Galapagos Islands Small Group Tours
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10 best Galapagos Islands small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaGalapagos Islands travel expert at TourRadar
- 12-Day Galapagos Expedition
- The Wonders of Santa Cruz Island
- 6-Day Galapagos Islands plus Bike, Kayak, Hike, Snorkel
- 8 Days Island Hopping in Galapagos Islands for Gay Travelers
- Galápagos Island Hopping (6 destinations)
- Galapagos Outdoor 9 Days Tour
- Luxury Galapagos 8 Days Tour
- Galapagos Experience (4 days)
- 4-Day Galapagos Island Hopping
- Fly Galapagos Unique 9 Days Tour
12-Day Galapagos Expedition
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The Galapagos Islands is paradise, thanks to rebecca adventure travel to have this amazing options!!”
NelsondelaBastida, traveled in February
Small groups join expert naturalist guides throughout the archipelago. Visitors snorkel at legendary sites like Kicker Rock and El Finado, known for hammerhead sharks and seahorses. Accommodations include Hotel Galapagos Eco Friendly and Hotel Volcano, suited for ages 12+.
Duration 12 days Destinations San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, Santa Fé Island, Baltra Island Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Rebecca Adventure Travel From
- NZ$7,136
Duration 6 days Destinations Baltra Island, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Bartolomé Island, Pinzón Island Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 6 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Authentic Ecuador From $5,017
4% Off- NZ$4,797You save $220
Natural encounters thrive in small groups at Tintoreras Islet and Sierra Negra Volcano. Expert naturalist guides lead intimate excursions to spot Galapagos Penguins and Marine Iguanas, while group sizes remain manageable for activities like kayaking at Puerto Villamil and hiking Cerro Chato Reserve.
Duration 6 days Destinations Baltra Island, Isabela Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Nature Galapagos & Ecuador From
4% Off- NZ$2,940
Small groups enhance wildlife encounters throughout the Galapagos archipelago. Private access to giant tortoises at Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, peaceful snorkeling at La Lobería with sea lions, and exclusive guided hikes to pristine Tortuga Bay beach.
Duration 8 days Destinations Quito, Puerto Ayora Age Range Ages 18+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
4% Off- NZ$4,805
Galápagos Island Hopping (6 destinations)
41 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trip was amazing.”
Zhaohui, traveled in May
Groups of 12-14 travelers make for perfect wildlife encounters. The setting ensures quality time at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre, snorkeling at Loberia, and hiking Sierra Negra Volcano. Personalized attention from certified naturalist guides across 6 destinations.
Duration 9 days Destinations Quito, Santa Cruz Island, Floreana Island, Isabela Island Age Range Ages 12+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Operator G Adventures From $5,399
25% Off- NZ$4,049You save $1,350
Galapagos Outdoor 9 Days Tour
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was a wonderful tour of the Galapagos Islands, Quito and Otavalo while in Ecuador mainland.”
KatherineAbailey, traveled in November
Groups of 8-12 travelers share intimate wildlife encounters at Kicker Rock and Tintoreras Islet. Small speedboats facilitate agile navigation between San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, and Isabela Islands, with expert naturalist guides providing personal attention.
Duration 9 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, Bartolomé Island, Baltra Island Age Range Ages 10+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator GUIDEcuador Travel From
25% Off- NZ$5,809+$1,215 local payments
Luxury Galapagos 8 Days Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Weather was awesome, the hotels were nice, thank you for everything!”
Amida, traveled in February
Private yacht tours to Los Tuneles and Kicker Rock offer intimate wildlife viewing with dedicated naturalist guides. Special access to Sierra Negra Volcano and Bartolome Island's Pinnacle Rock, plus luxury stays at Casa Marita and Blue Galapagos ensure personalized experiences.
Duration 8 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Isabela Island, San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island, Bartolomé Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator GUIDEcuador Travel From
25% Off- NZ$13,906
Small groups of 2-16 make perfect wildlife encounters possible. Intimate experiences await at Tintoreras Islet's iguana colonies and Las Grietas' snorkeling spots. Expert naturalist guides provide personal attention during Tortuga Bay beach treks.
Duration 4 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island Age Range Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 14 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Cami Adventures From
25% Off- NZ$1,563
4-Day Galapagos Island Hopping
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Amazing trip! I love the Galapagos Islands!”
Myriam, traveled in July
Ten travelers per guide visit Los Túneles for intimate wildlife encounters. The small group setting enhances experiences at the Charles Darwin Station and Flamingo Lagoon, while speedboat transfers between islands create natural bonding opportunities.
