Your Cruise Your Way Cruise Blog

For a wildlife enthusiast, there is no greater cruise vacation than a voyage to the Galapagos Islands. Located Off the coast of Ecuador in South America lies this tropical paradise known for the exotic animals that can be seen nowhere else on earth. Made famous as the inspiration behind Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, the islands are home to unique species of penguins, sea lions, finches, 500 lbs giant tortoises, marine iguanas and seals. Among non endemic species, you will find sea turtles, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, Baleen whales, sting rays and over 450 species of fish. Scuba divers choose the islands as one of the world’s best “big animal” diving spots, where the crystal-clear waters makes viewing the marine life a fascinating experience.

But while the Galapagos never fails to amaze, it is becoming apparent that tourism is having an impact on these fragile islands.

An increase of tourism by four fold over the last two decades along with a vast increase in both waste and garbage has impacted both the land and marine animal population. To counter this concern scien-tists, green cruise operators and island enthusiasts have teamed up to find a way that the over 173,000 tourists who visit the islands every year will have a minimal impact on the Galapagos. The Galapagos Conservancy, Charles Darwin Foundation, and the Galapagos Islands Foundation are among non-profit organizations that aim to raise awareness and money to protect the Galapagos.

To help protect the Islands on your next cruise, look into booking with an environmentally Galapagos Islands tour operators. For instance when you book with Adventure Associates or Metropolitan Touring ( the founders of the Galapagos Islands Foundation) part of the proceeds goes to coastal cleanup and recycling. These green cruise lines give tourists an option for reducing their carbon footprint and ensur-ing the future pristine state of the Galapagos.

While it can be true that green cruises are more expensive, this economy is catering to some great deals to Galapagos Islands. And what better way is there to enjoy the beauty of the Galapagos Islands than knowing that you are helping sustain the islands while having the time of your life?