Galapagos Islands Snorkeling Tour: Los Tuneles & Darwin

You snorkel in groups of ten or fewer, which is what keeps the wildlife close and the water calm enough to see clearly.

A 6-day island-hopping tour of the Galapagos Islands based in Isabela and Santa Cruz, with snorkeling at Los Tuneles and Santa Fe, visits to the Charles Darwin Research Station and Tintoreras islet, and guided walks through wetlands and lava formations. Airport pickup and drop-off at Baltra, five nights' accommodation, all inter-island transport by speedboat, snorkeling gear, and meals are included. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Dutch. Flights to and from mainland Ecuador are not included, and the itinerary may shift based on National Park regulations or weather.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to islands

• Arrive at Baltra Airport
• Transfer to Puerto Ayora for lunch
• Take speedboat to Isabela Island
• Check in at hotel in Isabela

Day 2: Wetlands and Tintoreras visit

• Visit Giant Tortoise Breeding Center
• Visit Wall of Tears historic site
• Walk through Tunel del Estero lava tunnel
• Lunch and short break
• Visit Tintoreras Islet and trek volcanic rocks
• Snorkel and relax at beach

Day 3: Snorkeling at Los Tuneles

• Boat ride to Los Tuneles
• Snorkel among marine wildlife
• Optional explore Concha Perla
• Return to hotel

Day 4: Research station and bay tour

• Take public speedboat to Santa Cruz Island
• Breakfast on Santa Cruz Island
• Visit Charles Darwin Research Station
• Lunch
• Bay tour around Puerto Ayora by boat

Day 5: Santa Fe or Pinzon Island tour

• Visit Santa Fe or Pinzon Island
• Snorkel in crystal-clear waters
• Wet landing at Playa Escondida or Garrapatero Beach
• Explore beach and marine life
• Experience experiential fishing (if on Pinzon)

Day 6: Departure transfer

• Breakfast
• Travel to Baltra Airport
• Depart to Quito or Guayaquil

The experience

The tour starts with pickup at Baltra Airport and a speedboat crossing to Isabela Island, where you'll base yourself for the first three days. Your guide meets you at arrivals and handles the transfer to your hotel. If your flight lands after noon, you'll spend the first night on Santa Cruz instead and rejoin the main group the next morning. Everything from there runs in small groups (never more than ten people per snorkel site), which is deliberate: it keeps the water calm and the wildlife unrushed.

Los Tuneles, the centerpiece snorkel, sits a 30 to 40 minute boat ride from Puerto Villamil. The lava formations create natural tunnels and channels where penguins, sea lions and a wide range of fish move through the same water you're in. The activity takes about six hours total, with time to explore Concha Perla on your own if you want. Before that, you'll walk the Wetlands (a 3 to 4 hour trek through the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, the historic Wall of Tears and a lava tunnel), then spend the afternoon at Tintoreras islet, where white-tip sharks rest on the bottom and you'll snorkel and walk volcanic rock to spot more wildlife. The Charles Darwin Research Station day involves a public speedboat to Santa Cruz at 6am, breakfast, a full visit to the station (known for its turtle breeding program), and a Bay Tour by boat around Puerto Ayora's highlights. Santa Fe or Pinzon Island comes next, depending on National Park regulations that day. Santa Fe offers a pristine bay for snorkeling and a wet landing on a hidden beach, while Pinzon features marine iguanas, sea lions and an optional experiential fishing activity. On the final morning, a Spanish-speaking driver takes you to Baltra for your departure flight.

Snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins and life vest) is provided. Accommodation is five nights in a single, double or triple room based on your group size. If you're traveling solo or as a pair, you may share with other travelers, though single rooms are available for an extra fee. Meals, inter-island transport and 24/7 assistance in English, Dutch or Spanish are all arranged. The Isabela dock fee and water taxi are separate costs, and wetsuits can be rented for $5 per day (cash only). Flights from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos are not included, and neither is the Migratory Control Card (Ingala Transit Card) required for Isabela Island.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins and life vest).
• accommodation in a single, double or triple room for five nights based on group size.
• all meals during the tour.
• inter-island transport by speedboat as described in the itinerary.
• airport pickup at Baltra and drop-off on departure day.
• a multilingual guide in English, Spanish or Dutch.
• and 24/7 assistance throughout the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (2 to 11 years)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Paid on siteUS$ 30

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Rebecca Adventure Travel

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, Spanish or Dutch, so you'll follow the commentary in your own language. Book the English or Spanish option depending on which you're comfortable with. The small group cap of ten per snorkel site is what makes the water calm and the wildlife approachable, which matters if you want to actually see what you came for rather than navigate a crowd.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years).

What animals will I actually see when snorkeling at Los Tuneles?

Los Tuneles is known for sea lions, penguins, a wide array of sea birds and marine wildlife. The calm water and lava formations create habitat where these species move through the same areas where you're snorkeling, so sightings are frequent rather than rare.

How much time do I spend actually snorkeling versus walking and traveling?

The Los Tuneles snorkel activity takes about six hours total from Puerto Villamil. The Wetlands day includes a 3 to 4 hour walk through the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, Wall of Tears and lava tunnel, then snorkeling and beach time at Tintoreras in the afternoon. Other days mix boat tours, research station visits and shorter walks. The itinerary balances water time with land exploration.

What happens if my flight arrives late or leaves early?

If you arrive after 12:00 pm, you'll stay on Santa Cruz Island the first night instead of Isabela, and rejoin the group the next day. The operator will adjust the activity order so you still do everything included. If your flight is delayed and you miss the last speedboat to Isabela (around 2:00 pm), the team will help find accommodation on Santa Cruz at your own expense, but you'll miss planned activities. Early departures mean you'll miss the final morning's activities, so booking flights with an early arrival and late departure is recommended.

Is the snorkeling suitable for someone who has never done it before?

Snorkeling equipment and instruction are included, and the small group size means the guide can work with different comfort levels. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries.

What's included in the price and what costs extra?

Included are snorkeling gear, accommodation for five nights, all meals, inter-island transport by speedboat, airport pickup and drop-off at Baltra, and a guide in English, Spanish or Dutch. The Isabela dock fee, water taxi (around $1 per person), wetsuit rental ($5 per day, cash only), and optional guide tips are separate. Flights from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos and the Ingala Transit Card for Isabela Island are also not included.

Will I be in a large group or a small one?

Snorkeling groups are capped at ten people per site, which keeps the water calm and wildlife undisturbed. Other activities like the Wetlands walk and Bay Tour run with the same small-group structure, so you're never in a crowd.