{"id":37,"date":"2024-12-20T11:30:21","date_gmt":"2024-12-20T11:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.galapagosislands.com\/blog\/?p=37"},"modified":"2024-10-02T14:44:34","modified_gmt":"2024-10-02T14:44:34","slug":"large-vs-small-boats-in-the-galapagos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.galapagosislands.com\/blog\/large-vs-small-boats-in-the-galapagos\/","title":{"rendered":"Small or Large Ship, or a Land Tour?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0Galapagos Islands is a dream destination.<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0Who hasn\u2019t seen one of the many Galapagos TV specials featuring jolly\u00a0sea lions<\/a>, majestic\u00a0giant tortoises<\/a>, and beautiful\u00a0fish<\/a>\u00a0and not wanted to come? \u00a0Since the 1960s visitors have been flocking to the Galapagos. \u00a0But what is the best way to see the Galapagos Islands? \u00a0There are three basic options: small ships, large ships and land-based Galapagos tours. \u00a0Which is best for you?<\/p>\n

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Small Ships<\/a><\/h2>\n

Most of the eighty or so ships currently serving the Galapagos are smaller. \u00a0That is, they hold up to 16 passengers which is the maximum amount of visitors that one National Park Guide can legally supervise. \u00a0The small ships are great for making new friends and getting to know the crew and guide.<\/p>\n

Large Ships<\/a><\/h2>\n

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There are several large cruise ships as well. \u00a0The largest holds 100 passengers. \u00a0These ships are more stable on the water and have more amenities and activities such as glass bottom boats, spas, pools, or cooking lessons. \u00a0There are often many languages and cultures onboard which can be fun.<\/p>\n

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Land-based Tours<\/a><\/h2>\n

Growing in popularity, the land-based tour is just what it sounds like. \u00a0You sleep in a hotel in\u00a0Puerto Ayora<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Puerto Baquerizo Moreno<\/a>\u00a0and take day trips to visit island sites. \u00a0This option has more flexibility with the itinerary and is good for people not as comfortable living aboard. \u00a0You can mingle with the locals, go\u00a0diving in Galapagos<\/a>, and enjoy restaurants and beaches at your own leisure.<\/p>\n

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So how do these options stack up?<\/h2>\n

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Visitor Sites<\/a><\/h2>\n

The park service vigorously monitors and controls the visitor sites. \u00a0The fragile ones can only be visited by smaller ships (thus lessening the immediate impact) while some of the more \u201ctourist-proof\u201d sites are allocated to the larger ships. \u00a0It is not possible to say that the sites themselves are any better or worse, and the park service switches them around often.<\/p>\n

Winner<\/strong>:<\/em>\u00a0Small ship.
\nSecond place:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Large ship.
\nLoser:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Land-based tours.<\/p>\n

Why?\u00a0<\/strong>On a larger ship, visitors have to wait their turn to get on and off, losing valuable hiking and snorkeling time. \u00a0Land-based tours cannot day-trip to distant visitor sites such as\u00a0Genovesa<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Espa\u00f1ola<\/a>\u00a0which are some of the best in the Galapagos..<\/p>\n

Service<\/h3>\n

Every ship in the Galapagos<\/a>\u00a0has highly trained guides, crew, and captain. \u00a0The Park Service closely monitors all licensing, and they are all certified. \u00a0On most cruises, you\u2019ll find good food, friendly staff, and dedicated professionals.<\/p>\n

Winner:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Small ship.
\nSecond Place:<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Large ship.
\nLoser:<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Land-based tour.<\/p>\n

Why?\u00a0<\/strong> Assuming that you\u2019re on one of the reputable small ships like the\u00a0Grand Majestic<\/a>, the snug conditions will mean that you personally get to know the crew. \u00a0On the larger ships, you\u2019ll never even see half the crew. \u00a0Obviously on a land-based tour, there are fewer crew and staff to interact with and the guide may even change daily.<\/p>\n

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Seasickness\u200b<\/h3>\n

Seasickness is common on any cruise, especially when the waters are rougher. If you\u2019re prone to it, you may want to take it into consideration.<\/p>\n

Winner:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Land-based tour.
\nSecond Place:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Large ship.
\nLoser:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Small ship.<\/p>\n

Why?\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Of course, the large, stable ships are best. \u00a0Everyone knows that. \u00a0Since most of the navigation is done at night, living and sleeping aboard can be difficult for some people no matter the size of the boat. \u00a0On a\u00a0hotel-based tour<\/a>, be cautioned that the 1-2 hours spent arriving to your day-trip destination may rough, but short.<\/p>\n

Many of the smaller ships are catamarans with two hulls, such as the\u00a0Alia, making them more stable than you\u2019d think. \u00a0A\u00a0travel agent or tour operator<\/a>\u00a0can give you more information about the stability of each boat.<\/p>\n

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Eco-tourism<\/h3>\n

These days we all want to make a difference. \u00a0No one wants to perpetuate environmental damage and we all want to be responsible tourists.<\/p>\n

Winner:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Land-based tour
\nSecond place:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Tie, small and large ships<\/p>\n

Why? \u00a0<\/strong>The land-based tours leave the least impact now that the Galapagos towns are finally recycling. \u00a0The tiny motorboats do not have the impact of the larger ships and the locals get to make a better profit. \u00a0The large ships are subject to very strict anti-pollution laws, so the worst offenders are the low-end small ships that carelessly pollute.<\/p>\n

If you want to be\u00a0ecologically sensitive<\/a>, your best bet is to look into the company that owns the ship: many of them actively support the environment and local environmental programs.<\/p>\n

Overall<\/h3>\n

Winner:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Small ship
\nSecond Place:<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Large ship
\nLoser:<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Land-based tour<\/p>\n

The very best and the very worst ships that Galapagos has to offer are small; the large ones are in the middle. \u00a0What the smaller ships give up in stability they make up for in personalized service, flexibility and intimacy. \u00a0As for land-based tours, they\u2019re best for those who want to do a lot of scuba diving or who can\u2019t afford a cruise.<\/p>\n