Deloris

Hi Galapagos Experts
I REALLY want to go to the Galapagos this year with my husband. We want to spend at least a week in the islands and I love to swim (he hates snorkling but wants to experience the environment!). What is the best tour company and ship and the best time to snorkle in warm water?
We are the "boomer and + generation" so we don't want to rough it ship wise but do want the best naturalists and exposure to the islands.
Gracias!

Pat2003

Get 'The travelers guide to Galapagos Islands' recommended here very often. Read very carefuly all sections and you will know what is the best company and boat for you. Have fun with your research

Percy

Hi Deloris
Got back fromthe Galapagos September 5th.
This is who handled my trip from Quito Ecuador:
E mail Martin at:
[email protected]
I was very impressed with the way Martin handled everything.
I was on the Isabella2 cruise boat in the Galapagos.
Say Hi to Martin for me. he sent me an e-mail Christmas wish
Percy ( need more info!? [email protected] )

Deloris

Thanks Everyone!
Looking forward to our trip!

Patty

Hi Deloris,
I also had the same concerns about roughing it ship wise. I just made a tentative reservation for a 7 day cruise on Celebrity Xpedition for this September. It's a new ship to the Galapagos (built in 2001 I think) and will start sailing in June. I don't know what size ship you were looking for, this one holds 100 passengers. I have also heard good things about Lindblad Expeditions but they're a little more than I'd like to spend.

Sassyrn

I was looking into using Overseas ADventure travel company which we used for a trip to africa & they were great...however they use small boats...max passengers 16-20 ..any thoughts? joan

jojosm33

I went last May on the Galapagos Legend, which is a 90 passenger luxury boat. No complaints at all! I had a junior suite to myself. You are very active during the day if you want to be, out on islands, swimming or snorkeling twice a day. Guides were excellent, especially Jaun Carlos. It's nice after a long hot day to be on a nice ship with spacious cabins! The food is good, and EVERYONE is sooo friendly! May was the beginning of the cold season, but it wasn't cold! The water was fine. I chose May so it wouldn't be too hot, and also less rain. I didn't see any rain till I landed back in NYC!

peg

Just to add my two cents in. We personally were happy with only a 16 passenger boat and we filled two cabins there were only 12 other people. I guess it depends on what you like. I would not have been happy with a 100 passenger boat.

99mkw

I was lucky enough to spend a week in the Galapagos in August of 2001 with Lindblad expeditions (aboard the Polaris, I believe). I realize that you pay a premium price for Lindblad, but I can't fathom how another tour company could be better. From the moment we boarded our flight to Ecuador, our every thought and need was anticipated.

The best example of this above and beyond service was our inland trip to see some tortoises in the wild. The day before they had taken everyone's shoe sizes so they could have tall rubber boots for everyone. While we were tramping about we saw another tour group which wasn't so lucky, and I could tell their shoes would never recover from all of the mud. Aside from that, they were great about taking care of everything at the airports, the food was wonderful, and the guides were first rate. The naturalists were outstanding during the excursions (I think we hit all the best islands) and also gave some great lectures on the ship in the evenings.

As far as snorkeling is concerned, the water was pretty frigid in August (the presence of penguins leads me to believe it never gets that warm). Fortunately, Lindblad had wet suits to go along with their quality snorkel equipment. It was my first snorkeling experience, but swimming with the sea lion pups and seeing the marine iguanas swim and feed made the cold water well worth it. Rushing to the ship sauna afterward helped as well.