Galápagos Islands

Our journey to these astonishing volcanic islands follows in Darwin’s footsteps, bringing you closer to the animals and sights that inspired him. In particular, we’ll be looking out for the most of the so-called ‘Big 15’ –the 15 most iconic animal and bird species of the Galapagos, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, Galápagos Albatross, Blue-footed Boobies,and others.

From the famous giant tortoises, which lumber around the greener parts of the islands, to the scaly marine iguanas that have evolved to graze on underwater vegetation, you’ll see why Galápagos is such a special destination for nature lovers. Due to the uniqueness of each island, a huge range of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife flourishes in this haven of biodiversity.

What’s more, having evolved with no major predators, much of the wildlife is impervious to the presence of people and remains remarkably tame. Of course, we’ll maintain a respectable distance, but you’ll be able to get close to the animals, whether they be Galápagos sea lions, Blue-footed Boobies, land iguanas, Frigate Birds or other members of the ‘Big 15’ iconic species.

Hidden away in the vastness of the Pacific, the Galápagos archipelago formed millions of years ago when subsea eruptions pushed up a group of volcanic islands. Due to their remoteness, they were at first arid and barren, but were soon colonised by rainforest animals from Central and South America floating across on rafts of vegetation.

Only the birds and reptiles could survive such a long voyage, and so the Galápagos became seeded by new arrivals, free from mammalian predators. Each species was compelled to adapt to the often very different island environments, making natural selection apparent to Darwin when he arrived. You’ll learn all about this and more as your knowledgeable onboard Expedition Team inform and educate you by way of onboard lectures and guided nature walks.

At Hurtigruten Expeditions we want to show you some of the most remote and beautiful places in the world and do it in a way that gives back. You’ll learn all about the unique and fragile ecology of the Galápagos Islands and why its protection is important. What’s more, with a focus on science and conservation, you’ll learn heaps of interesting things from the knowledgeable Expedition Team, who’ve been exploring the islands for years.

Along the way you’ll visit a variety of islands and ecosystems, from the white sandy beaches and black volcanic rocks of Santa Fe to the lush highlands of Santa Cruz where wild giant tortoises thrive. At the same time, you’ll enjoy outstanding cuisine and hospitality aboard our modern, comfortable and small expedition ship.

These spiky-looking reptiles can be seen on several islands in the Galápagos. Predominantly vegetarian, the terrestrial iguanas which first arrived here have evolved into several different subspecies, including marine iguanas which can dive underwater and graze on the seabed. Land iguanas mostly eat cacti and other succulents and play in important role in dispersing seeds, but are somewhat omnivorous and will eat carrion.

Probably the most iconic Galápagos animal, endangered giant tortoises can weight 470 lb. and are thought to live over 100 years. Although they were heavily hunted by pirates and whalers, recent conservation efforts have succeeded in boosting their numbers. Each subspecies of Galápagos giant tortoise has a uniquely shaped shell, allowing these slow-moving herbivores to most efficiently push through the different types of vegetation found on each island.

With a wingspan of over 8 ft., the Galápagos Albatross breeds almost exclusively on Española. Close to 35,000 breeding pairs exist here but they are considered critically endangered due to having only one main breeding site. The birds need steady winds to give them lift, but these die down in January so chicks must be mature enough to fly by then or else remain stranded during the hottest season.

Explore the vast archipelago of diverse volcanic islands as we take you on a guided voyage around one of the planet’s most beautiful and biodiverse destinations. From rocky and arid islands dominated by cacti and iguanas,to the lush tropical highlands of Santa Cruz where giant tortoises amble, you’ll experience a range of habitats and climatic conditions.

Our onboard Expedition Team are friendly Galápagos experts with many years of experience in these islands. They’ll join you on shore landings and nature walks, sharing their knowledge of natural history and explaining conservation efforts. With most wildlife is unafraid of humans, you’ll be getting far closer to much of it than you might be used to. Of course, we’ll always maintain a respectable distance to avoid inadvertently disturbing the animals.

Our small expedition boats allow you to land on beaches and terrain that would otherwise be too rugged for larger vessels to get close to. They’re great for wildlife watching, so we’ll be on the lookout for marine creatures as we head to and from the ship. Try the glass-bottomed boat and observe marine life and reefs from above - it’s like snorkelling without getting in the water!

Exploring the various islands on foot turns an experience into an adventure. You’ll be heading ashore a lot and walking on trails that lead through a range of distinct ecosystems. Depending on the itinerary, you could be walking amidst the silvery Palo Santo trees with their delicate incense scent on North Seymour, watching giant tortoises lumber through the undergrowth on Santa Cruz, or walking to the sea lion colony on SantaFe.

What could be better than drifting over a colourful reef and seeing the amazing marine life illuminated in the crystal-clear water? We have all the snorkelling gear you’ll need and our expert Expedition Team will bring you to some pretty amazing places where you might see placid turtles, colourful fish, diving marine iguanas and curious sea lions performing underwater acrobatics. If you want to wear a wetsuit, we have some available for hire.

Some places are ideally suited to exploration aboard a kayak. We have a number of sea kayaks onboard for such a purpose, and they’re perfect for paddling the waters around Santa Fe, Española and Santa Cruz. Alternatively, why not try out SUP boarding – our expedition ship also carries a number of boards for your enjoyment.

The Galápagos Islands are the focus for global conservation and research efforts. We’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where over 200 scientists and volunteers are engaged in projects to boost biodiversity. You’ll see baby tortoises being reared in incubation pens, as well as other inspiring conservation success stories. Another project, on San Cristobal, is set in a forest that doubles as a tortoise reserve – here you’ll see these gentle giants in their natural habitat.

Your expedition cruise in the Galápagos Islands will be – let’s face it – one continuous wildlife watching experience. Because animals here evolved without many predators they have no fear of humans, meaning you can get closer to photograph them lazing around on the beaches and volcanic rocks – or in the case of giant tortoises, ambling peacefully along. But we’ll also be on the lookout for faster-moving things, such as dolphins, reef sharks and Galápagos hawks.

Your Expedition Team are the most recent link in a chain of experts with many years of experience exploring the Galápagos Islands.They'll give in-depth lectures on a variety of topics to enhance your learning.The subjects chosen are specific to where you are on your cruise and will teach you about the Galápagos Islands, their wildlife, and current conservation efforts.