The Galapagos had been on my bucket list for years. In my previous role, I'd hear colleagues come back raving about it and I always thought: I need to go there one day.
Even with those expectations, it completely surpassed anything I imagined. I knew I'd see incredible wildlife, but I hadn't appreciated just how close you'd get to it or quite how much of it there would be.
On some expedition cruises you think you might be lucky enough to spot a whale or a sea lion, but in the Galapagos you're completely immersed in the wildlife from the moment you arrive.
Before I'd even got my camera out of my bag, we'd already seen a sea lion, a shark, a marine iguana and so many different birds – and that was just on the short Zodiac trip that took us to the ship, the National Geographic Islander II. It was a really emotional moment; I felt like I'd stepped into one of the brochures I'd always flip through in our agency, and I did cry.
Jess had the opportunity to see and photograph a huge variety of wildlife, including seals, marine iguanas and penguins
The itinerary was jam-packed – we'd usually be off the ship by 6.15am for our first excursion, whether that was a hike, kayaking or snorkelling. We'd return for breakfast before heading out again, then enjoy lunch while the ship repositioned to another part of an island before another afternoon landing.
One day on San Cristobal really stands out. In the morning we visited a beach with the most beautiful golden, sparkling sand I'd ever seen and snorkelled with sea lions. By the afternoon we'd sailed to the other side of the island, where we found an equally stunning white-sand beach surrounded by lava rocks, marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs and more sea lions. We even finished with a yoga stretching session on the beach.
The contrast between the two experiences, on the same day, was incredible. Every day I thought I'd experienced the highlight of the trip – only for the following day to top it.
'The ship has a real boutique feel'
Photography became a huge part of the experience too. I dug out my old Canon camera before travelling, but I also used my iPhone, particularly underwater. Looking back, I'd say a GoPro is an absolute must for anyone visiting the Galapagos. Some of the others in our group captured incredible footage of sea turtles, reef sharks, rays and sea lions underwater. The sea lions were so playful they even tried to grab the cameras!
National Geographic Islander II surprised me; I’d done some research beforehand, but I still wasn't prepared for how spacious it felt. It has a real boutique feel rather than feeling like a traditional expedition vessel. The cabins are incredibly generous and with just 48 guests onboard, the public spaces never felt crowded.
Every evening, the captain, crew and naturalists would bring everyone together to talk through what we'd seen that day and explain the following day's plans. I really loved that flexibility. If wildlife had been spotted somewhere unexpected, the itinerary could adapt to maximise the experience. There was also plenty of choice depending on your interests and abilities, whether that meant snorkelling, Zodiac cruises, glass-bottom boat excursions or hiking.
'It feels closer to an African safari'
The National Geographic Lindblad naturalists were one of the biggest reasons the trip was so memorable. They brought the islands to life by explaining the wildlife, geology, history and conservation work taking place across the archipelago. That's the kind of insight you can't get from reading a brochure.
The journey feels closer to an African safari than a traditional cruise holiday. Every day brings extraordinary wildlife encounters and opportunities for adventure, whether that's snorkelling alongside sea lions, photographing rare species or exploring remote islands by Zodiac.
The biggest takeaway from my time in the Galapagos was how I plan to sell the destination. Before visiting, I would have positioned an expedition cruise as the ideal choice for someone already interested in cruising. But now, the Galapagos has become one of the first destinations I'll recommend for clients with a passion for wildlife, photography or exploration. The expedition vessel isn't the reason to visit; it's the key that unlocks one of the world's most remarkable natural wonders.
As told to TTG's Dea Jusufi.
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