- Price$210per person
- IslandIsabeladeparts Santa Cruz
- TypeDay tourFull day
- Times06:10 - 17:00 (approximate)local time
Extra fees paid on the day and not included: water taxi USD 1 in Santa Cruz and USD 1 in Isabela; Isabela entrance USD 10 for foreign visitors, USD 5 for nationals.
Overview
A long day and a 2.5-hour crossing to Puerto Villamil: the Arnaldo Tupiza tortoise breeding centre, the flamingo lagoons, and 45 minutes of snorkeling in the channels of Tintoreras Islet.
Transfer from your hotel to the Puerto Ayora dock at approximately 06:10. The crossing to Puerto Villamil on Isabela takes about 2 hours 30 minutes, arriving around 09:00, where your naturalist guide meets the group.
First is the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Centre, for the conservation and breeding of Isabela's giant tortoises. Then the flamingo lagoons, wetlands where, depending on the season and conditions, you may see flamingos feeding in the shallows along with other birds. Lunch follows.
The afternoon is at Tintoreras Islet, volcanic formations and natural channels near Puerto Villamil, with a snorkel of about 45 minutes where you may find Galapagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, marine iguanas, reef sharks and tropical fish. At approximately 15:00 the boat starts back, reaching Puerto Ayora around 17:00 for the transfer to your hotel.
Highlights
- Arnaldo Tupiza tortoise breeding centre
- Flamingo lagoons at Puerto Villamil
- 45 minutes snorkeling at Tintoreras
- Galapagos penguins and reef sharks
Wildlife you may see
Nothing is guaranteed — these are wild animals in a national park.
- Giant tortoises
- Flamingos
- Galapagos penguins
- Blue-footed boobies
- Sea lions
- Marine iguanas
- Reef sharks
- Tropical fish
What's Included
- National Park certified bilingual guide (Spanish / English)
- Lunch
- Snorkel equipment (mask and snorkel, fins subject to sizes available on board)
- Towels
- Wi-Fi
- Wetsuits
Not Included
- Breakfast
- Beer, wine and soft drinks
- Galapagos National Park entrance fee (Andean Community $100 / foreign visitors $200, cash on arrival)
- Transit Control Card (INGALA) ($20, paid at the mainland airport)
- Travel insurance, gratuities & personal expenses
Good to know
Day trip to Isabela departing from Santa Cruz; the crossing is about 2 hours 30 minutes each way. Flamingo sightings depend on the season and conditions. Water taxi USD 1 Santa Cruz / USD 1 Isabela and Isabela entrance USD 5 nationals / USD 10 foreigners are paid separately.
