With a five-million-year history, The Galápagos Islands are an absolutely incredible destination. These UNESCO World Heritage Site islands have an amazing story and ecosystem.
The best way to take it all in is with a tour. The Galápagos isn’t really a place for solo exploration, so it is really important to find a top-rate tour company that has professionals to show you around.
With two decades of experience, the people at Ecoventura tour company know their stuff. I spent eight days on their newest luxury ship, the MV Origin, and had an unforgettable adventure.
Here’s my experience cruising the Galápagos onboard Ecoventura’s MV Origin!
The Itinerary
There are a few different options for traveling around the Galápagos Islands with Ecoventura. You can choose a travel time from seven to fourteen days. There’s a southern/central route (route A) and a western/northern route (route B).
I opted for the western/northern route, but both routes have got some fascinating sights, so you really can’t go wrong. You will be able to snorkel with penguins, see Galápagos Tortoises, kayak alongside sea lions, and see the volcanic formations.
Each region of the islands is dynamic, so it’s a tough choice!
Beyond dates and directions, you can also opt for a private yacht charter, ladies-only ship, a family-friendly excursion, or even a wedding ceremony. If you have more time, Ecoventura has also got cruise extensions that will take you into Ecuador and Peru.
Basically, you can create your own adventure for whatever you are into.
Read More: The Ultimate Galápagos Islands Travel Guide
Environmental Responsibility
There are lots of options for cruises around the Galápagos, but they aren’t all created equal. To maximize your time exploring the islands, go with a true professional. Ecoventura offers the only cruise in the Galápagos with two conservationist guides on each ship.
All of the conservationists are licensed and speak fluent English.
Ecoventura works with the World Wildlife Fund, Rainforest Alliance, and countless other ecological groups to help preserve the precious ecosystem of the Galápagos Islands. There was such an emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility onboard, and that made the trip even better for me!
Other Guests
The Galápagos Islands attracts a wide range of people from all over the planet. One of the highlights of my trip was getting to know the fellow travelers. The people on the Ecoventura cruise were all ages.
The group activities brought us all together on the cruise, and there were ample opportunities to chat and connect with other travelers. One of my best memories was of a young family with three kids.
It was so fun to watch the little ones take in the spectacular sights!
Food
Ecoventura covers anything and everything that you’ll need during your adventure. All of the meals, snacks, and nonalcoholic drinks are complimentary, all day long.
It’s a great opportunity to try first-class local fare.
In addition to three meals served daily in the dining room, or occasionally alfreso on the sun deck, there are yummy snacks waiting for you after each shore excursion. There’s also house wine and local beer during dinner and a Captain’s welcome and farewell cocktail.
Highlights of the Cruise
The schedule is active but relaxed. There was plenty of time to unwind, but I was never bored, which is pretty rare on tours. It’s hard to find that sweet spot where you have just enough to do, but Ecoventura managed it.
Most days started around seven a.m.—a perfect time to get going if you want to make the most of every day out.
Of course, the days are filled with guided nature walks that open your eyes to the remarkable ecosystem of the Galápagos. To get into the nooks and crannies of the islands, we traveled by pangas, or dinghies. These inflatable boats took us through the mangroves, estuaries, coves, and caves.
When you’re ready for some solo exploration, you can go out for snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding. One of the best parts of each day was having wine at sunset with the crew.
Life is so incredibly different in the Galápagos, and it was great to have the opportunity to hear stories about real life in such an exotic and isolated spot.
Special thanks to Ecoventura and MV Origin for making my first Galápagos experience possible. As always, the content & opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Ooh, I had no idea the Galapagos Islands were a UNESCO World Heritage Site! I certainly love trips where you have the opportunity to meet fellow travellers and exchange stories. That picture of you on the red sand with the seal is so beautiful!
Can you use SkyRoam Solis in the Galapagos? We are looking at going end of September/early October – but I will need to do a little work during this time of year when I travel and can’t find a lot of information on it. I know it will work in Ecuador but wasn’t sure if it would work on the cruise to the Galapagos or not. Any hotspot/wifi info you can help with out there would be appreciated.
Hey Michelle! If you’re doing a Galápagos cruise – depending on who you’re sailing with – you might be able to get a WiFi pin. However, the islands are incredibly remote and assuming this is a bucket list trip, I would do everything in your power to go offline and really enjoy it. It really is one of those destinations where it’s nice to be offline and be with nature and immerse yourself in the preservation of a pristine environment. So if there is any way you can plan ahead to go offline you’ll enjoy yourself a lot more. Again, depending on who you’re sailing with and locations – you might be completely offline. The hotspot doesn’t work on any of the islands other than San Cristobal and Santa Cruz (they’re inhabited). We got a WiFi hotspot on the ship because they use satellite but even then it was a minimal connection and there were still some days where we were completely offline.