Things to do in

Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands

Embark on a very active, captivating day tour to Isabela Island, a gem of the Galapagos. This early day starts with a speedboat ride (public speedboat, the only way to get to Isabela by water, navigation time approx. 2 hours) to the seahorse shaped island of Isabela, in the western part of the archipelago. As soon as you arrive, you will notice immediately that the boat ride was definitely worth it: The endemic Galapagos Penguins usually already await you on the rocks when entering the bay of Puerto Villamil. After some free time on the little beach right next to the pier where you can observe sea lions and marine iguanas, a little boat (very short navigation time, the National Park doesn't allow bigger boats within the bay) to Tintorera Islet, an ecological heaven where you'll encounter tons of marine iguanas, sharks resting in the islet's little Channel, blue-footed boobies and the iconic Galapagos penguins. Accompanied by a naturalist guide, you'll learn about the diverse ecosystems and the different types of lava that formed this islet. After that you will get a short but great snorkel activity offering lots of variety as here we can usually find some sea turtles, sea lions, sharks, rays, and possibly penguins. When getting back to the pier, you will get a ride to one of the best oceanfront restaurants for a nice lunch menu, before our land tour will start: A naturalist guide will try to spot the flamingos for you (not easy as they like to move around a lot and there are many different lagoons on Isabela), before taking you on a visit of the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre, where you cannot only see the baby and juvenile giant tortoises, but also very old ones up to 200 years. As last part of this tour, you will walk the short trail towards the beach, along another lagoon with mangroves where you might get lucky and see some more flamingos as well as big marine iguanas and different species of birds. Right after this visit you will be accompanied back to the pier again, from where (after the check-in process & luggage control, which is obligatory for any speedboat ride between inhabited islands), a speeboat will take you back to Puerto Ayora. and The wetlands trail promises sightings of flamingos amidst mangroves, leading to a serene coconut palm beach. Further enriching the experience, the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre introduces you to these gentle giants, providing insight into conservation efforts.

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.

Description: The journey starts with a 40-minutes bus ride from the hotel to the Itabaca Chanel. Then, a comfortable yacht is going to take you to the North Seymour Island, where the adventurers will be amazed at the unique flora and fauna in natural state. By dinghy ride you land the island, then the excursion consists of approximately two-and a half-hour trail where you can shoot wonderful pictures. It is the perfect site to observe the largest colony of great and magnificent frigate birds, swallow tailed gulls, blue-footed boobies, and land iguanas, as well as sea lions and marine iguanas along the coast. Depending the Galapagos National Park authorization, the second spot could be on the pristine Mosquera Islet. This small, flat, and sandy islet offers the adventurers the amazing sea lion behavior observation. It is also possible to observe lava gulls, coastal birds, and Sally light-footed crabs. Or, you will head (45 minutes) over to Las Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz Island. The beach is an important nesting area for the eastern Pacific green se turtle. It is a white sand beach, with several brackish lagoons, these are the feeding grounds of various wading birds and pink flamingos. It is a paradise-like place for a walk, swim and enjoying the sun. Snorkeling will surprise you with colorful reef fish and green turtles. Your hot lunch is provided in the yacht. The trip takes you to the Chanel, then back to the hotel by bus. 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: 7:50 am bus pick up at Puerto Ayora Pier Returning time: approximately at 4:30 pm Journey Time: 40 minutes ride by bus until Itabaca Channel, and then comfortable yacht will ride around 1 hour to North Seymour Island. Difficulty Level: Intermediate Highlight activity: walking and snorkeling Transportation: shared bus and yacht Gear fitting: A day before of the tour all passengers must be at 5:00 pm in the Galapagos Path for equipment fitting.

Embark on an unforgettable boat trip to the enchanting Santa Fe Island, a heaven for snorkeling enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. After a brief 45-55 minute navigation from Puerto Ayora (it is the island that is closes to Santa Cruz), you'll be greeted by the island's stunningly beautiful landscape, with crystal-clear, turquoise waters in contrast to the nearby white sand beach and the ancient cactus on the dark lava rocks - also the perfect place to spot some blue-footed boobies, pelicans and if very lucky, maybe even the Galapagos hawk - a real photographer's paradise! This bay offers a unique and abundant marine ecosystem, and even before jumping into the water, you might spot schools of tropical fish, sea lions, sea turtles, schools of rays and sharks swimming around the boat as this is one of the places with the clearest water in all of Galapagos. At the same time, this tour is perfect for snorkel beginners, children or insecure swimmers, as the first snorkel part takes place in this proteced, shallow and very calm bay. Post-snorkeling, a freshly prepared lunch (either grilled fish/chicken or ceviche) awaits you, followed by another short navigation and a visit to the remote Hidden Beach. Here, you can unwind, swim, or join the exploration walk together with your naturalist guide to spot some of the biggest marine iguanas, different species of mangroves as well as pelicans, finches and if lucky, some sea turtles in the second bay. On the way back to Puerto Ayora (or in between, the order of the activities might change depending on the conditions), you can give it a try with some fishing, as all our boats have a special fishing license. The most common catch is the yellowfin tuna or the wahoo - if fishing takes place before lunch, you might even get fresh sashimi or the freshest ceviche you ever had! ;-) Please note that this is not a fishing trip though, the fishing activity only takes place if there is someone interested in it and it will not be more than 15-30 minutes.

