Snorkeling at Pinzon Island: Marine turtles, rays & sharks

Spend seven hours in the water where sea turtles and rays move through the same reef as you.

Snorkel Pinzon Island, a full-day activity from Puerto Ayora with a live guide in English or Spanish, where you'll see marine turtles, rays, sharks, sea lions and occasionally penguins in the same water. The boat ride takes roughly 90 minutes each way. Lunch is served on board, and fishing is available between snorkel sites if the group wants to participate. A second location (Las Palmas or La Fe, chosen by weather) offers another snorkel or a chance to walk the island if conditions allow.

The experience

Pinzon Island sits about 90 minutes by boat from Puerto Ayora, and the journey itself is part of the day: the crossing gives you time to settle into the rhythm before you enter the water. Once there, the reef holds marine turtles, rays, white-tip sharks and sea lions in numbers that make the snorkel feel less like a tour stop and more like you've stumbled into their neighborhood. Penguins show up on occasion, though they're not guaranteed. The water clarity is what people come back to. It's the reason Pinzon carries the reputation it does.

Lunch arrives on board before the boat moves to a second site, either Las Palmas or La Fe depending on weather. That second location gives you another snorkel opportunity, or if conditions permit, a chance to step onto the island itself and move around on land. Fishing slots in between the two snorkel spots, and it's genuinely optional. You only participate if everyone on board wants to, and if you catch something, you decide whether it goes back to the sea or to the onboard chef to cook for a later meal.

The whole day runs seven hours from Puerto Ayora and back. A guide speaks English or Spanish throughout. You get snorkeling equipment, towels, bottled water and snacks included. The lunch is cooked on board.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment and towels.
• lunch cooked on board.
• bottled water and snacks.
• fishing rods if you want to participate.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Friday, Saturday and SundayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 75 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 10 · max 5 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Galápagos Ninfa Tour

Is this one for you?Seven hours is a full morning and afternoon, which means you'll need to clear the rest of your day in Puerto Ayora. Plan for an early start and a late return. If you're looking to snorkel and nothing else, this is the trip. If you want to pack multiple activities into one day, the time commitment rules that out.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

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 is the boat ride to Pinzon Island?

The ride from Puerto Ayora takes roughly 90 minutes each way, though weather can shift that timing. You're on the water for the full journey, so budget the travel as part of your day.

What marine life will I actually see when snorkeling at Pinzon?

Marine turtles, rays, white-tip sharks and sea lions are common sights in the reef. Penguins show up occasionally, though they're not guaranteed on every trip. The reef itself is what makes Pinzon known as the best snorkel spot in Galapagos.

Is the fishing part of this trip mandatory?

Fishing is optional and only happens if everyone on the boat wants to participate. If you catch something, you choose whether to release it back to the sea or have the onboard chef cook it for you.

What happens at the second location, Las Palmas or La Fe?

The second site is chosen based on weather conditions. You'll get another snorkel opportunity there, and if conditions allow, you can disembark and walk on the island. If weather doesn't permit landing, a third snorkel spot is available instead.

What's included in the price?

Snorkeling equipment, towels, lunch cooked on board, bottled water, snacks and fishing rods are all included. You bring your own swimsuit and sunscreen.