Galápagos Wildlife Cruise

Head for the world’s most famous wildlife islands for remarkable encounters with iconic wildlife and to follow in the footsteps of one of the greatest naturalists of all time.

While the Galápagos Islands are best known for the plethora of species that can be found nowhere else in the world and as the living laboratory that helped Charles Darwin formulate his theory of evolution, any visit here is arguably most memorable for the fantastic intimacy of these wildlife encounters. This is because many species have evolved without natural predators and have little fear of other animals – including humans.

Fauna falls into two main categories. First and foremost are the endemics, many of which are unique in their appearance and behaviour. These include marine iguanas, the only lizards in the world that forage in the sea and are renowned for the row of spines along their backs that give them a fearsome and utterly unique appearance.

On Fernandina, there’s an opportunity to snorkel with these amazing reptiles as they feed on underwater algae.

Other notable endemics are giant tortoises, flightless cormorants and the 13 species of finch that so critically influenced Darwin’s thinking. Everything from the Galápagos penguin (the only penguin found in the Northern Hemisphere) to the Galápagos mockingbird are likely to be seen.

And that’s not forgetting the Galápagos sea lions and fur seals, like much of the wildlife so unafraid of humans you can swim with them from some beaches. Snorkelling is also a must-do daily activity, allowing you to glide over schools of huge rays and other tropical fish.

Then there are the creatures that are found in other parts of the world but which you can observe here with unparalleled ease. One of the great joys of a trip to the Galápagos is meandering slowly through nesting colonies of bluefooted, red-footed and Nazca boobies, watching their tender, elaborate courtship dances.

We visit ten different islands during this exceptional 12-night voyage aboard the 36-metre MV Beluga – the perfect place to relax after a busy day on the wildlife trail.

We offer two departures for this trip, one led by Helen Bryon and the other with Mark Carwardine and Chris Breen.

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart UK & arrive Quito. Day 2: Depart Quito & arrive San Cristóbal. Board MV Beluga.

Day 3: Española Island. Day 4: Floreana.

Day 5: Santa Cruz & Santiago Islands.

Day 6: Genovesa.

Days 7-8: Santa Cruz & Rabida.

Days 9-12: Isabela & Fernandina. Days 13: Santiago & Bartolomé Island.

Day 14: Depart Baltra Airport for UK arriving Day 15.

Embark/Disembark: San Cristóbal/Baltra

Vessel: Beluga

Galápagos Wildlife Cruise 15 days, from £11,395 (incl. flights) £10,595 (excl. flights).

Departure date: 17 Apr 2025

Tour Leader: Helen Bryon

Galápagos Exclusive with Mark Carwardine 15 days, from £13,995 (incl. flights) £13,195 (excl. flights)

Departure date: 1 May 2025

Tour Leaders: Mark Carwardine & Chris Breen

Why book Galápagos

Wildlife Cruise?

To observe the iconic wildlife of this famous archipelago in the company of a passionate and knowledgeable wildlife guide and aboard a comfortable and spacious motor cruiser.

ཀྵ Endemic species

ཀྵ Close encounters

ཀྵ Fascinating history

ཀྵ Expert-led departures

Wildlife Highlights

ཀྵ Galápagos sea lions

ཀྵ Marine & land iguanas

ཀྵ Red, blue-footed & Nazca boobies

ཀྵ Giant tortoises

Activities

Wildlife watching, snorkelling, swimming, photography, walking

The Galápagos is a place of pure magic, that hasn't changed since the world began. To walk amongst albatrosses, boobies and frigatebirds is one thing, but to swim with sea lions, turtles and marine iguanas is quite another.

Chris Breen, Wildlife Worldwide Founder