Our most recommended things to do in Puerto Ayora, Galapagos Islands

Bartolome Day Tour

1. Bartolome Day Tour

Description Bartolome will welcome our guests to the incredible natural wealth of teeming Galapagos wildlife where they will be amazed with the dramatic views of the luscious landscape. It is a fantastic spot to take personal and group pictures and it is a jewel-toned setting for charismatic penguins, skittering crabs and marine iguanas. At the sandy cove the adventurers will start to snorkel with the speedy Galapagos penguins. Also, hundreds of colorful reef fish, sea turtles and rays are surrounding the island. At the shade of the Pinnacle Rock our excursionist will have the best place to snorkel and to take photograph of the endemic penguins and the rock looks out across pale beaches and blue-green water, their colors offset by the coal-black lava flow at Sullivan Bay. A hot lunch and refreshments are provided on the boat. At the end of the journey the boat will come back to Santa Cruz, after that a bus will take you to the most comfortable and environmentally friendly lodge. It is recommended to wear a wetsuit in order to neutralize the sea temperature, because it falls below 20ºC from June to November and it is up to 27ºC from December to May. Departure: 6:45 am bus pick up at the Puerto Ayora Pier Returning time: approximately at 5:00 pm and it will drop you off at Puerto Ayora Pier Journey Time: 40 minutes ride by bus until Itabaca Channel then comfortable yacht will travel around 2 hours to Bartolome Island. Difficulty Level: Intermediate Highlight activity: walking and snorkeling Transportation: shared bus and yacht Important: A day before to the tour all passengers must be at 6:00 pm in the Galapagos Path for wetsuit fitting.

From Puerto Ayora: Pinzon Island & Las Palmitas Beach Tour

2. From Puerto Ayora: Pinzon Island & Las Palmitas Beach Tour

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel. During the 45-minute navigation, we will take you to two incredible destinations that will leave you in awe. Our first stop is Penguin Bay, where you can observe a school of whitetip sharks and baby and adult sea lions. While swimming in crystal-clear waters, you can watch the wolves playfully interact with the passengers. As you explore the underwater world, you'll be mesmerized by the vibrant colors of the damsel fish, sergeant fish, parrot fish, and green sea turtles. We also offer a sport fishing activity with fishing rods that lasts around 45 minutes at the stone with no name. Here, you can spot blue-footed boobies, frigates, and sea lions relaxing on the rocks. And at the end of the tour, we'll take you to the picturesque Las Palmitas beach, where you can stroll and observe the iguanas. Keep your eyes peeled for frigate birds resting in the mangroves and sea lions basking in the sun. You'll even get to see some of the unique plant life native to the islands. We'll return you safely to the port at the end of the tour.

Puerto Ayora: South Plazas & Punta Carrion Wildlife Day Tour

3. Puerto Ayora: South Plazas & Punta Carrion Wildlife Day Tour

Join us on an exciting adventure to explore the enchanting South Plazas and Punta Carrion Islands off the east coast of Santa Cruz Island. Your tour begins with a convenient pickup from your hotel on Santa Cruz Island, followed by a short transfer to the port where you will board a boat. Once aboard, you'll cruise to the Plaza Islands, where you'll be greeted by a variety of fascinating creatures. The visit to South Plazas includes an hour-and-a-half walking tour, during which you'll see land iguanas, marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, and a range of tropical birds. The landscape is filled with plants, and you'll encounter various cacti along the path. With a bit of luck, you may also spot blue-footed boobies and sea lions. The main attraction of South Plazas is the land iguanas, sea lions, and swallow-tailed gulls. The island is also home to yellow-tailed mullets, Audubon's shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, and brown pelicans that soar over the cliffs. After your visit to South Plazas, we will head to Punta Carrion for an exciting snorkeling experience. Here, you'll have the chance to see a wide range of marine life, including whitetip sharks, starfish, green sea turtles, and colorful fish such as damselfish, parrotfish, and rays. You may also encounter sea lions in the water, making for an unforgettable experience. While on board, you'll enjoy a delicious lunch as you take in the stunning views. At the end of the tour, we will return to Puerto Ayora, where you'll be dropped off at your hotel.

