Lava Tunnels Tour from Isabela Island: Snorkel & sea life

Collapsed lava tunnels form natural arches you navigate by boat, not on foot.

A full-day boat tour from Isabela Island explores the lava tunnels: ancient volcanic formations where collapsed underground lava flows created arches rising from the water. The guide picks you up at your hotel in Puerto Villamil, takes you by boat through the tunnels and to Roca Unión to see pelicans and sea lions, then leads a snorkeling session where you encounter sea turtles, rays, sharks and reef fish. Hotel pickup, snorkeling equipment, a professional guide in English or Spanish, and a box lunch are included. The tour ends at Puerto Villamil's dock.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lava tunnels and snorkeling tour

• Hotel pick up in Puerto Villamil
• Boat tour through lava tunnels
• Visit Roca Unión islet
• Snorkel with sea turtles and rays
• Return to Puerto Villamil dock

The experience

Seven hours from pickup to dock gives you roughly two hours navigating the tunnels themselves by boat, then about 45 minutes of sailing to reach the rocky lava formations. The guide picks you up inside Puerto Villamil's urban perimeter, no long transfer, and the boat travels different paths through the arches so you see the landscape from the water. Vegetation grows directly from the rocks, and sea lions move between the formations.

After the tunnel section, you stop at Roca Unión, a small islet in open water where pelicans, Nazca boobies and sea lions rest on the rocks. Then comes the snorkeling: you enter the water with mask and fins (provided) and swim among sea turtles, golden rays, eagle rays, seahorses and fish like surgeons and damselfish. The water is clear enough to see the marine life without guessing.

The tour ends at Puerto Villamil's dock, so you'll need to arrange your own way back to your hotel. A box lunch is included, and the guide speaks English or Spanish. Children from age 4 can join if accompanied by an adult. Wear comfortable shoes for walking on and off the boat, and bring a towel: wetsuits aren't included, though you can rent one separately if the water feels cold.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup inside Puerto Villamil's urban perimeter.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• snorkeling mask and fins.
• box lunch.
• boat transport through the tunnels and to Roca Unión.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30 and 11:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 10 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Perfect Destiny

Is this one for you?Seven hours means you can fit this into a day without rushing, but the tour ends at the dock rather than your hotel, so plan the rest of your afternoon around getting back to Puerto Villamil on your own.

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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 (4 to 11 years). Under 4: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long does the actual time in the lava tunnels take?

The boat tour through the tunnels lasts approximately one and a half to two hours, traveling different paths through the collapsed lava formations so you see them from multiple angles on the water.

What wildlife will I see on this tour?

At Roca Unión you'll see pelicans, Nazca boobies, patas boobies, blue boobies and sea lions. During snorkeling, you encounter sea turtles, tintoreras sharks, golden rays, eagle rays, seahorses and reef fish including surgeons and damselfish.

Is snorkeling equipment provided, or do I need to bring my own?

Mask and fins are included in the tour. Wetsuits are not included, but you can rent one separately if you want one.

What time does the tour start and end?

The guide picks you up at your hotel in Puerto Villamil in the morning. The full tour lasts seven hours and ends at Puerto Villamil's dock, where you arrange your own return to your hotel.

Is lunch included on this tour?

Yes, a box lunch is included. Breakfast and other drinks are not, so bring water or purchase beverages separately.