The guide will pick up you in the lobby of the hotel ( Hotel pick up inside the Urban perimeter puerto ayora) We have 2 departures 09H00 AM or 14H00 PM, , the tour lasts between 3 hours. The pick up starts between 08:30 AM to 08:45 AM in the morning and 1:30 PM to 1:45 PM in the afternoon depending on the hotel where the pax is located. We will go to La Lobería (small islet located 10 minutes away from the port), site where we carry out the snorkeling activity in which there is the possibility of swimming with sea lions. Then we moved to Punta Estrada to watch birds such as: blue-footed boobies, seagulls and pelicans. Our third activity consists of an excursion to the Playa de los dogs where we can find iguanas in quantity around an area of volcanic rocks and sesuvium. Likewise, we continue towards the Channel of Love and the Shark Channel (in the latter we can make sightings of blue sharks). The tour end in Puerto Ayora's dock, there no drop off in the hotel . You have to go to your accommodation by yourself.

We begin the tour at 06H10 AM at the port of Puerto Ayora to board the ferry that will take us to Isabela. (Transfer in boat has a duration of 2 hours approximately until arrive to Isabela) We start the activity at 09:00 from Isabela Island, from the bay we go by means of a boat to a group of islets called Tintoreras. Well known for being the habitat of penguins and white tip sharks! Other animals that we can observe while we surround the islets are: rays, sea turtles, bay sharks, colorful fish, etc. Tintorera sharks. Along a channel with fences on one of its edges, we can find a large number of individuals of the species. Likewise, we enjoyed a snorkeling time near the site. At the end of our activity in the complex, we headed to the port to enjoy lunch. Our next stop is the flamingo lagoon. We have time to take pictures. To finish, we headed to the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center. We can see the turtles in the conservation area. We finish the tour at 14:00 p.m. then we have to come back to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz - 2 Hours of Ferry

Description San Cristobal island gives another magic trip, 360º San Cristobal which is the most complete excursion surrounding the island by comfortable speed boat. The first spot will be at the Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido). This highlight of Galápagos is offering excursionist unique wildlife in the whole world. Around the rock you can swim next to the hammerhead sharks and with the colorful reef fishes. Then, our guests will go to the Witch Hill (Cerro Brujo), on this place they are going to have walking under the lava tunnel where travelers can watch many other exotic species. Later, travelers will visit Sardine Bay (Bahía Sardina) in order to enjoy the shadowed areas and they can swim and snorkel next the wildlife richness. Your excursion keeps to enjoy Punta Pitt where they will fish, and over their heads red-footed boobies are going to fly. The last spot will be the White Rose Bay (Bahía Rosa Blanca) which is so unique place where travelers going to have a privilege to snorkeling on the crystalline water, they can see colorful fishes, rays, sharks, seahorses, and many other species. With this tour you are going to see an enjoy the all jewels that San Cristobal island has, just in one single day. It is recommended to wear a wetsuit in order to neutralize the sea temperature because it falls under 20ºC from September to December and it is up of 27ºC from January to August. Clarification: Each day Galapagos National Park gives different authorization, so the tour could star from the north side or south side of the Santa Cruz Island. Departure: pick up at 6:50 am at the hotel in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Returning time: approximately at 5 pm Travel Time: speed boat ride takes around 5 hours (August – October the seas can be quite rough). Adventurers with back or neck injuries are not advised to take this journey. Difficulty Level: intermediate Highlight activity: snorkeling, walking and short beach hike Transportation: speed boat Important: a day before of the tour all passengers must be at 5:00 pm in the boat office for equipment fitting.

