How to Visit The Galapagos Islands Without a Cruise

Published March 9, 2025

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Renowned for their abundant endemic species, the Galápagos Islands are safeguarded as a section of Marine Reserve and the Galápagos Park of Ecuador.

Find out how to visit the Galapagos Islands without a cruise!

What is The Galapagos Islands?

These Islands form a volcanic island group in Eastern Pacific, situated near the equator, 560 miles (900 km) west of South America's mainland.

They constitute Ecuador's Galápagos Province, with a small population of just over 33000.

This province is split into the divisions of Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, and Isabela, which are the 3 most populated Galapagos islands within the group.

The Islands are located near Ecuador's coast inside of South America and there exist two airports there, one located in San Cristobal and the other in Santa Cruz.

Whether you visit the Galapagos independently or on a cruise, having a guide is mandatory at every time.

You can stroll through the cities or visit some nice beaches without a guide, but if you're interested in searching for wildlife, you require one.

Note that the plants and animals there are highly safeguarded, so please contribute by cleaning up and avoiding wandering off designated trails.

Best Time to Visit The Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Islands lie on exactly the equator, resulting in two seasons; rainy and slightly less rainy.

Every day is quite similar - the sun going down at about 6 pm and coming up at approximately 6 am.

The best time to visit the Galapagos Islands is not certain since all the months there are quite similar unless there's something specific you wish to see regarding the wildlife.

The breeding period for the Boobys that are Blue Footed occurs during the summer, therefore if you wish to witness their courtship dance, it’s best to plan your visit to the Islands during that time.

Also, no matter which month you choose, the most tranquil waters occur at the midpoint of the lunar cycle.

Provided you aren't scheduling your trip during the full moon or new moon, their waters should be relatively calm.

Is The Galapagos Islands Worth Visiting?

Yes, the Galapagos is definitely worth visiting.

In the islands, there exist species unique to this region, and even from one island to another, the plants and animals have evolved in distinct ways.

The waters surrounding the islands are filled with colorful fish and large sea turtles, offering part of the finest snorkeling experiences you will ever have.

Also, if you're a lover of nature, the Islands must surely be a priority on your must-visit list.

How to Visit The Galapagos Islands Without a Cruise

To reach the Galapagos without using a cruise, you will have to fly into Quito or Guayaquil.

Upon arriving in Quito, you must complete several forms before being permitted to board a flight.

Also, in Quito airport, you must stop by two spots which are situated on the departure zone's right side.

The first one is the booth where individuals sit behind a glass having a long Spanish phrase above it.

Here, you'll need to pay $20 (in cash) to receive their transit card and give your passport to them.

Next, proceed to scan your luggage at their x-ray machine located against the right wall, close to section A.

Then, after completing all these, you may proceed through the security and then to the gate.

In case you feel lost or puzzled, there are numerous guides available to assist those embarking on cruises whom you can consult for help.

Then, if you reach Santa Cruz City for your Galapagos Islands journey, you must complete a few extra steps.

Initially, you must go to their transit center, present your card, and then pay $100 to access their national park.

Subsequently, you need to wait for your luggage to be scanned again, along with your bags being inspected by the sniffing dogs.

Then, after you’ve exited the airport's arrivals section, you must board a bus in order to reach the available water taxis.

The bus tickets cost $5 each while the fare for water taxis is 1 dollar per person.

Following this water taxi trip, you can choose to take a taxi or bus to Puerto Ayora.

This journey takes between 45 minutes and one hour.

Note that you must pay a minimum of 111 dollars per person to travel to the Puerto Ayora area, and it'll require at least two hours from your landing to get to your hotel.

Where to Stay

There are just a handful of islands that are populated in Galapagos; San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, and Isabella.

San Cristobal together with Santa Cruz both have airports and if you wish to completely avoid boats, you should stay on any one of these islands.

However, if you are still willing to use the inter-island ferries but wish to reduce boat time, you should stay in Isabella after staying or arriving in the Santa Cruz region.

Isabella stands as a stunning volcanic island known for its amazing hiking trails, wildlife observations, and excellent snorkeling opportunities.

Hotels in this island fill up fast, so it’s advisable to make reservations six months ahead, particularly if you’re aiming for a more upscale hotel.

Note that Santa Cruz remains the most renowned island, with Puerto Ayora being its central city.

San Cristobal likewise features an airport, accessible via flights from the Santa Cruz area or the mainland, and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is its primary city, the second Galapagos biggest city.

Things to Do in the Galapagos Islands

My itinerary emphasizes things to do in the Galapagos without using a cruise and the land-based experiences, though you'll only be able to explore fewer islands.

San Cristóbal

If you arrive in Santa Cruz by plane, you should fly in between the Galapagos islands to bypass the choppy seas or take the ferry to reach San Cristobal.

The San Cristobal airport is adjacent to Puerto BaquerizoMoreno town, making it simple to start exploring immediately after your arrival.

Also, flights are available between here and Santa Cruz.

You may require two days in San Cristobal on your visit to the Galapagos without using a cruise schedule, and probably even 3 if you wish to explore all the island offers.

This includes a giant tortoise breeding center, highland hikes, and a boat excursion to Los Lobos or Kicker Rock.

If you're curious about these locations, you can enjoy a full-day excursion to the San Cristobal region from the City of Santa Cruz accompanied by a guide.

San Cristobal is really amazing and you may even get the chance to swim alongside huge sea turtles.

The Garrapatero Beach

This is a hidden gem where you can enjoy the unspoiled sands exclusively for yourself.

One can rent kayaks or relax in the mangrove to find shade after having fun inside the water.

Also, there exists a tiny lagoon here where, if fortune smiles upon you, you could see some Herons and Flamingos.

