The Galápagos Without a Paddle

For those who prefer to experience the flora and fauna of the Galápagos without getting sore forearms or sand in their bedding, yacht tours are the way to go. Listed below are package tours available for 2006. All are 10-day trips, unless specified otherwise. The growing popularity of these cruises, plus temperate weather, means that high season is practically year-round. Cost-conscious travelers may want to take advantage of the two brief low seasons, May 1 to mid-June, or mid-September through October. Prices are per person. Air fare to Quito, the starting point for most packages, is not included; meals are.

FOR Budget Travelers COMPANY Adventure Life Journeys, 800-344-6118, www.adventure-life.com. WHY The Sulidae, a sailboat built in 1901, accommodates up to 12 passengers in six cabins with private bathrooms. For those who want the thrill of sailing and the comfort of a hot shower, there is the Angelique. Nonsailing budget yachts include the Darwin, the Seaman and the Fragata. All boats have bunk beds and air-conditioning; some cabins on the Fragata have twin beds, a rarity among tourist-class boats. The Seaman will make kayaks available on request. Islands visited by all the boats include Española, Floreana and Santa Cruz. Snorkeling is available; equipment rental may cost extra. Packages include two nights in Quito, meals while in the Galápagos, a guide and hotel breakfasts. HOW MUCH Sulidae, ,550; Angelique, ,660 in low season and ,820 high season; Darwin, ,430 low season and ,525 high season; Seaman, ,600 low season and ,725 high season; Fragata, ,865.

FOR Off-the-Beaten-Trackers COMPANY International Expeditions, 800-633-4734, www.ietravel.com. WHY The remote Isabela is the largest island yet one of the least visited. One vessel that makes the pilgrimage is the Evolution, a 1920's vessel that takes 28 guests. Two-person kayaks are available on board. Isabela is home to penguins, flightless cormorants, pelicans and iguanas, as well as Darwin Volcano and Darwin Lake. Other less-visited islands on the itinerary include Genovesa Island, which has one of the most diverse bird populations in the islands, and Fernandina, which has an active volcano. For those on a budget who would like to reach Isabela and Fernandina, Adventure Life Journeys offers the Samba, a tourist-class boat with bunk beds. HOW MUCH From ,198 for the Evolution and ,130 for the Samba.

FOR The Pampered Set COMPANIES Celebrity Cruises, 800-647-2251, www.celebrity.com; Lindblad Expeditions, 800-397-3348, www.expeditions.com. WHY Mimosas, daily massages and evening cocktails al fresco are special touches offered on the Celebrity Xpedition. The "sunrise deck" has a hot tub and sauna. The Polaris (Lindblad Expeditions) offers massages atop a glass-bottomed pontoon boat in a secluded cove. The Xpedition visits Seymour and Bartolomé Islands and Las Bachas beach. The Polaris visits Santa Cruz, Española, Floreana, Isabela, Fernandina, Genovesa and Santiago Islands, and is the only large ship permitted to carry sea kayaks. HOW MUCH Celebrity prices start at ,400; Polaris starts at ,650.

FOR Landlubbers and Day Trippers COMPANY Finch Bay Eco-Hotel, (593-5) 252-6297, www.finchbayhotel.com; Royal Palm Galápagos Hotel, (593-5) 252-7408, www.royalpalmgalapagos.com. WHY If your idea of heaven does not include sleeping on a rocking boat, then a hotel-based day-tour package might be a better option. The Finch Bay Eco-Hotel on Santa Cruz Island serves as home base for an eight-day itinerary that visits Bartolomé, Seymour and Santa Fe Islands. The package includes seven nights at the hotel and five full-day excursions. The hotel is on the beach, and has an outdoor pool and a hot tub. Optional activities include scuba diving, sea kayaking, hiking and mountain biking. Hidden away in the Santa Cruz highlands is the Royal Palm Hotel, a luxury resort spread out over 500 acres. It has a spa with exercise equipment and treatments, a sauna, a pool and tennis courts. Guests may choose between villas built into the hillside or studios and suites; each room has a whirlpool tub. True landlubbers may keep to Santa Cruz, which has its share of attractions, including Los Gemelos (twin pit craters, formed by lava), Tortuga Bay and Garrapatero Beach, where there are blue-footed boobies aplenty. Day boat tours booked through the Royal Palm for an extra cost are available to the islands of Santa Fe, Bartolomé, Seymour and South Plaza. HOW MUCH Eight-day packages at Finch Bay start at ,787; there is a 25 percent discount for children under 12 sharing a room with parents (one child limit). Royal Palm prices: 0 a night for studios, 0 for villas, and 0 for the two-bedroom room Imperial Suite.

FOR Kidcentric Seafarers COMPANY Ecoventura, 800-633-7972, www.ecoventura.com. WHY Most Galápagos cruises are friendly-family, but Ecoventura markets some directly to families with children 7 and older who want to tour with other families. Activities include snorkeling, kayaking and water games. Food like hot dogs, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese and chicken fingers is served. There are also special parties, like a King Neptune costume event. Kids are encouraged to visit the bridge to learn about astronomy and navigation. Islands include Seymour, Isabela and Fernandina. HOW MUCH Rates for a seven-night cruise start at ,295. No charge for ages 6 and younger. Age 7 to 30 percent off cruise rate; ages 12 to 14 receive 20 percent off. National park fee is not included.

More Topics:
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Equipment - BizRate.com
Find Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Equipment at bargain prices. Comparison shop for the lowest prices, check store ratings & read product reviews before you buy.

Scuba Diving Portal
Scuba diving equipment and scuba gear with scuba resources. ... Virtual Dive Instructor. Ask Kotie. a scuba question. Learn more. Quick Links ...

Scuba Diving Equipment & Gear, Dive Vacations, Resorts & Holidays
... scuba diving equipment and dive gear, and scuba diving resources like diving ... Scuba diving equipment and gear, scuba diving vacations and dive travel, scuba ...

Joe Diver America
Scuba Equipment & Scuba Gear - Snorkeling Equipment & Snorkel Gear - Dive Gear & discount scuba diving equipment with Secure Hackersafe Ordering at JoeDiverAmerica.com!

Scuba Diving, Bare Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Equipment - Shopzilla.com
Bargain prices on Scuba Diving, Bare Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Equipment, store variety for Scuba Diving, Bare Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Equipment. Compare prices ...