Best Galapagos Cruises in 2025: Guide to the Top Boats
Want to know the best Galapagos cruises for 2025?
Read our guide to itineraries, wildlife and trip length and navigate to the best boat Galapagos cruise for you.
How to Choose the Best Galapagos Cruise in 2025
At first, the choice of Galapagos boats can feel bewildering. Yacht, schooner or catamaran? First class or superior tourist?
There are indeed many factors to consider, and a travel expert can help you narrow down the options quickly for you by thinking about these essential areas:
What’s the Best Length Galapagos Cruise?
Boats have two week-long itineraries and typically offer cruises of 4-8 days. You can stay longer by joining an 8-day with a 4-day to make a 12-day trip. The cruise lengths available are:
- 4 days
- 5 days
- 6 days
- 7 days
- 8 days
- Combinations of the above total 9-15 day trips.
We recommend at least 5 days; days 1 and 5 are for arrival and departure, giving you three full days to enjoy the Galapagos Islands. Here are some sample itineraries for five-day and eight-day Galapagos cruises.
Know What You Want to See in the Galapagos Islands
Anyone who wants a general Galapagos wildlife experience won’t be disappointed. Almost every cruise will get you close to giant tortoises, sea lions, iguanas, Blue-footed Boobies, sharks, rays and, of course, Darwin’s famous finches.
Make a list of any specific wildlife you wish to see; many animals live across all the islands, but some only live on particular islands.
If you want to see a penguin, Isabela Island gives you the best chance. Head to Española or Genovesa island for a Red-footed Booby. Similarly, if you want to hike up a volcano, let us know, and we’ll make suggestions.
Which Galapagos Islands to Visit?
There are 21 islands, so a long list is counterproductive. Here are some quick highlights:
- Isabela: Penguins, hike up a volcano, great snorkelling, remote.
- Genovesa: Birds like Red-Footed Boobies, owls, hawks, frigates, and sharks
- Española: Beautifl beach, playful sea lion colony, iguanas, albatross
- Fernandina: Untouched by humans, remote, marine iguanas
- Santiago: Red beaches, sharks, marine igaunas.
- Bartolomé: Iconic photos, fantastic snorkel, rays, penguins.
How Much Does a Galapagos Cruise Cost?
Neither you nor your agent likes to discuss money up front, but it’s the quickest way to save time.
There are almost 100 boats to choose from, and prices range from USD 3,000 to USD 15,000 per person, per week. Think about how much you want to spend and what that gets you.
Here is a rough guide, based on 8 days (1 week), sharing a cabin with a private bathroom, without flights:
Price (per person) Synopsis
USD 3,000-4,000: Superior tourist, bunk beds, yacht.
USD 4,000-5,000: Moving towards first class. Twin/double beds, yachts, some catamarans, more space.
USD 5,000-8,000: Moving towards luxury. Same as first class, bigger cabins and social areas, jacuzzis, kayaks, fine dining
USD 8,000 upwards Luxury. Some cabins have balconies. Focus on details – wines, food, cabins, guides.
Galapagos Cruises in 2025: Guide to the Best Boats
These are our top Galapagos cruises for 2020. We have selected a wide range of boats to accommodate as many travel styles as possible.
All these cruises offer spectacular Galapagos wildlife for a once-in-a-lifetime 2020 holiday.
Eco Galaxy Catamaran
This spacious catamaran has eco-travel at its core and is the first of its kind in the Galapagos. It has a top-end, eco-finish throughout, from the cabins to the bar area and sun deck. The Eco Galaxy offers kayaks, flexible itineraries, stable sailing, and a luxurious experience at a fantastic price.
Solaris Galapagos Yacht
The Solaris first-class motor yacht is perfect for single travellers as it features five single cabins with no supplement to pay.
Add in large and bright windows with panoramic sea views, great guides, and comfortable social areas, and we think this will be a hot seller in 2025.
Galapagos Angel Yacht
The new Angel features the best European design for the most spectacular Galapagos holidays. Ocean stabilisers help steady the boat at sea to ensure a smooth passage.
Suites and convertible twin and double cabins make lovely accommodations on this newest motor cruiser. Panoramic windows mean you’ll never miss the Galapagos archipelago’s wildlife spotting opportunities.
Endemic Luxury Yacht
The Endemic is one of a new breed of luxury yachts taking Galapagos cruises to a new level in 2020. There are eight suites, all with a private balcony, king-size or twin beds. The professionally-trained chef feeds you daily delights, and guests can enjoy the Endemic’s expansive, airy sky deck with its Jacuzzi, lounge chairs and cocktail bar.
Aida Maria: Best in Budget
Aida Maria is our entry-level boat and a cherished member of the Galapagos family. The yacht was handmade in the Galapagos, using local farm timber, and owned by a local family that has run Galapagos tours since 1960. This is one of the best-value superior tourist yachts, with bunks, ensuite bathrooms, and air conditioning.
Origin & Theory Cruises
The Origin & Theory sister ships are new yachts offering luxurious amenities while minimizing environmental impacts.
Sleek sailors spend less time travelling between islands and have more time for actual exploration. Expert chefs use fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and there is a jacuzzi and an open bar policy complete with wine, local beers, and a variety of spirits. Kayaks, snorkels and paddleboards complete the all-round offer.
Nemo II Galapagos Cruise
We call the Nemo II the catamaran for the adventurous. It’s a small vessel compared to other catamarans and makes up with its personality and itineraries. Of course, it comes with home comforts, kayaks, great food, and various cabin arrangements and houses 14 people for an intimate experience.
The itineraries are its strong point. Nemo II is one of the few boats to visit the remote west and north in the same week-long itinerary.
Treasure Galapagos Cruise
The Treasure of Galapagos is one of the catamarans that started to change how cruises operated on the islands. Its eight spacious cabins all come with private balconies. It’s fast and stable and offers one of the best seven-day itineraries going.
The Treasure also carries smaller zodiacs (8 people max.) to get you closer to wildlife than on other boats. Large communal areas with whirlpool baths, great food, top guides and itineraries make the Treasure precisely that.
Legend Galapagos Cruise Ship
Popular with families or people who suffer seasickness, the Legend is a big boat for up to 100 people. It is the fastest boat in the Galapagos, whisking you from highlight to highlight.
There are a wide variety of cabins, some with private balconies, to suit every traveller’s needs. If you want to take it easy, there is a glass-bottomed boat from which to view the wildlife, transparent kayaks, snorkelling equipment, a swimming pool and more.
