Isabela Island 4-day snorkeling: Sea turtles and Sierra Negra

Snorkeling here means swimming alongside Galápagos penguins and sea turtles in the same water.

A 4-day snorkeling tour of Isabela Island with a live guide in English or Spanish, combining three snorkeling sessions at Concha de Perla, Cape Rosa tunnels and other sites with a hike to Sierra Negra volcano crater and visits to Flamingos lagoon and volcanic rock formations. The tour includes ferry transport from Santa Cruz Island, three nights at Hotel La Laguna, and expert local guides who explain the fauna and conservation of the Galápagos. Not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health. Moderate physical fitness required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Isabela and Flamingos lagoon

• Ferry to Isabela Island
• Visit Flamingos lagoon

Day 2: Sierra Negra volcano and snorkeling

• Hike to Sierra Negra volcano crater
• Snorkel at Concha de Perla

Day 3: Snorkeling at Cape Rosa tunnels

• Snorkel at Cape Rosa tunnels
• Walk on volcanic rocks to observe birds

Day 4: Return to Baltra Airport

• Travel to Santa Cruz Island
• Transfer to Baltra Airport
• Fly to Guayaquil or Quito

The experience

Isabela Island sits two hours by ferry from Santa Cruz, and this tour starts the moment you board. You'll spend four days moving between snorkeling sites and volcanic terrain, with each day built around a different part of the island. The ferry crossing itself is part of the journey: the water changes as you approach, and the wildlife shifts with it.

Snorkeling here is not a boat-based observation: you enter the water at Concha de Perla after the Sierra Negra hike, and again at Cape Rosa tunnels, where the best conditions on Isabela Island let you see seahorses, sea turtles, iguanas, reef sharks and, if conditions align, Galápagos penguins. Between water sessions, you walk volcanic rock formations to spot endemic birds, and on day two you hike approximately 17 km to the Sierra Negra crater itself. Day one centers on Flamingos lagoon and the island's white sand beaches. The guide (fluent in English or Spanish) explains what you're seeing as you move through each ecosystem, connecting the animals to the island's volcanic history and ongoing conservation.

You stay three nights at Hotel La Laguna, a 3-star property, which anchors the schedule and lets you leave early on day four for the ferry back to Santa Cruz and onward to Baltra Airport. The itinerary is fixed, so all three snorkeling stops and the volcano hike fit inside the four days without gaps or rushed transitions.

What’s included

• Ferry transport from Santa Cruz Island to Isabela Island and return to Baltra Airport.
• three nights at Hotel La Laguna (3-star).
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• snorkeling at Concha de Perla and Cape Rosa tunnels.
• Sierra Negra volcano hike.
• visits to Flamingos lagoon and volcanic rock formations for bird watching.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day10 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 12:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 10

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.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Galápagos Native Tour Operator

Is this one for you?This tour is shared and guide-led, so you move as a group through each snorkeling site and hiking route on a fixed schedule. Choose it if you want the structure and expert knowledge of a local guide explaining the Galápagos ecosystem as you experience it, and if you're comfortable with both water time and a substantial volcano hike across the four days.

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What's the snorkeling actually like at Isabela Island, what will I see in the water?

Concha de Perla and Cape Rosa tunnels are the main snorkeling sites, where you'll swim with sea turtles, reef sharks, starfish, iguanas and sea lions. Cape Rosa is known as the best snorkeling on Isabela Island, and if conditions are right, you may see Galápagos penguins there as well. Seahorses and rays also appear at these sites.

How much of the four days is actually snorkeling versus hiking and other activities?

Day two includes the Sierra Negra volcano hike (approximately 17 km) followed by snorkeling at Concha de Perla. Day three is the Cape Rosa snorkeling session with volcanic rock walks to spot birds. Day one focuses on Flamingos lagoon and beaches. The snorkeling sessions themselves are separate activities from the hiking, so you're not combining them in a single outing.

Do I need to be an experienced snorkeler to join this tour?

The tour requires moderate physical fitness and is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health. The snorkeling itself does not require certification or prior experience (you'll be in the water with a guide who can assist you), but the overall itinerary includes a substantial volcano hike and multiple days of activity.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to arrange separately?

The tour includes the ferry from Santa Cruz Island to Isabela, three nights at Hotel La Laguna, the guide in English or Spanish, and all snorkeling and hiking activities. All fees and taxes, as well as water taxis, are not included and are separate.

How does the ferry from Santa Cruz work, and how long does it take?

The ferry departs from Santa Cruz Island and takes approximately two hours to reach Isabela Island. On day four, you reverse the route to return to Santa Cruz, then continue to Baltra Airport for your flight to Guayaquil or Quito.