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The BEST gay cruises in the Galapagos

Stefan Arestis
The BEST gay cruises in the Galapagos

This is our round-up of the best gay cruises in the Galapagos so you can explore these MAGNIFICENT islands with other gay travelers.

Sea lions, iguanas, and tortoises – oh my!

There is nothing more rewarding in life than snorkeling in the waters of the Galapagos Islands, watching Seby play with the sea lion pups whilst a turtle floats alongside you followed by a manta ray! To say the Galapagos Islands are magical is an understatement. It was one of the most incredible places we've ever visited together.

For most travelers, visiting the Galapagos Islands is a top Bucket List item, especially if you love island hopping and spotting wildlife. These phenomenal volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean will blow your mind!

The ideal way to explore the Galapagos Islands is aboard one of the many excellent gay cruises on offer. Not only is exploring these unique islands with a like-minded fabulous bunch of gays heaps of fun, but it also allows you to visit the more remote islands allowing you to see more wildlife thriving in its natural habitat.

We've led our own branded Nomadic Boys cruise to the Galapagos with Ishpingo Tours – a local gay-owned/operated tour company based in Quito, Ecuador. In addition, there are several other gay cruises to the Galapagos to choose from, whether it's a large group leaving on a fixed date, or aboard a private gay charter. In this article, we've rounded up the best gay trips to the Galapagos Islands happening over the next year.

Heads up: We just wanted to let you know that this post contains affiliate links. That means if you book something through one of those links, we'll get a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep our blog going – so thank you in advance for your support! ♥

01

Out Adventures Galapagos Gay Cruise

May/June & November 2024

Hanging out with all our new friends and the wonderful staff on board our Out Adventures gay cruise

The cruise at a glance


  • Prices start from $8,695
  • Dates Departure 1: May 27 to June 5, 2024
  • Dates Departure 2: November 11-20, 2024
  • Luxury private yacht with max. 16 passengers
  • Ideal for intimate luxury with all gay travelers

Out Adventures is one of the best gay tour companies out there that organizes exclusive trips for LGBTQ travelers.

They provide a luxury cruise around the Galapagos Islands aboard their private yacht, The Grand Queen Beatriz, and oh boy she sure is absolutely grand!

Amenities include sundecks, a hot tub, a bar, and very spacious bedrooms, some with private balconies.

You'll spend seven nights onboard the yacht as well as two nights in a lovely four-star hotel in Quito at the beginning and end of the trip. Quito is the second-highest city in the world -with an altitude of 2,850m. Looming above the city is the Pinchina volcano! The ever-felt presence of the landmark casts the city in a gothic-like shadow. But, fear not! It will likely not explode during your visit there. In fact, the last eruption was in 1660…so the only heat you'll have to fear is the catty gossip you and your fellow LGBTQ travelers will indulge in during a cocktail brunch.

With seven full days of action-packed cruising, you'll get to see many remote islands, with lots of opportunities for hiking on each one and water sports – including kayaking and snorkeling. For us, the highlight will always be playing with the incredibly cute sea lion pups in the water! The creatures absolutely stole our hearts and had us racing to Google search on how to adopt one for ourselves!

The whole yacht is outfitted with sleek polished wood and looks oh so glamorous! The indoor dining room is where you'll be provided with all your meals onboard. This is also where you can hang out with everyone over a few cocktails to mull over the day's events and be prepped about what to expect for the next day's adventures.

Some of the highlights during this fabulous cruise are: swimming through Pinnacle Rock – one of the most iconic natural landscapes in the region. It looks like a lion's tooth dangling off the edge of the cliff! You will also adore Black Turtle Cove, though you'll have to be careful with your movements so as not to scare away any creatures.

