A unique scattering of isles just 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are famed for the biodiversity of their endemic wildlife species. With the highlights of the archipelago to be found outdoors, many wonder what is the best way to plan a trip to the Galapagos Islands.

A lot of things come into play when putting together your itinerary, everything from the water temperatures to migratory patterns. To help you plan the most sensational adventure in this wonderful paradise, we have put together some key information for those of you wanting to plan a trip to the Galapagos. 

How to Get to the Galapagos Islands

Most budding holidaymakers’ first question when planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands is ‘how do I get there’? Well, there is only one way of doing so, by plane. 

There are two airports on the Galapagos Islands: Seymour Airport on Baltra Island and San Cristobal Airport in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island. However, there are no direct flights to these patches of paradise.

No matter where you’re travelling from, whether it be from the United States of America, Europe or anywhere else in the world, to get to these unspoilt islands, you must first catch a flight to Guayaquil or Quito in Ecuador. 

But why you may ask? Well, there is a good reason behind this. 97% of the archipelago is recognised as a protected national park. And thus, there are strict regulations that airlines must adhere to protect the islands.

It only takes less than two hours to get from Guayaquil to Baltra Island and San Cristobal, while the journey from Quito to San Cristobal takes around 3 and a half hours and just over two hours to Baltra.

The Best Time of Year to Visit the Galapagos Islands

There is never really a bad time to go to the Galapagos Islands, but certain periods of the year may be more befitting to your hobbies and interests.

The Warm, Wet Season

The warm, wet season in the Galapagos Islands lasts from December until May, with the highest temperatures usually arriving in February and March. 

Although the chance of rainfall is a little higher during this period, it also tends to have clear skies and lots of sunshine, with average temperatures around 25°C and 31°C. 

Plus, the islands’ lush green vegetation is in its prime, making it a wonderful time of year for investigating the on-land Galapagos island animals such as the Galapagos Finches and Giant Tortoises.

As the water temperature is also a little higher during these months, it’s the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands for snorkelling and diving.

The Cool, Dry Season

Anyone visiting the Galapagos during the cool, dry season of June to December will be trading their raincoats for wetsuits as the water temperature tends to be a touch lower during this period.

Yet, it’s not all doom and gloom, as the risk of rainfall is very low and although the skies tend to be rather misty, the haze usually clears up in the afternoon. With average temperatures hovering around 20°C and 27°C, the outdoor temperatures remain pleasant.

The Humboldt current also brings rich nutrients into the waters, increasing the food supply for the sea creatures. And so, the marine life is particularly active and abundant during this season, drawing in whale sharks and creating the optimal breeding conditions for sea birds, marine iguanas and sea lions.

What to Pack for the Galapagos Islands

As a remote part of the world, the selection of shops on the Galapagos Islands is quite limited. Thus, it is best to arrive prepared with all you’ll need for the trip. 

So, if you’re sitting there wondering what I should pack to go to the Galapagos Islands, we have outlined a few essentials below.

A Sun Hat

As the rays can get very strong here, even on cloudy days, it is important to remember to pack a sunhat. Simply popping on a baseball cap or broad sun hat can help prevent you from developing painful sunburn and a lot of trouble in the future. Wide-brimmed hats are particularly effective as they offer optimal coverage.

Water-Resistant Sun Cream

Be sure to pack lots of suncream in your suitcase, as the last thing you want is to find that you’ve run short on one of the more remote islands. If you’re planning on going scuba diving or snorkelling, be sure to check that the products you’re using are water-resistant.

Try to avoid the spray-on options, as these tend to release chemicals into the environment that are harmful to the wonderful wildlife in the area. 

Closed-Toe Walking Shoes

As one of the most biodiverse places in the world, much of the beauty of the islands resides outdoors. Thus, you are likely to be doing a lot of walking during your trip, so don’t forget to pack closed-toe walking shoes with a supportive sole.

Along with being more comfortable, the extra support will reduce the risk of developing an unwanted injury which would ultimately limit your ability to enjoy the trip to the max.

Waterproof Clothes

Waterproof clothes such as raincoats and umbrellas are an absolute must for anyone visiting the Galapagos Islands, particularly during the rainy season. The last thing you want is to get caught in a shower and be soaked for the rest of the day.

