Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
On boats, you'll be sharing small spaces with the same people over the course of days,
and you'd be pretty lucky to find them all agreeable. If you're an independent traveler
averse to loud group tours and busy itineraries, going on a land tour is a no-brainer.
Though there are definitely some quiet, exclusive cruises, land-based tours give you the
freedom to choose your own way, at your own speed, with more privacy. They suit flex-
ible travelers well, affording them the time to interact with locals that a yacht wouldn't.
This is best for sustainable tourism, as your dollars go directly into the hands of
Galápagueños and off of the boats that just pollute the islands further. It's also best for
families, as many cruises enforce age restrictions that make bringing kids impossible, and
it's easier to snag last-minute hotel and tour deals in person anyway. Finally, there are
more excursion choices available to you when using an island base, so much so that
choosing an itinerary can be daunting. But whatever you do, you won't leave disappoin-
ted. You're in the Galápagos!
Scuba Diving
As one of the seven Underwater Wonders of the World, the Galápagos Islands display a
live evolutionary theater of aquatic life and offer the rare experience of interacting with it
so close up. Consistently topping bucket lists around the globe, scuba diving adventures in
its waters are popular with travelers, but not for the faint of heart. Though a few outfitters
offer beginners' day dives, the currents and temperatures are best suited for mid-level to
advanced divers. Dive shops (in Isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal) can advise you on
the best itineraries based on conditions and experience level.
