Everything you need to understand the Galápagos before you go — islands, wildlife, experiences, and trip planning, from a local expedition team.
Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Isabela, and the smaller visitor sites — what each island offers and how they differ.
Explore the Islands →
Marine mammals, sharks and rays, birds, reptiles, and marine life — organized by category, with where and when to see each.
Explore Wildlife →
Snorkeling, diving, hiking, wildlife watching, and photography — what you can actually do here, and where.
Explore Experiences →
Best time to go, getting to the islands, what to pack, and practical planning guides written by a local team.
Start Planning →
The Galápagos sit at the convergence of several major ocean currents — cold water from the south, warm water from the north — which is exactly why the wildlife here is so unusual. That mix of temperatures supports species found nowhere else on Earth, most of which evolved with no natural fear of humans.
Isolation did the rest. Roughly 97% of the archipelago’s land is protected national park, and centuries of separation from the mainland shaped species — like the marine iguana and the flightless cormorant — that exist only here
See a side-by-side comparison of packages, day tours, private trips, and cruises — price range, pace, and who each is best for.
The archipelago has 13 major islands and over 100 smaller islets and rocks. Most visitors experience a handful of them — Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, and Isabela are the main inhabited islands most trips are based from.
Yes — nearly all Galápagos National Park visitor sites require a licensed naturalist guide, which is why every Nauti Expeditions trip includes one as standard, not an add-on.
Start with Wildlife or Experiences if you’re inspired by what to see or do, or Trip Planning if you’re ready to think about logistics. Compare Trip Types is the fastest path once you’re ready to look at actual trips.
Planning a Galápagos trip can feel overwhelming. We’re here to help you choose the right cruise or island-hopping experience based on your interests, travel style, dates, and budget.
Tell us about your travel plans, and we’ll create a personalized Galápagos itinerary tailored to your interests, travel dates, and budget.
The Story Behind the Research In 1792, a British whaling captain named James Colnett sailed into Galápagos waters and wrote back to England that the
GALAPAGOS BLUE WHALES The blue whale is the largest animal known to have ever existed on Earth — larger than any dinosaur, its heart alone
When most people think of the Galápagos Islands, they picture giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, and marine iguanas. Yet beneath this remarkable wildlife lies an equally
