Planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands can be daunting, especially since it is a bucket list destination for most people. Below are some of the most frequent questions that people have, including the best time of year to visit the Galapagos Islands, where to stay, how to get there, and more.
What is The Best Time of Year to Visit Galapagos Islands?
Any time that you can take a vacation is the best time of year to visit Galapagos Islands! Because the Galapagos islands are on the equator, the weather is incredibly stable and temperate. Instead, the weather is defined by a wet season (December – June) and a dry season (July – November). During the wet season, the water is warmer, making it more pleasant to snorkel but there may be fewer marine animals and fish visible because they tend to prefer cold water rich in nutrients. The dry season is slightly colder than the wet season and the water drops in temperature. You will have to snorkel with a wetsuit but you will have more of a chance to see some larger marine animals, like whales or sharks.
Why Visit the Galapagos? Why Are the Galapagos Islands Famous? Are the islands Worth It?
The beauty of the Galapagos Islands is that the animals have had very few negative interactions with humans. While there was some hunting and fishing happening in the past, in recent years, all animals and wildlife here have been protected. Because humans are not seen as threats, you will be able to get very close to the mammals and birds of the islands.
These islands have become a live museum of wildlife in harmony. With little human interference, there has been great success in different rehabilitation programs across islands, helping wildlife regrow to naturally nourish the animals of the islands and in turn, allowing the animals to repopulate naturally. It is a unique opportunity to get to see how nature is truly intended to be. On land, you will be able to get within 6 feet of giant Galapagos tortoises, sea lions, albatrosses, blue-footed boobies, iguanas, crabs, and more. And when snorkeling in water, you will be able to play with sea lions, watch penguins swim and zip around you, observe sharks swimming under you, and more!
In addition, due to the remoteness of the islands, this archipelago has been the perfect place for animals to evolve and enhance their survival features. There are not many predators on the islands, enough to keep animals from overpopulating but not enough to run them extinct. As a result, the animals have had sufficient time and opportunity to continue to evolve. This is why Darwin was able to discover and prove his theory of evolution on these islands. Famously, he studied the finches of the islands, a small bird that has evolved the shape of its beak based on how it needs to adapt on each island.
When else will you have the opportunity to have such an intimate experience with nature?
Are the Galapagos Islands Safe?
Now, I’m not sure what kind of safety you are asking about so let’s go through a few of them.
If you are talking about your personal safety from other people (such as getting robbed) then the islands are completely safe. Each town on the different islands is a small community and there is very little crime on the island.
If you are talking about your personal safety from animals (such as sharks) then you are completely safe. Make sure you visit the islands with a professional guide and stay 6 feet away from the wild animals. Sharks rarely, if ever, attack humans and most of the sharks you will swim with are not aggressive towards humans. In the water, try not to touch anything because you don’t know what will be poisonous. The naturalists will warn you of any dangers and keep you completely safe.
If you are talking about the potential of volcanic activity then you are very safe. Yes, the Galapagos Islands have been created and have evolved due to volcanic activity below the islands. However, that activity has been very minimal since tourism has been prominent in the Galapagos Islands. The last eruption was on Wolf Island and this was the first activity in 30 years. It lasted for 3 days and did very little damage to the wildlife. (Humans pose more of a risk to the wildlife than volcanic activity.)
Where are the Galapagos Islands Located?
The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago located to the west of Ecuador. They are part of Ecuador and are considered the fourth region of the country. From Quito, a flight to the Galapagos takes a little over 2 hours and flying is the best way to get to the islands.
Where To Stay In The Galapagos Islands?
If you are taking a cruise around the islands, you will be living on the boat. If you are visiting the Galapagos Islands by land, you will want to stay in San Cristobal on San Cristobal Island, Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island, or Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, the three main hubs of hotels in the Galapagos Islands. If you are trying to see as many islands as possible, it may be beneficial to split your time between the three islands and set up tours from each of these hubs. There are ferries that can transport you and your luggage between the three. You can also fly into Baltra (near Santa Cruz) and fly out of San Cristobal, or vice versa, to make your time more efficient.
What Is the Best Way to Visit the Galapagos?
It’s a tough debate to choose between staying on one of the islands of the Galapagos and doing tours from that island to different parts of the archipelago or exploring from a cruise.
Blueprint Travelers Recommendation: Quasar Expeditions
When it comes to picking a cruise company to visit the Galapagos, there is one company that floats to the top: Quasar Expeditions. Quasar is 100% Ecuadorian owned and operated so they can best promote the country and the islands to their visitors.
Quasar only operates two boats so they have the utmost focus on the wellbeing of their guests on the boats. In addition, their two boats have a maximum capacity of 16 and 32 guests, so each experience is well-tailored and personalized. Their safari-style approach to visiting the Galapagos means that they are invested in seeing as much wildlife as possible and will try their hardest to make sure you experience it all in a way that is safe to both you and the animals.
Can You Fly to the Galapagos? Where Should You Fly Into the Galapagos Islands?
Yes you can and this is the most efficient way to get to the Galapagos Islands. If you are taking a cruise around the Galapagos Islands, the company that you are using will help set up your flights to and from the islands. If you are visiting the islands by land, you can fly into Baltra (near Santa Cruz) and fly out of San Cristobal, or vice versa, based on where your accommodation is and your itinerary throughout the islands.
What Is There to Do in the Galapagos?
The Galapagos Islands are the perfect place for exploring wildlife in a variety of ways. The activities range from bird watching to deep sea diving. Below are some of the activities that you can do here, but talking to a local tour agency about your interests and goals in the islands is the best way to tailor your vacation on the islands.
- Bird watching
- Wildlife photography
- Underwater animal photography
- Hiking on lava fields
- Snorkeling
- Kayaking
- Swimming with sea lions
- Swimming with penguins
- Deep sea diving
- Swimming with hammerhead sharks (or other sharks)
- Walking around different islands and habitats to see a variety of animals
- Visiting the tortoise breeding sites
- Lay on and walk along some of the best beaches in the world (Gardner Bay Beach)
The Blueprint Travelers Galapagos Islands Staples
Can You Visit the Galapagos Islands on Your Own?
The Galapagos Islands are impossible to visit fully on your own. As protected islands and a national park, it is required to visit different landmarks and islands with a naturalist guide. To truly appreciate the archipelago and understand the importance of the different endemic animals here, you will have to either build out your itinerary with different day tours that depart from the island you are staying on or find a multi-day tour that aligns with your interests. (To help you budget, you can expect to pay around $250 per person per day for these day tours, which may not include accommodations or all your food.) The option we recommend is visiting the Galapagos Islands through a small cruise that will allow you to explore the greatest expanse of the archipelago in an immersive way.