Explore the Galápagos Islands on an Expedition Cruise

If a vacation learning about unique wildlife in one of the most exotic places on earth excites you more than lounging on a beach, HX Expeditions can take you on the voyage of a lifetime.

A leader in sustainable travel, HX Expeditions invites guests to responsibly explore remote destinations, including the Galápagos Islands.

Cruising With Purpose

When you book a cruise with HX Expeditions, you take on the role of Citizen Scientist. Through HX Expedition’s Science & Education program, guests collaborate with onboard scientists and subject matter experts in the ship’s science center, immersed in information about the wildlife, geography, climate and history of each destination.

Every explorer is tasked with engaging in active research projects, collecting data to enhance the overall knowledge of these regions, documenting biodiversity and monitoring the effects of climate change.

Local experts serve as the guides for the Galápagos cruises, providing information about the wildlife and islands on shore visits and valuable insight during onboard briefings before each daily expedition. All expeditions are included in the cost of the cruise.

Galápagos Islands Expedition Cruise

Embark on the journey of a lifetime with a HX Expeditions cruise to the Galápagos Islands. Nestled in the Pacific Ocean near Ecuador, this chain of volcanic islands is home to a variety of plant and animal species found nowhere else on earth. While located in the tropics, depending on the island, some of the terrain is dry and some verdant.

Naturalist Charles Darwin brought the Galápagos to the world’s attention almost 200 years ago. While visiting in 1835, Darwin observed the differences among subspecies of animals on the islands, which prompted his theory of natural selection influencing evolution. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Center on Santa Cruz Island, where scientists are working to preserve the native wildlife.

While you can enjoy guided nature walks on trails frequented by lava lizards, land iguanas and other wildlife, HX Expeditions also provides small boats to explore the waters around the archipelago, which is the best way to observe its plants and unique animals. By boat, you can access 13 of the islands and view the dramatic differences in the terrain. Get up close with seals, sea lions and marine iguanas, not to mention the Galápagos penguin and 150 different species of birds.

The Galápagos are famous for the geriatric giant tortoises that inspired the theory of evolution and gave the islands their name. These creatures can live to more than 100 years old weigh up to 900 pounds! They squeeze in time to eat and sunbathe while resting 16 hours a day. Visitors can observe 12 difference species of giant tortoises in the wild or in a protected breeding center. Once near extinction, conservation efforts by the Charles Darwin Foundation and others have brought their numbers up.

The surrounding waters are just as magnificent. Explore by kayak or go snorkeling to spot a variety of marine life. Underwater, you can view turtles, the only marine iguanas in the world and vibrant fish. If you prefer to stay dry, you can still view the underwater wonders from a glass-bottomed boat available on the MS Santa Cruz II.

Exploring Sustainably

While striving to offer the most authentic experiences possible, HX Expeditions also prides itself on its long commitment to sustainability. Its two newest hybrid-powered expedition ships, feature battery packs, heat recovery systems and a revamped hull design. The the carbon emissions of these ships is estimated to be 20% lower than traditional cruise ships. The company stopped using heavy fuel 10 years ago and advocates for its ban worldwide.

Seven years ago, all unnecessary single-use plastics were banned throughout HX Expeditions. To introduce some guests to healthier ways of eating, the cruise line has an extensive vegan and vegetarian menu and has focused on reducing food waste. Two years ago, food waste per guest was cut by 22%.

Other planet-friendly commitments include supporting 41 environmental, cultural and social projects in 11 different countries and helping communities the ships visit.

So, if you are ready for an adventure, not just a vacation, start planning your HX Expeditions cruise with a AAA travel advisor today