02

HE Travel Galapagos Islands Gay Cruise

May 2024

See the famous Galapagos tortoises on your gay cruise with He Travels

The cruise at a glance


  • Prices start from $6,998
  • Dates: May 25-31, 2024
  • Luxury private yacht with max. 40 guests
  • Ideal for luxury with plenty of amenities

If you can't make the dates for the Out Adventures' Galapagos gay cruise, HE Travel is offering another chance to see the Galapagos with a gay group within a larger cruise between May and June.

This tour starts with an overnight stay in Quito, then you fly over to the islands to board the opulent Isabella II yacht. The exact itinerary (West or East islands) is dependent on the Galapagos National Park Service, but you are allocated a naturist tour guide who will always keep you informed on all the next ventures.

Whether your gay group takes the West or East Islands itinerary, all cruises start on Baltra Island where the Galapagos airport is. Santa Cruz Island is also included in all itineraries – an island notorious for its large bird colony. Flamingos, pelicans, and stilts are just some of the many beautiful birds you can expect to see here.

One of our favorite activities on a Galapagos cruise is snorkeling in the chilly waters (don't worry they have wet suits on board!). The highlight for us was playing with the curious and playful sea lion pups in the water whilst a family of turtles just swam on by! In terms of scenic highlights, look out for Pinnacle Rock.

After all these exciting excursions you'll head back to your luxurious accommodations onboard the Isabella II. There's a Jacuzzi to rest your weary muscles, or you can relax in the elegant lounge with a drink.

He Travel is offering our readers an exclusive 5% discount valid for their gay cruise to the Galapagos.

Fill out this form to check availability and get a 5% discount for your gay cruise to the Galapagos with He Travel.

You can also contact HeTravel directly, but don't forget to mention the promo code NomadicHe5 to get a 5% discount.

03

Galapagos Cruises with Ecuador Nomadic

June 2024

Snorkelling with our new gay friends on an Ecuador Nomadic gay cruise of the Galapagos

The cruise at a glance


  • Prices start from $4,990
  • Dates: June 24-29, 2024
  • Luxury private catamaran with max. 16 passengers
  • Ideal for comfort, romance and privacy

Ecuador Nomadic offers exclusive luxury gay friendly cruises in the Galapagos, which you can charter, or you can join the unforgettable Pride Month cruise!

Proud members of IGLTA, Ecuador Nomadic strive to be inclusive of all travelers, so you can join this exciting cruise with the confidence you'll be traveling with a very gay friendly company.

This cruise takes place on the Galapagos Treasure, a stable and luxurious catamaran which only has room for a maximum of 16 passengers. This means the entire experience will be much more intimate and romantic than some other options, with private balconies for all cabins. Enjoy the sunrise at sea, or fall asleep to the deep ocean red, as the sun slips behind the waters! It is the definition of romance.

For those who might suffer from seasickness, this is also the best choice, as the stable catamaran navigates between islands much more quickly than larger cruise ships and floats in sheltered anchorages at night so that you can get a peaceful night's sleep.

All of Ecuador Nomadic's Galapagos cruises offer plenty of opportunities to explore the islands on foot, as well as snorkel. The groups always have at least one guide/naturalist to lead you through each island and help you get right up close to the native sea lions, lizards, and other wonderful wildlife

Each cruise thrusts you into the midst of each island's unique culture. See the wildlife, breathe in the island air and explore nature; you'll experience a magical part of the world you never knew existed.

Ecuador Nomadic is offering our readers an exclusive 5% discount valid for their all their gay chartered cruises to the Galapagos.

Fill out this form to check availability, receive price information and get a 5% discount for your chartered cruise to the Galapagos with Ecuador Nomadic.

You can also contact Ecuador Nomadic directly, but don't forget to mention the promo code Nomadic5 to get a 5% discount.

04

Source Journeys Galapagos Cruise

September / October 2024

Two men embracing in swimwear on rocks with cruise ships in the background.

The cruise at a glance


  • Prices start from $9,889 per person
  • Dates: September 28-October 6, 2024
  • Luxury private yacht with max. 20 guests
  • Ideal for total luxury and adventure

If you want to explore the Galapagos Islands while also feeling like you're staying in a floating five-star hotel, then this is the one you should pick!

