A Wildlife Holiday Cruise Around the Galapagos Islands

If you’re looking for a unique kind of wildlife holiday, why not consider a cruise? A wildlife holiday based on a cruise offers a completely different experience from the norm, and there are some places on our planet that can’t be fully appreciated except from the water. The area surrounding the Galapagos Islands is just such a place.

Arguably one of the most beautiful regions in the world, this group of islands lies almost 1000km off the coast of Ecuador. Boasting some of the world’s most astounding wildlife - including many endemic species – it's little wonder Darwin’s studies of the flora and fauna of this isolated wildlife hotspot were such a success and had such an impact on his theory of natural selection.

Cruising the Galapagos

The islands here are volcanic, so the sandy beaches, stunning crystal clear waters and intricate lava formations are all evidence of the shaping by its geographical history. It is interesting to note that these islands were never attached to the mainland, so every species of wildlife residing here arrived either by swimming, flying or simply floating. The huge numbers of seabirds that come here to breed find themselves in a veritable paradise, while animals like the Giant Tortoises and iguanas are both very much at home too.

Although a wildlife holiday in the Galapagos will be centred on a cruise boat, there is plenty of time every day to go ashore at various sites to explore on foot. Most companies will use local guides to accompany onshore excursions and take you to the best places to encounter the wildlife. These local guides are also invaluable in terms of imparting local knowledge and answering any questions you may have. You'll have the opportunity to get into the water and discover life under the sea with a mask and snorkel, too; the waters around the islands are teeming with fish and you might even come across the Galapagos Sea Lions if you're lucky.

An Extension to Sacha Lodge

Many wildlife holiday itineraries offer an extension to visit Sacha Lodge, and this is definitely worth considering. The lodge is great fun for all the family and you can get involved in a new adventure every day. Bird watching is, of course, a must, and the lodge offers early morning canopy walks to make the experience even more exciting. (The canopy walk is a great place to watch the sunset in the evenings as well.) You can also explore the lake and the streams by dugout canoe and even go piranha fishing off the dock at the lodge.

Marissa Ellis-Snow is a freelance nature writer. If you’re looking for a wildlife holiday, Naturetrek specialises in expert-led natural history and wildlife tours worldwide. Naturetrek brings over 25 years of experience to polar expeditions and tours to other spectacular regions on Earth.tr