GALAPAGOS CRUISE VISITOR NUMBERS AND CONSERVATION STANDARDS

Galapagos Islands Cruise Operators working with the Galapagos National Park to look after this amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site

Of the approximate 280,000 annual visitors to the Galapagos Islands, only 70,000 join a cruise. That’s less than 200 people a day – spread across 70 ships and 70 sites. When you compare that to the 22,000 daily visitors the Louvre receives, it really is very few. Yes, there are peak periods where there are more people per day, but conversely, there are also quieter times when there are fewer.

As mentioned above, there are currently 70 ships offering cruises in the Galapagos Islands, all of which have to adhere to strict Galapagos National Park regulations. The largest ships carry just 100 guests, but many boats carry 20 or fewer guests. Only 16 guests are allowed ashore with each certified Galapagos National Park Guide. Click here to view our selection of Galapagos ships.

Sea Lions in front of ship, the Elite

‘Panga’ Ride

In total, there are 21 Galapagos Islands, 14 of which can be visited. On the 14 Islands, there are a total of 70 visitor sites. Explore what you’ll find on each island and at what time of year here.

Visitation to these sites is strictly controlled by the Galapagos National Park. Ship itineraries are set and agreed to by the Park to spread visitation equally across the sites. Each ship is given a set period of time for each landing, and once this time is up, they need to move on from the site. Each site has at least one day per fortnight free of any visitors.

Magnificent Frigatebird

As a result, the impact on the park, the island, and the unique flora and flora found here is very well controlled. Galapagos National Park Guides will enforce the Park regulations, ensuring we all stay on the paths, do not interfere with any wildlife, take any litter with us, and adhere to approach distances. Basically, they will ensure we all respect this amazing place, and as the saying goes, ‘take only photographs and leave only footprints’.

One of the amazing things about the wildlife found on the Galapagos is that most species are not scared of our presence. Many birds will simply stay wherever they are and we have to walk around them, which allows for some remarkable wildlife encounters.

Giant Tortoise

Sally Lightfoot Crab

Snorkelling with seals

Each guest pays a National Park Fee of USD$200, which multiplied by the 70,000 annual cruise visitors, means they receive USD$14,000,000 in fees each year. These fees directly fund maintenance and protection of the Park while also ensuring that conservation of the Islands remains economically valuable to the people of the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador.

The remaining 210,000 annual visitors visit a small number of places within the archipelago close to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz, and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal.  Galapagos Cruise operators are lobbying the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism to apply the same standards to land-based tourism as they do to the cruise operators. This way, the Galapagos Islands’ incredible bio-diversity will be better looked after for all future visitors.

Blue-Footed Booby

Marine Iguanas