Taking place on a luxury yacht that's part of the Relais & Chateaux Collection, you'll be getting up close to nature while also being totally pampered with organic gourmet cuisine, a Jacuzzi on the sundeck and even a fitness center.

One of our favorite aspects of this cruise is that along with the delicious food you're served to eat, you can also enjoy cooking demonstrations and a fancy afternoon tea service – it's perfect for foodies like us! And you're going to need to eat well with all the activities you'll be doing, from excursions on glass-bottomed boats or kayaks to snorkeling with wildlife and even having a go at stand-up paddleboarding.

Of course, even though you'll be sailing in absolute luxury, the Evolve ship is also designed to have as little impact on the natural environment as possible so that the delicate ecosystem you'll be exploring is not harmed. The cozy library is stocked with books on the Galapagos, plus your expert naturalist guides are on hand to tell you everything you want to know about this incredible destination.

During the land excursions, there are opportunities for hiking amongst beautiful geological formations, visiting a tortoise ranch, snorkeling in a sunken crater and seeing more cute critters than you ever thought possible. That's the whole reason you're here after all!

Prices for the Source Journeys Galapagos gay cruise start from $9699 per person:

05

Intrepid Travel Galapagos Islands Tours

Dates vary

Doing your morning yoga with sea lions on the beach during your gay cruise to the Galapagos with Intrepid

The cruise at a glance


  • Prices start from $1,845
  • Dates vary, but there are departures every month
  • Small and intimate or larger luxury yacht
  • Ideal for young and budget gay travelers

Intrepid is a small-group travel company that gets off the beaten path, makes efforts to be sustainable, and prioritizes working with local communities.

They're also super gay friendly, with many articles on their blog written by fellow LGBTQ travelers about their experiences traveling on Intrepid's group tours. They currently have some great last-minute deals for cruises leaving soon, which is perfect if you're flexible with your dates.

Their cruises are also a great choice for young gay travelers, as well as those who don't want to spend quite as much as the other choices we've mentioned. You can choose from a variety of cruise lengths, depending on your budget and how many islands you want to visit.

We particularly recommend their cruises that take place on the ship called Daphne because you'll be traveling with a small group of a maximum of 16 passengers but still have a spacious sundeck for relaxing. They also provide the equipment to take you hiking and snorkeling all over the islands.

This is the best way to explore parts of the world that have gone untouched by man. Over 300 animal species can be found around these islands. Choose between swimming with sealions or having a stroll with penguins. Either way, it is an experience you will likely have not had before.


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Want to explore the Galapagos Islands as part of a gay group cruise? Find out how with our guide!
Stefan Arestis

Hey everyone, I'm Stefan, the curly-haired Greek flavor behind the gay travel blog Nomadic Boys. Together with my other half, I have explored more than 90 countries across 5 continents. What I love most about traveling is discovering the local gay scene, making new friends, learning new cultures. I've written about LGBTQ travel in numerous online publications such as Gaycation Magazine, Gaycities, Gay Times and Pink News as well as for other non-gay-specific publications including Lonely Planet, The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Huffington Post. Check my full bio here.

sienna

Thursday 22nd of October 2020

so inspiring

Stefan Arestis

Thursday 22nd of October 2020

Thank you!

Will Green

Tuesday 4th of February 2020

Hey Stefan --

I am interested in going to the Galapagos (and Ecuador) sometime in June. I am scuba/nitrox certified so a dive trip to the Galapagos is a possibility, although not a stipulation. I am interested in your thoughts on which companies offer the best experience, which I define as not the most luxurious accommodations, but the ability to go off the beaten path, see islands that are not regularly visited and provide the option for more strenuous activities such as hiking etc.

I have been to 84 countries and all 7 continents.

THANKS!

Stefan Arestis

Wednesday 5th of February 2020

Hey Will, we've forwarded your email to the Galapagos agents in this article :)