We recommend packing the following items in order to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable cruise in the Galapagos Islands:

Although the onboard design and layout varies from one vessel to another, most yachts have the following in common:

1. Private double cabins (some higher class yachts also offer suites and/or single cabins)
2. Common dining room
3. Common social areas (both indoor and outdoor)
4. Amenities - private bathrooms, air conditioning, common television, bar, snorkeling equipment
5. Bilingual naturalist guide
6. Drinking water
7. 110 volt / 60 Hz electrical outlets
8. Other – several yachts also have onboard scuba diving equipment

Although there are varying itineraries from one vessel to another, they generally work in the same manner:

1. You will land in the late morning in Galapagos, where your guide will be awaiting you & where you pay (in cash) your Park fee;
2. Depending on the itinerary of the yacht you will either be taken to your yacht awaiting you in Baltra or you will board a small mini van or bus and make your way to Puerto Ayora harbour, some 40 minutes journey on Santa Cruz island. Upon boarding your yacht, you will meet the crew and captain and be shown around the yacht and your quarters;
3. In the evening, you will have dinner aboard the yacht & where your guide will review the itinerary, island(s) and wildlife likely to be encountered during the day.
4. During the late evening or overnight your yacht will make its way to the next island, so that when you wake up in the morning you will at the next island;
5. Breakfast served early in the morning, after which you will board a small dingy which will take you and your guide to your first island visit. After which you will return to your yacht for lunch;
6. Following lunch, you will make another island visit with your guide, after which you will return to your yacht to relax. Take this time to snorkel or simply relax on deck in the glorious sunshine. Dinner is served and your guide will most probably review the day and explain the itinerary for the following day;
7. Steps 4 & 5 are repeated until the last day of your cruise; on the last evening, usually all the passengers get together to discuss the tips to be given to the crew & guide;
8. On the last day, you will have breakfast early as usual. Depending on the specific yacht’s itinerary you will make your last visit directly after breakfast and be transferred with your guide to the airport to catch your flight back to mainland Ecuador.

The guides are trained by the Galapagos National Park with the help of the Charles Darwin Research Station. There are three levels of guides:

Naturalist Guide I

A native of the islands or resident of the archipelago for many years, with a high school diploma, who has a sound knowledge of the region and speaks English. He must pass the course of Naturalist Guide I, and can lead a group of 10 visitors maximum.

Naturalist Guide II

Ecuadorian by birth or by naturalization, who has achieved a high school education or has a university background in biology or related fields, or in tourism. He has to be fluent in English, French or German, and pass the course of Naturalist Guide II. He can lead groups of up to 16 visitors.

Naturalist Guide III

Ecuadorian by birth or by naturalization, and, in the case of a foreigner, must have legal working papers. He has to show proof of a degree in biology or related fields, or in tourism. He must be fluent in Spanish, English, then French or German. He must pass the course of Naturalist Guide III, and may lead a group of 20 visitors. All Tourist Superior, First and Luxury class yachts carry Class-III guides.

Functions of guides:

1. To inform and educate visitors on the richness of the protected area and the natural history of the Galapagos, competently and with diligence.
2. To be responsible and to control actions committed by the visitors, within the Galapagos National Park. To ensure the rules and regulations of the National Park are followed.
3. To keep in touch with the administrative authorities, to signal his group’s whereabouts and to receive instructions.
4. To carry a guide’s license and identity papers, and to wear a uniform, if necessary.
5. To be vigilant of the application of technical and administrative measures in order to protect the natural resources and the visitors.
6. To cooperate with the control and with the patrol of the region to ensure conservation and rational use of the resources.
7. To participate in the activities of observations, including the collection of data on the ecological impact and other environmental aspects.
8. To provide interpretation for special groups.
9. To report to the legal and technical-administrative authorities whenever necessary.

The first thing to keep in mind is that on any given cruise the first half-day and last half-day is occupied traveling to and from the Islands. That is to say, an 8-day / 7-night cruise ends up being 7 full days out in the islands, while a 5-day / 4-night cruise only allows you 4 full days out in the Galapagos Islands.

The greatest advantage of 7-night cruises over 4-night cruises is that one is able to experience substantially more of the wonders and beauties of the Galapagos Islands. Unlike a 4-night itinerary, 7-night itineraries allow you to visit a greater range of islands, and thus enjoy a greater variety of flora and fauna unique to the world. In addition, 7-night cruises work out to be more economical (on a per-day basis) and give visitors 7 full days to enjoy and soak in the splendor of the Islands, as opposed to 4 full days on a 4-night cruise.

The Galapagos is visited all year round, but most people select the holiday / vacation periods (i.e., Christmas/New Year's, Easter, summer holidays/vacations).  These periods sell out up to one year in advance (or more!). 

The warmest period (air & water temperatures) generally run from November through to April.  The coldest (and generally has more turbulent seas) are generally September and October.  February through to April are the most desirable months.  During this period, the islands not only adopt an emerald-green color, and turn humid and balmy warm, but many species start reproducing now.

• calmest waters;
• the hottest period in Galapagos;
  
• the islands are generally a lush green due to high humidity & scattered showers;
  
• most animals are in the height of reproduction, courting and/or nesting;
  
• Reproduction of land reptiles, as well as land birds.

TIME OF YEAR - First, it would be advisable to consider travelling the Galapagos in any month except for September & October (when the seas are generally rougher).

TYPE OF GALAPAGOS BOAT - The most stable boats are the large capacity cruise ships (Deluxe class), followed by the motor catamarans, and then the wider motor boats.  The least stable are the sailing (motor sailer) boats.