Book 2-3 months ahead if you want choice of dates and vessels. Peak season (June-August and December-January) fills faster. Check before you go for current availability on SimilarTours, where you can compare all the major yacht operators at once.

June to August offers cooler water and stronger wildlife activity. December to January is warmer with better snorkeling conditions. Either way, you'll see incredible wildlife - it's more about your preference for temperature and crowd levels.

Yes, if you want genuine wildlife encounters and to cover multiple islands efficiently. Day tours from Santa Cruz exist, but they're exhausting and you'll see far less. The yacht becomes your hotel, transport, and window into remote anchorages where casual visitors can't go.

Most multi-day cruises include accommodation on the yacht, meals, snorkeling and landing activities, and a naturalist guide. Check each itinerary on SimilarTours for specifics - some add activities like kayaking or special excursions, others don't.

You'll need a licensed naturalist guide for any landing on Galapagos islands - it's law. Santa Cruz town has shops and restaurants you can wander, but to actually see the wildlife and understand the islands, a guided tour is non-negotiable.

Families with school-age kids book these tours regularly; the wildlife and simplicity appeal to them. Older travelers can manage it too, though some landings involve wet landings (wading from the boat) and uneven volcanic terrain. Check the specific itinerary's difficulty level and boat accessibility before booking.

You'll fly into Seymour Airport (near Santa Cruz), then take a bus or taxi to the dock where your boat departs. Most tour operators handle the handoff - check your confirmation for exact details and pickup times.