This action-packed 11-day tour in the Galápagos is not for the faint of heart. You'll speedboat and fly between three islands—Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristóbal—while joining guided excursions like hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving (for those who are certified), and even rappelling in a dormant volcano. You'll also be on the prowl for friendly residents, like jolly sea lions and giant tortoises, adding to the fun of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Highlights

  • Get off the beaten track and boat to one of the Galápagos' uninhabited islands 
  • Hike to a white-sand beach at Tortuga Bay for kayaking and sunbathing
  • Snorkel (and dive) in warm tropical water at some of the best spots for rare sea life 
  • Spend a morning rappelling in a volcano on the archipelago's largest island

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive on Isla Santa Cruz, Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station Isla Santa Cruz
Day 2 Day Trip to an Uninhabited Island Isla Santa Cruz
Day 3 Kayaking in Tortuga Bay, Boat Tour of Isla Santa Cruz Isla Santa Cruz
Day 4 Scuba Diving Day Trip Isla Santa Cruz
Day 5 Transfer to Isla Isabela, Explore Tintoreras Isla Isabela
Day 6 Snorkeling at Los Túneles Isla Isabela
Day 7 Rappelling & Mountain Biking Adventure Isla Isabela
Day 8 Fly to Isla San Cristóbal, Free Day Isla San Cristóbal
Day 9 Snorkeling at Kicker Rock Isla San Cristóbal
Day 10 Day Trip to Punta Pitt Isla San Cristóbal
Day 11 Depart Isla San Cristóbal  

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive on Isla Santa Cruz, Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station

Start your adventure in a memorable way by meeting giant tortoises

Welcome to the Galápagos Islands! This volcanic archipelago off the coast of Ecuador has 19 main islands, each with its own distinctive scenery and wildlife. You'll first arrive at Isla Baltra's ecological airport, where you'll need to go through customs and register with the Galápagos National Park. Then grab a bus to get to Itabaca Canal, where a small ferry will take you to Isla Santa Cruz. Your guide and driver will be waiting on the other side to take you to your hotel.

First, though, you'll head into the highlands to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Witness firsthand the work of international scientists who come to the Galápagos to carry out environmental projects. Next, head to the nearby Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, where giant Galápagos tortoises are bred and cared for. This is the best place on the islands to see different tortoise species and learn about each one—a nice way to begin the trip!

Day 2: Day Trip to an Uninhabited Island

Isla Bartolomé is one of the uninhabited islands that you might explore
After breakfast at your hotel, get ready for a boat ride to one of the Galápagos' uninhabited islands like Santa Fé, Plaza Sur, Bartolomé, or Seymour Norte. It's a bit up to chance since the island you'll see depends on the permit granted by the Galápagos National Park authorities. Either way, you'll get to experience the archipelago's untouched natural habitats. After arriving by boat, hike with your guide to see the island's wildlife and then spend some time relaxing and swimming on the beach, with a break for lunch. At the end of your tour, return to your hotel on Isla Santa Cruz.

Day 3: Kayaking in Tortuga Bay, Boat Tour of Isla Santa Cruz

Swim and kayak at Tortuga Bay while looking for marine iguanas

Today's adventure takes place on Isla Santa Cruz—and it starts with a 45-minute hike to get to Tortuga Bay, famed for its soft coral sand and spectacular scenery. Here you can kayak out onto the water to see marine life and admire the coastline from a different perspective with mangroves, cacti forests, and fascinating flora. Pelicans and finches are local to the area, and near the salt lagoon that backs onto the mangroves, you even may spot flamingoes. Kayak and explore the area as much as you want and then kick back on the white sand and look for marine iguanas.

In the afternoon, you'll take a small boat tour to visit places along the bay of Santa Cruz. First, stop at the small islet of La Lobería, where you can snorkel around sea lions and tropical fish. Afterward, head to the Shark Channel, where you may spot harmless whitetip sharks and blue-footed boobies. This is also where you'll come upon the Canal del Amor, home to sea turtles and many tropical fish varieties.  

Day 4: Scuba Diving Day Trip

Exploring the Underwater World: Diving Day in Santa Cruz
Certified scuba divers can join today's underwater excursion

Rise and shine! After an early breakfast, you'll be picked up from your hotel to go on a scuba diving tour off the coast of Santa Cruz. This is the perfect opportunity to spend quality time under crystal clear waters. Depending on the authorizations from the Galápagos National Park, you might visit three different dive sites, each with its own thriving populations of rare sea life. Swim with hammerhead sharks, whitetip reef sharks, eels, sea lions, golden rays, sea turtles, batfish, and other colorful marine life.

Keep in mind that water temperatures range from 71 to 85°F (20 to 28°C), and diving is conducted year-round. You must have certification to scuba dive in the Galápagos Islands, as the presence of strong currents makes it more suited to those with adequate experience. If you're not a scuba diver, enjoy a free day knowing that there are snorkeling excursions in the days ahead! 

