Cruising in Galapagos
It is indeed true that the best way to visit the Galapagos islands is on a cruise. There are many advantages, such as the opportunity to explore more Galapagos Islands with their remarkable wildlife, conveniences, adventures and incredible/delicious food. Often many travelers choose a cruise or boat from the dozens that operate in the Galapagos archipelago each year to book their dream trip. However, not everyone is certain about what to expect from it.
For this reason, keep reading to know about what it is like to have a full adventure and experience day on the Galapagos Islands.
Full day on a Galápagos cruise!
- Morning: Make sure to start your day very early to take advantage of the different activities the cruise offers! Passengers are normally woken up around sunrise and given approximately an hour to shower, put on their trip clothes, and go to breakfast. Breakfast is usually served buffet-style, with different options for everyone, such as eggs, bacon, cereal, yogurt, fresh fruit, and juice. While you do this, guides are beginning to load the pangas for the day’s first tour and after fueling your body with breakfast you’ll get out of the panga on a wet or dry landing. It is either a hike up to a viewpoint, snorkeling with sea lions, a visit to the beach, or maybe a panga ride through an exciting field like a mangrove area full of wildlife. This can all be part of a morning visit. The guide will make reference to all of the special and unusual Galapagos species as well as the history of the islands.
- Midday: After your first trip, you will be given some time to relax while eating lunch. It is frequently served buffet-style, similar to breakfast. Lunch often includes anything from soups to main courses, salads, desserts, and side dishes. It’s common to find fine seafood or international dishes, but you may also have the opportunity to enjoy Ecuadorian cuisine. During lunch, the ship will be moving to its next destination! You will usually have a couple of hours to nap, read a book, and keep relaxing because this trip is made for it. Naturalist guides will often provide an additional talk about some characteristics of the islands, such as geology and history. Then, the tour guide will gather the tourists and lead them on the tour just as he/she did in the morning. This could be hiking through the highlands, snorkeling with tortoises, visiting sea lions and iguanas chilling on the beach or other activities planned.
- Evening-Night: After returning from your second excursion you may experience some hunger. But don’t worry, you’ll soon be able to enjoy delicious meals. Dinner could be a buffet, but on certain cruises, guests will choose from a menu at lunch and their dinner will be fully prepared in the evening. Most cruises provide drinks, though alcohol and beverages are usually provided with an additional amount. After dinner, the naturalist guides will discuss the day’s itinerary, including practical details such as the type of landing, what to wear on specific activities, the difficulty of the hike/activity, and so on.
While you sleep
While you sleep, the yacht will cautiously transport you to the next day’s destination, where you’ll definitely enjoy more explorations, geologically stunning locations, and partially endemic wildlife and plants.
