When you plan your trip to the Galapagos you should choose whether go on a cruise or stay at an island with everyday trips from your hotel. Of course these 2 ways to enjoy the islands give unforgettable experience, you encounter wildlife everywhere, beautiful landscapes, but they are different in many ways.
Galapagos Cruise: The Best Way to Explore More
A cruise allows you to travel between islands while your accommodation moves with you. In this way you visit more remote islands and sites, that are impossible to reach on an island hopping itinerary.
A Galapagos cruise may be the better choice if you:
- Want to see a greater variety of islands and wildlife.
- If you’re looking for a complete package plan.
- If you wish to spend your time wisely, exploring more.
- Wish to explore remote locations.
Galapagos cruise is a better choice for you if you if you’re looking for an expedition format tour.
Island Hopping: More Flexibility and Independence
Island hopping means staying in hotels on different islands and traveling between them by speedboat or domestic flight. You can stay on Santa Cruz, Isabela o San Cristobal Island. Or you can choose staying on all of the 3 islands, making the most of your island hopping trip. The island hopping itinerary will give you more freedom as if you’re staying on land. And you’ll be able to explore much more of an insular life.
Island hopping may be ideal if you:
- Prefer greater flexibility in your schedule.
- If you want to choose from hotels and restaurants separately.
- If you have a small budget.
- Some excursions and activities may be a private basis, and this is a plus for a traveler seeking a more independent travel.
- Want to explore the towns of Puerto Ayora, Puerto Villamil and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and their island life.
Galapagos Cruise vs Island Hopping: At a Glance
| Galapagos Cruise | Island Hopping | |
| Island coverage | Excellent, including remote locations | Limited (areas surrounding the main inhabited islands) |
| Flexibility | Lower | Higher |
| Comfort | High and very high, with accommodation onboard | Depends on chosen hotels |
| Wildlife opportunities | Excellent | Very good |
| Local town experience | Limited | Greater |
| Budget options | Wide range, but pretty higher | More budget-friendly options |
| Logistics | Everything organized | Independent planning |
| Best for | In-depth exploration | Flexibility and independence |
Which One Should You Choose?
There is no single best way to experience the Galapagos—it depends on what you value most.
We recommend always choosing a Galapagos Cruise if your budget permits, as you can see more of the islands and enjoy fully your stay and exploration of the Archipelago. It’s an unforgettable jorney, which one wants to repeat. It’s journey of a lifetime definitely.
You can choose island hopping itinerary and still fully appreciate the islands, while you’re flexible at choosing accommodations, where to eat, land/sea excursions. If your priority is a local island life, this option is for you. Plus, you’ll have your evening at leisure to walk and enjoy the tranquil island life.
If it’s your first time in the Galapagos, consider purchasing a cruise, where you’ll have a whole picture of the Archipelago by visiting some remote sites and islands. If you just want to enjoy the isalnds and at the same time have a relaxed schedule go for an island hopping itinerary.
Whichever you choose, the Galapagos Islands are capable of giving you an extraordinary unforgettable journey. I promise you will be sad leaving the islands at the end of your tour. But don’t worry you can always come back to experience more of the Enchanted Islands.
