The Galápagos Islands, home to some of the most unique wildlife on the planet, is quickly becoming one of our best-selling family destinations.
Kids love traveling from island to island by boat, snorkeling with playful sea lion and other wildlife, exploring lava tunnels and playing around in sea kayaks.
If you’re considering taking your kids to the Galápagos islands, here are a few things to keep in mind.
If You’re Concerned About Sea Sickness, Consider Booking a Larger Boat
There are a range of boats that operate in the Galápagos Islands. While the intimate feel of a small ship cruise is right for many of our clients, for families traveling with kids a larger boat is sometimes the best option. Larger boats are more steady in the water and offer more amenities for families.
But don’t worry about getting lost in a sea of tourists. “Larger” in this case, is relative. Galápagos National Park has set a very smart limit on ships to 100 passengers and on-land tours to 20 people per group. So don’t expect a super-sized mega ship here!
Don’t Miss Experiencing an Uninhabited Island
The Galápagos is made up of 20 unique islands, including 13 major and seven smaller islands. Be sure your itinerary includes spending time on one of the area’s uninhabited island.
You’ll want to head out with an expert naturalist guide to one of these remote and uninhabited islands; North Seymour, South Plazas, Santa Fe, and Bartolomé. North Seymour is one of our favorites. North Seymour is home to nearly 2,500 land iguanas, according to a 2014 census by the Galápagos National Park (GNP). This island also hosts large populations of blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, common noddies, and frigatebirds.
Take Kids That You Can Either Still Carry or Who Can Hike on Their Own
While the Galápagos is an incredibly family-friendly destination, be sure to carefully consider the ages of your children at the time of travel. There are so many amazing hikes in the area, it’s best if kids are small enough to be carried in a hiking backpack, or if they are old enough to complete a two-hour or so hike on their own. Our travel designers will pay careful attention to the ages of your kids and other family dynamics to customize an experience that will be loved by all.
Thinking about booking a Galápagos family vacation? Have a look at this perfect itinerary here!