Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Galapagos Islands
4.5 stars on(8,166 reviews)- Choose from 200+ Galapagos Islands tours
- 500+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
10 best christmas & new year Galapagos Islands tours
Compiled by
MelissaGalapagos Islands travel expert at TourRadar
- Galapagos Discovery
- Galapagos Ultimate 6 Days Tour
- Galapagos - Central, North, South and East Islands aboard the Archipel I
- Galapagos Express - Central, South & East Islands aboard the Archipel I
- Galapagos Encounter - Archipel I (Itinerary B)
- Galapagos Encounter - Archipel I (Itinerary A)
- Santa Cruz Island Diving Adventure 7D/6N
- Galapagos Island Hopping Diving Full Experience 8D/7N
- Galapagos Island Hopping Adventure 7D/6N
- 10 Days Galapagos Highlights Small Group Tour
Galapagos Discovery
18 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“lovely tour - very good itinerary and comfortable pace.”
Xiaofeng, traveled in March
Giant tortoises and marine iguanas create a unique Christmas in the Galápagos. The Interpretation Centre and Charles Darwin Station offer special holiday programs. Sea lions and turtles welcome snorkelers at Tijeretas and La Loberia.
Duration 9 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $3,870
30% Off- NZ$2,709+$389 local paymentsYou save $1,161
Galapagos Ultimate 6 Days Tour
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We were very pleased with the 9 day trip that this tour company planned for us, which included the Galapagos & Ecuador mainland.”
RobSnyder, traveled in November
A 6-day Galapagos expedition starts at Quito's UNESCO-listed Old Town. San Cristobal's Tijeretas Hill, Darwin's Bay snorkeling, and Kicker Rock's marine life await. Algarrobos Hostel and Casa Galapagos provide comfort, while QUIOSKOS street in Puerto Ayora serves fresh seafood dinners.
Duration 6 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Leon Dormido, Santa Cruz Island, Baltra Island Age Range 12 to 80 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Operator GUIDEcuador Travel From
30% Off- NZ$2,356
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, Guayaquil, Baltra Island, Genovesa Island, Bartolomé Island, Santiago Island, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Floreana Island, Española IslandSee all destinations Age Range 16 to 85 year olds Operator Explore! From
30% Off- NZ$12,150
December in Galapagos offers peak wildlife viewing aboard Archipel I catamaran. Meet Fausto Llerena's giant tortoises, dive into Devil's Crown's vibrant reefs, and spot rare waved albatross at Española Island.
Duration 7 days Destinations Quito, Guayaquil, Galapagos Islands, Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Ayora, Floreana Island, Española Island, Punta Suarez, San Cristóbal IslandSee all destinations Age Range 16 to 85 year olds Operator Explore! From
30% Off- NZ$8,360
Holiday wonders unfold aboard Archipel I throughout the Galapagos. Breeding colonies fill Gardner Bay, festive meals delight between islands, and Christmas brings encounters with giant tortoises at El Chato Reserve.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Seymour Norte, Genovesa Island, Bartolomé Island, Santiago Island, Santa Cruz Island, Floreana Island, Española Island, San Cristóbal IslandSee all destinations Age Range 12 to 99 year olds Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
30% Off- NZ$12,320
Archipel I hosts festive dining and seasonal wildlife encounters during holiday cruises. Christmas brings marine iguana sightings at Fernandina, while New Year reveals Black Turtle Cove's shark nurseries.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, South Plaza Island, Santa Fé Island, Floreana Island, Santa Cruz Island, Las Tintoreras Islet, Isabela Island, Fernandina Island, Baltra IslandSee all destinations Age Range 12 to 99 year olds Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
30% Off- NZ$12,320
December brings perfect wildlife viewing in the Galapagos. The Charles Darwin Station welcomes visitors, while Tortuga Bay offers scenic cycling routes. Puerto Ayora hosts festive meals during peak season.
Duration 7 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Bamba Travel From
30% Off- NZ$3,602
Holiday diving beckons at Kicker Rock and Gordon Rocks. Seasonal wildlife gatherings await at Cerro Tijeretas and giant tortoise sites, complemented by festive meals and island lodging.
Duration 8 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Bamba Travel From
30% Off- NZ$4,782
Wildlife encounters at Tintoreras Islet and Lobos Island make Christmas magical in the Galapagos. Sierra Negra Volcano hiking and marine life snorkeling welcome the New Year. Six nights spread across three islands complete this adventure.
Duration 7 days Destinations Baltra Island, Isabela Island, Las Tintoreras Islet, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Fé Island, Bartolomé Island, San Cristóbal Island, Lobos Island Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Bamba Travel From
30% Off- NZ$3,656
10 Days Galapagos Highlights Small Group Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The canoe rides and sightseeing were unforgettable. The food and restaurant service was great.”