Day 5: Transfer to Isla Isabela, Explore Tintoreras

The small islet called Tintoreras is one of the few places with penguins in the Galápagos

It's time to hop to your next island! This morning you'll meet your guide for a ride to the dock on Isla Santa Cruz. From there, catch a speedboat to Isla Isabela—a journey of about 3.5 hours. This is the largest island on the archipelago, and it's fittingly shaped like a seahorse.

Before you explore the island, though, you'll first boat to a small islet called Tintoreras, located just south of Isla Isabela. Your destination is a small bay of completely calm turquoise waters, where you can appreciate penguins, sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, rays, and more. The bay is connected to a crevice of crystal clear water that's shallow, and when the tide is low, the entrance closes. In this crevice, you can see how reef sharks swim along with other small fish and sea lions. Spend the afternoon exploring sites like La Concha Perla Beach or the Wall of Tears—a volcanic wall that took 14 years to build.

Plan your trip to Galapagos Islands
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.

Day 6: Snorkeling at Los Túneles

Put on your snorkel gear and look for sea turtles around Los Túneles
This morning, you'll head to one of Isla Isabela's best snorkeling spots called Los Túneles, a geological formation of distinct rock arches and tunnels that are fun to explore both below and above the ocean. When you're geared up, get in the shallow water and look out for tropical fish, rays, sea turtles, seahorses, and whitetip reef sharks. When you emerge above ground, look for penguins and other birdlife. Walk around the islet's interior and then return to Isla Isabela, where you can explore at your own pace. 

Day 7: Rappelling & Mountain Biking on Isla Isabela

Experience the otherworldly volcanic landscapes of Isla Isabela

Today your guide will pick you up early this morning for an excursion to Los Trillizos volcano, an amazing spot to try your hand at the sport of rappelling, which involves moving down a very steep slope by holding onto a rope. At this dormant volcano, you'll descend 493 feet (150 m) to explore the interior of this otherworldly island from a unique perspective.

After this thrilling adventure, return to the hotel for lunch. Then head back out in the afternoon for a mountain biking adventure that takes you to the top of the island and onward to scenic highlights like Cave Sucre, Mango Viewpoint, and Campo Duro. At the latter, you can stop for a while to observe the native giant tortoises in their natural habitat.

Day 8: Fly to Isla San Cristóbal, Free Day

Today includes free time on both Isla Isabela and Isla San Cristóal
Enjoy some relaxing free time on Isla Isabela this morning before you pack up for your next destination. At the appointed time, you'll be picked up and transferred to the airport for an afternoon flight to Isla San Cristóbal, the easternmost of the Galápagos Islands. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and explore on your own. Start your evening, perhaps, by watching the sunset at Playa Mann. This soft white-sand beach is not far from the island's main town, where you'll also find restaurants and shops.

Day 9: Snorkeling at Kicker Rock

Kicker Rock provides excellent snorkeling conditions
Today is an exciting full-day snorkeling trip to Kicker Rock, a stunning rock formation off the coast of Isla San Cristóbal that provides the perfect habitat for a variety of marine life. The guided tour includes breakfast and lunch, as well as all necessary snorkeling equipment. Once you arrive, you'll get to snorkel in the crystal clear waters and observe sea turtles, sea lions, colorful tropical fish, rays, and other marine life. After a few hours in the water, enjoy a delicious lunch before heading back to shore. 

Day 10: Day Trip to Punta Pitt

Look for blue-footed boobies who might perform their mating dance

Today, you'll take another fun boat tour—this time to Punta Pitt, located in the extreme east of Isla San Cristóbal. Walk along the 295-foot (90 m) trail leading to an olivine (green sand) beach, and then join another trail ascending a hill made of volcanic tuff, passing through various natural viewpoints and lookouts along the way. This is the only spot in the Galápagos where you can observe all three species of boobies, as well as the two species of frigates making their nests in the same area.

The reason you can find all three species of boobies in Punta Pitt is down to the geographical location. There is enough food here to be shared, meaning there is no competition between the species. Blue-footed boobies make their nests in the interior, red-footed boobies make theirs in the bushes, and Nazca boobies nest in the cliffs. An additional attraction here is the presence of jolly sea lions. After the hike, return to the boat for a snorkeling excursion, where you'll be able to see a variety of fish, blacktip reef sharks, sea turtles, and rays.

Day 11: Depart Isla San Cristóbal

Until next time, Galápagos!
The day has come to say goodbye to your new friends—human and otherwise—in the Galápagos! Enjoy your last few hours with a beach walk and perhaps one last dip in the Pacific Ocean before departure. At the appointed hour, your driver will take you to the airport on Isla San Cristóbal, where you'll take your return flight to mainland Ecuador. Safe travels!

More Great Galápagos Islands Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to the Galápagos? Check out these other Galápagos itineraries, explore different ways to spend 11 days in the Galápagos, or discover the best time to visit the Galápagos.

Map

Map of Active Adventure in the Galápagos Islands - 11 Days
Map of Active Adventure in the Galápagos Islands - 11 Days