Seeing the Galapagos Islands on a cruise
The Galapagos Islands are world famous and will be forever linked with Darwin and his theory of evolution. These volcanic islands are in the Pacific Ocean some 972 kilometres off the coast of Ecuador. They are now a national park; the surrounding waters are also part of a biological marine reserve and UNESCO has declared the islands a world heritage site. As the Galapagos Islands are so protected and are of unique scientific interest, experienced naturalists always accompany the tours.
The Galapagos Islands are home to some unique wildlife including the giant tortoise and marine iguanas, the only sea-going iguana in the world, and visitors who tour the islands can visit the Darwin centre, swim with playful sea lion pups and get up close to some beautiful wildlife, such as the blue-footed boobies.
Scuba diving is also popular and the Galapagos Islands and the surrounding marine reserve are ranked as one of the top diving sites in the world. There is plenty of marine wildlife, including; sharks, rays, whales, dolphins, sea lions, tuna and morays. Experienced divers can swim with the whale or hammerhead sharks, but there are also plenty of enjoyable opportunities for the less experienced diver.
Some cruises also offer multisport tours. Each day there are opportunities to hike in the forests, kayak in bays with sea turtles and rays, swim or snorkel with sea lions, or go horse riding to an active volcano.
In addition to visiting the Galapagos Islands many cruises offer the option of a visit to Ecuador. This may include; Quito, Guayaquil, the bio-diverse rainforest and the cultural treasures of the highlands in the itinerary. Quito is itself a UNESCO World Heritage site and it is still a place where you can see women in traditional costume going about their daily lives. Tourists can also visit the traditional markets, take eco-tours, visit a spa or enjoy one of its national parks.