Galápagos travel advice
Our practical travel tips for the Galápagos Islands come directly from our expert partners, based on their years of experience helping people get the most from their holidays. And if there’s anything specific you want to know for your own Galápagos plans, our Travel Team will be more than happy to help – just drop them a line.
Are there any dangerous animals in the Galápagos Islands?
There are no predatory animals in the Galápagos that you need to be concerned about, but there are a few species about that could present a potential risk. These include sea lions – adult males, the bulls, are very strong and can get aggressive during breeding season – and there are sharks around too, although the chances of them taking much interest in you are very, very small.
Based on the Galápagos National Park rules, your guides will give you very clear advice on keeping your distance from the wildlife, which is as much for their safety as yours. There are very few places in the world where the animals are so unafraid of humans, and happy to come so close. Sticking to the rules helps ensure it stays that way.
Based on the Galápagos National Park rules, your guides will give you very clear advice on keeping your distance from the wildlife, which is as much for their safety as yours. There are very few places in the world where the animals are so unafraid of humans, and happy to come so close. Sticking to the rules helps ensure it stays that way.
Are the Galápagos Islands volcanic?
There are 13 active volcanoes in the Galápagos, several of them on Isabela. The Galápagos is one of the most volcanically active regions in the world, and there have been several significant eruptions since 2005. Like all ‘hotspots’ of course, volcanic activity in the Galápagos is closely monitored and you’re very unlikely to be caught up in an eruption.
Is it safe to swim in the Galápagos?
You definitely won’t want to forget your swim stuff when packing for the Galápagos – there are some of the world’s most idyllic beaches here, and the warm, shallow waters off them are ideal for swimming and snorkelling, especially between December and May. Not all beaches have lifeguards, so if in any doubt check with your guide or the hosts in your accommodation whether it’s safe to swim.
Is there anything to avoid in the Galápagos Islands?
There are a few things you should avoid doing in the Galápagos. At the top of that list is getting too close to the wildlife, attempting to touch it, or otherwise interfering with it such as by feeding it or frightening it with flash photography.
You should also keep in mind that the animals’ survival depends on the quality of their habitat. Don’t buy any souvenirs that may be made from precious natural resources such as coral, wood or shells, and try to avoid bringing any plastic packaging with you. Lastly, whether walking with a guide or on your own, always stick to marked trails, as you may damage important vegetation without realising it.
You should also keep in mind that the animals’ survival depends on the quality of their habitat. Don’t buy any souvenirs that may be made from precious natural resources such as coral, wood or shells, and try to avoid bringing any plastic packaging with you. Lastly, whether walking with a guide or on your own, always stick to marked trails, as you may damage important vegetation without realising it.
Is the Charles Darwin Research Station worth visiting?
The shame about the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz is that it suffers a little in comparison with the amazing real-life wildlife experiences you’re surrounded by, and consequently it can feel a little dry. It’s also not as interactive as you might expect from modern kid-friendly museums. First and foremost, the station is there for genuine scientific research. It’s opened up for people to learn, but that education is a secondary aspect. Almost everyone who visits the Galápagos goes there anyway, but we’d suggest going there right at the start of your trip for a grounding in what you’re going to see over the next few days. Later in the trip, it can be a bit of an anticlimax to be honest.What does the Galápagos have to offer culturally?
Morag Prosser, from our partner ROW Adventures, shares a Galápagos Islands travel tip for culture fans: “One thing which goes unnoticed is the human population. They’ve been there for many, many years, and what the park is doing to conserve nature has a big impact on their ability to earn a living and continue living on the islands they were born on. They’ve had to stop fishing, they’ve limited the farming that people can do to sustain their families – and these people are now almost wholly dependent on tourism. The land-based tours give a good understanding of that.“You can go to the Wall of Tears and learn about how it was a penal colony. Political and war prisoners were held there for many, many years under terrible circumstances – and it’s interesting that no-one talks about that part of the Galápagos Islands. There’s the history of Floreana – people arriving there, the murders, people disappearing – and the fact that no-one’s ever been able to get to the bottom of that mystery is as fascinating, I think, as the reintroduction of native species of tortoise to each island. So I think that being able to balance that human history with the incredible wildlife is a real plus.”
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Galápagos tips from our travellers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Galápagos travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Galápagos travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
Visit Los Tuneles (off Isabela) for the greatest snorkelling experience you will ever have - we saw seahorses and giant manta rays, and swam with penguins, sea lions, turtles, rays and white tip reef sharks as well as amazing fish! Stunning!![]()
– Kerry Hyde
“Pack light, and use a squashy bag, as there's nowhere to put a suitcase on the ship and minimal storage. Take an underwater disposable camera, and your own mask and snorkel, and practice before you go.” – Margaret Arch
“If, like me, you are in your sixties, make sure you are as fit as you can be before you go. We had 6am starts and activities on many days until 10pm so it was tiring and you need to be pretty fit to snorkel from a rubber boat twice a day as we did in the Galápagos.” – Mary Lee
“If going in the wet season be prepared to get soaked in downpours and for it to be difficult to dry clothes out. Take dry clothes and a separate bag to put wet stuff in - particularly if, like us, you are travelling around a lot with little time in one place to give stuff a chance to dry out.” – Moira Butcher
“If, like me, you are in your sixties, make sure you are as fit as you can be before you go. We had 6am starts and activities on many days until 10pm so it was tiring and you need to be pretty fit to snorkel from a rubber boat twice a day as we did in the Galápagos.” – Mary Lee
“If going in the wet season be prepared to get soaked in downpours and for it to be difficult to dry clothes out. Take dry clothes and a separate bag to put wet stuff in - particularly if, like us, you are travelling around a lot with little time in one place to give stuff a chance to dry out.” – Moira Butcher
Go for a small boat over a larger one. For a start, it means that you have fewer people on the island with you. The trails aren't very long, and 100 people at once can feel a bit crowded.![]()
– Graham Goodman
“Make sure you take a windproof jacket as it can get chilly in the evenings. Also the water was very cold for snorkelling and I wish that I had taken a full wet suit with me.” – Elaine Battison
“Choose your cruise boat carefully, read reviews of other travellers' experiences so you know what you're getting. There are a huge variety of boats with differing standards and it’s a bit of a minefield.” – Elaine Edmondson
“A pair of open-toed, sturdy sandals AND a pair of sturdy tennis shoes are a must!! Be prepared for walking and balancing on volcanic rock - the point of the vacation is to be somewhere where there are no sidewalks or escalators!! And the intensity of the sun cannot be overemphasized – you cannot wear enough sunscreen and I snorkelled mostly in long-sleeved tee-shirts and scrub pants for sufficient protection.” – Caroline Hoke
“Choose your cruise boat carefully, read reviews of other travellers' experiences so you know what you're getting. There are a huge variety of boats with differing standards and it’s a bit of a minefield.” – Elaine Edmondson
“A pair of open-toed, sturdy sandals AND a pair of sturdy tennis shoes are a must!! Be prepared for walking and balancing on volcanic rock - the point of the vacation is to be somewhere where there are no sidewalks or escalators!! And the intensity of the sun cannot be overemphasized – you cannot wear enough sunscreen and I snorkelled mostly in long-sleeved tee-shirts and scrub pants for sufficient protection.” – Caroline Hoke
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