Conservation & the Galapagos

The Galapagos Islands exist as a living laboratory because they’re protected. Tourism isn’t separate from conservation here—it funds it.

By the numbers

97%

of the archipelago is National Park

Only 3% of the Galapagos land area is settled. The rest is protected wilderness, managed by the Galapagos National Park Directorate.

138,000 km²

Marine reserve

The Galapagos Marine Reserve is one of the largest in the world. It protects migratory corridors for sharks, whales, and sea turtles.

$100

Park fee per visitor

Every international visitor pays a $100 entrance fee. This directly funds park ranger salaries, invasive species removal, and scientific research.

How tourism funds conservation

The Galapagos National Park relies heavily on visitor fees and the economic activity tourism generates. Park entrance fees fund ranger patrols that prevent illegal fishing. Tourism jobs give locals an economic stake in protecting the ecosystem.

The Charles Darwin Foundation, supported partly by tourism revenue, runs long-term research programs on giant tortoise breeding, invasive species eradication, and marine ecosystem monitoring.

Responsible tourism isn’t a slogan here. It’s the economic engine that makes protection possible. When you book a Galapagos cruise, you’re directly funding the preservation of one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.

What you can do

The Galapagos National Park has clear visitor guidelines. Your naturalist guide will brief you before every landing, but here are the essentials:

•Stay on marked trails at all times.
•Maintain a 2-metre distance from all wildlife.
•Never touch, feed, or disturb animals.
•Don’t remove anything—not shells, rocks, or sand.
•Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine ecosystems.
•Dispose of waste properly; carry out what you carry in.
•Follow your naturalist guide’s instructions at every landing site.

Our commitment

Every ship on Book Cruise Now operates under a valid Galapagos National Park permit. We only list operators who follow strict environmental guidelines, maintain proper waste management, and employ certified naturalist guides.

We believe tourism and conservation aren’t in tension. Done right, they depend on each other. That’s why we prioritize operators who invest in their crews, their vessels, and their communities.

Travel with purpose

Book directly with operators who protect the islands.

Browse Departures

By the numbers

97%

of the archipelago is National Park

Only 3% of the Galapagos land area is settled. The rest is protected wilderness, managed by the Galapagos National Park Directorate.

138,000 km²

Marine reserve

The Galapagos Marine Reserve is one of the largest in the world. It protects migratory corridors for sharks, whales, and sea turtles.

$100

Park fee per visitor

Every international visitor pays a $100 entrance fee. This directly funds park ranger salaries, invasive species removal, and scientific research.

How tourism funds conservation

The Charles Darwin Foundation, supported partly by tourism revenue, runs long-term research programs on giant tortoise breeding, invasive species eradication, and marine ecosystem monitoring.

What you can do

The Galapagos National Park has clear visitor guidelines. Your naturalist guide will brief you before every landing, but here are the essentials:

•Stay on marked trails at all times.

•Maintain a 2-metre distance from all wildlife.

•Never touch, feed, or disturb animals.

•Don’t remove anything—not shells, rocks, or sand.

•Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine ecosystems.

•Dispose of waste properly; carry out what you carry in.

•Follow your naturalist guide’s instructions at every landing site.

Our commitment

We believe tourism and conservation aren’t in tension. Done right, they depend on each other. That’s why we prioritize operators who invest in their crews, their vessels, and their communities.