Galapagos Islands
A volcanic archipelago some 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are an unspoiled paradise for animal and nature lovers. The vast majority of the land and surrounding waters is part of the Galapagos National Park, and a lot of the wildlife can't be seen anywhere else in the world (the whole thing is a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Most cruise itineraries are seven to 10 nights, plus a one- to two-night hotel stay on either end on the mainland of Ecuador in either Guayaquil or Quito to accommodate flight connections.
What We Love
The Experts: There's at least one naturalist (and often several) licensed with the Galapagos National Park on board your cruise to lead shore excursions, spot wildlife, present onboard talks, mingle with passengers, and answer all of your questions — he or she will be your best friend for the week.
Getting in the Water: Cruise ships carry aboard motorized rafts to zip passengers to the best spots for snorkeling. One is Devil’s Crown, the remnants of a volcanic crater that pokes up through the water near the island of Floreana. It's teeming with sea life, from balloonfish to hawkfish, tiger snake eels, white-tipped sharks, wrasses, and sea turtles.
Best Known For
Wildlife: Animals, birds, and marine creatures are everywhere across the Galapagos Islands, and many of them are found nowhere else on earth. From the adorable sea lions you can literally lie next to on the beach to the brilliant blue-footed boobies, pink flamingos, penguins, and marine iguanas tinted pink and green.
Diverse Landscape: The scenery here includes forlorn volcanic terrain, lush green hills, mangroves, and miles of beaches — both white sand and black. Offshore, it’s just as fascinating, with coral reefs, lagoons, and stunning rock formations poking up from the depths.
Best Ports
Santa Cruz: The Charles Darwin Research Station and the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Center are here, and so are beautiful natural sights, including Cerro Crocker, the highest point on the island, with amazing views.
San Cristobal: Top highlights on this island, where Darwin first went ashore in the early 19th century, include white beaches and Punta Pitt, a dramatic bluff near a sea lion colony.