7 Best Galapagos Cruises & Tours | Luxury & Small Ships

The Galapagos Islands are world-renowned for their unrivaled beauty and untouched nature and environment. These islands are also well-known for being incredibly biodiverse, with many endemic species only found on the islands.

With the fantastic sights, the beautiful wildlife, and the bustling seascapes, it’s easy to see why so many put these islands on their travel bucket lists.

If you’re finally planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands, you might be wondering what the best way to travel through the islands might be. You can consider taking a cruise or an arranged tour, which often features many of the islands’ best attractions. If you’re a wanderluster and looking to save money, you can also visit the Galapagos on a budget.

Joining a tour or cruise will allow you to explore the islands, enjoy activities, see wildlife, and enjoy the beauty of nature all around you. 

However, it’s crucial to find a cruise that suits your needs and fits your budget so you can have a truly unforgettable experience.

Unforgettable Galapagos Cruises You May Want to Try

There are many benefits to taking a cruise rather than planning your own vacation. A cruise often takes care of everything you need, from the meals to the accommodation. And, of course, a detailed itinerary also comes with the package — alongside transportation to every destination.

The cruises and tours on this list include some of the best on offer. These tours will allow you to experience the best of what the Galapagos has in store without all the stress of planning and coordinating logistics yourself, so all you have to do is relax and enjoy the ride. 

The Best Galapagos Cruises and Tours

1. G Adventures Complete Galapagos

G Adventures was established in 1990 and had since been offering unique tours that focus on building significant relationships with local communities. One of their main goals is to benefit any places directly, and people visited along the way. They work with non-profit organizations to help the Earth, and make an effort to conserve and preserve the world as we know it.

The G Adventures Complete Galapagos cruise starts and ends in Quito. It accommodates everyone aged 12 to 99 and uses English as its primary language to make it easier for most to communicate (an adult guardian must accompany minors). Passengers will have two nights in a hotel and 14 nights aboard the Yolita, an 8-cabin vessel. 

The Yolita, staffed by seven dedicated crew members and a certified CEO (chief experience officer) Naturalist Guide, boasts many amenities. A large aft porch makes for a great place to relax. Meals are served in Yolita’s elegant dining room/lounge/bar. An observation deck is available for sightseeing on board.

This cruise is marine-focused, although there are many excursions on land to see beaches, dramatic volcanic formations and features, animals, sightseeing, and more. Passengers also get to enjoy snorkeling among local sea life.

2. G Adventures East, West, and Central Islands

G Adventures offers another cruise aboard the Eden, this time going through the East, Central, and West Islands of the Galapagos. The Eden is staffed by eight dedicated crew plus one certified CEO Naturalist Guide.

This cruise uses English as its primary language, and anyone from 12 years old can join the fun. However, minors must be accompanied by an adult guardian.

Onboard the Eden, you can expect a large lounge on the upper deck with a forward sun deck. On the main deck, passengers can find a dining room, a bar, and a lounge. People who want to enjoy the views can use the two-level deck that wraps around the vessel.

During this cruise, passengers can expect plenty of sightseeing and wildlife viewing opportunities. During some days, passengers are given free time to explore islands and towns. The tours also include opportunities to hike, snorkel, visit an endemic forest of giant cactus, and more.

3. Contiki Galapagos Island Hopper

Contiki is a name many have likely heard about before. It’s a brand that has been around for quite some time. No doubt, travelers have enjoyed their tours all over the globe. Contiki makes traveling easier with their extremely well-organized cruises and tours. They sort out the stressful parts of planning trips while also doing their best to create Earth-friendly and sustainable travel itineraries for unforgettable and meaningful experiences.

Unlike many cruises on this list, the Contiki Galapagos Island Hopper focuses more on land accommodations and boat trips between islands. There are plenty of activities planned through the 6-day trip, where 5 places are on the itinerary.

Travelers visit lava tunnels, the Galapagos National Park, Tortuga Bay, Kicker Rock, and the Charles Darwin Research Station. There are also plenty of opportunities to explore during free time. Those who join can also enjoy activities like snorkeling, wildlife kayaking, island biking (additional fees), paddleboarding (additional fees), hiking, and more. 

The difference with Contiki is they limit the ages of travelers from 18 to 35, so if you aren’t within this age bracket, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

4. Celebrity Cruises Southern Loop Itinerary

Celebrity is a company that offers top-notch luxury cruises for those looking to visit the Galapagos Islands. Awarded 2020’s Best Cruise Line by the LA Travel Magazine (Reader’s Choice Awards), Celebrity aims to provide unrivaled service aboard their many luxurious mid-size ships. Every cruise aboard a Celebrity vessel offers wellness options, culinary adventures, onboard activities, and more.

