Best Galapagos Islands Sailing Trips & Itineraries - Compare 12 Trip Ideas

Meet a variety of friendly and exotic creatures in the Galápagos

Wildlife Cruise Adventure in the Galápagos Islands - 6 Days

This is your chance to experience a "boatload" of distinct wildlife in the Galápagos during a memorable cruising adventure. In less than a week, you'll travel around the archipelago on a yacht—stopping at a number of beautiful islands for land and water-based activities led by a naturalist guide. Hike through unique vegetation to meet giant tortoises, snorkel with sea lions and tropical fish, and look for blue-footed boobies, waved albatrosses, and bright-pink flamingoes in the wild.

Spend a week aboard a luxury cruise and enjoy land-based activities on several islands

Luxury Cruise Adventure in the Galápagos Islands - 9 Days

This is the ultimate luxury cruise for travelers who are drawn to the exotic landscapes and wildlife of the Galápagos Islands. After a night in Ecuador's high-altitude capital of Quito, you'll jet off to the volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. Spend a week on a yacht cruise visiting a number of islands —including lesser-visited ones—while taking part in various activities that include fun encounters with rare bird species, vibrant marine life, and giant tortoises.

Meet wildlife on eight islands in less than a week

Multi-Island Wildlife Cruise in the Galápagos - 6 Days

This once-in-a-lifetime cruise in the Galápagos Islands is made for nature lovers. In less than a week, you'll visit eight islands on this volcanic archipelago off the coast of Ecuador that became a major turning point in the theory of evolution. Hike, swim, and snorkel as your guide shows you rare bird species, hybrid iguanas, exotic marine life, and giant tortoises in their natural habitat for the ultimate wildlife adventure.

Take a spin around Sullivan Bay on your epic luxury cruise through the Galápagos archipelago

Epic Galápagos Exploration by Luxury Yacht: Cruise to Remote Islands, Hidden Bays & Rare Wildlife - 15 Days

Spend two weeks and a day on a bucket-list highlights cruise around the Galápagos. Travel in style on a luxury yacht as you embark on daily excursions to secluded bays, beaches, and hiking trails around the famous islands of Santa Cruz, Isabela, Española, and more. You'll follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin and experience the biodiversity of this archipelago as you spend time with sea lions, walk with giant tortoises, and marvel at exotic birds like blue-footed boobies.

Hop between several unique islands in the Galapagos and meet the residents

Island-Hopping Wildlife Cruise in the Galápagos - 9 Days

This incredible cruise itinerary explores countless species of distinct wildlife—and marine life—in the Galápagos Islands. Over the course of nine days, you and your nature guide will hop between the best places on this famous volcanic archipelago and meet rare birds, giant tortoises, marine iguanas, jolly sea lions, and friendly sharks. You'll also take part in hiking, kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling as well as relaxing on soft coral sand for the ultimate feel-good getaway.

Go in search of the waved albatross on Isla Española

Sailing Darwin's Route: Galápagos Nature Cruise - 5 Days

This brisk five-day sailing trip around the Galápagos is perfect for those who want to experience the wildlife highlights of these famous islands in under a week. Hit the ground running as you board a small but well-equipped catamaran for a nautical journey to uninhibited islets, secluded bays, and remote white-sand beaches. The archipelago's remarkable creatures will be out in force at each locale as you snorkel with tropical fish, walk alongside giant tortoises, meet sea lions on the beach, and more.

Spend an afternoon on Isla Rábida, known for its red sand beaches, on this cruise itinerary

Quito & Galápagos Islands Cruise Adventure - 11 Days

This fast-paced 11-day itinerary is perfect for travelers who want to make the most of their trip to the Galápagos. The adventure starts in Quito, where you'll explore the colonial architecture of its UNESCO-listed historic center, followed by a visit to a famous South American market. Then hop on a plane and board your cruise to experience 10 of the archipelago's extraordinary volcanic islands and their friendly residents, like blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, and giant tortoises.

Dive alongside turtles and tropical fish on an eight-day cruising adventure in the Galápagos

Galápagos First-Class Diving Cruise - 8 Days

Don your wetsuit and flippers and get ready to encounter a menagerie of exotic marine life on an island-hopping Galápagos diving cruise. On each day of this scenic eight-day experience, you'll enjoy at least one dive and sometimes three or four. By the time the adventure is over, you'll have explored the top snorkel and scuba sites throughout the archipelago, from Isla Wolf to Cape Marshall—plus enjoyed nature hikes to see land-based residents like the famous Galápagos tortoise.

The last day of your trip includes snorkeling around a Galápagos landmark: Kicker Rock

Introductory Nature Cruise Through the Galápagos - 4 Days

No other ecosystems on earth have furthered our understanding of natural history more than the Galápagos—just ask Charles Darwin. Perfect for wildlife and nature enthusiasts, you'll follow in the footsteps of the famed British naturalist on this four-day cruise to the archipelago's top nature spots in search of giant tortoises, winged albatrosses, blue-footed boobies, sea-lions, and more. Finish this short but sweet adventure snorkeling among the marine life at the famous Kicker Rock.

Step aboard your luxury cruiser, ready to explore the Galápagos (photo courtesy of M/C Endemic)

Luxury Galápagos Cruise & Classic Wildlife Highlights - 8 Days

See the Galápagos in style as you cruise around Charles Darwin's favorite archipelago by luxury twin-hulled yacht. Hop between the most famous islands, like Santa Cruz and Isabela, as you explore hidden coves, lush highlands, massive volcanoes, and white-sand beaches. The wildlife is the real star here, and each day, you'll spend time with iconic Galápagos animals, including sea lions, iguanas, and giant tortoises, while evenings are spent in first-class comfort aboard your Jacuzzi-equipped boat.

Drop anchor in the pristine waters off Isla Isabela

Ultimate Galápagos Cruise - 13 Days

This exciting, well-rounded cruise itinerary in the Galápagos is perfect for wildlife lovers who want to experience the exotic residents—and volcanic landscapes—of this stunning archipelago off the coast of Ecuador. In just under two weeks, you'll cruise to several islands to hike around and view a number of species like giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies. Of course, there will be plenty of time to relax, too, while swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing (likely with friendly sea lions nearby).

Spend a morning on Isla Plaza Sur, known for its carpet of opuntia cacti

Quito & Galápagos Family Cruise - 7 Days

This incredible family adventure combines the oldest capital in South America with a cruise around the Galápagos Islands. You'll land first in Quito, with time to ride a cable car and step foot in both hemispheres. Then fly to the Galápagos, where you'll board a three-night cruise. Enjoy a range of kid-friendly excursions, like easy hikes, panga rides, and snorkeling, while looking for rare birds, sea lions, and other exotic (yet friendly) creatures. Return to Quito for some museum-hopping to finish this trip of a lifetime.