Andrew, traveled in August
Giant tortoises roam Santa Cruz highlands while San Cristóbal's interpretation center reveals island secrets this holiday season. Crystal-clear waters at Las Grietas canyon invite snorkeling, with peaceful walks along Tortuga Bay and magical moments at Garrapatero Beach.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, Santa Cruz Island, San Cristóbal Island, Isabela Island Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Operator Responsible Travel South America From
30% Off- NZ$4,726
What people love about Christmas & New Year Tours in Galapagos Islands
My friend and I made a last minute decision to head to the Galapagos and found Tour Radar to coordinate our trip. It was fantastic! It was certainly helpful to have insider knowledge since we had little time to do our own research. When we did have questions (and we did pretty much every day!) I have to give tremendous credit to Tour Radar’s local contact, Jeferson Paucar at Responsible Travel. I don’t think he is ever away from his work because he always immediately answered my DM’s no matter what time of day or night. He was outstanding. As for the trip itself, Galapagos is just magical. Isabela was our favorite island due to its smaller town size, beautiful beaches and friendly vibe. Snorkeling was incredibly amazing with the clearest water. We did the 6 hour Sierra Negra volcano hike. The hike up and back is a bit of a grind, but the enormity of the caldera and the hike down the other side into the lava flow area is amazing. Please bring LOTS of water and some bars. It is described as a 6 hour hike and it is just that. As an avid trail runner and hiker, I was expecting a lot of stopping along the way and thought I might feel slowed down. That was definitely not the case!
5 Days Galapagos Expedition Tour
This was such an amazing and affordable option for traveling to the mainland of Ecuador. Ecaudor has so much to offer and we feel that this tour showed us so much of it. The logistics of the itinerary were thoughtfully put together and made for such an easy time. We were given our pickup times and locations (mainly at our hotels) and someone was always there asking for us by name to take us either on a tour or a private drive to the next city. Isabel stayed on top of the tour companies that the sport activities were booked with to make sure we were taken care of at all times. HIGHLY RECOMMEND
7 Days Galapagos Multisport Adventure Tour
Excellent coordination! Good guides! Daniel was super! Was there for us whenever and wherever! Better hotels recommended in Isabella island! Will come back to Tour Radar after our first experience!
10 Days Galapagos Island Hopping in Santa Cruz and Isabela
What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Galapagos Islands
How far in advance should I book a Christmas & New Year tour to the Galapagos?
Book Galapagos festive season tours 8-12 months ahead to secure preferred accommodations and activities. Places like the Semilla Verde Boutique Hotel and Isamar Hotel fill up early as do tours to Sierra Negra Volcano and Kicker Rock. Recent travelers who waited until 6 months before departure found limited options. A TourRadar traveler shared "We booked our Christmas tour 10 months ahead and were glad we did as many other travelers we met had trouble finding availability just 6 months before."
What makes Christmas & New Year in the Galapagos Islands special?
The Galapagos combines holiday festivities with natural wonders during the festive season. Hotel Solymar guests enjoy Christmas dinner while sea lions and marine iguanas roam nearby shores. December's 79°F temperatures create ideal conditions for snorkeling at Kicker Rock and Tortuga Bay where tropical fish sea turtles and rayseler noted "The Christmas dinner overlooking the Pacific Ocean while watching the sunset was absolutely magical and the wildlife encounters made it an unforgettable holiday experience."
What wildlife can I expect to see during a Christmas & New Year tour?
The festive season presents prime wildlife viewing. Giant tortoise hatchlings emerge at the Charles Darwin Research Station while green sea turtles begin nesting at Tortuga Bay. Waved Albatross colonies remain active on Española Island before their seasonal departure. One traveler reported "We saw everything from baby sea lions playing on Christmas Day at La Loberia to blue-footed boobies performing their mating dance on New Year's Eve - it was like nature's own holiday celebration."
What are the accommodation options during Christmas & New Year?
Hotels across the islands offer special holiday programs. Semilla Verde Boutique Hotel provides festive packages with seasonal decorations while Isamar Hotel hosts beachfront celebrations. Most properties arrange Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners. According to a guest "We stayed at the Red Mangrove Hotel in Puerto Ayora which was beautifully decorated for Christmas and offered amazing holiday feasts with local specialties."
Are there any local Christmas & New Year traditions in the Galapagos?
Puerto Ayora's main square comes alive with Ecuadorian holiday customs blended with island traditions. Local music and dance fill the streets while venues like Red Mangrove serve Christmas Eve dinners featuring fresh seafood and traditional dishes. A recent visitor observed "Spending New Year's Eve in Puerto Ayora was incredible - the whole town comes alive with music dancing and local traditions we'd never experienced before."
What's the best way to travel between islands during Christmas & New Year?
Speedboats connect major islands like Santa Cruz Isabela and San Cristóbal. Morning departures offer calmer conditions compared to afternoon crossings. The Santa Cruz to Isabela route takes about 2.5 hours. A traveler suggests "We took early morning boat transfers during our Christmas tour which were smoother and offered beautiful sunrise views of the islands."