In Garrapatero Beach, you can hire a taxi for several hours and let it wait for around 50 dollars.

Tortuga Bay

Just a brief stroll from the Puerto Ayora area, this bay is among the top spots for surfing or swimming close to town.

In order to reach it, you will have to go to Centro Energia Renovable, then follow the directions to the park’s entrance, where you'll enjoy a stunning city view.

On your way, you will traverse a rocky trail amid a cacti and trees forest, observing birds and Lava Lizards, for approximately 30 minutes until you arrive at the initial beach.

Note that there are 2 options and the initial is for just surfing, therefore you must take a right turn to get to the quieter waters for swimming.

This beach features dark lava stones and immaculate white sand, forming a beautiful contrast against the vibrant blue waters.

Los Gemelos & Lava Tunnels

Taxi drivers frequently offer tours to these places while you are traveling from or to the airport.

One can also catch a taxi right at any hour to these locations.

Rancho Primicas is the most ideal spot to visit, home to vast lava tunnels, where you can observe Giant stunning Tortoises that have roamed the ranch for centuries.

The cost to enter here is just 7.50 dollars per individual and a guide will lead you through the ranch as he is informing you about these tortoises with their background.

Here, the scenery is stunning and the stroll between them takes under 20 minutes.

It is an ideal halt on your journey from or to the airport during your journey to the Galapagos without using a cruise.

Even, you can reserve half-day excursions in a climate-controlled vehicle and experience everything.

La Lobería

La Loberia hosts numerous Sea Turtles so if you've fantasized about snorkeling alongside Sea Turtles, it is the place to visit.

However, make sure to review the tides prior to heading out as high tide remains the best time to snorkel and swim here, along with enjoying the company of these stunning sea animals.

Puerto Ayora

This is the area where you'll reside during your journey to Galapagos Islands without taking a cruise.

There, you can discover numerous amazing restaurants and in case you enjoy sushi, theirs is among the freshest you'll ever taste.

Also, their Fish Market becomes vibrant at sunset and sunrise, where Sea Lions, Pelicans, Marine Iguanas, as well as Rays and little Sharks, swim in the surrounding waters.

Island Hopping

A few of the Galapagos Islands cannot be reached on day trips and are only accessible via cruises, meaning your itinerary without using a cruise will exclude the more distant ones.

The islands that are most frequently visited and easiest to reach from the Santa Cruz region include Isabella, North Seymour, Bartolome, Floreana, Pinzon, Santa Fe, and San Cristobal.

Note that every one of them will necessitate boat rides lasting at least one hour.

However, the ferry ride from Santa Cruz to San Cristobal can last for over 2 hours and quite a few passengers become ill during the trip.

You may also spend time on the Isabella Island. Based on research, three days is enough to discover the island and hike its volcanoes.

Charles Darwin Station

In case you want to view a Saddleback Tortoise, I recommend visiting this place.

However, if you’re not interested in viewing them and you are satisfied with Rancho Primicias ones, you should pass.

For 10 dollars per person, a guide will share lots of information and take you on a guided tour of a place that resembles a little zoo, culminating at Lonesome George's taxidermied figure.

Santa Cruz

This offers numerous opportunities for adventure, both underwater and on land.

You can experience everything here in roughly 3 days by engaging in various activities daily on a Galapagos Islands trip with no cruise schedule.

Then, from the Santa Cruz area, you should also visit North Seymour, accessible by boat within roughly 50 minutes.

Darwin Bay

To witness the location where Charles Darwin landed, you must incorporate San Cristobal into your plan.

Inside Darwin Bay, you will snorkel alongside vibrant fish schools and Sea Lions.

Also, as you stroll through their Interpretation Center in order to get to the bay, you'll encounter Kicker Rock's stunning viewpoints and an aerial perspective of the azure water scattered with the bay's lava rocks.

Half-Day Tour of the Bay

If you're unable to visit North Seymour, consider joining the Half Day Tour.

Under 3 hours, you will get the opportunity to explore Las Grietas, a cliff fissure featuring brackish waters ideal for swimming and photography.

This is along with a nearby cove where you can observe Sea Lions, Blue Footed Boobies, and snorkel alongside Sea Turtles.

Their boat here is tiny and moves slowly (similar to water taxis), though you will encounter no problem with it.

Things to Note When Visiting the Galapagos Islands

• Reserve your tour online beforehand or arrange everything on the day of your arrival.
• North Seymour remains highly sought after as it hosts the largest Blue Footed Boobies colonies, which often sell out several days ahead.
• If you schedule any boat tour, examine the moon as the water stays more tranquil at the "midway" stages of the lunar cycle.
• The periods nearest to the full moon and new moon experience the choppiest seas. 
• Ensure you eat prior to boarding a boat to avoid seasickness.
• In case you experience motion sickness, try to use Dramamine, Sea Bands, or any other remedy that cures motion sickness.
• Regardless of whether it involves UV clothing, dressing appropriately, or using sunscreen, safeguarding your skin is essential.
• If you apply sunscreen, wash it off before entering the water in order to safeguard the environment, and if you must wear it, choose only a sunscreen that is reef-safe.
• Regardless of the temperature of the water, hire a wetsuit for additional protection from the sun while snorkeling and swimming.
• You can absolutely avoid getting on boats during your time in the Islands, though you could end up missing incredible wildlife opportunities.
• Try to obtain Google Translate's Spanish offline version to avoid problems with communication in the Islands.

Conclusion

Visiting Galapagos Islands even without taking a cruise has been growing in popularity each year, resulting in tours quickly selling out.

The Islands offer a distinct experience and are fantastic for those who love wildlife.

Even if you're nervous about boats and cruises, you won't want to forgo experiencing one of our planet's most biodiverse areas.