Giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, indigenous sea lions and penguins, manta rays and hammerhead sharks, flightless cormorants and frigate birds: Without a doubt, nature reigns supreme in the Galapagos Islands, one of the world’s most revered yet remote ecosystems.

And while conservation efforts top the list of priorities for this volcanic island chain that was all but unknown to civilization until several hundred years ago—a visit by Charles Darwin in the 1830s later inspired his most famous book, On the Origin of Species—don’t think for even a second that you’ll have to rough it on your Galapagos honeymoon. All but three of the 20 islands are uninhabited, which means the best way to explore the Galapagos is by boat—yachts, catamarans and small-to-midsize cruise ships that are outfitted with plenty of modern comforts. … (continue reading)