One of the things I love most about expedition cruising is what it does to your sense of perspective — quietly, almost without you noticing.
Most travel experiences are designed around us.
Our schedules. Our preferences. Our timelines.
The Galápagos Islands are different.
Out there, the wildlife makes the rules.
If a sea lion has claimed the beach as its afternoon nap spot, you wait. If a giant tortoise is making its unhurried way across the path, everyone stops. If a magnificent frigatebird begins its spectacular courtship display overhead, the entire group happily forgets whatever else they were doing.
And honestly? That’s exactly as it should be.
During my time in the Galápagos, I found myself surrounded by some of the most extraordinary wildlife on the planet:
🐢 Galápagos Giant Tortoises 🦭 Galápagos Sea Lions 🐦 Blue-Footed, Red-Footed and Nazca Boobies ❤️ Magnificent Frigatebirds 🦎 Marine Iguanas 🦩 Flamingos
Every landing felt like stepping into a living nature documentary.
And speaking of landings — one of the most memorable parts of exploring the Galápagos is something called a wet landing.
Instead of docking at a pier, your Zodiac pulls right up to shore and you step directly into the water before heading off to explore. The first time you do it, it feels a little adventurous. The second time, you realize it’s simply part of the experience.
Because expedition cruising isn’t about observing from behind the glass.
It’s about getting out there. Walking where the wildlife lives. Experiencing destinations as they genuinely are.
Of course, wet landings look different depending on where you’re travelling. In the Galápagos, water shoes or sandals are all you need. When I sailed to Antarctica aboard the National Geographic Endurance with Lindblad Expeditions, we had insulated muck boots and full waterproof gear — the Drake Passage does not negotiate. But whether you’re stepping ashore among penguin colonies in Antarctica, exploring remote Arctic beaches, or watching a marine iguana sunbathe in the Galápagos, the Zodiac is often where the real adventure begins.
As someone who specializes in expedition travel, these are the experiences I love helping clients find.
The Galápagos isn’t about checking sights off a list. It’s about slowing down, paying attention, and remembering — perhaps for the first time in a long time — that we are guests in a natural world that doesn’t revolve around us.
For a few days, everything operates exactly as it should.
The wildlife makes the rules.
And we are genuinely privileged to be there. ❤️
Curious about expedition cruising — the Galápagos, Antarctica, the Arctic, or somewhere else that changes how you see the world? Reply to this email and let’s talk about which expedition is the right fit for you. #AskSheila