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Best Cruise Line in the Galápagos (Expedition Category)
Sail the iconic archipelago with the pioneers of modern expedition travel
Lindblad Expeditions pioneered expedition travel to the remarkable Galápagos Islands more than 50 years ago. Today, we lead expeditions year-round to this magical archipelago famed for its vibrant wildlife. Encounter giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, playful penguins, and charismatic sea lions in their natural habitats, unfazed by your presence. Enjoy multiple adventures each day on land and undersea, including walks and hikes, kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling, in the company of local expert guides.
In Galápagos, one thing is certain: expect the unexpected! Surrounded by wildlife on land and at sea, you never know what might happen. And that’s been the draw since Darwin landed in 1835.
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New 7-Day Wild Galápagos Escape
Lindblad Expeditions is delighted to offer a new option to see the Galápagos in 7-days, departing on Tuesdays. Our active exploration of the legendary archipelago offers multiple adventures daily on the latest addition to our Galápagos fleet, National Geographic Islander ll.
Soak in the scenery and culture of the Sacred Valley of the Inca
Journey between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu by Inca Rail
Remain into the late afternoon at fabled Machu Picchu, introduced to the world by Hiram Bingham in the April 1913 issue of National Geographic magazine
Dive in and experience Galápagos with all your senses. Choose how you want to explore—hike, paddleboard, kayak, snorkel, or arrange to dive (on select departures). Take a long hike or just relax on the beach. Our generous staff-to-guest ratio means you can always find a naturalist whose interests and approach you share whether you want to focus on birding, human history, photography, the undersea, or more. Since the first international tourist expedition cruise to the Galápagos Islands in July 1967 with Lars-Eric Lindblad, we’ve introduced generations of guests to these strange and wonderful islands, the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage site.
Henry David Thoreau called it the “tonic of wildness.” It’s what a cruise to Galápagos, with its beauty and wildness, gives you—a spirit lift. To compound this healthful effect, we provide a quality of shipboard life and a philosophy of wellness to relax and rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit.
National Geographic Global Explorers Program
One of the most rewarding sights on an expedition is witnessing the gleam of discovery in a child’s eyes, whether they’re walking alongside a grazing giant tortoise or watching blue-footed boobies perform an elaborate courtship dance. Moments like these are abundant in the Galápagos—and they’re especially meaningful when complemented with the learning opportunities offered through our exclusive National Geographic Global Explorers Program for kids and teens 18 and under.
See, do and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades.
Expedition Leader
Veteran expedition leaders are the orchestrators of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Our naturalists, passionate about the islands where most of them were raised, illuminate each facet of natural and human history here through their enthusiasm and knowledge. Our guests consistently cite the expertise and engaging company of our staff as key reasons to repeatedly travel with us.
See what lies beneath the waves—even if you choose to stay dry with the help of your undersea specialist. These pros snorkel or dive to shoot footage of sea life and share it in the lounge. They lead snorkeling outings and glass-bottom boat excursions, offering voiceover on all you see.
Every expedition aboard a ship in our National Geographic-flagged fleet offers an exclusive service—a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor. This naturalist is specially trained to offer assistance with camera settings and the basics of composition, and to help you become a better, more confident photographer.
Wild places like the Galápagos hold infinite learnings for young travelers who are nurturing new relationships with the natural world. The certified field educators at the helm of the National Geographic Global Explorers program are experts at interpreting the fascinating stories of species and their habitats so that kids and teens can return home inspired by the planet and primed to protect it.
Visit itinerary dates to view additional staff and guests
David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes
Underwater photographers David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes are married partners who work together as a team to produce National Geographic stories from equatorial coral reefs to beneath the polar ice. David estimates he has spent nearly half his life in the sea since taking his first underwater photograph at the age of 12 with a Brownie Hawkeye camera sealed in a bag.
Award-winning photographer and filmmaker Rich Reid has specialized in environmental and adventure photography for over two decades. North American Nature Photography Association elected Rich as a Fellow for his significant contributions to the nature photography industry, and he was a finalist for the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year for his time-lapse video documenting forest fire ecology.
Lucas Bustamante is a biologist and conservation photojournalist. He co-founded Tropical Herping and Savia Fund, an Ecuadorian nonprofit that works in the legal defense of nature, environmental and cultural conservation, and visual storytelling. His photographic work has been featured in National Geographic, Audubon, BBC Wildlife, GEO, Smithsonian, and many other magazines, books, photo exhibitions, and articles.
Krista Rossow began her career as a photography editor at National Geographic Traveler magazine. She has shot feature stories as a contributing photographer for Traveler in Japan, South Africa, Morocco, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and various U.S. cities. She regularly judges Instagram contests for @NatGeogTravel and edits photos for National Geographic Books.
Over the past three decades, award-winning photographer Michael Melford has produced more than 50 stories for National Geographic and National Geographic Traveler magazines. His assignments have focused on conservation and celebrating the beauty of wilderness and national parks around the world.
Enjoy this glimpse of the new, all-suite National Geographic Islander ll welcoming the first guests aboard the August 18, 2022, maiden voyage sailing the Galápagos. She is purposely outfitted to reduce impact, build community on board, and foster authentic connection to the people and culture of Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands.
Embark on a sweeping adventure that encapsulates all the wildness of Galápagos balanced with the cultural and historic experiences of Machu Picchu & Peru's Land of the Inca. Explore Galápagos in depth aboard either of our ships, then discover the culture and history of Peru and the iconic ruins of Machu Picchu.