Day 1 Arrive at the airport of Baltra Island and meet the National Park guides, followed by a transfer to Santa Cruz. Check in at your hotel and in the afternoon visit the Charles Darwin Scientific Station and the Interpretation Center of the Galapagos National Park. Day 2 Head to the stunning Turtle Bay Beach, a postcard-worthy beach with white sand and azure sea. Stop to observe the marine life, iguanas, and many other wildlife species Travel next to a private ranch, where you will be able to see the protected giant turtles living in their natural habitat. Finally, the adventure will conclude with a hike through the underground lava tunnels. Day 3 The Bahia Tour covers 5 different sites around Bahia Academia, located in the canton of Santa Cruz, taking 10 minutes to the first stop. Santa Cruz, using a time of 10 minutes to the first stop, most of the tour is done by yacht, there are two stops where a walk of 15 and 20 minutes respectively. There are two stops where a walk of 15 and 20 minutes respectively, the time it takes to make this tour is 3 hours. time it takes to complete this tour is 3 hours. The Academia Bay Tour consists of a visit to 4 different sites around the bay. The first one is Los Perros beach, a small beach 10 minutes away from Puerto Ayora, which is home to a colony of iguanas. Then we visit the tunnels of love and the tunnels of the blue sharks, very good places for snorkeling and to observe blue-footed boobies. and to observe blue-footed boobies nesting on the rocks. At the beach of the dogs you can enjoy a walk along the rocks between and you can observe large groups of marine iguanas and sea turtles feeding on the shore feeding on the shore. The last site is Las Grietas, an inlet of brackish, fresh and crystalline water, characteristics that make it a good place for snorkeling. Day 4 After breakfast at the hotel, be returned to the airport for your departure flight.

Embark on an exciting adventure on Santa Cruz Island, exploring the highlights of Puerto Ayora Bay with Enchanted Islands. This tour starts at the pier in Puerto Ayora and will take you first to the Shark Channel, where you will be able to observe white tip sharks from a lookout point, conditions permitting, and on the way, you will see lava herons. You will continue to the beautiful Love Channel, known for its turquoise water and the presence of zayapa crabs, marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies. The next stop is Playa de los Perros, where you can see the largest marine iguanas on the island and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Finally, you will visit Las Grietas, a formation of lava fissures that creates two huge walls between which the fresh water of the island mixes with the salt water of the sea, where you can snorkel in crystal clear waters and observe colorful fish. The tour includes transfer to the meeting point from the Grupo Galapagos office, certified bilingual tour guide (English-Spanish), snacks, wetsuit and snorkeling equipment. Soft drinks, towels and gratuities are not included. The tour has a duration of 4 hours and is offered in two schedules: 08:00 am and 14:00 pm, with a boat capacity for 16 people. This tour is perfect for those who want to explore the natural beauty of Puerto Ayora Bay while enjoying water activities and hiking.

Embark on an unforgettable adventure to Isabela Island, one of the most impressive destinations in the Galapagos Islands. This full-day tour includes a ferry ride from Puerto Ayora and takes you to explore Tintoreras Islet, famous for its abundant wildlife and unique landscapes. The tour begins at 7:00 am from the Puerto Ayora dock on Santa Cruz Island, with a ferry ride of approximately 2 hours to Puerto Villamil on Isabela. During the navigation, enjoy spectacular views of the ocean and surrounding islands. Upon arrival, you will visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center, where you will learn about the Galapagos National Park's conservation efforts to protect giant tortoises and see both juvenile and adult tortoises. Next, you will explore the Isabela wetlands, home to one of the most extensive mangrove areas in the Galapagos, where you can observe pink flamingos, ducks and other birds while enjoying the beautiful scenery. The highlight of the tour is a visit to Tintoreras Islet, known for the white tip sharks, also called blue sharks, resting in a crevice of crystal clear water. In addition, you will see marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins and blue-footed boobies. The visit includes a snorkeling session on a small beach, where you can discover the rich marine life. The ferry back to Santa Cruz departs at 3:00 pm, arriving in Puerto Ayora around 5:00 pm. The tour includes round trip ferry from Santa Cruz to Isabela, entrance fee to Isabela and water taxi, certified tour guide (English-Spanish), dock use tax, lunch, boat for the visit to Tintoreras Islet, long wetsuit and snorkeling gear. Soft drinks, towels and tips are not included. It is recommended to bring comfortable walking clothes, swimsuit, biodegradable sunscreen, and a camera to capture the breathtaking scenery, and take motion sickness pills 30 minutes before boarding, as the ferry ride can be bumpy. Enjoy a unique experience exploring the natural diversity of Isabela and Tintoreras Islet with Enchanted Islands. Reserve your place today and live an unforgettable adventure in the Galapagos Islands!