It is the first question almost every traveller asks us: should I do island hopping or a cruise? Both are wonderful ways to discover Galápagos. They are simply different trips. Here is how we explain it after more than twenty years of organising both.
What is island hopping?
Island hopping means staying in hotels on the inhabited islands — such as Santa Cruz, Isabela or San Cristóbal — and travelling between them by speedboat. Every day you go out on a guided visit: snorkelling, beaches, highlands, giant tortoises, lava tunnels. In the evening you come back to town, walk to dinner and share time with the people who live in Galápagos.
We were among the pioneers of this way of travelling in 2005, and we still love it because the money you spend stays with local families, guides and small businesses.
Island hopping is for you if:
- you get seasick easily or prefer to sleep on land;
- you want flexibility and more contact with local life;
- you travel with children, a school group or friends of different ages;
- you have only four or five days.
What is a Galápagos cruise?
On a cruise, a small yacht is your floating hotel. It sails at night and every morning you wake up at a new site, including remote islands that day tours cannot reach, such as Genovesa or parts of Española. Groups are small (usually 16 guests or fewer) and always led by a National Park naturalist guide.
A cruise is for you if:
- you want to see as many different islands and species as possible;
- you dream of the bird colonies of Genovesa or the albatrosses of Española;
- you like the idea of “unpacking once”;
- you are a diver — liveaboards are the only way to reach Darwin and Wolf.
Can I combine both?
Yes, and it is one of our favourite trips. A few days of island hopping on Santa Cruz and Isabela, followed by a short cruise, gives you the best of both worlds: the warmth of the towns and the wild, remote islands.
Our advice
Think about how you like to travel rather than which option is “better”. Tell us your dates, your group and what you would most like to see, and we will design a route that fits you. Request your quote or write to us on WhatsApp — a real person from our family team will answer.
Don’t settle for travelling. Live it!
