This tour allows you to get to know the beautiful island of Isabela with all the species it is famous for in only one day; you will see the Galapagos penguins, the blue-footed boobies, the flamingos, the whitetip reef sharks, marine iguanas, sea turtles, sea lions and much more as well as Galapagos' most beautiful coconut palm beach along which the cute little town of Puerto Villamil is built.
This tour is the perfect combination of land & water, as during the (short) snorkel activity you will get to know the abundant wildlife underwater, while the disembarkation on Tinterera Islet plus the tour to the flamingos and tortoises allows you to observe all the land species from as close as possible.
The tour includes lunch in one of the best ocean front restaurants.
You will be provided with high quality snorkel equipment and wetsuits.
Please note that the only way to get to Isabela for the day is by PUBLIC SPEEDBOAT - we work with the best one but if the sea is rough it can get choppy!
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Fee charged for the use of the pier in Puerto Ayora
✔ Lunch menu in a very nice restaurant
✔ Boat Tour "Las Tintoreras" with a Naturalist Guide
✔ Carbonated beverages
✔ Wetsuits (long or short, as preferred)
✔ Transport with a private driver during the entire stay on Isabela Island
✔ Lunch
✔ Use of snorkeling equipment
✔ Boat ride to Isabela round trip on a comfortable and fast speedboat
✔ Surcharges on fuel
✔ Entry fee to the Breeding Centre ($10 per person)
✔ Mesh bag to store your snorkel equipment and the wetsuit
✖ Propinas (optional)
✖ Alcoholic Beverages
✖ Municipal fee of Isabela Island ($10 per person)
✖ Water taxis to and from the speedboat ($0.50/$1 per person)
Departure & Return
Departure:
Calle Enrique Fuentes 106 Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Ayora 200350, Ecuador
We meet at our office in Calle Enrique Fuentes ("El Saigón"), only a few footsteps from the pier.
Return: End right where it started.
Itinerary
1
Las Tintoreras
During this boat tour, together with a naturalist guide you will be exploring the beautiful bay of Isabela Island, to see the Galapagos penguins from close as well as the blue-footed boobies. There will be a disembarkation on "Las Tintoreras", a little islet inhabited by tons of little marine iguanas a.o. The exploration walk on this island will lead you to the famous shark channel where lots of whitetip reef sharks ("Tintoreras in Spanish, therefore the name of the island") like to rest; often together with sea turtles and sea lions. Before getting back on board, you will also visit a beautiful little white sand beach inhabited by sea lions.
There will also be a great snorkel activity, together with sea turtles, sharks, rays, and - if you get lucky - then the penguins might get into the water with you too.
Duration: 3 hours
2
Isabela Island Wetlands Complex
Following a beautiful trail along mangrove trees, you will explore the "Humedales", i.e. wetlands, where you will be able to see the Galapagos flamingos in their natural habitat, many other birds as well as marine iguanas.
The trail leads you to the most beautiful coconut palm beach.
Duration: 60 minutes
3
Playa Puerto Villamil
Isabela Island is the only island with a stunningly beautiful coconut palm beach. Here you can observe big marine iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs, lava lizarrds, pelicans as well as lots of other birds.
Duration: 60 minutes
4
Centro de Crianza Arnaldo Tupiza
You will also visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre Arnaldo Tupiza, where you cannot only see the baby giant tortoises and differente juvenile stages, but also the oldest one (close to 200 years old). The $10 entry fee to this place is included in the tour price already.
Duration: 30 minutes
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Additional info
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
