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Staying
too few days
in
the Galapagos Islands
 Typical cruise lengths
It varies in the Galapagos Islands from 4 days / 3 nights (you will miss some important excursion sites) to a couple of
weeks (too long for most travelers). For most visitors, a length of
about 7 days is ideal.
Staying in a
Galapagos hotel
and taking day trips
Some travelers book hotels in the port cities and take day trips to the islands.
The drawback is you stay only in hotels and miss the joy of cruising on a sleep-on yacht. And, you would not be able to visit the remote
locations.
Not considering
chartering a boat
If you are traveling with a large family or group
of friends to the Galapagos Islands, explore the option of chartering a
boat. Likely, chartering will not cost you more,
and you might even save some money. Another
benefit is you won't risk being stuck in a boat
for a week with a an inconsiderate or loud mouthed stranger.
Coming to snorkel
or dive without
knowing certain issues
 Snorkeling time
Although
most cruise boats set aside a limited amount of time for passengers who wish to snorkel, "limited" is
usually all you get. If you want a lot of snorkeling or diving, there are ships that emphasize
those pursuits on equal footing with shore excursions.
Snorkeling gear
Many
cruise yachts (especially mid and large size ones) rent snorkeling gear. If you plan to rent, reserve
early - sometimes the available supply is reserved even before you arrive. Better yet, bring your own gear
to ensure availability, quality and good fit.
Currents
They
can be strong during the Galapagos Islands' dry season (June to December, and especially in August and September).
Wet suit
From
June to December, you will probably need a lightweight wet suit. However, in August
and September, a medium weight wet suit is sometimes preferable.
Trade off
The water is warmer and calmer
during the wet season (January to May), but there are considerably more fish to
observe during the dry season (June to December).
Not considering
the child factor
Child-free cruising
Should you desire a child-free boat cruise, think twice about going during the high seasons
of the Galapagos Islands. That's when parents usually take their
children because school vacation periods normally coincide with the high seasons.
Family cruising
On the other hand, should you be
taking
your children and want them to be with other children, your best bet is to travel during the
high seasons - and to book a cruise that lists itself as a family cruise.
Age restrictions
Except in
rare cases, children under 7 are not allowed to visit the Galapagos Island sites. Neither are those under 16
unless accompanied by an adult.
Other mistakes to avoid
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