Snorkeling at Pinzón Island & Playa la Fe from Santa Cruz

Two snorkeling sessions, one island, sharks and sea lions in a single day

A full-day snorkeling trip from Santa Cruz to Pinzón Island and Playa la Fe, with hotel pickup in Puerto Ayora, a professional guide in English or Spanish, lunch aboard, and snorkeling equipment provided. The day splits between two separate snorkeling sessions depending on currents, with a boat journey of roughly an hour and a half to reach Pinzón Island, where you'll encounter white-tip sharks, sea lions, marine iguanas, turtles, eagle rays and eels in the same water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day Pinzon Island snorkeling tour

• Hotel pick up in Puerto Ayora
• Travel to Santa Cruz port boarding area
• Board boat to Pinzón Island
• Snorkel and hike at Playa la Fe
• Lunch on board between snorkeling
• Observe marine wildlife and landscape
• Return to Santa Cruz port
• Boat drop off at dock
• Return to hotel independently

The experience

The guide picks you up at your hotel in Puerto Ayora's urban area and takes you to the passenger boarding dock at Santa Cruz port. From there, a boat carries you first to Playa la Fe, where you hike trails to watch marine iguanas before snorkeling in the bay if currents allow. The water here holds white-tip and black-tip sharks, so the guide will brief you on what to expect and how to move around them safely.

After the first snorkel session, you board again for the roughly ninety-minute crossing to Pinzón Island. Lunch happens on the boat between snorkeling times, so you eat while the boat is anchored. Depending on conditions, you'll have one or two more snorkeling sessions at Pinzón, where the same species congregate: sea lions, marine iguanas, turtles, eels and eagle rays are common sightings, and white-tip sharks patrol the shallows. Penguins may appear in the area as well. The boat returns to Puerto Ayora dock by 4 p.m., and you make your own way back to your hotel from there.

Snorkeling equipment (mask and fins) is provided. Wet suits are not included, so rent one separately if you want the extra warmth and sun protection in the water. Children from age 4 can join if accompanied by an adult. The tour suits all fitness levels, though comfort in the water and the ability to move in a current matter more than land fitness.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup inside Puerto Ayora's urban area.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• boat transport to Playa la Fe and Pinzón Island.
• snorkeling mask and fins.
• lunch aboard the boat between snorkeling sessions.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Monday and WednesdayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

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 21 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Perfect Destiny

Is this one for you?Seven hours means you'll spend the full morning and most of the afternoon on the water, so plan the rest of your day around a 4 p.m. return to port. The two separate snorkeling sessions and the boat journey between them leave little room for other activities, but they're what make seeing both locations and their different marine life possible in a single day.

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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: Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What animals will I actually see while snorkeling at Pinzón Island?

Pinzón Island and Playa la Fe both hold white-tip sharks, sea lions, marine iguanas, turtles, eels and eagle rays. Penguins may also appear in the area. The sharks are present but accustomed to boats and snorkelers, and the guide will explain how to move safely around them.

How many times do I get in the water to snorkel?

You snorkel at least once at Playa la Fe and one or two times at Pinzón Island, depending on currents and conditions on the day. Lunch happens on the boat between sessions, so you're not waiting on shore.

Does the tour include a wet suit, or do I need to bring my own?

Wet suits are not included with the tour. You can rent one separately if you want extra warmth and sun protection in the water. The guide can advise on where to arrange that in Puerto Ayora before departure.

What time does the boat return to port, and how do I get back to my hotel?

The boat arrives back at Puerto Ayora dock at 4 p.m. You'll need to arrange your own transport from the dock to your hotel. It's not included in the tour.