This article was published on January 20th, 2019
Circuit parties and massive gay cruises are incredibly popular. They offer an incredible line-up of theme events, DJ’s, performers, and gay icons. These events are a lot of fun, but they aren’t designed for everyone. Here is a look at how you can visit the Galapagos, one of the most beautiful places in the world, and turn it into your very own gay sailing trip.
The Galapagos is a stunning place. This archipelago of volcanic islands way out in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ecuador is a fantastic spot for those looking to explore nature. Home to Darwin’s famous Finches which contributed to the inception of the theory of evolution. A place where animals are not afraid of humans, because they’ve never been hunted. You learn that fear is passed down genetically, and animals that were never hunted by humans don’t fear us. This is a place where the wonders of the ocean are plentiful. From huge groups of whale sharks and hammerhead sharks at the right time of year, to the local resident reef sharks, tropical fish, sea turtles, sea lions, and many more. On land you’ll see a many species too. Everything from crabs, to land and sea iguanas, giant tortoises, and of course those Finches.
You can’t talk about the Galapagos without mentioning boobies. There are three types of boobies in the Galapagos! The small Nazca booby which is white with grey feet and looks like a seagull, and the famous red and blue footed boobies, which have vibrant colored feet and do the cutest little dances. Nature lovers will get a chance to see endless amazing creatures from up close.
Picture a landscape that is almost otherworldly, there are breathtaking vistas throughout the islands. You’ll see completely barren volcanic islands with black volcanic sand. Islands that are tropical with palm trees, and everything in between. There are famous white sand, red sand, and black sand beaches. Some islands can support trees, others only shrubs and bushes. This has led to the proliferation of different species of animals on all the islands.
If you want to visit, you can do a 7 or 10-day multi island cruise with a company like G Adventures. You’ll be flown from Quito through Guayaquil then out to San Cristobal to board your ship. The ships typically have cabins with your own bathroom, a top deck for wildlife viewing and sun bathing, and a galley/lounge area for the group meals and information meetings.
Everyone that visits the islands must be accompanied by a certified naturalist. They will tell you about the islands, ecosystem, and animals daily and answer any questions. Typically, in a day you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel once, sometimes twice a day, and head for a hike by taking the little speedboats to land. By nightfall you’ll be back on board enjoying dinner and drinks to enjoy the sunset and visit with your fellow travelers.
It is simple to turn this into a gay cruise. These ships are for small groups, holding only 20 or so passengers. Work with a travel agent to find a cruise that is empty and fill it up with your close friends, the guys you want to see shirtless playing in the water every day, and probably best to invite your boyfriend along. The days will be full of hiking and snorkeling, and you can have your own little parties on the top deck as the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean.
