7-day Galápagos snorkeling: Santa Cruz and Isabela Islands

Snorkel among sea lions and marine iguanas across two Galápagos islands in one week.

A 7-day Galápagos tour combining Santa Cruz and Isabela Islands with snorkeling, wildlife encounters, and guided hikes to giant tortoise reserves and lava formations. The itinerary includes boat rides to North Seymour Island, Las Tintoreras, and Concha Perla, with a certified naturalist guide, accommodation on both islands, airport transfers, and snorkeling gear. National park entrance fees and domestic flights are optional add-ons at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Santa Cruz Highlands

• Arrive at Baltra airport
• Visit Giant Tortoise reserve in Santa Cruz highlands
• Lunch at local ranch
• Explore nearby lava tunnels
• Travel to Puerto Ayora town

Day 2: Santa Fe Island Excursion and Snorkeling

• Breakfast at hotel
• Boat excursion to uninhabited island
• Prepare for snorkeling
• Snorkel with sea lions and turtles
• Lunch on board
• Return to Santa Cruz

Day 3: Travel to Isabela Island and Snorkeling

• Box breakfast
• Boat ride to Isabela Island
• Visit pink flamingo habitat
• Lunch
• Snorkel at Concha Perla

Day 4: Cabo Rosa (Los Túneles) Visit

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Cabo Rosa tunnels
• Lunch

Day 5: Tintoreras Islet and Return to Santa Cruz

• Breakfast
• Boat excursion to Tintoreras Islet
• Hike and snorkel at Tintoreras
• Lunch
• Boat ride back to Puerto Ayora

Day 6: Seymour Island Excursion and Snorkeling

• Breakfast at hotel or box breakfast
• Yacht trip to Seymour Island
• Disembark for hiking
• Lunch on board
• Snorkel with sea lions and turtles
• Return to Santa Cruz

Day 7: Departure from Galápagos

• Breakfast
• Transport to Baltra airport
• Flight back to Quito

The experience

The week splits between two islands, each with its own rhythm. You start in Santa Cruz's highlands to see giant tortoises in a local reserve and explore lava tunnels, then move to the coast for boat-based snorkeling and island excursions. Days three through five shift to Isabela Island, where you visit pink flamingo habitats, snorkel at Concha Perla among sea turtles and sea lions, and explore the lava formations at Cabo Rosa. The final days return to Santa Cruz for visits to North Seymour Island and Las Tintoreras before heading to the airport.

Snorkeling happens at three main sites: Concha Perla near Isabela, where the water is calm and shallow; Tintoreras, a lava islet off Santa Cruz where black marine iguanas gather on the rocks; and an uninhabited island stop on the North Seymour day. Mask, fins and snorkel tube are provided. The guide is a certified naturalist who speaks English or Spanish, and boat rides between islands use both private vessels and public speedboats. You stay at the Fernandina Hotel or similar on Santa Cruz and the Cally Hotel or similar on Isabela, with meals included except dinner.

Airport pickup and drop-off are included, as is local transportation between your hotel and the dock. The domestic flight to Baltra and the Galápagos National Park entrance fee are optional purchases at checkout, as are the transit control card and any dock fees on Isabela. Pack reef-safe sunscreen and a light wetsuit if you're sensitive to cooler water. The snorkeling sites vary in depth and current.

What’s included

• Round-trip boat rides to Tintoreras and between Santa Cruz and an uninhabited island.
• snorkeling equipment (mask, tube, flippers) at Concha Perla, Tintoreras and island stops.
• round-trip speedboat between Santa Cruz and Isabela.
• airport pickup and drop-off.
• local transportation between hotels and docks.
• guided tour of the giant tortoise reserve and local ranch.
• accommodation at Fernandina Hotel on Santa Cruz and Cally Hotel on Isabela.
• breakfast and lunch daily.
• a certified naturalist guide in English or Spanish.
• water taxis between boat and shore.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (10 to 70 years) · Under 10: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 785

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Camiadventures

Is this one for you?The seven-day span lets you cover both major islands and multiple snorkeling sites without rushing, but it also means you're moving hotels halfway through and spending significant time on boats. Book this if you want depth across the archipelago and don't mind the travel days. A shorter tour would skip Isabela entirely or cut the tortoise reserve visit.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What's the snorkeling actually like at Concha Perla and Tintoreras?

Concha Perla is a shallow lagoon near Isabela where sea turtles, sea lions and tropical fish move slowly through calm water, making it easy to stay close and watch them. Tintoreras is a lava islet where you snorkel in open water and also hike on the rocks to see black marine iguanas sunbathing on the stone.

Do I need to book the domestic flight and park entrance separately?

Yes, both are optional add-ons you choose at checkout. The domestic flight gets you from mainland Ecuador to Baltra, and the National Park entrance fee is required to enter the protected sites. The tour operator can arrange both, or you can purchase them independently before arrival.

How much time do I spend on boats versus on land each day?

Most days mix boat travel with land time. Snorkeling days are typically a few hours in the water plus boat transit. Island visits like North Seymour and the tortoise reserve include guided hiking and exploration on foot. Boat rides between Santa Cruz and Isabela take about two hours each way.

Is this tour physically demanding?

The itinerary requires moderate fitness: you'll hike on uneven lava terrain, climb in and out of boats, and snorkel in open water. The operator notes it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy. Children can join if they're comfortable in water and on boats.

What's included in the hotel stays, and what do I need to arrange for meals?

Accommodation at two hotels is included, along with breakfast each morning and lunch most days. Dinner is not included, so you'll eat at local restaurants in Puerto Ayora or Puerto Villamil on your own. The guide can recommend spots near your hotel.

Will I see giant tortoises and marine iguanas, or is that not guaranteed?

The itinerary includes a visit to a local giant tortoise reserve on day one, where you're guaranteed to see them in a controlled setting. Marine iguanas appear at Tintoreras and other snorkeling sites, though wildlife sightings in the wild are never guaranteed. Sea lions and tropical fish are reliably present at the snorkeling spots.