Written by Caroline Appert, Good Life Expeditions Marketing & Content Executive.
5 days of magic! That is the easiest way to describe my recent Galapagos experience aboard the Galapagos Cruise Experience. I was lucky enough to embark on an immersive journey around the southern islands of this archipelago and can’t wait to share why you should take a trip as well.
A Bucket List Destination
The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanically formed islands about 563mi (906km) off the coast of Ecuador. Known by locals as las islas encatadas, or the enchanted islands, they are a hub of biodiversity with many plant and animal species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The confluence of three different ocean currents, consistent seismic activity, and the natural isolation make this set of 19 different islands so unique that they inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection in 1835
Majestic Galapagos Experience
For my journey, I was able to spend 5 days and 4 nights aboard the Galapagos Legend Cruise Ship. Not only is this the largest ship allowed to maneuver through the archipelago, but it is also the fastest. That means plenty of outdoor and social areas aboard during navigation, but also more time spent on the islands. You also won’t have to bother with booking any Galapagos hotels as your accommodations will be on board.
My Galapagos experience began with a morning flight departing from Quito, the charming colonial capital of Ecuador. We had a brief stopover in Guayaquil to pick up more passengers and then headed to our destination – San Cristobal Island. The expert naturalist guides from the Galapagos Legend were waiting for us at the airport, and we efficiently headed to the dock for our first glimpse of the boat. A staggering sight amongst crystal clear waters, I practically tripped over sea lions getting onto the panga, or small boat, that would take us to our cruise ship.
Onboard there was a gorgeous buffet lunch awaiting us, the wait staff completely attentive and ready for whatever special request we had. And so began our Galapagos cruise experience through the islands.
The Galapagos Legend Cruise Ship
As with any travels, your accommodation during a trip to the Galapagos can make or break the entire experience. Luckily, the Galapagos Legend was the component that made mine.
With 53 ocean view, air conditioned cabins, and 3 interior rooms, this boat has options for everyone. Each cabin includes amenities of a hotel such as private bathrooms, hairdryers, tasteful decor, and comfortable bedding.18 cabins are also equipped with a balcony for a private escape to the outdoors during navigation.
The boat has 4 decks, each with its own highlights. There is a restaurant, al fresco dining area, outdoor jacuzzi and outdoor pool, a kids area, medical station, conference room, 2 bars, stargazing area, and a gym. All of these different areas and resources are one of the greatest benefits of traveling on a larger sized boat – along with the lessened chance of seasickness – as some of the smaller ships only have rooms for cabins and a small social area.
Highlights of my Galapagos Experience
A brief overview of the standard itinerary is below – but the team adds so many amazing little experiences and events within the days, that sometimes highlights aren’t even mentioned on the day by day. For example, we had an ice cream party during sunset navigation, a trivia night, and an interactive skit that turned into an onboard party. It is safe to say I was never bored.
- Day 1: Thursday – San Cristobal Island
- AM arrival to San Cristobal Airport
- PM visit to the San Cristobal Island Interpretation Center & Tijeretas Hill to learn about the history of the Galapagos and see some of the unique landscapes.
- Day 2: Friday – Española Island
- AM visit to Gardner Bay with gorgeous turquoise waters, fine white sand beach, and a colony of curious sea lions. A chance for deep water or offshore snorkelling mid-day.
- PM visit to Suarez Point for a hike through diverse landscapes and visits to the nests of Albatross, hundreds of marine iguanas, and lots of baby sea lions.
- Day 3: Saturday – Floreana Island
- AM visit to Post Office Bay for a human history lesson and offshore snorkelling.
- PM snorkelling at Devil’s Crown for some of the clearest and most diverse marine life in the Galapagos followed by a trip to Punta Cormorant to hike and spot flamingos.
- Day 4: Sunday – Santa Cruz Island
- AM trip to Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the conservation projects on the island and excursion to El Chato in the highlands to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat.
- PM visit to Eden Islet for the final snorkelling opportunity of the trip.
- Day 5: Monday – Santa Cruz Island
- AM boat ride around Carrion Point to search for marine life and transfer to Baltra Airport for departure.
Though every moment was incredible, the two best parts of my trip were Punta Suaraz and Devil’s Crown. On Punta Suaraz on Española Island I was overwhelmed by the innumerable animals, sharp volcanic landscape, and shimmering waters around me. It was the place I felt screamed “this is the Galapagos” and “this is why everyone should visit.” The other trip defining experience was the visit to deep water snorkel at Devil’s Crown, where I saw my first shark. What a thrill.
All in all I wouldn’t change a thing about my Galapagos cruise experience, except that I would have stayed even longer! This is a once in a lifetime trip, and shouldn’t be missed by any.
Plan a Galapagos Experience with Good Life Expeditions
Are you ready to start planning your Galapagos cruise experience aboard the Legend? Contact our expert travel team to get started, or check out our Enchanted Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos itinerary for ideas on how to add some extra destinations to your trip.