What to see

"Seeing this gradation and diversity of structure in one small, intimately related group of birds, one might really fancy that from an original paucity of birds in this archipelago, one species had been taken and modified for different ends."
Charles Darwin, Voyage of the Beagle, 1939

The Galapagos Islands, a "must-do" destination for every traveler, are well known for their Giant tortoises, Darwin's finches, the unique marine and land iguanas, and many species of sea birds.

Shore visits

A typical day on a Galapagos Best cruise really begins the evening before, when your naturalist guide will explain to you what you will experience the following day. After breakfast (sometimes even before!) you will get your camera, binoculars and water ready and board the “Pangas“ or dinghies for a shore visit to one of the areas the Galapagos National Park has designated as a visitor site. The earlier you start, the better the light for photography. Sometimes you will stay on the panga for the whole visit, as you observe the wildlife of the cliffs or mangrove stands.

If you are going ashore, your guide will tell you whether it will be a "wet" or "dry" landing - so that you know which footwear to put on! "Dry" landings will mean you disembark the panga on to a quay or jetty, which may be a little slippery from the sea or which may be occupied by a sea lion! (the guide will persuade him to make way for you, and will help you find a firm footing). A "wet" landing means you disembark onto a sandy beach.

The group will hike the inland trails, which are marked by black and white posts - please stay on the trails, or you might inadvertently tread on a nesting area.

After a hike of 1-2 hours, during which your guide will point out everything there is to see, you will return to the yacht on the panga and there may be time for a swim or snorkel before lunch. Then you will sail to the next visitor site for an afternoon visit.

Kayaking & Snorkeling

Kayaking is one of the activities offered by Galapagos Best. The National Park has restricted the number of kayaks used by each vessel; passengers can take in turns to enjoy these activities.

Exploring the shores in a kayak promotes an intimate communication with nature. When snorkeling, you can play with sea lions, see rays, sharks and plenty of marine life. There is snorkeling gear on board but we advise you to bring your own so you can have a perfect fit and it’s more personal. You can bring your own wet suits but you can rent on board and avoid carrying extra weight. A wet suit will mean you can enjoy being in the water longer without feeling cold; it will also prevent sunburn and protect you from the lava rocks and jellyfish that are sometimes present.