5-Day Galapagos Land Tour on Isabela: Small Group Tour

4. 5-Day Galapagos Land Tour on Isabela: Small Group Tour

Day 1: Transfer from Baltra Airport to Isabela Island Start your tour with airport pickup from your certified guide. Make your way to the Itabaca Canal and board a ferry. In Puerto Ayora, take another boat in the direction of Isabela Island. Stay overnight at a hotel. Day 2: Cabo Rosa Tuneles Start your day with breakfast at the hotel. Take a boat to Cabo Rosa, where lava once flowed into the ocean and formed lava tunnels. See penguins, blue-footed boobies, and sea turtles. Go diving and see sharks, turtles, sea lions, rays, seahorses, and tropical fish. The tour to Cabo Rosa lasts approximately 5 hours. The rest of the day is free. You can enjoy the beautiful Isabela Beach or snorkel in the Laguna de la Concha de Perla. Stay overnight in Isabela.  Day 3: Sierra Negra Volcano Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before you're picked up by your guide. Then, take a walk through the lava landscapes overlooking the volcanoes of northern Isabela and Fernandina. The hike to the Sierra Negra Volcano and the Chico Volcano is 10 miles (16 km) long. See the second-largest volcanic crater in the world and explore different areas of vegetation. Enjoy lunch and the rest of the day free. Explore the beautiful beach in Isabela or dive in the Laguna Concha de Perla. Stay overnight in Isabela. Day 4: Tintoreras Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before visiting Las Tintoreras, a chain of small islets full of coves and hidden beaches. See sea lions, marine turtles, iguanas, manta rays, and more at one of its bays. This bay is connected by a superficial crack with crystalline water which is closed off during low tide. In the crack, it is possible to see the sharks swimming with the rest of the tropical fish and sea lions if you snorkel. Speed boat to Santa Cruz at 15:00 pm. Stay overnight in Puerto Ayora Day 5: Transfer out At Puerto Ayora, you will have breakfast and depart for Baltra to catch your flight back to the mainland. Your flight to Quito or Guayaquil will need to depart at 11:30 AM or later.

6-Day Tour in San Cristobal & Santa Cruz: Wildlife & Snorkel

5. 6-Day Tour in San Cristobal & Santa Cruz: Wildlife & Snorkel

Experience the incredible wildlife diversity of the Galápagos islands with a thrilling six-day excursion to San Cristobal & Santa Cruz Day 01: San Cristóbal – Carola Beach – Tijeretas /(L) Welcome to Galapagos Islands! Arrive to San Cristobal’s airport, your guide picks you up and take you to the hotel. You will visit the Interpretation Center, where the guide will talk to you about the formation, colonization, and actual situation of the islands. Frigate bird hill, a viewpoint from which you have a beautiful view over the island. Snorkel the shallow waters of Tijeretas Bay or Carola beach (your guide will take you to the best spot), where you can see sea lions, various tropical fishes, and turtles. Your small hike will finish at Carola beach. Overnight in San Cristobal. Day 02: Kicker Rock/ / (B, BL) Kicker Rock - snorkel. You will visit the famous Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido), a volcanic formation amid the ocean. There you will be able to snorkel with sharks, rays, turtles, and if you are lucky also with hammerhead sharks! In the afternoon you will be back at the port. Overnight in San Cristobal. Day 03: Santa Cruz – El Chato / (B, L) Breakfast in the hotel. At 6:30 pick you up and take you to the harbor 7:00 speedboat to Santa Cruz (approx. 2-hour ride). A local guide will receive you at the harbor. Your guide drives up to the ranch in the highlands to see giant tortoises in their native environment! Overnight in Santa Cruz. Day 04: Full day navigable tour / (B, BL) Breakfast at the hotel. Depending on the dates and/or navigable site available, pick-up from the hotel will be early in the morning (6-or 7:00 am) to take you to the small vessel at the embarkation point in Puerto Ayora for a unique experience with Galapagos wildlife and endemic vegetation. The destination can be either Santa Fe, South Plazas, North Seymour, Pinzon, or Floreana. The activities will include hiking, snorkeling, swimming, and breathtaking sightseeing. Return to the hotel in Santa Cruz where you can relax. Overnight in Santa Cruz. Day 05: Tortuga Bay – Charles Darwin / (B, L) Pick up from your hotel. You will take a small road 2,500 meters long up to the access to Tortuga Bay. Enjoy a 2-hours hike (both ways) up to this beautiful beach which is perfectly preserved, and with the presence of wild animals such as iguanas, beach crabs. Tortuga Bay is a white sand beach located on the south coast of the island of Santa Cruz. After lunch, you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station where you will have the opportunity to learn about Galapagos conservation in action. Over 200 scientists and volunteers are involved with research and conservation efforts here. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Santa Cruz. Day 06: Transfer out to the airport in Baltra / (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to board the flight to Quito or Guayaquil. Arrival and connection with the international flight.