This can lead to you catching a cold which is sure to put a much greater dampener on the rest of the trip than the fashion faux pas committed by wearing an anorak.

Cash

While there are ATMs in Santa Cruz and San Cristobal, they are the only ones on the archipelago, so it is certainly not unheard of for these to run out of cash and leave you caught out of pocket! So, be organised and get some US dollars out before you arrive on the islands.

Ship or Shore?

An important thing to decide before coming to the islands is whether you’d prefer to explore Galapagos Islands by cruise ship or by basing yourself on land. 

Many factors come into play when coming to this decision. For example, if you tend to get seasick, then spending your whole trip on the waves might not be for you. 

An island-hopping tour is a perfect way to skip from one area of the Galapagos to another, ensuring that you don’t miss out on any of the highlights while not having to worry about how you’re going to get there. 

For those that are worried about spending their whole time on a ship, you could rent a yacht for a portion of the trip to ensure that you get to see everything efficiently. 

In fact, the majority of the islands can only be accessed by boat, so to really appreciate the islands in all their glory, you will most definitely need to spend some of your time on the open water. 

Best Island to Stay On

There are four inhabited islands in the archipelago: Santa Cruz, Isabela Island, San Cristobal and Floreana. While all of them are rich in fascinating wildlife and extraordinary landscapes, some lend themselves more to visitors than others.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a popular destination for travellers to stay on, as it has a lot of tourist amenities. The island’s capital, Puerto Ayora, boasts some of the archipelago’s best hotels and restaurants along with handy conveniences like supermarkets and ATMs. 

And so, many would say that Santa Cruz is the best island to stay on in the Galapagos Islands. For those planning a brief holiday to the Galapagos, it would definitely make sense to base yourself on Santa Cruz.

Isabela Island

The biggest of the bunch, Isabela Island spreads over a whopping 4,586m², making it the largest in the entire archipelago. However, don’t expect luxury or a host of amenities, Isabela Island is not very populated and has managed to remain significantly less developed than others in the island chain.

If you’re looking to really chill out and embrace the slower pace of island life, Isabela Island makes a wonderful place to visit. Inaccessible by plane, getting to this little haven involves taking a quick ferry or small plane ride from Santa Cruz or San Cristobal.

San Cristobal

For those craving tranquillity but not wanting to give up hustle and bustle altogether, we would recommend staying in San Cristobal. With a handful of hotels, it lends itself perfectly to those craving a touch of serenity.

However, there is also a good range of buzzing restaurants with varying price ranges that won’t leave you feeling too limited. It is also worthy of note that if your main priority for the trip is seeing the famous sea lions, San Cristobal is home to the largest colony of them in the Galapagos.

Floreana

The first of the islands to have been inhabited by humans, Floreana may seem like a natural choice for anyone wanting to get right in and explore the origins of the Galapagos and everything it has to offer. 

Floreana is an exceptionally quiet island to stay on, with only a few restaurants and hotels. The peaceful ambience of the island is difficult not to fall in love with. 

Tempted? You’ll need to get in there quick and reserve as soon as possible, as availability is limited.

How Long to Stay

With so much to explore on the archipelago, it can seem like you need an infinite amount of time to explore this glorious part of the world. Rarely feasible, many wonder how long you need to stay in the Galapagos to take in all of its marvellous attractions. 

Sprawling over 45,000 square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean, you’ll need to dedicate several days to your adventure. With many of the islands only accessible by boat, you need to take into account the journey time required to get from one place to another. 

With this in mind, we recommend you spend at least 5 days in the Galapagos Islands to get a real flavour of its charm and all of the incredible creatures that call it their home. 

However, as with most things, the more time you have the better as this will give you the freedom to explore all of the landscapes and creatures in their full glory. 

Summary

Planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands is a fantastic way to see some of nature’s most extraordinary creatures. 

However, when it comes down to putting pen to paper and beginning to arrange your trip to such a natural paradise, it can be hard to know where to start. So, we have gathered together some key information to help you plan the most unforgettable trip possible to this remarkable part of the world. 

If you’re dreaming of visiting the Galapagos Islands and looking for a tour provider that will be able to take you from one island to the next without a worry, Touring Galapagos has a wealth of yachts and holiday packages on offer, feel free to get in touch with us to help us plan an unforgettable trip.