Follow in Darwin’s footsteps and discover the wealth of the Galapagos’ flora and fauna both above and below the waves on this small group adventure on Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal.
Enjoy up to 12 mesmerising dives where you can expect to encounter eagle rays, several species of shark, turtles, schools of colourful reef fish, barracuda and sealions, to name just a few. On land, you can observe the infamous Galapagos giant tortoise, explore unique environments, look out for endemic wildlife and walk barefoot in the sand.
Discovering the three main islands of the Galapagos allows for plenty of water and land-based opportunities, maximising wildlife encounters and creating plenty of memories of this magical destination.
In addition to this group tour, you may also explore the Galapagos Islands on a tailor-made diving or snorkelling adventure, or as a small private group - contact us to discuss your requirements with our team.
You're met on arrival and transferred by shuttle bus to your accommodation for an overnight stay.
Fly from mainland Ecuador over to your first stop on the Galapagos, the island of San Cristobal. You're met on arrival and transferred to the Casa Opuntia hotel, or similar.
The rest of today is yours at leisure to settle in, with numerous sites accessible without a guide. Head to the interpretation centre for an introduction to the human and natural history of the Galapagos Islands; visit the beautiful mangrove lined beaches of Loberia to look for sea lions, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies, or take a walk to Darwin Bay, where Charles Darwin first set foot on these incredible islands.
After breakfast, take to the water this morning bound for the incredible Kicker Rock, and your first dives. Around 40 minutes boat ride from San Cristobal, Kicker Rock is easily recognisable as it pierces the Pacific Ocean, reaching up almost vertically to150 metres above sea level. A channel has formed in this volcanic rock over past centuries. Here you have the opportunity to dive with manta rays, Galapagos shark, sealions, green turtles and marine iguanas. You may also have another chance at seeing hammerhead sharks. Enjoy a picnic lunch on board, before a second dive, returning to San Cristobal in the afternoon.
Dinner is at your own expense this evening back at your hotel.
After breakfast, depart San Cristobal by speedboat for Santa Cruz, around two hours to the east. On arrival, you're transferred to your hotel to leave your luggage, before continuing to the giant tortoise reserve, where you have the chance to see these incredible animals in their natural habitat. Later, your Spanish-speaking driver brings you back to your hotel in Puerto Ayora, where you can check in and relax.
For those keen for more discoveries today, there are a number of fascinating and easily accessible sites you can enjoy without a guide. Head to the stunning Tortuga Bay to search for seabirds, marine iguana and blue-footed boobies; head to the Charles Darwin Research Station, or visit the stunning volcanic formations of Grietas (small supplement applies).
Accommodation: Hotel La Isla or similar. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense today.
Over the next four days, enjoy eight dives from Santa Cruz. Witness the wonderful marine life the Galapagos has to offer and look out for rays, sharks and a variety of fish species. There’s a daily programme of dive sites which includes the cleaning station at Floreana, shark encounters at Mosquera, Seymour Channel, and the famous Gordon Rocks dive site.
Highlights may include hammerheads, black and white-tip reef sharks, Galapagos sharks, sea lions, and if you're particularly lucky, you can see all these predators hunting the large schools of black-striped salemas and sardines along with blue-footed boobies diving for their share! You may also find turtles, yellowfin tuna, manta, sting, and eagle rays, barracudas, jewel morays, large schools of king angelfish among others.
Breakfast and lunch are included each day, with dinner at your own expensive back at the hotel.
Early this morning, travel by local boat to your next island, Isabela, where you spend a further three nights. The boat journey is a little over two hours.
Once on Isabela, enjoy more diving at Isla Tortuga, or turtle rock. This dive site is a real gem, one of the best dive sites in the Galapagos Islands. Located in the southern part of Isabela, glide along a deep wall where hammerhead sharks and manta rays roam. If you're really lucky, Mola mola and even orca are occasionally seen at this dive site.
Accommodation: Hotel Wooden House or similar. Breakfast is included today, with lunch and dinner at your own expense.
Today is another opportunity to experience the incredible diving around Isla Tortuga, with two more dives included, maximising your chances to see some of the larger marine life this dive site is known for.
Once again, breakfast is included, with lunch and dinner at your own expense.
Today's a free day to relax and enjoy Isabela.
Some optional tours are available for an additional cost, including a visit to the Cabo Rosa Tunnels. Here observe the lava topography and have the opportunity of more wildlife encounters. The lava tunnels were formed by an eruption thousands of years ago when the magma reached the ocean and created bridges suspended over tranquil waters.
Other optional tours include a hike to the Sierra Negra, or a visit to the volcanic caldera at the Minas de Azufre.
Breakfast is included today.
Travel back to Santa Cruz by speedboat this morning in time for a domestic flight back to the mainland. Here you can return to the UK on your international flight, or extend your stay in the historical Quito, or into the Amazon Rainforest. Discuss your options with the Dive team. Our Discover the Galapagos & Amazon trip idea is the perfect inspiration.
Please note: Diving in the Galápagos can be challenging, and we recommend some experience diving in current. Certain dive sites have a minimum requirement of 25 logged dives. Please note that boat journeys can also be choppy at times. Island-hopping in the Galapagos can also be enjoyed on a tailor-made basis - contact us to find out more.
The rocky coastline and mangrove lined inlets of Santa Cruz Island are ideal for divers to spot sea turtles, sharks and rays. Home to the Charles Darwin Research Station, there are also healthy populations of tortoises, land and marine iguanas and birds. Find Out More about {acc:title}
Shaped like a seahorse, Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos, and one of the most volcanically active places on earth. Surrounded by stunning turquoise waters, turtles, sea lions, whales and Galapagos penguins are common sightings. Find Out More about {acc:title}
Their radiant fish and bizarre animals make the Galapagos a world-class diving and unique wildlife destination. Fed by nutrient rich waters from the tropical Pacific Ocean, the magical marine life enchants and fascinates in equal measure. Find Out More about {acc:title}
The most easterly island in the Galapagos, San Cristobal is where Charles Darwin set foot in 1835. Today it has plenty to offer its visitors both topside and underwater - from interpretation centres and wildlife reserves to check-out dive sites with playful sea lions. Find Out More about {acc:title}
Home to the first inhabitants in the archipelago, Floreana provides nesting areas for tropical birds, as well as colourful beaches, panoramic views and exciting dive sites. The submerged crater of Devil’s Crown is one of the best snorkelling sites in the Galapagos. Find Out More about {acc:title}
Relax at La Isla Hotel, a small, modern hotel in the heart of Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz. This hotel is the ideal base from which to dive and explore the wildlife of Santa Cruz and the surrounding Galápagos archipelago. Find Out More about La Isla Hotel
Enjoy this characterful, family run boutique lodge as a base while you explore the incredible nature of Isabela Island, one of the most ecologically impressive islands in the Galápagos archipelago. Find Out More about Wooden House Lodge
