Galapagos animal magic with the family!
Swim with penguins, meet giant tortoises and kayak among sea lions as you enjoy precious family time in the Galapagos Islands
Girl on South Plaza Island with the family, Galapagos Islands
© BlueOrange.Shutterstock
Family fun with Galapagos wildlife
Most children love animals and a trip to the Galapagos Islands with the chance to watch lumbering giant tortoises, see dinosaur-like land iguanas, walk right up to dozing sea lions and swim with turtles, is bound to be a hit with youngsters and adults alike.
Many yachts offer dedicated family departures (from age four and upwards) and we know some lovely hotels where children are always welcome. This holiday will be packed full of memories and might just inspire a lifetime’s love of nature and conservation.
- See giant tortoises from hatchings to adults
- Kayak among sea lions and penguins
- See pirate’s graffiti from long ago
- Walk through a volcanic lava tunnel
- Watch blue-footed boobies dancing to impress
- Snorkel with turtles and rays
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Welcome to a wildlife wonderland!
Dancing albatrosses, salt-spurting marine iguanas, sunbathing sea lions and lumbering giant tortoises are everyday sights in the Galapagos, an entrancing introduction to the world of nature for children of all ages. Add swimming, snorkelling and kayaking and you have a family holiday that is sure to live long in the memory.
© BlueOrange,Shutterstock
© JShipman,Shutterstock
© JShipman,Shutterstock
A day in the Galapagos
You wake early, too excited to sleep in. Breakfast done you’re off, dodging dozing sea lions on the shore, following your guide to tidal pools full of vividly coloured Sally Lightfoot crabs and on to a lagoon to watch stilt-legged flamingos then back to the beach to snorkel among shoals of gleaming fish. After lunch you might take a trip to the highlands where giant tortoises forage for food, walk over a the almost fluid swirls of a pahoehoe lava flow, venture into the mangroves in search of turtles, rays and sharks, watch land iguanas munching on their favourite prickly pear fruit or marvel at the sight, sound and force of a blowhole shooting water high into the sky.
It’s spellbinding and utterly enthralling. The mix of stunning scenery and ubiquitous wildlife which here, uniquely, is unafraid of humans, plus activities on land and water to keep even the most energetic youngsters engaged is a winning combination.
A family cruise
Many ships offer family departures with excursions tailored to appeal across the ages, from walking trails to kayaking and glass bottom boat rides aimed at showcasing the archipelago’s unique and diverse wildlife, led by guides experienced in helping all members of the family have the best holiday.
While wildlife is the undoubted star, your time on board is all part of the holiday, from comfy interconnecting cabins to great food, indoor and outdoor space for relaxing, and maps and reference books to channel your inspiration and enhance your understanding of all the Galapagos Islands offer. Most travelling is done at night so there’s time for twice daily shore excursions, optimizing your time.
Staying on land
Staying at a hotel you can choose how you spend your time so if you’ve had a busy couple of days on guided island visits spotting wildlife you can opt for a lazy day by the pool, which adds a degree of balance youngsters may appreciate. Hotel staff can arrange your days out according to your preferences and wishes, so there’s great flexibility.
You can choose a luxury beach-front hotel, an African-style safari camp in the highlands, a family-owned and run boutique lodge or an air-conditioned wooden cabin on a black sand beach. And of course, you can mix and match, dividing your time between different islands to add variety, explore more regions and really get the best of your time in the Galapagos.
