Life aboard all vessels cruising the Galapagos ranges from informal to very informal. Dress is casual - shorts, tee shirts, swim suits; jeans/slacks and a windbreaker or sweater. Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, ample protection from the Equatorial sun (including a hat); and it is highly recommended that you bring a lightweight backpack to carry your camera, excess film and a towel (for drying off after wet landings). Do not over pack. There are weight restrictions on the flights (44 pounds per passenger) and you need only a minimum of casual clothing. Your excess luggage may be left at the hotel in Quito or Guayaquil in storage.

Suggested items to pack:

Wet suit (July-November)




Field Guides:

The Voyage of the Beagle, by Charles Darwin

Visit the Galapagos Islands book section at:





The Galapagos Archipelago is located on the Equator and its climate is sub-tropical, allowing cruises to operate on a year round basis. Temperatures are determined almost entirely by the ocean currents that are influenced by the trade winds. Generally, December to May is warm and sunny; June to November is cool and breezy. Most birds nest year round, so you can see courtship, mating, chicks hatching and rearing almost any time of the year.

Temperatures are shown in Fahrenheit:

Temperatures	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
Max. Air Temp.	84	86	88	86	82	78	76	74	76	77	78	80
Min. Air Temp.	70	74	74	72	72	68	66	64	62	64	66	68
Avg. Sea Temp.	74	76	76	76	74	74	72	66	68	70	72	74
Avg. Rainfall (in.)	1	1	2	1.5	0.75	0.25	0.5	0.25	0.5	0.25	0.5	0.5

English and Spanish are spoken aboard the vessels by guides and officers.




GMT-6 in the islands and GMT-5 on the mainland. Ecuador does not observe Daylight Savings Time.




The sucre is the monetary unit of Ecuador. However, the country has alos adopted the U.S. dollar as its currency.




There are worldwide connecting flights to Quito and Guayaquil, on the Ecuadorian mainland. Specially arranged flights (contracted by the cruise operators) from the Ecuadorian mainland serve the archipelago's two airports. The airports in Baltra and San Cristobal are served by TAME Airlines. Passengers fly from the mainland on the morning of the departure date of the cruise.

The cruises on the M/V Galapagos Explorer II sails from San Cristobal on Wednesday and Baltra on Saturdays..

The flights to and from the Galapagos are automatically confirmed when the cruise arrangements are confirmed. All passengers must arrive on the mainland at least one day prior to the departure date of the cruise.


As always, if you have any specific questions about traveling to the Galapagos Islands, you may contact us. We would be happy to answer your questions.