Galapagos Islands Vacation: A New Adventure on Every Island

Cruise your way through an adventurous Galapagos Islands vacation.

While travelling aboard the HMS Beagle in 1835, Charles Darwin came across a series of 19 volcanic islands straddling the equator in the Pacific Ocean. Known as the Galapagos, these islands were home to a startling variety of animals spread across the diverse geographies of each island. This stunning biodiversity within such a small archipelago helped him formulate the Theory of Evolution and inspired his writing On the Origin of the Species, the foundational text of modern biology.

The time of Charles Darwin may have come and gone, but the Galapagos Islands remain the same fascinating destination, boasting untold biological and geographic diversity that it was when he first set foot there. Each new island brings with it new geographies, climates, and animals to discover on your trip to Ecuador.

On an expedition cruise to the Galapagos, a traveller can spend a morning venturing over volcanic rocks and through prickly-pear cactus groves and an afternoon swimming through coral gardens in the company of sea lions. One island stop brings with it the chance to see Giant Tortoises roaming through grassy highlands and another showcases the world’s only tropical penguins, who populate the shoreline and waddle up to visitors, undeterred from human contact. No other destination in the world offers such a chance for a new adventure each day.

Goway showcases the diversity of the Galapagos Islands and shepherds travellers through the islands aboard a wide array of cruise ships. Of these ships, the well-equipped and eco-friendly M/V Galapagos Legend, M/Y Coral I, and M/Y Coral II provide attractive bases on a journey through the islands, taking travellers on carefully-planned itineraries that show off new environments and animals at each stop.

The M/V Galapagos Legend is the largest of the vessels, offering an elegant journey for a maximum of 100 passengers. It is perfect for families travelling together, couples on a nature getaway, and solo travellers on a Galapagos Island vacation wanting to experience the islands in the company of like-minded voyagers. The massive panoramic windows offer stunning views of the islands at all times of day, while the sun terrace lets passengers enjoy the stunning climate and cool ocean breeze. There is even a large auditorium on-board that accommodates meetings and conferences for travel groups. The ship’s 56 cabins come with private bathrooms and single, twin, and double accommodations. Passengers can relax at day’s end in one of the Jacuzzis, cool off in the on-board pool, the only of its kind in the Galapagos, and enjoy a speciality BBQ night with a blend of the finest seafood and selected meat cuts in the outdoor restaurant and bar. There’s even a fitness room for staying healthy while on-board and a kid’s corner to accommodate families travelling with children.

While the M/V Galapagos Legend offers a large space with ample amenities, the M/Y Coral I and M/Y Coral II offer a more intimate experience. The small crew-to-passenger ratio ensures personalized service that is perfect for families and friends travelling together on their Galapagos Islands vacation. Both vessels offer cozy outdoor sun terraces that allow passengers to enjoy the scenery in between destinations, and Jacuzzis that help travellers melt away their worries after days spent hiking and snorkelling. The interiors conjure the inviting atmosphere of private yachts, while the restaurants whip up delicious Ecuadorian and international food, as well as host barbeques on the top decks. The Coral I carries a maximum of 36 passengers in 19 single, twin, and double cabins, while the Coral II accommodates a maximum of 20 passengers in 12 cabins.

Journeying aboard the M/V Galapagos Legend, M/Y Coral I, or M/Y Coral II, travellers experience the world-famous adventure of the islands. Professional naturalists take passengers on two excursions each day, introducing them to fascinating history and science at each stop and taking advantage of the islands’ status as conservation icons. Each morning and afternoon, travellers hike across the islands to see the famous Giant Tortoises roaming through the grass, marine iguanas crowded together on slippery rocks at water’s edge, or blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds waddling across the beaches.

These day trips also showcase the crystal-clear waters of the Pacific. Travellers can swim alongside playful sea lions, sunbath on beaches next to penguins, and dare to snorkel next to stingrays and reef sharks. Those aboard the M/V Galapagos Legend can even ride in a glass-bottom boat to see the world beneath the waves without getting their feet wet. At the end of each day, passengers return to the vessels to enjoy delicious meals, socialize in the shared common areas, and receive briefings on what to expect on their next adventure.

A journey through the Galapagos offers a new adventure each day. They’re a whole world to explore. Don’t miss out. Head on your Galapagos Islands vacation adventure today.