Galapagos Wildlife Tour San Cristobal: Sea Lions & Giant Tortoises

Island-hop through the Galapagos in five days, from sea lion colonies to giant tortoises roaming free

This 5-day Galapagos tour departs from Quito and takes you island-hopping across San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, and uninhabited islands with a naturalist guide. You'll walk among sea lions and blue-footed boobies at Isla Lobos, snorkel in calm waters, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, and observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat in the Santa Cruz Highlands. Accommodations, all transfers, snorkeling gear and guided excursions are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & San Cristobal Exploration

• Arrive at San Cristobal Island
• Transfer to hotel
• Visit Interpretation Center
• Explore Tijeretas Hill viewpoint

Day 2: Isla Lobos Wildlife & Snorkeling

• Walk sandy trails on Isla Lobos
• Observe sea lions and boobies
• Snorkel in clear waters

Day 3: Santa Cruz Island & Highlands

• Travel by speedboat to Santa Cruz
• Visit Charles Darwin Research Station
• Explore Santa Cruz Highlands

Day 4: Uninhabited Island Experience

• Discover protected uninhabited island
• Walk scenic trails observing wildlife

Day 5: Departure from Galápagos

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to Santa Cruz Airport
• Depart Galápagos Islands

The experience

How do you see the Galapagos without spending a week at sea? This tour solves it by keeping you on land and moving between islands by speedboat, so you stay in 3-star hotels each night instead of a ship cabin. You fly from Quito to San Cristobal on day one, then your guide transfers you to the hotel and takes you to the Interpretation Center to learn the islands' geology and conservation before heading to Tijeretas Hill, where frigatebirds, sea lions and marine wildlife gather along the coastal cliffs.

Days two and three are built around the animals. Isla Lobos puts you walking sandy trails surrounded by sea lions, blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas, then you slip into calm water for snorkeling where sea turtles, rays and reef fish move through the shallows. The speedboat then carries you to Santa Cruz, where the Charles Darwin Research Station shows you the research behind the islands' conservation, and the Highlands let you stand a few meters from giant tortoises moving through the ferns and grassland as they have for centuries. Day four takes you to a protected uninhabited island where the trails wind through seabird colonies and past marine iguanas without any human settlement in sight.

Your guide speaks English or Spanish and stays with the group throughout. The snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel and fins) comes with you on the water excursions. Breakfast is included most mornings. Lunch appears on days two and four. By day five, after breakfast and a transfer to Santa Cruz Airport, you're heading home with five days of wildlife encounters that don't require a ship or a week away from the rest of your trip.

What’s included

• All transfers by vehicle and speedboat.
• a professional naturalist guide speaking English or Spanish.
• four nights in 3-star tourist-class hotels.
• guided excursions to the Charles Darwin Research Station, Santa Cruz Highlands, Isla Lobos and an uninhabited island.
• snorkeling gear including mask, snorkel and fins.
• breakfast on most days, plus box lunch on days two and four.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayLast departure this season: 30 Dec

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Audio guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 6 days before the start.Between 2 and 6 days before the start, 50% refund.After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Ecuador Galapagos Travels

Is this one for you?Book this if you're already traveling through Ecuador and prefer sleeping on land each night while island-hopping by speedboat, rather than adjusting to a ship-based schedule.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What wildlife will I actually see on Isla Lobos?

Isla Lobos is home to sea lions, blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas on the trails, and when you snorkel in the waters around the island you may encounter sea turtles, rays and colorful reef fish.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer to snorkel at Isla Lobos?

The snorkeling takes place in calm, crystal-clear waters, and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Snorkeling gear is provided.

How does the Charles Darwin Research Station work into the itinerary?

On day three, after you arrive at Santa Cruz Island by speedboat, your guide takes you to the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about wildlife conservation efforts before heading to the Highlands to see giant tortoises.

Where do I sleep during the five days?

You stay in 3-star hotels in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal for the first two nights, then move to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz for the final two nights. All transfers between hotels, airports and islands are included.

What's included in the tour and what do I need to pay for separately?

The tour includes all transfers, a naturalist guide in English or Spanish, four nights of accommodation, snorkeling gear, and guided visits to Isla Lobos, the Charles Darwin Research Station, the Highlands and an uninhabited island. Domestic flights to and from the Galapagos, travel insurance, tips and optional excursions are not included.