| Geography of the Galapagos Islands | | | | Within both types of ship, there are several classes, |
| Lying 600 miles off the coast of mainland Ecuador, | | | | from quite basic boats to cruises offering absolute |
| the Galapagos Islands are an archipelago of 19 main | | | | luxury. The grading system can be quite confusing, as |
| volcanic islands formed by the periodic eruptions of | | | | every company providing cruises to the Galapagos |
| several volcanoes. Several of these volcanoes are still | | | | islands seems to have its own system. At Real |
| active and although the oldest islands are thought to | | | | Ecuador Holidays, we have opted for a star system |
| be between 5 and 10 million years old, the youngest | | | | like that of hotels, which hopefully keeps things as |
| of the Galapagos Islands (Isabela and Fernandina) are | | | | simple as possible! |
| still being formed, with eruptions of their volcanoes | | | | Generally speaking, a 3-star yacht will tend to have |
| as recently as 2007. | | | | bunks rather than beds and the cabins may not be |
| Getting to the Galapagos Islands | | | | air-conditioned. Public areas will be well-equipped but |
| Generations of backpackers have tried to find cheap | | | | may be a little dated - for example, offering a VCR |
| ways to get to the Galapagos, but the fact remains | | | | rather than DVD. A 4-star cruise will give you proper |
| that the only reliable and regular way is to fly from | | | | beds, greater comfort levels and often some really |
| mainland Ecuador. Several airlines have daily flights to | | | | nice facililites - jacuzzis, anyone? Finally, 5-star |
| either Baltra or San Cristobal from Quito and | | | | Galapagos cruises give you superb facilities, incredible |
| Guayaquil. | | | | comfort and boats with real character - a fantastic |
| Galapagos Tours | | | | way to enjoy these fantastic islands. |
| Few cruises to the Galapagos Islands take in all 19 of | | | | All yachts have a trained naturalist guide as part of |
| the major islands and access to several of them is | | | | the crew and he/she will act as your tour guide on |
| prohibited or restricted. Today even on the islands | | | | each Galapagos island. The rule of thumb is that the |
| that tourists can visit as part of a cruise, there are | | | | better the yacht, the better the guide, with 3-star |
| strict regulations to control tour numbers in order to | | | | yachts employing Level II guides, 4-star yachts, Level |
| preserve the unique and fragile ecosystem. You | | | | III guides and the 5-star cruises employing the best |
| should make sure when booking any cruise to the | | | | of all. |
| Galapagos Islands that you do so with a responsible | | | | Staying on the Galapagos Islands |
| tour operator so that not only you but future | | | | For those of you who aren't keen on taking a long |
| generations can enjoy them! | | | | cruise to the Galapagos Islands, there are other |
| Galapagos cruises are generally of either 4, 5 or 8 | | | | options such as staying on a hotel on either Santa |
| days in length and each yacht has a slightly different | | | | Cruz or San Cristobal (the main islands) and taking |
| itinerary according to the rules set down by the | | | | day-trips out to some of the other islands to enjoy |
| Galapagos National Park and, to some extent, the | | | | the wildlife there. This can be quite cost-effective |
| preferences of the captain. Obviously, the longer the | | | | and more comfortable if a cabin on the high seas |
| cruise you decide upon, the more incredible wildlife | | | | doesn't sound like its for you. Puerto Ayora on Santa |
| you will be able to see. | | | | Cruzin particular has some excellent hotel |
| Yacht types on your Galapagos Cruise | | | | accommodation, as well as all the restaurants, bars |
| There are several types and standard of boats | | | | and other facilities that you could wish for. |
| operating cruises to the Galapagos Islands. One | | | | Hopefully all this has been helpful for you if you are |
| obvious split is between yachts and catamarans. A | | | | planning, or thinking of planning a cruise to the |
| yacht is a traditional type of ship, with a single hull | | | | Galapagos Islands - there's obviously a lot to think |
| while a catamaran has two or more hulls and offers | | | | about but the main thing is to know that whatever |
| increased yaw stability at the cost of slightly more | | | | type of Galapagos cruise you decide on, you can be |
| up-and-down motion. Generally speaking in the | | | | sure of seeing one of the most amazing places on |
| Galapagos, catamarans are being preferred at the | | | | earth and coming back with stories (and photos!) that |
| higher end of the spectrum. | | | | will be the envy of your friends! |