From Baltra: Galápagos Islands 5-Day Full-Board Nature Tour

6. From Baltra: Galápagos Islands 5-Day Full-Board Nature Tour

Discover the unique flora and fauna of the Galápagos on a 5-day tour with round-trip transportation from Baltra Island. Benefit from hotel options to suit your budget. Day 1: (L) Travel by public bus to Itabaca Channel to catch the ferry to Santa Cruz. Drive to the highlands ranch of El Chato to see giant tortoises in their natural environment. Discover the Twin Craters in lush green forests dominated by endemic scalesia plants. Walk along the crater rims to better appreciate their magnitude, and keep a look out for short-ear owls. In Puerto Ayora, we will have a short visit to Charles Darwin Station Day 2: (B, L)   Relax aboard a yacht as you sail to the uninhabited island of Santa Fé, Plazas, Floreana, or Pinzon, depending on the program of the National Park. Look for land iguanas and other wildlife in a small group of no more than 12 people.  Day 3: (B, L)   Visit Las Grietas and see the impressive fissure of the Channel of Love. Snorkel in the crystal clear waters of The Cracks, and hike to Tortuga Bay to observe the magnificent wildlife before arriving at a beautiful beach.  Day 4: (B, L)   Relax aboard a yacht as you sail to the uninhabited island of Santa Fé, Plazas, Pinzon, or Floreana, depending on the program of the National Park. Look for land iguanas and other wildlife in a small group of no more than 12 people. Day 5: (B)    Breakfast in the hotel. You will be dropped off at Baltra airport to take your flight to the mainland.

Giant Tortoises, Lava Tunnels, & Tortuga Bay Beach Day Tour

7. Giant Tortoises, Lava Tunnels, & Tortuga Bay Beach Day Tour

We will pick you up from your hotel to the Santa Cruz Highlands, which is probably the most visited area in the Galapagos. This area concentrates vast extensions of forests of Scalesia, Miconia, and giant tortoises. This is a great place to observe these iconic animals in their natural habitat. After lunch at this local farm, we will visit the twin craters of the Galapagos, it is a rewarding visit for nature-loving tourists. The lush green landscape of the highlands stands in stark contrast to the more arid coastlines of the lowlands, providing a very different Galapagos experience. Lookouts over the crater sinkholes show off the stunning scenery, and there are plenty of interesting birds too. Later we will move to Tortuga Bay, which is a white sand beach located on the south coast of the island of Santa Cruz. Enjoy a 2-hour walk (round trip) to this beautiful beach that is perfectly preserved and with the presence of animals such as iguanas and beach crabs. You have the opportunity to swim in the mangrove swamp that is separated from the beach.

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The trip to the Galapagos Islands for me and my wife was sensational. I would like to mention the excellent and efficient treatment that we received from Latin Adventures and its head guide Mr dDante. There was not the slightest glitch in the schedule, everything went exceptionally well. Congratulations GetYourGuide for such an efficient and enjoyable service.