Probably the oldest company serving the Galapagos is the venerable Metropolitan Touring ( www.metropolitan-touring.com). Metropolitan operates a huge recycling center that converts all of its plastic waste to pavers that are used in street construction in Puerto Aroyo, the main port of the Galapagos. It also recycles paper and donates money for environmental conservation through its private foundation.
Probably the most eco-conscious tour company is locally owned and-operated Ecoventura (ecoventura.com), which operates a fleet of three boats that each accommodates 20 people. The accommodations are rustic, and the food, while good and plentiful, is not gourmet. But the guides are terrific, and you will always be in an excursion group of no more than 10, which in itself minimizes the effect on wildlife.
Ecoventura has been cited repeatedly for its forward-thinking environmental agenda that includes a 10-point program to reduce the impact of its tours. The company recently entered into a partnership with the World Wildlife Fund that places it on the forefront of environmental stewardship.
Ecological concerns about the Galapagos, coupled with more stringent protective regulations, make it incumbent on tourists to be sure they get what they expect during their visit. For example, as of 2008 the number of tour boats has been capped at 85 as of this year. But certain islands or sites are available only to boats carrying 20 or fewer passengers. In addition, there are regulations pending that may limit each tour boat to a prescribed two-week rotation, so that environmental impact can be closely monitored.
And remember, because the number of boats are capped, so are the number of visitors. Reservations are often made a year or more in advance.
The best advice I can offer is that you read up on the Galapagos, make a wildlife wish list and then correspond with your operator to be sure you will see the animals you want to see before putting down a deposit. You will never get closer to exotic wildlife than you will in the Galapagos. However, you are not allowed to touch any of the wildlife there. By abiding by tour restrictions, you will reduce stress on the wildlife and the transmission of disease to animals.
Because the Galapagos archipelago is a living laboratory, regulations change, although usually with some warning. For example, Fernandina Island is currently off limits to snorkeling because of the stresses that activity placed on sea turtles and other wildlife. Parts of Isabella Island are off limits until a problem with non-native goats is solved and endemic plants recover. That might take several years.
