Six unmissable things to do on a Galapagos expedition cruise

05 Apr 2025 | By Vicky Chapman In Expedition-Destinations

The Galapagos national park is a wonder of the natural world. Floating far out in the Pacific Ocean, largely isolated from civilisation, the landscape, plants and animals here are truly unique.

It is safe to say the Galapagos is a bucket list destination, with countless things to see and do. So much so, in fact, that we now offer luxury and luxury expedition cruises to the spectacular shores of the Galapagos islands.

Travelling to remote regions, immersing yourself in unique cultures and encountering wildlife up close and personal is the true essence behind a luxury expedition cruise.

If you aren’t sure where to start when planning your Galapagos sailing, take a look at our six unmissable things to do on a Galapagos luxury expedition cruise.

1. Go in search of wildlife

Of course, Galapagos tours wouldn’t be complete without a serious spot of wildlife watching. The skies are alive with seabirds, Darwin’s finches flit between the trees and marine iguanas bask on the rocks. And if that wasn’t all, you could also spot:

Giant tortoises
Fur seals
Galapagos penguins
Galapagos sea lions
Whale sharks
Humpback whales
Racer snakes

All Galapagos animals are uniquely evolved to thrive in their island habitat, and this isn’t even an exhaustive list. Such biodiversity has to be seen to be believed.

2. Snorkel among pristine habitat

Some of the most spectacular Galapagos wildlife lives beneath the waves. A beautiful mish-mash of coral reefs, mangroves and rocky shores play host to some of the islands’ most impressive natural wonders.

Huge whale sharks drift serenely through the water as they feed on plankton, countless fish species jostle for position among the coral, and marine iguanas dive for algae. It makes for breath-taking snorkelling: the crystal clear sea like a window into another world.

3. Hike a volcano

One of the joys of a Galapagos cruise is the number of trips available once you glide into port. This is sightseeing with a difference – from the top of a volcanic cone!

The volcano lies on Caleta Tagus, accessible at the end of a hike through trees bursting with the songs of Darwin’s finches. The view from the top will take your breath away – an awe-inspiring panoramic view over shimmering Darwin Lake and Tagus Cove.

4. Walk on lava flows

Punta Espinoza is an otherworldly Galapagos island. The landscape is positively lunar: dominated by volcanoes, lava flows and rocks that seem to move and shift. But it isn’t the rocks: it is the thousands of marine iguanas stretched out on their surface to soak up the heat.

The volcanic activity on Punta Espinoza is relatively young, with the last eruption taking place in 2009. Take a walk on the resulting lava flow: the remains of nature’s fury.

5. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station

Charles Darwin is synonymous with the Galapagos national park. After all, his visit here inspired his theory of evolution by natural selection. In turn, Darwin inspired the Charles Darwin Research Station, a centre working to conserve the Galapagos islands and their natural wonders.

One of the Station’s main responsibilities is the repopulation of some of the area’s most vulnerable species. From giant tortoises to land iguanas, visitors receive a fascinating insight into Galapagos conservation.

6. Relax on-board your ship

Of course, you don’t always have to leave the ship to enjoy Galapagos activities. In an area so blessed by sunshine, it would be rude not to spend some time on-deck, soaking up the sun or taking a dip in the pool. With the majority of passengers disembarking the Silver Galapagos to explore, it is a great opportunity to take advantage of quieter facilities: particularly if you are partial to a spa treatment.

Have you always dreamed of visiting the Galapagos? Would you like to find out more about what you can expect from your island trip? Call us on 0207 980 2848, and your personal Cruise Concierge will walk you through your expedition cruise booking from start to finish.