Visiting the Galapagos Islands with Your Kids

We are frequently asked if it is possible to take a Galapagos vacation with kids. The answer is a definitive yes! Galapagos with children, Galapagos with a toddler, even Galapagos with a baby – if you plan ahead and choose the best Galapagos cruise vessel for your needs, it is all doable.

Taking a small-ship Galapagos cruise is the perfect option for your Galapagos Family Adventure, and there are a number of family-friendly Galapagos cruise ships from which to choose.

The Treasure of Galapagos is a 16 passenger catamaran with bright, comfortable cabins and pleasant common areas, including a sun deck, whirlpool, and library with board games. As a catamaran, the Treasure of Galapagos offers great stability, and the ship’s small size means your family will have personal attention throughout your Galapagos cruise. The crew and guides pride themselves on being family friendly, making this vessel a great choice for exploring the Galapagos with young children.

For those who prefer a bit more space, the Galapagos Legend combines the amenities of a larger cruise liner with the intimacy of small ship. The vessel only carries 100 passengers, meaning your family will still have attentive service, and the ship’s 5 decks offer plenty of space for your kids to move around and explore. Flexible cabin options include suites that can be converted into triples and quadruples, so your family can stay together. The Galapagos Legend also offers a special Kids’ Corner with books, games and movies for your kids, as well as a swimming pool, hammocks, and sun decks. If there are a number of children aboard, the guides may put together a special kid-friendly briefing and some “kids only” excursions. The ship even has a glass-bottomed boat, so if your children are too little to snorkel, they can still see the amazing aquatic life of the Galapagos Islands.

Another great option for a kid friendly Galapagos vacation is the Letty. Carrying just 20 passengers, the Letty is a first class yacht with a reputation for excellence and one of the best guide-to-guest ratios in the Galapagos Islands. The vessel offers some departures throughout the year that are designed specifically for families with children, making this one of the best Galapagos cruise ships for your family-friendly vacation.

If you want a slightly more upscale option for your Galapagos vacation with kids, consider the Origin/Theory. These luxurious sister ships belong to the Relais & Chateaux line, and each carry 20 passengers, making them another option with the best guide-to-guest ratios in the Galapagos Islands. Like the Galapagos Legend, the Origin and Theory offer glass-bottom boats, so your littlest ones can enjoy the underwater wildlife. With spectacular service, Origin and Theory are among the best Galapagos ships if you’re traveling with young kids. These ships also offer specific departures for families traveling with kids, with guides and activities geared toward specific age groups.

For a more budget-friendly Galapagos cruise, one of the best Galapagos vessels is the Angelito. The Angelito is a 16-passenger motor yacht with 8 comfortable cabins and ample outdoor space. The ship is family-owned and family-friendly, with a great naturalist guide and a fun, jovial atmosphere. This is an excellent choice for families with older children and teenagers who want to participate in hiking and snorkeling.

For a truly unique experience, consider a cruise on the Beagle or the Mary Anne. Both are classic sailing vessels with old school charm. The Beagle is a first class schooner-style yacht with teak decks and, with only 14 passengers, an intimate atmosphere. The Mary Anne is slightly more spacious, a first class, classic Barquentine schooner-style yacht accommodating 16 passengers. Either is a great option for a one-of-a-kind Galapagos cruise with kids.

These are just a few of the options for your Galapagos vacation with kids. Check out our Galapagos Islands Family Cruises page for some ideas, then contact us to talk about your family’s specific needs. We will get you on your way to the best Galapagos cruise experience and a trip your family will never forget.

You don’t need to stop at the Galapagos Islands, either: there are plenty of family-friendly trips in South America! Check out our Family Trips page for some more ideas:  

Galapagos Family Adventure

Peru Active Family Adventure

Amazon Lodges Extension

Argentine Explorer

Chile & Patagonia Highlights

We are experts at combining destinations in South America, so if you have multiple destinations in mind for your family-friend South America vacation, we are here to help. Check out our Top 10 Ways to Combine Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands for some inspiration, and take a look at our Multi-Country Trips for some suggested itineraries that combine top destinations in South America. Whatever your family enjoys, we can help you plan the best Galapagos cruise or best South America vacation of your dreams!