Duration 4 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Rebecca Adventure Travel From
25% Off- NZ$1,987
Fly Galapagos Unique 9 Days Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The pre-trip documentation was superb, and our accommodations as well as the service provided was beyond First Class.”
WendyGrants, traveled in December
A maximum of 12 travelers ensures intimate wildlife encounters at iconic sites like Kicker Rock and Los Tuneles. Small group size allows for personalized guidance at the Charles Darwin Station and comfortable stays at boutique hotels including Casa de Marita and Casa Opuntia.
Duration 9 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Isabela Island, San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island, Bartolomé Island, Santa Fé Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 9 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator GUIDEcuador Travel From
25% Off- NZ$8,784+$1,109 local payments
Reviews of Small Group tours to Galapagos Islands
- Galápagos Adventure: Snorkelling & Sea Lions
I absolutely loved everything about this tour. The guide was fantastic and knew everything there is to know about all the wildlife on the islands. The hotels and food and drinks were wonderful. Every day included a fun activity. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who loves adventure!
Excellent guides, food, accommodations. I suggest first day Isabella visit Turtle Sanctuary, less time looking for Flamingos, only saw 3. Bay Tour Santa Cruz, skip the salt flats and snorkeling in the tunnel, too crowded, nit big enough for amount of people there. Also limited distance of snorkeling ability .. very short passage. I suggest more snorkeling on the shorelines of Santa Cruz... maybe near a nice beach where seals sun themselves.
4-Day Galapagos Island Hopping
- 5-Day Luxury Galapagos
The entire trip flowed like clockwork! There are so many transportation needs and transfer points throughout the whole vacation, and all we had to do was to show up and follow directions. We didn't have to make any decisions on the spot about what to do next, or how to arrange it, or where to get a meal. The sequence of activities was very well thought-out, with the more strenuous piece in the morning for cooler temperatures, and swimming during the hot afternoons. We saw so much wildlife! Every single guide was amazing, knowledgable, friendly, and helpful. We're an older couple, and they graciously allowed that we might walk a little slower, or rest a couple more times than the younger participants, which was so nice. Meals were well-prepared, and mostly had some variety from day to day, and the presentation of meals was way beyond what I expected.
What our customers ask about Galapagos Islands Small Group Tours
What accommodation types are available on small group Galapagos tours?
Small group Galapagos tours provide accommodations ranging from upscale boutique hotels to well-equipped expedition vessels. The Casa Marita on Isabela Island and Blue Galapagos Hotel on Santa Cruz Island represent the higher end with ocean views and personalized service. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The hotels selected were high end hotels (4*) with buffet breakfast rooms and ambiance were perfect for our small group experience."
How far in advance should I book a small group Galapagos tour?
Planning ahead is essential for Galapagos small group tours particularly for sought-after vessels like the Galapagos Petrel or popular hotels such as Casa Marita. The typical booking window spans 6-12 months with data showing an average lead time of 575 days between initial inquiry and departure. A TourRadar traveler notes: "Book well ahead for small group tours to get your preferred dates and accommodation options."
What is the best time of year for small group tours in Galapagos?
The Galapagos welcomes visitors throughout the year. December through May brings warmer temperatures and calmer waters making it ideal for water activities at Kicker Rock and Los Tuneles. Wildlife viewing peaks from June to November especially around Sierra Negra Volcano and the Charles Darwin Station. A TourRadar traveler shares: "The warmer season was perfect for our small group as we could maximize our snorkeling time and enjoy clearer visibility."
What dining arrangements are typical for small group tours in Galapagos?
Most tours include breakfast at partner hotels like Deja Vú Hotel or Cormorant Beach House and lunch during day trips. Dinner arrangements are often flexible letting guests explore restaurants in Puerto Ayora and Puerto Villamil. One TourRadar traveler notes: "The food included in the tour was great especially the fresh seafood lunches during boat excursions."
How does transportation work between islands on small group tours?
Inter-island travel combines speedboat services and small aircraft. The journey from Santa Cruz to Isabela takes approximately 2.5 hours by boat while flights between Baltra and Isabela run about 40 minutes. A TourRadar traveler suggests: "Sit up top with the captain during boat transfers to avoid seasickness and enjoy better views of the marine life."
How does a small group experience enhance wildlife viewing in the Galapagos?
Small groups create better conditions for observing wildlife without disruption. This setup allows closer encounters with blue-footed boobies at Isla Lobos and marine iguanas at Punta Espinoza. A TourRadar traveler reports: "Having a smaller group meant we could quietly observe Galapagos penguins and snorkel with sea turtles without scaring them away - our naturalist guide could really take time explaining everything."