry garua season (July to December) sees more seabird activity. Visitor numbers are strictly controlled by the Galapagos National Park, so early booking is essential. A USD $100 national park entry fee and USD $20 transit control card apply on arrival.