Ecuador · Snorkelling

7-Day Galápagos Snorkeling Tour with San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz

7 Days Round trip from San Cristobal Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Snorkel at Kicker Rock, a dramatic volcanic formation rich in marine life
  • 02 See giant tortoises in the wild in the Santa Cruz highlands
  • 03 Explore Santa Cruz Bay, including La Lobería, Shark Channel, Canal del Amor, and Las Grietas
  • 04 Spend a full day on an uninhabited Galápagos island, subject to National Park permits

Embark on a captivating 7-day journey through the Galápagos Islands, combining San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz with unforgettable wildlife and marine encounters. Snorkel at Kicker Rock among sea turtles, sea lions, rays, and colorful tropical fish, then continue to Santa Cruz to see giant tortoises in the wild and explore the bay's remarkable coastal sites. Along the way, enjoy time at leisure, opportunities to relax on beautiful beaches, and a full-day excursion to one of the archipelago's uninhabited islands, depending on National Park permits.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Galápagos National Park, San Cristóbal Island, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival at San Cristóbal Airport

  • From the moment you approach the islands, you will notice a beautiful pristine ocean and a fantastic view.
  • Upon arrival, you must go through the migration line and pay the Galápagos National Park entrance fee of $100 per person in cash.
  • After claiming your bags, your guide will be waiting for you at the airport exit with a sign bearing your name.
  • After this, you will be taken to your hotel for check-in.

Meals included: -

2
Day 02

Snorkeling Adventure at Kicker Rock

  • You will start your day with breakfast before heading out to Kicker Rock, a dramatic volcanic rock formation that provides the perfect habitat for a variety of marine life.
  • Once you arrive, you will snorkel in crystal-clear waters and observe sea turtles, sea lions, colorful tropical fish, rays, and other marine life.
  • After a few hours of snorkeling, you will enjoy a delicious lunch before heading back to shore.
  • This day trip to Kicker Rock is a great way to experience the natural beauty of the Galápagos Islands and their amazing underwater life.

Meals included: Breakfast, Box Lunch

3
Day 03

Free Day on San Cristóbal Island

  • Make the most of a free day on San Cristóbal Island. This easternmost island of the Galápagos comprises four fused volcanoes, all extinct, with the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on the southwestern coast.
  • If you want to relax, spend the day on the beach at Playa Carola or Playa Mann. Sunbathe beside friendly sea lions and paddle in the warm ocean.
  • If you are looking for something more active, arrange an excursion to Pitt Point, where you will take a boat to a remote shore and hike along a trail among tough shrubs that manage to survive in this barren volcanic landscape. The reward is magnificent viewpoints overlooking the beach.

Meals included: Breakfast

4
Day 04

Speedboat to Santa Cruz and Giant Tortoises in the Highlands

  • Get an early start this morning to take the public speedboat to Santa Cruz Island, roughly 2-2.5 hours away.
  • Meet your guide at the dock, then continue to Puerto Ayora to check in to your hotel.
  • Then head to the highlands to see giant tortoises in the wild.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

5
Day 05

Santa Cruz Bay Tour and Leisure Time in Puerto Ayora

  • Today, you will be taken on a small boat to visit exotic places along the bay of Santa Cruz.
  • You will arrive at the small islet called La Lobería, named for its great colony of sea lions, where you can snorkel around sea lions and tropical fish putting on a dazzling show beneath the surface against interesting underwater formations.
  • Afterward, at Shark Channel, you may spot harmless white-tip sharks and blue-footed boobies. You will then come upon Canal del Amor, where you may find sea turtles and many varieties of tropical fish.
  • After a 10-minute walk, you will see marine iguanas in their natural habitat and have plenty of opportunities to take pictures.
  • Lastly, you will visit Las Grietas, two large cliffs filled with freshwater toward the surface and salt water below.
  • In the afternoon, you will return to the dock and your hotel, where you will spend the rest of the day strolling and exploring Puerto Ayora on your own.