During this cruise, passengers can enjoy and explore the many ports of call. Travelers also get to enjoy wildlife sightings, hikes, snorkeling, zodiac rides, swimming, and more.

The Celebrity Xploration features an open-air sun deck with a hot tub for relaxation. Those who prefer to stay in can do so in the lounge, and al fresco dining is also offered.

5. Metropolitan Touring Eastern Islands

Metropolitan Touring is dedicated to serving luxury and premium experiences travelers won’t forget. They’ve won South America’s Leading Tour Operator two years in a row, 2018 and 2019. Metropolitan Touring also dedicates itself to sustainable travel. Their entire operation is carbon neutral to lessen their impact on the environment as much as possible.

Passengers board the Santa Cruz II, a vessel with plenty of amenities for travelers’ comfort, relaxation, and enjoyment, such as a sky deck with a solarium and a fitness room for the health-conscious. The panorama bar and lounge make for a great place to kick back. If you want to enjoy the sights outside, you can hang out on the outdoor terrace.

Here are a few other things on board:

• Evolution hall
• Expedition veranda, lounge, library
• Discovery room
• Hot tub
• Gift shop
• Beagle restaurant

It’s worth noting that the Santa Cruz II has an infirmary on board should any passengers ever feel unwell.

During this cruise, travelers get plenty of opportunities to explore the various islands and towns included in the itinerary. There are also multiple activities to try, such as swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling. Those who aren’t fans of snorkeling can opt for the glass bottom boat instead.

6. Monserrat Galapagos Cruise – Itinerary A

Monserrat offers a few options when it comes to your Galapagos cruise, each varying in duration and itinerary. Each cruise happens aboard the Monserrat, a vessel built in 2005 and refurbished to modern amenities in 2018. The Monserrat offers safety, comfort, and relaxation throughout every cruise. The company focuses on providing personalized service with great attention to detail to create the perfect setting — all so you can have an unforgettable experience.

Aboard the Monserrat, you can find a sun deck (shaded and unshaded), a sun area, a lounge, kitchen, dining hall, and bar.

7. Silversea San Cristóbal to San Cristóbal

If you’re looking for a premium, luxury experience, look no further than the Silversea San Cristobal to San Cristobal cruise. This cruise takes place aboard the Silver Origin, a cruise built to carry 100 passengers and a crew of 90. Everything aboard this ship screams luxury, from the spacious suites with gorgeous natural lighting to the fantastic views from the balconies. Not to mention, each suite also comes with butler service.

On the Silver Origin, guests will always feel the exceptional personalized service, thanks to the fact that there are 90 crew members — nearly 1 for each passenger. There’s also a beauty salon, a beauty spa, a fitness center, basecamp, and the explorer lounge.

During this cruise, passengers can expect amazing sights and exciting activities, including hiking, snorkeling, deep water snorkeling, and kayaking. Guided Zodiac cruises also come with the package.

What’s the Best Cruise Ship for the Galapagos?

Though travelers have different preferences and tastes in travel styles, the most crucial factor to consider when booking a Galapagos cruise is the ship’s size and capacity.

The reason being is the bigger ships with 50 to 100 passengers are not as personable. These bigger ships are more luxurious, but they lack the intimate family feeling you get with a ship that only carries 16 passengers. For many travelers, making new friends is a requirement, and it’s harder to do on a bigger ship that is like a hotel. Small ships to the Galapagos provide that homely or comfy feeling. To each their own.

Final Thoughts: Book What Interests You Most

When it comes to choosing the best Galapagos cruise for you, it all comes down to your personal preferences. It entirely depends on which islands you want to visit and what wildlife you’d like to have a chance to see.

Given how uniquely biodiverse the Galapagos Islands are, you’ll be in for a treat no matter which cruise you go on — it’s all just a matter of which one you prefer most.

Activities may also vary from tour to tour, so choose an option that has the best possible combination that suits your tastes. You can also consider a few other factors, such as the length of the cruise or its cost per head. Another big thing to look at is the inclusions, so make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.

As always — avoid touching or stepping on coral as this can threaten the delicate undersea biomes. Take nothing with you that belongs on the island, and leave nothing behind to help preserve the environment.