There are a total of 19 main islands, just four of which are inhabited, and which in total account for about 3% of the total Galapagos area. The remaining 97% is the Galapagos National Park, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Famed for being the inspiration behind Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection, the wildlife in the Galapagos is undoubtedly one of the destination’s main appeals, with the giant tortoise, land iguana, marine iguana, Galapagos penguin and blue-footed booby some of its more famous residents. But sea lions, whale sharks, hammerhead sharks and a huge range of other marine species also await visitors, as do a phenomenal variety of plant species. The clear turquoise waters, spectacular beaches, secluded coves, volcanic landscapes, lush green highlands and striking coastlines then provide the stunning backdrop. 

When to go?

The Galapagos is a year-round destination, although different months bring slightly different weather and highlights. January through to May is considered the warm period, with temperatures around 26-32C, warm and calm seas, but short daily rain showers can be common. This time of year also includes the breeding season for much of the wildlife, from February to April. The cool season runs from June to December, with temperatures still warm at around 22-30C, less rain, but slightly rougher and cooler seas. The cooler current that arrives during this period brings with it the larger marine species such as sharks and whales. 

Where to go?

The Galapagos is mostly reached by plane from Quito, Ecuador’s capital. The main airport is on Baltra island, which is therefore also the main embarkation and disembarkation port, although there is also an airport on San Cristobal island. Cruise itineraries are generally separated into four main categories: North, South, East and West. Each itinerary will visit as many of the islands in its region(s) as possible, but strict regulations limit exactly where they can go within each 15-day period. Isabela, Santa Cruz, San Cristobal and Floreana are some of the best-known islands, and are also the inhabited four.

​Take a deeper dive into the Galapagos and discover which operators offer the region