Meals included: Breakfast.

6
Day 06

Full-Day Excursion to an Uninhabited Island

  • Santa Fé, South Plaza, Bartolomé, and North Seymour are among the uninhabited Galápagos islands that you might visit today, depending on the permit granted by the National Park authorities, giving you a chance to see the archipelago's untouched natural habitats.
  • After a boat ride, hike with your guide to see more wildlife and relax on the beach, with a break on deck for lunch.
  • At the end of your tour, return to Puerto Ayora.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

7
Day 07

Transfer to Baltra Airport for Departure

  • If there is enough free time before your transfer to the airport, do some last-minute souvenir shopping or take a final stroll through Puerto Ayora.
  • At the designated time, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the Itabaca Channel, which you will cross by ferry.
  • For the last part of your trip to the airport, take the public shuttle bus to the terminal, where your program ends with your return flight to the mainland and international connection.

Meals included: Breakfast

Kicker Rock snorkeling, giant tortoises on Santa Cruz Island, La Lobería, Las Grietas

Where this trip takes you

Kicker Rock snorkeling, giant tortoises on Santa Cruz Island, La Lobería, Las Grietas

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from San Cristobal 4 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Tourist-class accommodations (6 nights)
  • English- and Spanish-speaking national guide
  • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
  • All transfers according to the program

What's Not Included

  • Galápagos flights are not included
  • Travel insurance
  • National Park entrance fee (US$100 per person until July 31st, 2024, and US$200 since August 1st, 2024)
  • Galápagos Migration Card TCT (US$20 per person)
  • Optional excursions
  • Personal expenses such as tips
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Any other meals, drinks, and/or services not mentioned in the program

What to bring

  • Travel documents (passport, etc.)
  • Day pack (or fanny pack)
  • Duffle bag, suitcase, or backpack
  • Comfortable walking shoes or boots with good traction
  • Teva-style sandals
  • Swimming suit
  • Light to medium fleece jacket
  • Gore-Tex (or similar) rain jacket
  • Shorts
  • T-shirts
  • Long-sleeve shirt or blouse
  • Lightweight full-length pants or trousers, either synthetic or cotton
  • Hat or cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Socks
  • Regular underwear
  • Toiletries
  • First aid kit and medication

Know before you go

  • Do not feed wildlife.
  • Respect wildlife and their natural habitat. Keep no less than two meters' distance from the animals so as not to affect their behavior.
  • Avoid consuming disposable goods, and do not throw away organic waste or any other kind of waste until you find a proper place to dispose of it, as it can significantly affect the development of the ecosystem. Try to recycle or reuse all solid waste.
  • Respect the recommendations given by the park rangers and the entrance hours of each area.
  • Stay on the trails and respect the signs. Do not destroy infrastructure.
  • Carry out campfires, camping, and other activities only in the permitted zones of each area.
  • Special care is required during the breeding, molting, or rearing season. Do not place yourself between two animals, especially between a mother and her young. Some species are highly protective and may attack if they suspect their young are threatened or may leave the young more vulnerable to predators.
  • Hunting animals and entering with weapons or alcoholic beverages is strictly forbidden. It is also forbidden to damage the flora or take plants, animals, or geological remains. Check the list of permitted objects for entry to the corresponding protected area.
  • Avoid flash photography so as not to alter the normal behavior of wildlife. Filming, professional photography for commercial purposes, and the use of drones require authorization from the corresponding protected area's management.
  • Do not support the illegal trade of flora and fauna species.
  • Use environmentally friendly insect repellent and completely avoid aerosols. We recommend using cream-based repellents or other alternatives.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
San Cristóbal Airport, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Ecuador
Tour start
San Cristobal, Ecuador
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 7 days finish where they began, in San Cristobal.

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Starting from

USD 1,705 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $1,705.00 — $2,205.00
Double Sharing $1,705.00

When

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