The Galapagos Islands, which are a national park belonging to Ecuador, have long been one of the world’s most favored cruising destinations. The unique wildlife, the strange volcanic peaks and lava flows, and the abundant sea life are all feasts for the senses.
Discovered in the 16th century by Spanish conquistadors, the islands were known for many years as the Enchanted Isles because they often disappear in fog and mist generated by the cold waters of the Humbolt Current flowing into the moist warm air above the south equatorial current.
I am lucky enough to have sailed to the Galapagos twice, but a lot has changed since we were last there in the 1990s. Today, with the proper visas and permits, it is possible to cruise to only three islands on your own boat.
To visit the rest of the archipelago, you either have to join commercial tours or hire, well in advance, a professional guide to sail with you. Still, even if you only get to visit the three main islands, the Enchanted Isles are sure to enchant you.
Here’s a current update on cruising the Galapagos recently published in Yachting Monthly. Read more.