National Geographic Islander II: A Truly Ecuadorian Ship
Our new ship for the Galápagos Islands, the National Geographic Islander II, celebrates the cultures of Ecuador and the islands themselves. Join Vice President of Hotel Operations Ana Esteves as she finds inspiration around the country—meeting acclaimed local artisans, chefs, and artists who showcase the beauty and wonder of Ecuador.
‘Good Morning America’ Reports Live from National Geographic Endeavour II
In February 2022, Good Morning America's Amy Robach joined Lindblad Expeditions in the Galápagos, where GMA became the first U.S. television show to broadcast live from the islands. View clips from the show, see our daily photo diaries, and explore even more.
A true gem in the crown of conservation and sustainability, the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) has worked for six decades to protect the Galápagos and ensure that its pristine ecosystems and incredible biodiversity will continue to thrive for generations to come.
Lindblad Expeditions supports stewardship efforts in the places we explore, and one way we do that is through the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic (LEX-NG) Fund. Traveler contributions to the LEX-NG Fund in Galápagos currently support our regional partners—the Charles Darwin Foundation, Galápagos National Park Directorate, Island Conservation, and the Scalesia Foundation—in their efforts to research and conserve the unique wildlife of the islands and promote education in the region.
The sunrise was spectacular today! It was a pleasant morning to explore the magical wildlife present on South Plaza Island, an uplifted area full of endemic species. As soon as we disembarked on a little pier, dozens of sea lions came to say welcome. Just a few yards inland, many land and marine iguanas shared the same ecosystem with seabirds, such as swallow-tailed gulls and pelicans. Along the cliff we saw frigates, boobies, shearwaters, tropic birds, and petrels gliding along. After breakfast, our guests enjoyed kayaking and swimming from National Geographic Islander II , while others took part in a stretching session with our wellness specialist on board. In the afternoon, we motored to Santa Fe Island to snorkel with sea lions. Our guests were astonished to encounter these creatures and so many multicolor fish so close that we felt part of their aquatic world. Later, we disembarked on a very small beach which is home to a colony of sea lions. Further inland we spotted some Santa Fe land iguanas resting at the foot of giant prickly pear cacti. It was an amazing day! Galapagos is a breathtaking place.
Our day began with a pleasant morning hike at Punta Pitt, located on the northern side of San Cristobal Island. The walk involved an uphill climb from the beach to the peak of a tuff cone. At the summit, we were rewarded with sightings of numerous blue-footed boobies nesting and a significant number of red-footed boobies, including some with chicks. Returning to the beach, we enjoyed a refreshing snorkeling session directly from the shore. In the afternoon, we concluded our wonderful week aboard with a relaxing visit to Cerro Brujo Beach.
Tuesday on Isabela Island began with a wet landing at Urbina Bay where guests ventured on a nature walk along gentle terrain shaped by dramatic geological uplift. The trail revealed fascinating coastal formations and offered close encounters with endemic wildlife, including our first encounter with Galapagos giant tortoises, land iguanas, penguins, and flightless cormorants. After the walk, guests had the option to swim or snorkel from the beach where the calm and clear waters provided a refreshing break before everyone returned to National Geographic Gemini. In the afternoon, we continued north toward Punta Vicente Roca. Guests gathered at the bow with the expedition leader to take in the striking volcanic landscape and learn more about the island’s natural history. The day’s exploration continued with a Zodiac ride along the coast of Ecuador Volcano, offering a closer look at the rugged shoreline and opportunities to spot wildlife, such as sea turtles, penguins, and Galapagos fur seals. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the ship crossed the equator, marking the moment with a pod of dolphins during sunset — a memorable finale to a day filled with discovery, connection with nature, and the wild beauty of the Galápagos.
Today, we spent a full day on Santa Cruz Island where we immersed ourselves in one of the most important and unique conservation stories in the Galápagos. Our morning began at the Fausto Llerena Giant Tortoise Breeding Center where we witnessed the extraordinary efforts of Galapagos park rangers working to ensure the survival of these iconic reptiles. Inside the rearing pens, baby tortoises were freely exploring their surrounding areas while park rangers carefully measured the growth of the young tortoises, cleaned their enclosures, and explained the delicate process of repatriating these animals back into the wild once they reach a safe size. Just outside the enclosures, a large-billed flycatcher flew from branch to branch in the shade of a poison tree, adding a cheerful note to our visit. In the afternoon, we traveled to the highlands of Santa Cruz where we had the unforgettable opportunity to observe adult giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat. One particularly impressive individual paused just a few feet in front of our group, offering a moment of silent connection. Seeing these majestic creatures in the wild, after witnessing their earliest stages of life this morning, brought the conservation message full circle in the most powerful way.
With a very relaxing morning at Gardner Bay, our day began. Nice, sunny beach time with amazing views beside a massive colony of sea lions was a treat to start the day. We also had a wonderful opportunity to explore Gardner Islet underwater. Later at Punta Suarez, we went for a great hike with a bunch of marine birds, including waved albatrosses and a colony of the incredible Nazca boobies. We also enjoyed the unique landscape of the eroded, mature island of Española with its pronounced cliffs and crashing waves. Sally Lightfoot crabs were the cherry on top.
It will never leave you if you go to the Galápagos islands. You will have stories for the rest of your life—I can promise you.